Adios Puerto Vallarta

 We were mostly ready to go at day break, so we just checked off the few last items to pack and readied for check out of the Palmilla Villa #3 at 10 o’clock. Lugged our gear over to the Marina Vallarta Club de Golf where we found Owners Club desk not yet open, but we stored our luggage behind the desk and got our reserved table on the veranda overlooking the 18th green.  The Sunday Brunch buffet was really good and very reasonably priced, especially with the bottomless mimosas.  Best deal in the Marina area, would highly recommend it.  Saw the “Beatles” (Paul and George) with their wives one last time there as they were moving between Villas at the Owners Club and also needed to be out of the Homestead at 10.  These two couples were fun to meet, particularly Paul who was always upbeat and at the ready with local intel.  After brunch and turning in our keys to Antonio, we had the security guard flag down a cab (actually two, couldn’t get our golf bags in the first) for the very short trip to the airport.  Can’t seem to make any sense out of the cab pricing, we could have walked to the airport but the price was the same as to go to the Malecon?  The aeropuerto was predictably busy, but we had no problem checking in as we were quite early for the flight.  Security was straight forward, even the “random” checking I underwent with a non-inglee agent.  Through security we found a comfortable location to sit awaiting departure.  The inbound WestJet flight was on time, and with some minor shenanigans, we boarded and were able to get our bags stowed nearby our seats on this very fully booked flight home.  Departure was slightly delayed due to the necessity to locate and remove the suitcase of a passenger who had checked in but didn’t show up at the gate.  While the departure gate for this flight had changed, I still wonder how you get to a small airport early enough to check a bag but can’t make it to the gate in time.  Security? Gate Confusion? Bout of Tourista?  Oh well, the time was partially made up in flight and we got to YYC only a little late.  Customs processing troubles have mostly been ironed out and we went through very smoothly, however, the baggage handling issues remain and we waited quite a long time for our bags to come through.  Thankfully they did arrive intact and Myles picked us up and got us home no problemo.  This brief vacation to Mexico was very relaxing and comfortable, we were just busy enough for the time to fly by, but also not too busy as we are well rested after the 10 days off.  Once more, a very grateful thank you to Bill and Jane, our generous hosts letting us take advantage of their Owners Club membership at Marina Vallarta.  At the end of each of our vacations, I honour my Dad with his memorable words, great trip, glad to be home.

Down day around the Condo

 Lazy start followed by a dip in the hot tub after checking the news.  In an attempt to use up some of the groceries, I mixed up some b’fast taquitos, which turned out pretty good. Lounged around the patio until gathering the motivation to stroll over to the Marina Vallarta Club de Golf to hit some practice balls in the heat of the day.  Whipped up some Guacamole with the last avocado and pico de gallo for a mid afternoon snack plus some bubbles courtesy Gino, followed by a nap in the hammock.  Did I mention this was a down day?  Decided to take one last stroll along the Marina promenade to pick up some Vanilla and check once more on the Vitamin I.  On the way out the door, I somehow managed to leave the key inside and locked us out.  In a bit of a panic, I rushed over to the golf clubhouse to see if  Antonio was still around, alas he was not to be found.  I explained my situation to the delightful Norma at the pro shop and asked if she had Antonio’s phone number, to which she abruptly responded “no”.  She did relent and called Antonio who was able to instruct her on how to access his office and where to find the master key.  After ensuring that I was acutely aware of how inconvenient this was for her, Norma gave me the key and I was able to rectify my trouble promptly.  I have to say that this trip has had more than its share of minor hiccups that could have had more challenging outcomes, but so far nothing insurmountable.  Back to the quest for Vitamin I, it is available, but you have to wade through a mountain of Viagra and Anabolic Steroids to get to it, only to find the price to be prohibitive.  Interesting to note that there seems to be a Farmicia every 20 paces or so, seemingly carrying exactly the same merchandise.  Not sure how this is a good business model?  We wound up at Splash where we enjoyed a pleasant seafood dinner and some wine.  Back at the condo, we cracked the last bottle of wine in the condo and enjoyed the cool evening air c/w one last dip in the hot tub.

Beach walk - Sonora Prime

 I think I’ve finally figured out the hot tub, so I managed to get the temperature right for a soak in the morning.  Nothing much planned for the day, wanted to test out K’s new knee walking the beach, so after a light b’fast we headed over to the Marriot.  Security waved us past when we indicated our intent to go to Nosh for lunch.  We walked towards town all the way past the Westin, beyond which the beach has been rendered back to nature.  It proved a good test of the titanium knees with hot sand shifting about with each foot fall, but overall held up nicely.  We went past the Marriot on the way back to return to a beach vendor where we had spied an attractive sarape on an earlier walk.  Success with the purchase of precisely the item K had been wanting.  Back to the Nosh for another go round of ceviche tostadas and margaritas for a late lunch.  Afterwards, we relaxed by the pool before getting gussied up for the highly recommended Sonora Prime steak house.  Our reservation for Miguel Wolf was ready when we arrived and we were seated at a comfortable table.  After being served the obligatory chips and salsa (albeit a bit upscale), we were presented with the various cuts of beef available.  

We decided to share the Cowboy cut (bone in rib steak) alongside a nice bottle of Italian wine.  Preparation and presentation were outstanding and the service was excellent with Maître D’s, servers and bus boys buzzing around.  A great experience all around as indicated by la quenta.  Back to the condo for a quick dip in the hot tub put a wrap on this day in Marina de Vallarta.

Vista Vallarta - Weiskopf

 After a night on the Old Town, it was all I could do to get up and stroll over to the Marriot to get some pesos for the remainder of our trip.  Prepped for another golf outing at the Vista, to play the second (Weiskopf) course.  Found this course to be more scenic and we enjoyed playing it a bit better than the Nicholas course, especially Karen’s birdie.  Our b’fast order wasn’t what we wanted but turned out to be a great egg sandwich, more on the kitchen there later.  The round started out on a quick pace, but we caught up to some sort of group tournament before long and the pace slowed to a crawl.  Things were looking up at the turn when the starter directed a couple of groups in front of us onto the Nicholas, alas that was short lived as we caught back up to the real culprits a couple of holes later and suffered a very slow finish to our round.  

As mentioned, the Weiskopf track was quite beautiful, so there was that.  After the round, we settled in on the patio where Salvadore mixed his world famous Cadillac Margarita and we had Sopa Azteca and shared a veggie sandwich, which was out standing.  I might even suggest it would be worth the trip up the hill to this place for the food/drinks alone?  Anyway, back to the Marina Owners Club for a quick siesta and then walked over to the Marina for the Thursday street Mercado.  This is a big event with vendor tents set up along the entire promenade beside all of the yachts moored in the Marina.  Everything from food to trinkets on display, but we wound up only buying a shirt I’d been eyeing in one of the regular shops.  It was slightly off putting to see 4-5 military folks marching through the crowd loaded for cartel.  Made me wonder what they would do if the shooting started in such a crowded area. We stopped for a rest and a glass of wine (+ a bottle of water) at the wine shop before walking back to Victors where we didn’t wait long for a table.  Oh, I should mention that the hostess didn’t like the cut of our jib and when a nice table came up overlooking the promenade, she waived in the group behind us, ostensibly because the available table was for three (or four).  Since we were only two, we had to wait and finally got a less appealing table way at the back of the restaurant.  Nevertheless, the food was good and each Pacifico came with a shot of Tequila to take the edge off.

Twisted Palms to Andele

 Miercoles was always planned to be a down day to recover from too many steps.  I had all the fixins for Huevo Rancheros so that set us up for what was to be a very relaxing break from the onslaught of too many things to do.  Siesta in the hammock was perfect while I figured out how to get the hot tub Goldilocks setting.  Thinking that we were getting a bit low on pesos, I ventured over to the Marina in search of the Scotia Bank I was sure I had seen, couldn’t find it as it was a bit further along at the super mercado.  Would have to make do with the cash on hand as time was running out.  We had a plan to meet Deb and Ron (K’s friends from Penticton) for drinks and dinner in Old Town, so when they suggested a local favourite cocktail bar called The Twisted Palm, we figured to be set.  It all worked out in the end, but the start was a bit sketchy.  While I should have mapped out the place prior to departing WiFi coverage, I didn’t based on the very effective cab service we had enjoyed so far.  Inevitably our driver knew not one word of English, I couldn’t understand the numbers he was saying (at first) and he had never heard of the Twisted Palm.  All that became apparent after we were in the cab.  Also, in my own inimitable way, I had my cellular data service turned off and couldn’t get it back on right away (too many levels).  So we were hurtling down the freeway with no communication and me more than a bit irritated with myself for allowing us to get in this predicament.  Eventually got my phone working and acquired an address from Ron on Ave. Ignacio de Vallarta, which the cabby got us kinda close to, and we found Ron awaiting our arrival at the curb.  After a couple of very large margaritas, we hopped in yet another cab for the short ride to the Melecon for dinner at La Dolce Vita.  Reservation was lost, but not to worry, they got us a great table looking out over the patio towards the beach.  

Dinner was complimented with some fine Malbec, just  to be sure blood alcohol level didn’t dip too low.  After dinner, nothing would do but to check out the very popular (with Gringos) Andales bar for some disco favourites, and much revelry.  We were getting a bit full of cerveca, so when the Blue Kamikaze came around (complete with purple nurples for everyone), we had to say yes.  No one rode the burro, but Deb was keen to show Karen the railing leading upstairs.  Quite the place to be sure.  I paid the tab (very nearly left a credit card on the floor) and we grabbed one of the ubiquitous cabs and bid our hosts a hearty buenos noches.  

Marina Vallarta Club de Golf

 With the first tee at the foot of our patio, we didn’t have to get moving too early in order to make our tee time comfortably.  We took Jane’s note to Antonio at the Owners Club desk, but no Antonio.  The staff seemed a bit leery about letting us go without paying first on the promise that we would work it all out with Tony once complete.  The course was not busy at all and even though we were often waiting for the twosome ahead, our round was complete in under 4 hours.  The crocodiles were out in force and we saw many large and small, up close in some cases.  At the 18th, there were a bunch of big Iguanas to greet us at the green.

 We located Antonio and after some nudging, he agreed to check with his higher ups to see if they would allow the discount offered to member’s guests playing with a member (since Jane had to leave “early” to attend to Billy).  Antonio got the go ahead but the counter staff made it clear that they were none to pleased that we had negotiated a better rate (“this in only good for today, not any other day!”).  After tacos and a margarita at the clubhouse, we grabbed our clubs and took the short path back to Casa Palmilla and spent some time at the pool before deciding that a return to Terrazza de Roma for dinner over the water.  We made a reservation there and then walked down the marina and around the corner to make a reservation at Sonora Prime Friday evening.  On the way back, we stopped at CJ’s Texas for a cocktail and guacamole before getting a nice table for two on the terrace.  A fine pasta dinner was served up by Martin which made it a wrap for our first day without our G.O.

Walk on the beach

 After slowly starting the day, and some taquitos for b’fast at the condo, Miss Jane led us down Paseo de la Marina Norte walking alongside hotels, homes and condos to the public beach access which passes by the 14th hole and crocodile habitat.  

Strolled the beach back to the Marriot by which time it was necessary to have a margarita at the Nosh beach club bar.  Ordered up some fabulous tostadas while Jane became even more delightful with tequila on an empty stomach!  Spent more time there than we had planned but enjoyed the beautiful ambiance of the Marriot poolside/beachfront bar.  K&I made a quick trip over to the Marina Oxxo for supplies and who should we meet but Jose (from previous evening).  He was glad to see us and we had a brief visit.  Afterwards, we went to the Club de Golf to see Antonio about golf plans and any other matters for Owners Club protocols, but no Antonio!  Turns out it is a holiday here to observe Dia de la Constitucion. We booked a couple of tee times with a plan to meet Antonio next day.  Nothing would do but for Jane to have one last dip in the pool prior to her departure back to the frozen north.  We will miss our most gracious hostess after having her to show us the lay of the land.  Once more the convenience of this location was evident as a cab was waiting at the cab stand in front of the Marriot and Jane was wisked away for her journey home.  We had a spit wash and readied to see if we could find an appealing restaurant at the Marina, but after strolling along none of the options grabbed our fancy so Cansado, Hambriento and Sediento once more we went for comfort food at the Champions Sports bar across the Paseo.  Back to the condo it was ETB for a great nights sleep.

Vista Vallarta - Nicholas

 Up and atem early to prep for our first golf outing.  With a 09:10 tee time, we hopped in a cab for the ride through some sketchy neighborhoods along very bumpy cobblestone alleys past a landfill and up the hill to the beautiful Vista Vallarta 36 hole golf club.  After a brief warm up we were off on the Nicholas track, the Weiskopf course being fully occupied with some sort of tournament.  Salvadore came along to deliver b’fast tacos just as we were about to lose some golf balls into the gorge on the first hole.  He suggested we needn’t worry because he would stand ready to prepare his famous Margaritas upon completion of our round.  We started off behind a twosome, but they quickly left us in the dust.  The only other golfer we saw throughout the round was a single we let play through on about the sixth hole.  We had the course to ourselves, apparently  due to Sunday being a typical tourist change over day.  The weather was spectacular (apparently the same every day) and the course was in great shape and quite beautiful up in the hills.  All of us had some good shots and some bad shots in equal measure, and finished a great round in about 4 and a half hours.

 True to his word, Salvadore whipped up some Cadillac Margaritas and we had some great Mexican standards prepared to perfection (my Chile Rellano was particularly good). The cab ride back to Owners club through the hood was quick and easy, so after a rinse we were off to the pool to meet the “Beatles”, Paul and George from Massachusetts and their wives Ellen and Roberta.  Paul told us about his experience with deep vein thrombosis after his knee replacement, so now we know someone who has suffered that complication, sounds pretty horrific.  Afterwards, we resolved to take the easy option and strolled over to the Marriot Los Casitas where we had a cocktail at the bar before being assigned to a lovely oceanfront table for a light meal.  Our server was very attentive and even comp’d  us a tequila shot after dinner.  The salt shaker he brought was empty, so I hailed him back with “Jose”, which prompted Jane to be mortified, saying you can’t call him that!  To which I replied, well that’s actually his name.  That was good for a chuckle or two.  I might have managed to overserve myself once more on day two of our Jalisco vacation!

Reconnoiter Marina de Vallarta

 After a relaxing start I set out to Chappy’s to see if the opening round of the 6 Nations would be screened after being told previous evening No Problemo, alas my hopes were dashed.  So we explored the Marina’s offerings on foot giving K’s new knee a solid stress test.  Walked up to the Super Mercado which is on the main road from the airport to old town.  Collected some supplies to get through a few days and strolled back to the Owners Club Casa Palmilla.  From there back to Chappy’s for some nachos and quesadillas alongside the obligatory cerveca and margaritas.  A nap beckoned, so I grabbed my newest reading project and climbed into the hammock (this might become routine) while the girls went to the pool for a dip and sun bath.  

After freshening up we hopped in a cab and headed down to Zona Romantica, which is just past old town, and located our destination, Daquari Dicks, where we had a reservation for sunset dinner with Jane’s brother Brian (and James), from Toronto who winter here now.  We copped a beach table after some negotiation and settled in (literally) for what turned out to be a beautiful evening watching the sun go down and getting to know our new friends.  The food was really great and location awesome.  Also had the good fortune to enjoy a full Mariachi band there for a couple of large parties.  After dinner we walked along the Malecon for some world class people watching as the crowds were there for a lovely Saturday evening.  At the end of the boardless boardwalk, we bid B&J good evening and grabbed one of the ubiquitous cabs back to our Casa and fell into bed after a tiring day one of this most fortuitous break from the doldrums of Calgary’s winter.

Fun with Bill & Jane (sans Bill)

 With the darkness of winter only waning marginally (it seems), and a fresh dusting of snow, we embarked on a voyage to Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco down Mexico way.  Our friends (and very generous ones at that as prior posts to this blog will attest) Bill and Jane invited us to their condo at Marina de Vallarta.  Their plans had to be abruptly modified when Bill got a call to take a cancellation appointment to have one of his long awaited knee replacement procedures just before Christmas.  Having been rendered grounded from flying, he would be unable to go to PV in Jan/Feb as planned.  Not to be deterred, the ever gracious Jane wasn’t about to miss spending their vacation entertaining family and friends while Bill was convalescing at home.  The window of opportunity opened for us, and we leapt through.  So, while he is there, we are here.  Miss Jane will spend several days squiring us about the neighborhood before heading home to Bill.  Our Day 1 started early with Matthew agreeing to drive us to YYC if we’d go before his workday commenced.  Arrived at the airport fully three and a half hours before our flight.  This allowed us to start the vacation in style with b’fast at a wine bar, can’t get much better than that.  Push back was exactly on time and the WestJet flight was very comfortable.  After waiting nervously for our luggage, we were relieved to see everything turn up on the carousel.  Mexican customs was predictably laid back, and we made our way to the curb an got a cab for the very short drive to the Marina area, with only a very minor hiccup due to having a slightly incorrect address (cuatrocientos treinta is not the same as cuatrocientos sesenta!).  Luckily, Jane had made her way to the curb and we saw her standing there after a very minor detour.  We entered the very comfortable Owners Club through the iron gate and got settled into the Master Suite (I know that is no longer PC).  A quick walk over to the Marriot to see if Champions would be screening the Calcutta cup next morning (not), then over to the Marina and got a lovely table at La Terraza de Marina where we enjoyed a great pizza/pasta meal with Italian wine (muy caliente por Jane - got some gelato for desert).  That put a wrap on day 1, and after purchasing some pricey AA batteries at the Farmicia we strolled home and were abed well before midnight.  Blogging early on day 2, on the patio overlooking the first tee box at Marina de Golf, the golfing commences as early as conceivable with the first group off before fully light.  What a lovely way to start the day with my newspaper and coffee!