Welcome back to the Deep Freeze

 Our dia adicional commenced with one last trip to La Marina Vallarta for b’fast at La Terraza di Roma - our go to restaurante which didn’t disappoint.  Strolled back to the Marriott where I left the remaining tourists and managed to get a brisk walk circumambulating the neighbourhood one last time on this trip.  Found the team relaxing at the beach/pool and enjoyed a couple of Pacificos while grabbing some rays.  I haven’t actually laid out in the sun much in a long time and found it to be pleasant, while managing to not get sunburned. Karen had been suffering from the return of a fairly nasty cough and Darlene helped select some medicomento para la tos seca en la farmacia.  This trip actually found some success in acquiring useful stuff at the ubiquitous pharmacies in this locale.  The hours drifted past and we were glad to have been granted a late check out time of tres hora. Got freshened up and met Bruce and Dar in the lobby after their visit to the wonderful spa at the Marriott.  Airport transfer to el aeropuerto provided by the hotel (big brand new suburban) was an unanticipated benefit, and we found traffic to be unusually sparse - we got there in record time well in advance of our departure.  Bruce had some heartburn over the strangeness of this “recovery” flight which was not listed on the system he uses to keep an eye on what’s happening in the skies.  Check in was smooth and we were glad to have upgraded our seats and got the priority service.  All was well and a plane did show up, boarded and departed with a lot of empty seats on the extra flight from PVR to YYC.  Flight was smooth and made up some time getting us back to the frosty north and found our luggage off the plane promptly, no trouble and customs and grabbed an airport limo that got us home in record time through the dark, cold, snowy night.  Whenever we return unscathed from adventures, I reflect on how much I miss Dad and now have no need to call Mom to let her know we’re home safe.  Great trip, glad to be home.

Un dia adicional

 Loaded up our gear in order to get checked out of the Owners Club and took the decision (actually Bruce had already made the call the night prior) to head over to the Marriott and get a room for our WestJet induced extra night.  Left bags there and headed back to Casa de Club and took our mesa overlooking the 18th green for a lovely brunch complete with entertainment by the many Iguanas that habituate the trees and pond right there.  Bill and Jane loaded up and headed to the aeropuerto as they somehow got rebooked for the same day replacement flight.  Bruce & Dar, K&I went back over to the Marriott and completed our check in, then proceeded to the pool area for a relaxing day in the sun.  Sunset dinner at Las Casitas, where we enjoyed la mesa de Jane overlooking the beach.  ETB with a plan for the next eating opportunity and hoping to get check out time delayed tomorrow in order to improve the last few hours in PV before returning to the very frozen north.

Marina, Malecon, Vista, Flight cancelled

 In our paradise adjacent villa, the wifi has been almost working for three days, thus the missed posts. Played the Marina Vallarta Club de Golf on Thursday, then we were off to the obligatory Mercado de Jueves at the Marina.  Los hombres left las mujeres to shop the mercado and settled in for nachos y cervecas at Fajita Banana. Once the touring party was reconvened, decided to check out the brand new Meson Iberica Comida Español.  Paella was excellent and wrapped the day (or night as the case may be) with the boys tackling whatever libations we could rustle up back at the Villa.  Drunk dialing friends at 04:00 was comical.  Friday saw a predictably slow start, but we made it to the Twisted Palm for happy hour with Deb & Ron plus Brian &James in tow before wandering over to Archies Wok y una mesa en el calle.  The obligatory ADD at Andeles was a hit, with Billy particularly impressed by the buro's appendage.  Saturday was back up to Vista Vallarta for the Nicholas course with Bill’s friend Kevin and his wife Cindy.  All around pretty subdued with Bruce and I showing our age and infirmity after a week of system abuse.  However, Salvator (Chappy) recommended we send our clubs back to Marina with the local staff and hop in a cab to Marisco La Tia Ñaña.  Tucked on a back road out of sight from the main drag, we found this highly recommended seafood restaurant.  What a great place to see some local culture/cuisine and enjoy a very unique experience enroute back to the Villa.  Food and service was really great and if we are back, we'll visit this discovery again.  Salvator came in with some of his family and was very pleased that we had taken his recommendation and that we were enjoying ourselves.  Next morning received notice that our flight home has been cancelled and we’ve be rebooked for tomorrow, those Turks seem to be a bit of a jinx for our flights home??  Actually, Bruce got the notice late night prior (he wasn't relying on the wifi - note to self) and had already made some adjustments by securing a room reservation at the Marriott across the calle.