Mexico 2004 January

We are now on our 2nd trip to Mexico, spending the entire time in Puerto Vallarta. Traveling in mid January to celebrate birthdays of both Kristin and Pablo. This time of year is quite cool at night, 50's and still warm during the day, high 70's or low 80's. Suppose to be very little or no rain, hmmmm, we experienced rain 7 of 14 days. We still managed to take in several boat rides and events.

The tropics have these wonderful expansive trees, with roots growing everywhere. I think it is a Banyan tree.

We have several photos of their apartment, here in the living room, we brought Christmas and birthday gifts to celebrate with them.

Kristin is admiring Pablo's 'sexy' gift!!
Playing cribbage, teaching Pablo, letting him win too. In their small apartment, that is the entrance door with sidewalk right outside. View from the middle room, (used as bedroom) , looking into living room and entry door. They have a bare bones kitchen. Small stove, no oven, and those are half of the cabinets. This is the other half of the kitchen and cabinets.
Shot from the farthest room looking at the entry door. Each room was separated by these neat brick archways.
There was a small patio outback, so Judy and I painted the walls, added some lights, and plants. We had many days to plan, waiting for the rain to stop.
Outside their door, local transportation occupies a parking space.We are dining at a fine resturant on the beach in the romantic zone, now called Epoca.
Pablo and I went on a canopy tour, riding zip lines through the jungle from tree to tree. At one point near the end, we crossed from one side of the mountain to the other, reaching speeds of 40 mph, and traveling about 1/4 mile. We were just over 300 feet above the river below. We again had some rain on this event.
The 4 of us went to a Mexican Fiesta, entertainment with traditional dress and dances from several Mexican states. All the food and drink as well. Was a very good time, even with occasional rain.

Judy liked the walkways with stone shaped fish.

There are multiple flaming desserts and drinks. I really don't remember where this was from.

There was a traditional Mexican resturant featuring mole', so off we went in the rain, sat out on a balcony when the rains stopped. I however did not enjoy the mole'. Gatos was the name, something to do with cats.

Of course we had to shop, and one of the native arts is called Huichol, using tiny beads and attaching with bees wax to wooden shapes, here a panther, worth about $7000.Another event was a romantic dinner and show, of the maya culture. We took a rather chilly boat ride to Las Calitas, for Rythums of the Night. Dined along the shore, and then inland to an outdoor theater for the Mayan cultural show. Was a very good evening.

Here we are at Las Carmelitas, a very small and rather rustic outdoor resturant in the mountains. The ride up there, and back down can be nerve racking. Very narrow roads, barely wide enough for 2 cars to pass, no guard rail and a long way down the cliff. The roads are dirt and very, very steep. The food is pretty good, the drinks expensive, but the view, expecially at sunset is amazing. This is something everyone should experience at least once. We can see the old romantic zone of Vallarta to the south.

And to the north is "Centro", a somewhat newer part of Vallarta, but still not modern.

A view of Playa Los Muertos, not alot of activity in the cool wet weather.

A long way south of Vallarta, when the road no longer runs along the ocean, but turns inland, is located the largest Palapa in the world, Le Kleff. Multiple levels of dining, not sure how many but something over a dozen. A great place to visit during the day and maybe sunset, but nothing around it at night.

Ah, the pirate ship. A replica sailboat of one of Columbus's ships. Dinner, drinks and pirate entertainment, followed by fireworks. Pablo really enjoyed this event.

The pirate ship.