April 1st, no joke! SAM, HELEN, PHIL & JANE, flew into the Puerto Vallarta airport and we have spent all week enjoying PARADISE! Six full days with 2 travel days – fun&full filled! Last Sunday we had to check into the Grand Mayan hotel – a surreal lobby, coming out of the sun into darkness, lit slightly at 20 foot ceilings to reveal Mayan giants surrounding the room. Dave & I got a deal on a free week at this place & Jane upgraded so the four of them could very comfortably stay there, while Dave & I stayed on the boat in the Nuevo Vallarta marina, just a short walk away.
On Monday morning we left on a high tide, out the channel and motor sailed to Las Tres Marietas. It was unfortunate that weather conditions were not optimum, as cold troughs and unsettled seas were pushing this far south from California, of all places! The wind was mild with high sea swells – just the right conditions for seasickness for those prone to such. I thought the upswing would be calm waters for snorkeling when we reached the Islands. No. We put off snorkeling until the next morning and had lots of fun exploring and hiking through the caves. We checked on the booby chick rescued two weeks ago, and there she was, with both parents, still all perching on the same nervous ledge! We spent a very rolly night on the moorage ball – Helen preferred to stay tucked in on the cockpit for the night, rather than deal with the rolling down below. Possibly, Dave & I had the worst night ride in the V-berth.
Everybody but Marj went out as if to snorkel after breakfast. Dave came back, against his better judgment, as the surf was so rough, it was hard to handle the dinghy on his own. As I had been putting some lunch together, the crew abandoned snorkeling and was reveling in hermit crab races – all a lot of fun! So the snorkeling never panned out, as the sea was too chaotic for any visibility. But there was lots of fun playing around, jumping waves and enjoying a spectacular isolated island environment. Then, after noon, several tour boats arrived with more people than we have seen in months – so we jumped aboard KIEVIT and headed for La Cruz, the cool little town we enjoy on the north side of the Bay.
La Cruz is a real Mexican town, as we’ve said before. And the family enjoyed leisurely walking around, checking out the few stores and the Tuesday evening market. We ate tacos at a palapa on the street and finished the evening with paletas de aqua – fresh fruit popsicles at the best spot in the whole Banderas area! Phil really liked the mango/chili pop he ordered and when we returned the next day, Jane tried tamarindo, which she enjoyed. We haven’t taken photos in La Cruz, though we’ve been hanging out here for the past two months. It is such a simple place. Much of last month, the streets were torn up and remade, all the concrete in the park was painted, and all around the marina was much construction and then lots of military police – all in anticipation of the international boat races, then the national tourist convention and indeed the President visiting twice! It would be easy to photograph the disparity between wealth and lack of, in La Cruz. But, it would feel disrespectful to do that. It is lovely to walk through the town, saying hello – sometimes even a (limited) conversation. Day and night it feels like a community that works. I need to take a photo of the Huanacatle tree though – the town is La Cruz de Huanacatle. There are beautiful, several hundred year old trees in town.
We got up early on Wednesday to meet April, our favorite travel guide, and her son Vance for surfing lessons. April has been surfing in Mexico for over 25 years – we arranged a private trip to a beach only accessed by surfers. While Helen, Sam and Phil followed April’s instructions, first on the beach and then in the surf – Dave went looking for birds in the lagoon, and Jane & I watched and cheered the surfers!
The tide was high and the surf difficult for first-timers, as this front arriving from California was still affecting the waters of Paradise. Helen and Sam got some good pointers if they ever find themselves in surf city with plenty of time to practice. And Phil was a natural! Hard work though, Jane & I were exhausted watching them. April let us off by the grilled chicken shack & we bought dinner, walked the several blocks to marina, passing the ice cream store, once again, for mid-day refreshment.
Wednesday afternoon we headed back to the marina at Nuevo Vallarta, timing so we went in on high tide to avoid any problems. However,
As we were coming into slip at Nuevo Vallarta, across from Paradise Village, Dave lost, first forward, and then reverse!! Phil & I did an amazing tie up on the opposite docks with help from husky men from a fishing boat. Do to this problem, we didn't go with the kids this morning for zip line tour & will meet in town this afternoon. Good news is Dave knew what needed to be done on the gears & he, with my nimble fingers & eyes, got it fixed before dark last night. This morning, we successfully moved Kievit across to the designated slip & tied up without help. Working on the boat in exotic locations, not so bad, the proceeding terrified moments I could do without!

We needed to be in Nuevo Vallarta to catch the early bus to LosVeranos Canopy Tour, on Thursday morning. Jane’s family stayed at the hotel and had a blast on the zip line tour. It is in the same area in the dry rain forest where Dave and I hiked in March. Dave & I got the boat and registration cared for and then took a bus into Puerto Vallarta to meet the family on the Malecon in the late afternoon. Lots of Mexican families were enjoying themselves, doing the same as us. After taking in some sights of the Romantic Area and the beach we walked up through residential areas and across the river to have dinner at the Red Cabbage Restaurant. Dave and I really like the authentic Mexican food served at this artsy spot to which Pat & Judith Jones introduced us. Check the Plates in the photo gallery.
Friday and Saturday were ALL DAY BEACH DAYS – with frequent trips to the Lazy River, which runs around all the pools at the Grand Mayan with stops at the swim up bar for two for one drinks during happy hours. Virgin drinks were 2 for 1, but soda & water was not!! The surf was great for jumping and riding – perfect temperature!
Friday evening we took a jungle tour in the dinghy, but didn’t see any crocodiles. We had a pleasant family dinner at the Fajita Republic, where there is a dock in the lagoon. This was first time we ate there as usually there is such a big crowd, we can’t get a table. It is an outdoor, patio type restaurant with lights in baskets that look like wasps nests. Everyone thought it was like, but better than Disneyland!
Saturday, after spending the day on the beach – reading and romping, we decided to try a restaurant completely out of the resort area and one that Dave and I had found a couple of weeks ago. We found our way out of the resort complex (Rather, all followed Dave) on some small trails bordering the golf course. Got on the main road, detoured through a weedy lot alongside a soccer field, being used, and across the dirt road to Claudia’s. I think we were the only paying customers, but there was a full staff – and the food and service was terrific. Jane and I both had Red Snapper special. It was a small, whole fish roasted with seasonings in the traditional style – I’ve never ordered this before, as it is usually a hugh fish. This one was perfect. The staff treated us so well, with much joking. They seemed amused that we had found our way there from the resorts. When ready to leave, a taxi driver with a van was waiting – even though Dave had told the waiter we wanted to walk. Dave & the taxi driver were discussing price and the driver said – Get In, I’ll take you for free! We all laughed, got in, and Dave paid him, not a lot. The driver was about our age – either a doctor or university professor, in another life. All very funny and friendly and a lovely evening experience for us all.
Oh, my gosh! The week is over. That’s it. The family checked out of hotel this morning. We went in the dinghy to the mall across the channel and then back to hotel for a taxi to the airport. Jane, Phil, Sam and Helen…Hasta Luego
(mi vaca es su vaca)