Nuestra segunda casa, México

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

"It was a bit like going home"....we spent many months in and around Banderas Bay aboard both s/v Eager Dreamer and m/v Serena Ray.  This trip was different, we had the opportunity to rent a fabulous condominium for the month, which was located high on the hill above what is called Zona Romantica in Puerto Vallarta. Boating friends from the Blaine Marina we met in 2007, Glenn and Diane, had their condominium available and we had the time.  They just recently purchased a home in PV, making the condominium available for rent.

View from the open air dinning area overlooking Zona Romantica

Jungle view behind the building

 

With daytime temperatures in the mid-80's...the pool was a fine place to cool off in the afternoons!

 Longtime friends, Arne and Judy Jorgensen, joined us for a week.....arriving from Plain, WA (near Leavenworth) to enjoy some Mexico warmth and hospitality..

 

Daily walks into town for a good hike, some beach time and always a little shopping.

Along the Malecon....a variety of interesting sculptures....

A pelican fly-by.....

 

Dolphins at play....

Rosie and Judy....with a young greek god..

It appears that this PV sculptor was taken by aliens....that theme is prevalent along the Malecon

An evening with Glenn and Diane and their neighbors...love the lipstick don't you???

Mexican Coffee at a nearby restaurant...Vista Grill...a must when in Mexico!!

Note that even King Neptune has alien-like seahorses....

 An hour panga ride from Puerto Valarta gets you to a small village called Yelapa. Great for a get-away from all the PV activity.  We actually anchored here with Eager Dreamer back in 2008.

Full panga heading to Yalapa....He is asking "you all can swim, right?"

 

Yelapa is located in a small bay on the south shore of Bandaras Bay....with no road access!

 

Great swimming in the bay!!

The village is located on the hill above the bay....

 After the Jorgensen's departed, we decided to take a couple days away from PV and visit one of our favorite cruising places....La Cruz, on the north side of the Bay.  This is where we moored Serena Ray.  It was time to look up a few cruising friends that are still in the area!!

 

Local fisherman repairing nets at La Cruz



Cruising friends John and Liz....now living full-time in La Cruz after selling their boat m/v OutAHere.

Colorful La Cruz school yard walls...

Philo's Bar remains the prominent cruiser hangout.  The Philo and the Shuffle Band entertain several nights a week.  Great times at this establishment!!
 

 La Cruz is a very small town compared to PV, the good news is that everything is within walking distance!!

Our room at the La Cruz Inn.

 We were able to track down our long-time friend, Luis, who tends boats at the Marina.

Luis cared for both Eager Dreamer and Serena Ray at the Marina while we made visits back to the States.

Breakfast at a small La Cruz restaurant...French Toast!!

The La Cruz Central Square hosts most all local festivals.  Every Sunday there is an artisans market, chuck-full of local foods and crafts.

La Cruz's main square....

Retuning from La Cruz, our good friends Steve and Chris Kuykendal from East Wenatchee joined us for a week of R&R.  They too needed a warm weather fix!!

One of our favorite beachfront restaurants....

 

Locals walk the beach offering fresh oysters and shrimp on a stick..... with cervesa's it's a perfect lunch!!

 

All smiles after a day of shopping along the malecon...



Dinner at the condo before Steve and Chris depart....return to winter!

Adios Puerto Vallarta.....

As usual, the month in Mexico passed by way too fast. To be sure... Mexico still remains one of our favorite destinations.  We are often asked why we would want to travel in such a dangerous country.  We always respond by saying...."Don't be swayed by all the media hype".  Over the years we have travelled throughout Mexico and feel safer there than in many US cities.  To be sure...Mexico remains a safe place to visit and offers so much!!!