Tuesday, Oct 24 Puerto Vallarta + Banderas Bay

We had three full “At Sea Days”after everyone go off the ship at Frisco.  The seas were calm, the temperature was raising and my tummy is always full.  Does that sound like a honeymoon or what? Not much to tell you about our sea days except we try different restaurants every night.  Okay, I do excerises as I go from breakfast to lunch.  Doesn’t that count?

Speaking of excerises, today we arrive at the California of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta.  Before the ship is even docked, vendors are already lined up at the crack of dawn to nab a good spot next to the gangway where passengers off load.  If only they knew all I need was something from Walmart handy as it’s located next to a big mall right across the street.

It’s 8 in the morning and the temperature is already humid and the temperature is climbing to almost 30c.  Beautiful as it is, there is something very unsettling about what this little fishing village became after Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made it famous.  Gary and I signed up for a seven hours beach and snorking excursion under the Mexican sun, would someone pass the sunscreen pronto?  We were escorted like school kids to a grown up catamaran moored nearby the monster size cruiseship.  Oh this is going to be interesting!

The amigos were all ready to welcome boat people ehm I mean tourists on board.  These young bucks have enough energy to row the boat themselves.

Retro tunes blasts through static loud speakers as we bounce side to side heading  south to the tropical coastline of Banderas Bay.  We stopped at a protected cove for about an two hours to snorkel then have lunch.  Sorry no photo as we didn’t have a water proof camera.  

We wade in the water before arriving at an old charming fishing village as our first stop half hour later.   Yelapa has no roads hence no need for cars either.  Everything and everyone come here by boat so there is a lot of action on the Bay.  Old timers smoke cigarettes and watch goods and tourists arrive to pass the day.

Once on shore, our guide lead us on a short hike through the village up to a famous waterfall Cola de Caballo.  On route Street vendors lined the trail all the way up and if you get thirsty, there’s plenty of cold beer available even tequila shots if you so desire.  

I was mesmerized by the beautiful tropical plants and flowers growing almost in the wild in the village.  Large palms, elephant ears and many colourful species I’ve only seen indoors are in full display.  A gardeners paradise!

After coming down from the hike we got back to the catamaran and head towards our next beach destination.

Majahuitas is on the other side of the cove fromYelapa.  A quiet and unspoiled tranquil beach with general swaying palms, white sand and gentle surf perfect for water sports.  Mr handsome certainly found the perfect activity to spend the time here.  I have to give him some credit for not bringing the I-pad.

Of course, I spent my time looking for puppies and tropical cuisine.  Hmm so little time, so many choices.

It is so picturesque here yet the villagers are way too busy the notice. There’s not much in the way of making a living here except to feed and entertain tourists like us.  Sadly, we have to leave this paradise reluctantly.