Jan 4 – Jan 11, 2019

#RealtorOnVacation

Hang up the phone woman! We got Rita's to drink and beaches to comb!

Purdy night tonight

The resort we're staying at...

Keeeeeep looking. You'll see it. I don't know what to say about this place. Ran into this while walking along the Malecon boardwalk area today.

Found a pretty good place at the Malecon for ceviche and queso fundito. Came with a great view to boot.

Here's our obligatory sunset in paradise photo. Fun first day exploring.

Lazy day...

We don't need a taxi, let's take public transit! Way cheaper and more fun I think. Everyone here has been very helpful.

Walking along the Malecon

Today's trip (Part 2) was back to Malecon...but at night. This place comes alive at night and as Marlin put it...probably never sleeps. Lots of activity, people dining and shopping and watching interesting things. At one point 5 guys climbed to the top of a pole about a hundred feet in the air or so and were chanting and beating musical instruments. Then they all hang by their waists by ropes and swing around getting closer and closer to the ground. Video will be posted below. We wrapped up the evening at Daiquiri Dick's with more great food and drink. Fantastic day.

This is for those of you who are sitting in your houses in the cold missing the sound of the ocean. Just the sound is enough to sooth the soul.

Our boat crew is more fun than your boat crew...

Our boat crew is more fun than your boat crew...part 2

Majahuitas and Yelapa. Neither of these places is available by road. You have to take a boat. Yelapa had a nice waterfall on the back side of it. Town was fairly small. We thought about coming and taking a water taxi to Yelapa sometime and staying for a few days. We'll see...

Our boat crew is more fun than your boat crew...part 3

Mascota...a town in the Sierra Madre mountains. Visited this town on the way to Talpa. A few little shops. Cute town square. Some interesting things to see. Apparently people would walk from Puerto Vallarta to Talpa (approximately a 5 day walk) on religious expeditions and would come through this town as they crossed the Sierra Madre mountain range. The drive through the mountains to this town was winding and had a few rough patches but our driver took care of us. We visited a vocational type school that teaches local young people how to farm, work with wood, take care of livestock, etc. A stop by a local place netted us some home made hot chocolate and cookies made by a family there. Neat place to visit.

On our way to Talpa we stopped at a local camp area and were treated to some delicious foods. Steak, vegetables, salad, wine, beer, getting to know the others in our group. Once in Talpa we were shown the town square and were set off on our own for a bit. Julie and I perused the local shops and sights. The local basilica is the centerpiece by town square. We're told people crawl on their knees to the altar sometimes from kilometers away and we actually saw this happening. In all this was a very educational trip. Our guide and driver through Vallarta Adventures were excellent.

Realtors in Paradise. Someone Rescue Me!

Ceviche de pescado. Muy bueno!

Today's trip is to Bucerias. Here are some sights and sounds to entice you. Sorry for my vocals. Marlin asked if I wanted another mango margarita. "SE POR FAVOR!"

Buying Julie a hat because it just looks great. What do you think?

Today's trip (Part 1) was to Bucerias, Nayarit. We met Linda and Marlin in downtown Puerto Vallarta and took the bus there. Public transportation is decent and everyone we've asked has been very helpful. Bucerias has great beaches, lots of areas to sit, horses if you want to ride one on the beach, lots of shops and places to eat. After a little browsing of shops we had some lunch at Dugarell Plays. Great place with fantastic staff on the beach. The food was scrumptious! After that a little more browsing and a stop to Sandrinas Restaurant and Boutique for some drinks and dessert. Great start to a fantastic day with Marlin and Linda.

Marlin and I sitting here having margaritas listening to these two Realtors talk on the phone...

Our last evening in Puerto Vallarta. We went to a really neat show at Las Caletas. Showed up to torches and candles everywhere. Very nice. Good presentation. The food was great and so was the show. And as always with Vallarta Adventures they always put a good show on while on the boat as well. Great experience. Here are a few pictures and a video. I took lots of clips of the show as well. I'll post those separately.

Alright... here's some controversy for you. Something I'm conflicted on. We are heading home today from Mexico. I take Naproxen every day for my back. Today the pain was VERY bad. Having trouble getting around. I get to the airport and am still having trouble. We check in and go to have coffee and breakfast. As I'm sitting here I see a pharmacy in the airport. When my back pain is bad I take a Vicodin. I didn't bring any with me though. So I go over and ask for a few Vicodins to get me home. They don't sell those but she offers me Tramadol (an opioid). I bought them without a prescription. So as much as I think access to this strong of medication could be a problem it definitely saved me this time. But not everyone uses it responsibly. Thoughts?