SOCIAL MEDIA

Friday, March 21, 2014

Mexico

Hola, from Mexico, or unfortunately from my work desk.  Mexico was amazing as usual.  I am tan, refreshed and relaxed (ok that is fading).
 
We were fortunate enough to be gifted a week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from my great aunt in-law as a wedding present.  We only had to pay for our flights and going out to dinner.  Total score.
 
We flew to Mexico on a Sunday and I expected throngs of Spring Breakers (like last time), but there weren't any on our flight.  But they were there in Customs with us.
 
We got to have this view EVERYDAY.
Our condo was in the perfect location on the Malecon.
 
Get ready for lots of pictures of food (because we LOVE to eat), the beach, sunsets and everything else random.
 
The first day we explored the city a bit, window shopped and had dinner at Polo's.  Umm can I say the best red snapper EVER?
  I can't seem to find the before picture.  Probably because I inhaled this dish and may have had two of the strongest and most amazing margaritas.

Monday was spent relaxing by the pool, picking up delicious lattes and seeing these two little dudettes along the way.
Walter would have loved it here, but I am not so sure if he would want to leave.  Sorry Walter, that is why you had to stay at home with Grandma and Grandpa and your auntie.

Tuesday was spent pretty much the same way, but add some shopping in there.  Plus we saw amazing sunsets that night and every night.
 View from our condo
Sunset on our walk to dinner
Los Muertos Pier

That night we went to Panchos Takos.  People on Trip Advisor raved about the al pastor tacos, and they were right.  The tacos, guacamole, quesadilla, sauces and beers were top notch for less than $20 for the two of us to eat.
 My husband thoroughly enjoying himself
 Al Pastor in progress
Amazing sauces and spicy pickled veggies.

I just wish we would have gone back there again, but PV has so many amazing restaurants, it is hard to not try them all.

Wednesday we took a water taxi to Yelapa.  Yelapa is a little remote village with amazing views.  We had been there before, but that didn't stop us from going again.  Do yourself a favor and go.
 Our water taxi to Yelapa (I also want to note that I got those awesome shades from Venice Beach for $4 and they lasted the whole trip and are still good to go)
 We planted our butts on beach chairs for a lot of this trip and drank some amazing margs and beers.
 But we did manage to take the short (10 minute) walk/hike to the waterfall.  Since it isn't rainy season, the waterfall wasn't too big, but still worth it.
Yelapa Pie Lady
This is when we were about to get back on the water taxi to head back to PV.

That evening we splurged and went to Casa Naranjo.  We crab bisque, marlin empanadas and a take on a caprese salad as starters.  My husband had a pasta with mussels, scallops, fish and octopus with a blank ink and tomato sauce.  I had the red snapper in an adobo sauce with veggies, rice and guacamole.  Heaven.

Thursday we hung out by the ocean, walked around a ton, ate even more food and planned the rest of our trip.

We went to Red Cabbage for dinner and had very traditional Mexican good.  We had the Chiles de Nogada which is roasted poblanos stuffed with rice, cheeses, nuts, spices and other goodies with a cold white cream sauce, nuts and pomegranate seeds.  It sounds weird, but it is amazing.  We also had their mole which is another specialty, plus some sangria.  So good.

Since we had an early dinner, we had dessert after at Joe Jack's.  Another great restaurant.
Upstairs balcony
 Butterscotch Budino
Strawberry Mojitos

Friday we made some plans to go to Las Calcetas (hidden private beach excursion).  But with that we wanted a cheaper price (hey when you can save, you can save), so we got talked into going on a Residence Collection experience (sort of like a time share).  We went into it knowing we wouldn't do it, got a pretty great free lunch, beautiful views and a fun different afternoon for us.  Well worth the 75 minutes.

We also went back to Joe Jack's that night for dinner.  We shared their ahi poke and dare I say that it was better than any I have ever had, even in Hawaii?  I had the fish tacos that they are known for, and let me tell you they are THAT good.  And my husband got a burger.  I guess he needed a break from all the Mexican food.  But his burger was pretty good I would have to say.
 Pretty awesome burger with Mexican cheese and bacon
 In honor of pie day, we got their coconut pie.  If you know me, you know I love coconut and this is one of my favorite desserts ever.
 
Eating at Joe Jack's

Saturday we took our trip out to Las Calcetas which is a private beach owned by a former film director.  We took a caterman out there with 150 other people where the alcohol was flowing and whale watching.  We were fortunate enough to see a momma and baby whale.  Plus they were breaching, so it was a real treat.  I have some videos of it, but they are huge.  So this picture will have to do.  But I really couldn't get the baby as it was breaching.
Once we arrived, they have a lunch (with fresh made paella that you can watch them make from scratch) waiting for us.  Then we had plenty of activities to choose from plus beach time and all you can drink again.  We went kayaking and snorkeling.  The snorkeling was beautiful.  I have never seen that many kinds of tropical fish, stingrays and other water animals.  It was even better than Costa Rica.  The water was really clear and one of my favorite parts of our trip.  We didn't think we would see many fish, so we didn't buy the underwater camera and I so wish we had.
 
Sorry for the lack of photos on this part of our trip as they are on my husband's phone and he is currently traveling for work.
 
We took the caterman back after more beach time, relaxation, seeing and holding animals (hawk, parrot and monkey) and drinks.  Such an amazing day all around.
 
We were fortunate to see this sunset when we got back.
 
This was our last night in PV, so we made the most of it.  We walked around a ton, walked the Malecon, shopped some more, had a few drinks and enjoyed our last moments in paradise.

Sunday we got up early and went up to the pool for a little more sun and beauty.  We had to leave our condo at 10:30 am to catch our flight and same as last time, we were really sad, but happy to get home to our pup.

Here are a few other random photos from our trip.
 Sand art on the Malecon
Awesome graffiti areas in PV
 
So until next time Puerto Vallarta.  I can't wait for our next trip and I am counting down the days.
 
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