Vacation (Had to get away....)

Enroute to PV

2012 was a year of struggles for me and in a lot of ways, I felt really helpless because many of my issues were beyond my ability to control.  Somewhere during the lowest point of this, I thought to myself, "I wish I could just leave. Get in my car, or on a plane, and just Get. Out"  It didn't take long to snap out of this and realize, I can get away.  Even if only temporarily, I can leave town for a while and not think about work or worry about my family or friends or dogs stress out about what I need to do next or feel frustration about what I can't change and just CHILL.

Thus, Mexico.

We thought about Hawaii but by the time we added In the cost of a rental car and food, it was a little out of our budget, and that was if we scrimped on our accommodations and did not dine out. Since all we wanted to do was relax and eat, we decided that we would get more bang for our buck in Mexico.  We were not disappointed.  We were able to book plane tickets and seven nights in a Marriott 4-star hotel in Puerto Vallarta.  We also chose it because it was right on the beach, half a mile from the Marina and about 2.5 miles from the center of town.  Also, since we got a Marriott visa card, we could get a free night and a $100 voucher to use in one of the four on-site restaurants.  We put it to use on the first night, enjoying beach-side dining at Las Casitas, the Mexican/Steakhouse place that ended up being our meal time go-to spot.  With a view like this, we really had a hard time going anywhere else. 

Our beautiful first sunset in Puerto Vallarta

The first full day was spent poolside.  The weather was just about perfect and our chilled NW blood needed the sunshine. Also, all we had to do was raise our hand and a Tequila Sunrise would appear...

The life.

Sunday afternoon was a bit hazy so we opted to stay inside for a while and watched the Seahawks take on the Falcons in the NFC quarter-final game.  We ended up losing interest at the half in favor of more pool-time (we later found out that they cam back from a 21 point deficit to make the game interesting but still lost).

Chilling in the lobby after breakfast

Nothing says, "GO HAWKS" like a run and Coke.

The next day, we took a trip to the Mall because I was feeling terribly fat and needed more/better fitting capri pants.  While there, we lucked out in so many ways: 1. we found a Starbucks 2. we found a casino and won about $60.00 US 3. we found a liquor store inside a Meyer & Frank type store 4. we found a cheap movie theater (like $2 US a ticket!) and watched The Hobbit a second time!  It was a great way to spend the day, despite constantly feeling stupid because I couldn't convert Pesos very quickly

Cafe con Leche!

Shooting out the window on the way to the Mall

Finally on Monday, we hit the town to see the sites and do some shopping.  We started the day at La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (also known as The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe). Although it was very scenic, we didn't stay inside long as pilgrims walk the aisles on their knees in prayer and us taking pictures seemed disrespectful. 

Street view of the church

Inside/altar

Looking up at the famous "crown"

Alley outside the church - embiggen to see many sleepy senoritas

A short walk from the church was the main town square known as Plaza Vallarta.  It wasn't a very busy day in town but I could easily imagine this little square being full of people on a weekend day.

Plaza Vallarta - the square in the center of town

Mural in the plaza

View of fountain and another mural

Statue of

Ignacio Luis Vallarta

Almost directly next to the Plaza was the long Malecon or boardwalk - the main drag and central shopping area.  We were a little hesitant to stop in the bars and "tequila tasting rooms" because we heard they were fronts for time-shares and we didn't want to get sucked in to a presentation.  After saying "NO" to so many vendors on the street, we decided it was all just part of the experience and went in to the shops on the strip.

The Arch at the Malecon

Watching the body surfers

Living art on the beach

Another arch view

Lots of sculptures along the boardwalk

We hiked way south looking for a good place to eat lunch and found La Palapa was highly recommended.  It turned out to be one of the best meals we had and definitely the most authentic after so many hotel meals. 

Starters  were fried plantains in a sweet corn salsa

Another appetizer - sopes were REALLY good

View inside at La Palapa - the beach was out to the right

Back on the Malecon, there was an area below the boardwalk that hosted a huge flea market.  All kinds of little shops were crammed side-by-side with little courtyards and garden like areas scattered about.  Here we saw a few artists selling their works and I would have loved to have had any room in my suitcase whatsoever.

These fellows were just chillin' by the sidewalk

Shopping at the flea market, we saw some interesting archetecture

Crossing a janxy bridge over the Rio Cuale

Stairs back to the main boardwalk

Stopping to rest and take a photo

Catching a cab was usually pretty easy. Getting in the tiny things, not so much

The next few days, we explored the area near the Marina because it was much closer to the hotel and we discovered we could walk there, easily.

A big ol' whale greets you as you enter the marina

I've been on a really big boat

Beautiful morning - breakfast at the marina

Lighthouse probably didn't work

I asked our waiter at breakfast if they really ever saw crocodiles and to my dismay, he said they did.

But honestly, most of our days were spent lounging by the pool.  I read a lot (finishing the excellent "Ready Player One" by Earnest Cline) and listened to music.  We had lunch and drinks almost daily and swam in the warm pool water.  When it got cloudy, we moved to the hot tub or went back to the room for a nap.  We had no agenda and few expectation: It was quite possibly the most relaxing vacation I've ever taken. 

A view of the gardens on the other side of the pool

Feeling up the statues

Main lobby, outside Estancia, the "American" restauarant

Our room - didn't spend a lot of time here although we did watch the Golden Globes one night

Garden view was cheaper

Our little smoking patio

One of our last nights, we went out for a "fancy dinner" at Porto Bello, the Italian restaurant near the Marina.  I had the Osso Bucco and Matt bought me flowers from a passing child.  It was a great night and I felt to so lucky to get the chance to spend it in a beautiful city with my sweet, sweet husband, without whom, I would have not made it through the last year.