November 10—Puerto Vallarta

Today was one of those days that when you plan a trip, you have this one in mind. 

In a past life, there was a push from a certain individual to be one of the first ones off the ship when we got to port – why?  Who knows??  Who cares??  K and I were up and had a leisurely breakfast with our new bf’s Charles and Marjorie. We then exited the boat and walked 3 blocks to the Hotel Krystal where I had stayed before.  We caught their golf cart over to the pool and grabbed 2 lounge chairs and assumed the position - horizontal, greased, cold drink to the side and book opened and resting on my growing tummy.  We sweated, read and napped the hours away.

The pools at the Krystal with the beach beyond

The beach is beautiful, stretching to the horizon with skyscraper resorts peering down at the sand.  The ocean is an aqualine clear blue with waves breaking on the beach transporting body surfers here and there.  The temperature of the water varies from a mild to a cool bath water.  Bougainvillea and other exotic orchids and flowers bloom around us casting their sweet fragrance as tropical birds cry in the treetops to each other.  Mynah birds perch on vacant chairs watching intently for the unwary tourist to drop a crumb of bread.  A mixed bag of physiques sit about sweating and comparing notes as to where the best bargains are for those inclined to waste their day shopping.  Heat shimmers off the paving stones that surround the pool and steam rises where water splashes from the pool.  Women soak in the six hot tubs as dirty old men try new lines for old reasons.  Puffy white clouds drift by and create shadows in never ending shapes and forms.  Condensation pools at the base of K’s banana daiquiri with the funny umbrella filled with tropical fruit – oh yeah, we done found us a slice of paradise.

Miles of sand and blue water

We took a walk on the beach where we met Guyiermo who had a sliding scale (based on how much you are willing to pay) to go parasailing.  We started at $45 and worked our way down to $35 for them to take us aloft.  K went first getting harnessed in and instructed in detail – hold on.  She took off from the beach and went sailing.  I was next in line and listened carefully as the instructions were given – hold on, not much different then what I had heard previously.  K came down and I was trying to gain her attention.  I was unaware that they had hooked me up and suddenly without warning, I was aloft and floating over the waves.  Such peace, such joy.  Floating 130 feet up, higher then our boat, looking out on a 360-degree panorama of beaches and distant mountains covered in 20 shades of green.  The only sound being the gentle breeze passing through the silken chute – definitely worth the price of admission.  

K Takes off

wheeeee!

He leaps tall buildings in a single bound

back on the sand

Upon landing using a 2-point method, favored by the terrified, we realized we were famished – flying with your butt puckered can raise a powerful hunger.  We had Cheeseburgers by the pool (in paradise) with more fruity drinks.  We then caught a cab into old town Puerto Vallarta.  Rates are posted but of course our driver tried to charge us $8 for our $5 ride.  It is never personal, it is just something to be expected.  We walked along the ocean on a wide sidewalk filled with various interesting statuary.  The vendors were out in full force hawking their wares, seems that they followed us from Cabo.  P.V. is a beautiful fun town, alive with people, history and music.  We both felt frustration in having too little time for too much to do.  

The promenade in old town

We window-shopped and got a needed boost from a scoop of Baskin Robbins best.  We were both hot sweaty and tired so we caught a taxi back to the ship at 4:30.  We got back in time to watch the sunset over the ocean and the moonrise over Wal-Mart.

We rested, cleaned up and had a very nice dinner sans Art and Miriam.  We then enjoyed Karaoke night where some folks gave it there best butchering songs that I used to love.  I had K ready to do a Tom Petty song but unfortunately their dance card had been filled.  K went back to the room while I made a killing at the Blackjack table – yup, that $32.00 will come in mighty handy paying down this trip.