Monday October 25

Some mornings are so quiet when you arise, with only the slow crashing of the waves and a few hungry birds squawking or conversing. Maybe include the low humming of the necessary overhead fans. Now the light dripping of the filter French roast coffee from the Coffee Cup. A new day begins, my eyes are open. Later, after a few quick munches on one of Jose's pastries, I am down the stairs and out the door once again onto the cobblestones I love. Stopped at Bancomer and exchanged at 11.30 pesos per dollar. After a short stop at the cyber cafe, off to the stop over on Insurgentes for the Marina bus. Finally one arrived and off we rode past Neptuno and the whales sculptures, curving past large hotels and condo complexes until Velas Vallarta. What a super entrance, looking straight open air to the Bahia. "Walk all the way to the front pool, the very last one", the employee stated. Ran into two friends and remarked how nice the brisas were there along with the garden design with goldfish pools and bridges. They dropped the temperature by about 10 degrees! With the water and sand in view, there were the canopy-topped tables and white chairs filled with all the amigos, sipping and chatting. Such a stunning, clean, lush tropical paradise and not crowded. Later as we munched on plates of nachos, guac, salsa and fruit, the clouds got thick and billowy, the brisas turned to winds, the palm fronds went diagonal, the tables rocked...oh, this is the 2nd anniversary of Hurricane Kenna! We were treated to sandy grit and salt spray in our mouth and eyes. Not a drop of rain but wind and waves. This did not stop us from wading along the paths stretching from pool to pool. Refuge was finally sought in the hosts' suite overlooking the entire Bahia and the town of Puerto Vallarta to the left. Kodak moment! Gradually the friends dispersed and home again by bus, 4 pesos, first stopping at several restaurants to chat with owners, hosts or managers, checking hours, items and prices.

Time to relax by the pool, soaking feet, listening to the waves and conversations. Decided to check out a referral, a seafood stand at Parque Lazaro Cardenas. Found out the name is La Cabaña del Choncho, Pino Suárez at Lázaro Cárdenas OT/SS. 2pm-11pm, closed Sunday. Burras [huge burritos] smoked marlin 40p, octopus 40p, shrimp 50p or a combo of all three 60p with pasta or jicama salad. Shrimp burger 50p, hot dog 15p, refrescos 8p and daily agua fresca as Jamaica or horchata 5p. Ernesto has run this stand for over 10 years. Fantastic and very popular with gringos. The weather front changed our weather and walking around after dinner around 10pm was so pleasant compared to the mugginess of last night!

Tuesday, October 26

The weather is most pleasant with good brisas and temperature, billowy white clouds to the south. Quiet around the pool this am, but too early for most to be up and around. Over to the cafe for just a few emails to Puerto Vallarta folks and then to friend's casa for a meeting before lunch. Everyone ready, enjoying each other followed by a short walk down the street to la playa where most had breakfast at Langostinos. Very reasonably priced egg dishes. Everyone had their own mission and we split off in all directions. After meandering around town for a couple hours, I decided to enjoy a good sandwich at Dee's Coffee Shop since I had not eaten. Turkey and avocado on whole-wheat sesame bread with salad 50p was very tasty. Home to ready for Bill's arrival from SFO via LA at 4pm. Hmm, fell asleep briefly to the pounding surf and humming fan. He arrives wound up but exhausted from 3 hours sleep and two crowded planes with a changeover, but happy to be back where he loves.

Barcelona Tapas at the corner of Matamoros and 31 de Octubre DT.: Brenda took a party of 22 to share a dozen cold and hot tapas for 200p. Owner/chef Bill Carballo, from Chicago and trained in Spain, offers sizzling spicy shrimp, calamari, cured Spanish ham, chicken or beef brochettes, potato torta, creamy garlic potato salad, mushrooms with chorizo, layered vegetable torta, sopa de fríjol negro, house made breads and ice creams. Lovely terrace on fourth floor with wide Bahia and cityscape or inside A/C third floor dining room. Fried caramel bananas are super! Lots of conversation, sharing, watching the sunset, then down to Morelos for a taxi back south of the river. Boana Torre Malibu is certainly a convenient spot to stay, right at the edge of the activity of Old Town and just up from la playa. Denis and Suzanne are the most helpful hosts around. Kudos!!! Great place to stay, especially for singles who need a place to crash and wish to be right near the beach, night clubs, restaurants, shops, etc. Had a good cool soak in the pool, which has never looked better since some retiling and painting! Then up to our sixth floor balcony to breathe in the wide vista of the Bahia and shimmering waves. The autumn moon has been emitting nearly full rays in every direction, lighting the area like early morning time. Time to crash after another busy eventful enjoyable day in Paradise.