Mexico! I've been wanting to write about the trip for a while, but was overwhelmed by all the amazing memories that I didn't know where to even start. Puerto Vallarta is so rich in culture, that I could write an entire post on just the city itself - which, coincidentally enough, is just what I'll do! The next post will be about our beachy adventures, but for now, take a walk with me down the Malecon to Old Town in the little "Port Town" known as Puerto Vallarta.
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| On the roof of our hotel overlooking the city |
Even though we found a great deal at a resort, we wanted to get a little culture in and decided to spend our first night downtown. Now, usually when I think of "downtown" I picture paved streets and tall buildings. Not PV. The streets were narrow and covered in cobble stones. Local vendors were everywhere you looked, and even the hotel desk person struggled with his English. It was, as I so eloquently put it to Webb, "straight up Mexico". I loved it. We were offered refreshing
Aqua de Jamaica before being taken to our room in the beautiful boutique hotel. By the way, offering drinks must really be a thing down there - we were even given margaritas and tequila as we stepped off the plane! Our hotel that evening was the perfect amount of comfort and authentic Mexican culture.
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| Her name was Maria... |
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| So excited to have found our hotel! |
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| Webb chillin with Frida in the lobby |
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| Our beautiful boutique hotel before heading out for the night |
After settling in, we took a walk down the Malecon, which is essentially a long promenade along the ocean dotted with restaurants, bars, statues and street performers.
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| Traditional dancers |
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| On the Malcon with Banderas Bay behind us |
Webb had picked out a restaurant previously, so we made our way over to see if we could get a table. It must have been fate, because there was a table open on a private balcony, exactly how I had pictured our first Mexican meal! Views of the sunset, the characters of the Malecon, our generous server and a beautiful Mariachi serenade made for a perfect dinner.
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| So happy right now |
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| The Mariachi band made me weepy! Such pretty music |
We spent the rest of the night hopping around and at one point ended up at a Karaoke bar with not a single American in sight. Everyone was singing Mexican song after Mexican song, and we decided to bring a classic American tune to the table (Black Eyed Peas…what, you don't put them up there in the ranks of Elvis and Whitney Houston?). We figured it could go 2 ways: 1) they would boo us and kick us out or 2) they would love it. Well, the outcome was thankfully 2! They made us get on the stage and I was in awe of Webb's awesome stage presence and dance moves ;) Lesson learned: Puerto Vallartans are a fun loving and arm wide opened bunch.
The rest of the night we tried to keep up with the locals, but ended up going back to the hotel "early" at almost 2AM. How anyone can stay out til the sun's coming up is beyond me. I ain't no spring chicken anymore.
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| The Cathedral |
The next morning, we went to our resort for beach time, so fast forward to our last day when we went back to the city to explore Old Town.
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| Old Town |
At this point in the trip, we felt like we were PV pros, so our adventurous selves took the BUS! Yes, the crowded, clanky, hot bus. Such urbanites we are. After the…"cultural" trip, we hopped off in Old Town and wandered the beautiful neighborhood. There is a beautiful, spiral-y pier that overlooks the local fishermen, and the shoreline is spotted with bars and restaurants. For our last Mexican meal, we sat at a table where we could sink our toes in the sand. Freshly made guacamole and nachos made up our lunch - sometimes the simplest things do the trick!
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| Walking out onto the pier |
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| Great last meal on the beach |
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| The best lifeguard stands! |
One downside to dining on the beach is you get harassed by vendors. Street vendors selling everything under the sun are super common in Puerto Vallarta. Saying "no gracias" quickly becomes automatic. Webb and I even became pros at saying it in unison! We did decide, though, to leave with something and on our last day purchased a beautiful hand painted bowl we hope to use to serve many of our friends in the future!
I'm so glad we decided to go to Puerto Vallarta. Even though we spent most of the trip relaxing, we were able to easily experience the culture of the old world Mexican town. I'll never understand the concept of vacationing at a resort and never leaving it. I love learning about the area and the people. Puerto Vallartans (is that the word?) are wonderfully friendly, fun people and it was great to spend a little time in their city!
