Still Around

Our apologies....we are still alive and kicking even if we have been neglecting my blog again...life of a retiree in Mexico.

We made another bus trip into Puerto Vallarta to spend an afternoon with Mike and Mary along with Brenda and Bryan. We met in Bucerias at a beach restaurant that Mike and Mary had visited before.

My cheeks hurt from laughing at the silly jokes that were flying around the table, but the weather was perfect so all was well.

Bryan and I decided to try the house special...a weird margarita that was a little too different for me. As usual, Fred had to finish my left over drink. 

No bus home this time. We took a cab from Bucerias and were home in an hour, all for $20 Cdn.

Jungle Restaurant

I guess we were rather busy on the weekend...I forgot to mention that we tried out the Italian Jungle Restaurant on Saturday evening. By the way, that is not the real name, but I can't recall the proper one.

It was a nice evening with good food and good friends even though it did get a little chilly later on. We have been going through a cooler spell lately and our evenings cool down quite a bit. I know, quit complaining!

Quick Visit

On Sunday we took the bus to old town in Puerto Vallarta to meet with some friends. We agreed to meet at the bridge and surprisingly we all arrived on time with no missed buses etc.

We went to a craft beer and pizza restaurant that we had tried with Gord and Debbie at Christmas. I tried to warn everyone that the pizzas were huge, but by then our hunger overtook our good sense!

It was a very relaxing afternoon...so much so that we are going to do it again this Friday at Bucerieas. Mike and Mary have found a beach restaurant that they like so we are going to meet there, along with Brenda and Bryan.

The bus ride in to PV was uneventful and only an hour and a half long, including one transfer. The ride home was a little different....it was close to three hours long. The bus seemed to stop for every person on the road and at every little town along the route. I think on Friday we will take the bus in to Bucerias and catch a cab back home.

Hiking the Mountain

On Saturday we decided it was time to test out the mountain. Last visit we hiked up there numerous times, but this year we have neglected to get off our butts and climb.

The start was a little different as we were able to cross the bridge and not get soaked walking through the river. Nice touch.

The trail ended part way up the mountain with the highest part looking neglected and abandoned. Towards the end of the hike there was a guy with a machete clearing the way.

As always, once we reached the top the view was spectacular. It was a bit overgrown so we couldn't get close to the edge for better pictures, but I think you can see what I mean.

As nice as the day was I don't think we will be tackling the overgrown trail again. It was quite difficult managing the jungle in your face along with the narrow ravines cut from the last fast rainfall.  

Being out in the middle of the jungle all by yourself [except for a stranger with a machete] made for a peaceful day...one that we will remember for awhile.

Daily OJ

There are a couple of juice shops on the streets of Lo de Marcos and for 2.30 Cdn I can buy a litre of freshly squeezed juice.  Nothing better after a round of golf!

A New Hobby

Those who sew together, stay together?

We have been looking for some privacy blinds for a while so when Fred was home he picked up some spare curtains that have been taking up space in our house for some time now.

Of course they were too long! We spent a meaningful couple of hours hemming them and doing a little bickering.

I think they will work!

Traumatic Experience Cont'd

Well.....I just couldn't do it!

I had to pull my shorts out of the garbage! I promise myself that they will not make the trip back to San Carlos. A little over a month before I have to go through this again!

Traumatic Experience

Okay...today is the day! I have been promising for the last four years to throw out my old and tired workout shorts and I will do it today!!

They are so thin that I can see right through them. Fred has been bugging me, some of my gym mates in San Carlos have made comments on them and now I accept the fate of an old friend...out they must go!

I will be in mourning all day!

My Time Alone

With Fred home in Saskatoon celebrating his mom's 92nd birthday I was ready to make some changes:

I get to go for my morning hike as early as I want and not have to wait for half an hour while someone moans and groans about being forced out of bed so early...8:00 am is not early!

I get to watch Diners, Drive Ins and Dives instead of Global Saskatoon, without any snide remarks and complaints.

I get to throw out any food that is older than three days and not hear "I would have eaten that"!

I get to throw out the oldest and ugliest clothes in both our closets and not have to take the time to cut them into rags or save them for a time when "I might need that".

I can let my reading glasses and sunglasses get as dirty as I want and not have someone take them and polish them, all the while asking me how I can see.

I get to stay up past 8:00 pm.

That being said, I have been doing a lot of work around the RV. I used my whippersnipper to clean up all the grass around the 5th wheel and I trimmed all the grass underneath using my trusty hand clipper.

I weeded the hedge bordering our site and I re-arranged all the food and clothes inside the unit. I cleaned the screens and looked at the dirty windows [I don't do windows...it is easier to close the blinds].

Am I bored? Maybe a little!

All the boredom in the world won't get me to wash the truck or wipe down the 5th wheel. Those also go in the "I don't do that" category.

Heading Home

Sometimes getting back to Canada can be a chore! First of all you have to stop being so lazy and get that hair cut you have been putting off for a week.

The day before you leave you have to check out the bus schedule to Puerto Vallarta....just to make sure it departs on time and from the designated departure area.

By the way...the bus never did show up! Different time and different departure point! Maybe a new plan has to be put into effect....negotiating with a combi driver might work!

You and your neighbour have to check out the papayas, making sure they are ripe enough and will be okay until your return.

Once all the preparations are completed, you are on your way!

It's Been Awhile

It has been awhile since we last hiked to the top of the hill [mountain], but that is on the agenda soon. Last time we had to wade across the river to get to the trail, but now they have built a small bridge for us!

Will give everyone an update on the experience...if and when we do this. Our motivator, Cindy, isn't here to force our butts out of bed in the morning!

Fun Evening

New Year's Eve in Lo de Marcos is no different than New Year's Eve in Eatonia....we can't make it to midnight.

Rather than go out to a fancy gala, we decided to walk down for tacos and a beer. The town was busy, but the restaurants were almost empty, which was a good thing for us. There was a bonfire next door at the neighbouring RV Park, but Fred wasn't feeling well enough to take part.

On New Year's Day the beach was rather busy with many families enjoying the weather. The ice cream man was probably the busiest of all.

The gas stations were pretty busy too...there is a huge gas shortage in Mexico right now and the line ups can be as long as three hours. Mexicans on the beach were trying to buy gas from some of the RVers just so they could get home. I guess we wouldn't be driving too far until this gets sorted out. It appears to be a combination of things...a gas hike that goes into effect soon and stolen gas from the delivery points.