Jan 30

 It has been a quiet couple of days for me! Woke up in the middle of the night with a severe case of Montezuma's revenge. Spent the next day in bed, tired and low grade fever, obviously some type of lower GI bug. I sent Dave down to ask Denise for her cure she had told us about, Activated Charcoal, he came back with 4 capsules and her instructions. We will sure miss Denise next year!!

Dave hijacks Cindy’s blog for the day…

Cindy was not feeling well today so I’m hijacking the blog to take you along for the day...  First, because her knee has been problematic, we have not had a chance to hike up to the cross.  It’s a good workout plus a beautiful view of the city when you get there.  This year (because of a visit by a hurricane earlier) part of the stairway up is missing, so it’s a little less convenient passing people along the way on the steep and skinny steps with a handrail on just one side.  The view didn’t disappoint as I sent a few pictures to Cindy, my mom and to friends.  

Next, I made my way down the hill for my annual visit to Chez Elena, the old hotel, where the movie stars stayed during the filming of Night of the Iguana.  Eva Gardner, Richard Burton (with visits by Elizabeth Taylor during filming) and directed by John Houston who owned his own home in the neighborhood just down the street.  I visit here every year for the view as well as purchase a few of  the handmade cards one of the guests from Wisconsin displays outside of her room every year.  She is a watercolor artist who paints local scenes I enjoy.

My next stop is the only street taco trailer I will eat at…It’s called Marisma’s.  It was featured on a PBS food show I follow so I figure it’s safe to eat at.  I had shrimp quesadilla and shrimp taco.  The shrimp was a bit raw for my preference by all in all, pretty good and for $60 pesos each the price is right.  

I returned to the room to check on Cindy and she sent me to our condo manager Denise to get her "magic charcoal pills".  I stayed around for a bit but she was sleepy and I was ready to get back out.  I decided to make the mile hike along the beach down to La Playita (our favorite secluded restaurant on the beach) for happy hour.  I visited our friend “Chewy” the dog along the way and I made it in time for happy hour as the place filled up shortly after I arrived.  My plan was to just have a margarita but that turned into a beer and guacamole, chips and a few peanuts they threw in.  I visited with two ladies from Detroit that were sad the Lions had lost their playoff game.  We all watched as a group of whales played in the water right in front of the restaurant.  Even the staff was watching.  I wish I was able to get better pics but I spent most of my time watching.  

Whale tail

I returned by way of the beach just as the sun had set and I couldn’t resist taking photos as I walked back.  I missed my pal Cindy but all in all had a pretty nice day, and walked a lot of miles.  
Now…back to Cindy :) 

Jan 23-29

Jan 23- We went for a long walk to check out a condo we may be interested in next year at Harbor 171, our neighbors here are renting a unit for 3 months there next year. Then we made our way to the Versille neighborhood for lunch at Abulon, I have read some great reviews about it. Lunch was amazing and we loved the outdoor patio atmosphere. 

We pass this dog daily 

We caught a bus back to centro, the temps are heating up and along with the humidity it makes these long walks hard.

John and Loree met us on their last night for drinks at Sky Bar and dinner, we all took an uber back to Abalon, we loved it so much wanted them to try it. 

Jan 24, Dave's Birthday!  We started the day with a beautiful breakfast on the beach at El Dorado.I packed up a lunch that we enjoyed on the beach, and of course had a couple pieces of cake I picked up.Followed by dinner at Los Lirios.

 Jan 25 - San Sebastian -  Dave hired our PV friend Arturo to take us to San Sebastian for the day. It was an interesting 2.5 hour drive up to the mountain town, passing through little towns and beautiful scenery. We went from sea level to around 5000 feet. We made a couple stops along the way then wandered around the quaint town, seeing a tiny museum, jail, church, coffee plantation,  and having lunch at a quaint little hotel, rooms 40.00 usd a night.

Agave

Church as filled with lilies, smelled amazing

Tiny museum, baptismal gown-lace from Spain, worn by 6 generations

Jail- still occasionally used!

Arturo our driver

Los Arcos hotel- had lunch here- built in the 1700's

Chicken Pipian Mole

Hotel courtyard- built in the early 1700's

Door to a room

Very basic 40 usd a night

Jan 26-  Simple day on the beach and walks. Keep spotting the crocodile in the river. Saw a cute dog with a cowboy riding on his back!

Jan 27- We walked all the way to the fancy mall La Isla. It was a hot walk. Dave really needed lunch when we got to the mall, really no great options there so ate at Vips, kinda a Mexico version of a Dennys. Not so good and expensive! Then we walked along the beach to check out the huge 3 tower Grand Venetian as a possibility for the future. Security would not let us in but told us we could see the pools from the beach. We thought it was way too big and busy and no good dining options in the area, crossed that off our list!

Lovely spot for a rest, ha, ha!

Grand Venetian middle tower

Nice big beach in front of Grand Venetian

Jan 28- Dave picked up breakfast rolls from Feddy Toucans that we enjoyed on our balcony with fruit. Then we walked to Ley's for a few times, passing by the park getting set up for a ceviche festival. Stopped for cones at McDonalds, what a deal! Picked up fresh mahi-mahi at the fish market for dinner. 

Jan 29- I had reserved a day at the Eldorado Beach Club. We had a very relaxing day there, eatting, drinking, beach walks, wading, and reading. Ended the day with drinks at Chitini, it was packed there, 2 women joined us and talked our ears off! Had dinner at Los Muerto's. 

Chitini

Los Muerto's pizza