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

 

Jan 12-23

 The last 11 days have been a combination of fun, disappointments, Covid and a couple adventures.

Covid finally caught up with Dave! Guessing from a bus ride we had back from the Marina, a guys was coughing a lot right behind us, we were wearing masks but they only can do so much. At the zoo Dave was getting  funny feeling in his chest, then had a runny nose. He waited a day then took a test, was negative so thought it was a cold. So we went out and about and did few things, walked to Costco, had a couple meals out. A couple days later he tested positive. Felt bad for being out and about. Was an easy and short virus for him, felt perfectly normal after a bout 5 days.  I slept on the futon in our room, we kept sliding door open 24/7, wore masks inside and I escaped it, it was dejavu from last year when I got it!

Pepes Taco's-delicious!

Costco

Los Lirios lunch

A little convenience store

House for sale, price written on the exterior!

River walk

Bummer was our friends arrived and we could not see them for a few days. Our nephew was also here and also missed seeing him. I did a lot of walks, pool time, grocery runs and cooking. 

pool time

Morning walk-watched dogs playing

We did go to the beach a couple times with our own beach set up.

Went out for a little ice cream, stayed in his own area!

Once Dave was symptom free we walked to La Playita for an outdoor lunch.

Dave met up with his friend John for a couple morning walks.

Beach day at La Carretta 

We meet our friends for dinner at Casa Isabel and had Dave's first birthday celebration!

We took a walk along the beach with John and Loree for lunch and swimming at La Playita. 

I have been battling a swollen uncomfortable knee. Thinking all the days of 20,000 plus steps and hauling heavy groceries for a couple miles has taken its toll on it!

We have spotted the crocodile numerous times as we cross the bridge over the malecon.

We had beautiful and delicious dinner at Seahorse with John and Loree. Then went to the little park right outside the restaurant and listened to the opera singer, we could hear her while we were eating dinner,  and checked out all the food venders.

Daves chicken parmesan at Seahorse

John road a pony

We have enjoyed many home cooked meals, a couple of them featuring the fresh mahi-mahi we get from the fish market.

We joined our friends at the beautiful Hyatt Ziva for a day, they treated us for Dave's upcoming birthday to a day pass and even rented a cabana! What a treat! It was a very fun day, participated in the foam pool party, Dave and John did a ping pong ball relay, we ate, drank, walked the beach, visited, and spent hours in the gorgeous pools.

We have had beautiful warm weather, some clouds which makes for beautiful sunsets. 

And we have seen a lot of whale action!

And our little friend is still around!