London Sept 20

 Dave went out to find breakfast to bring back for us finding a gem of a place right next door, Dilieto Sandwich Bar. He got a bacon avocado bagel for me, his had egg on it.

Off we went to take the tube to the Kensington area where we have a walking tour later. We got off the tube at the Victoria and Albert Museum. What an amazing museum filled with absolutely everything, from textiles to jewelry, to sculptures, from ancient to modern. After a couple hours we hit museum overload so checked out the outside courtyard then had a wonderful lunch there. We have discovered that sometimes museums have great food options. 

It was time to walk to the meeting spot for our Kensington neighborhood walking tour. It was a shockingly large group! The guide started off with a huge loud booming voice then got so quiet later many of us could not hear him. We did learn some interesting things particularly about the architecture through out the years and how to tell different time periods by window insets, ect. How the neighbors in London changed and developed. Stories about the wealthy, famous, and royals, saw exterior of Kensington Palace. We noted that the Kensington neighborhood felt a lot like Boston.

We left the tour and went into the Japanese store he suggested to go into to use a real Japanese loo, interesting! It was also a fun store. 

We decided to get a beverage at The Ivy, a beautiful restaurant, sat at bar, we both had gin and tonics because we are in London! 

We went and found a Kensington neighborhood pub a local told Dave about, The Scarsdale, it was packed outside with locals standing and drinking, but luckily there were open tables inside. We have been told locals meet up almost nightly to have a pint and socialize after work, and we have definitely noticed this. We had a wonderful dinner, salmon for Dave and a traditional meat pie and mash for me.

We spotted a fox walking down the sidewalk after we left! 

London and Prague

 We are heading to London for 1 week then hopping on a Ryanair flight to go to Prague for 1 week. We had thought about going last fall but kept hearing stories about the huge crowds there because everyone was finally traveling again! Hopefully the crowds are less and the weather good! 

I have spent a lot of time planning and booking tours ect. Then about 1 week ago I started having pain on the top of foot, ankle and up shin. After a visit to doctor determined its tendinitis. Painful to walk so did think about canceling. Dave found a few wheelchair rental places in London so we will do that if need be. Ugh!!

We have arrived! Took the Elizabeth Line on the tube from the airport to the Farringdon stop then walked to the Airbnb, after getting settled we headed out to our first pub, The George, for dinner-fish and chips and mushy peas, beer for Dave, wine for me! After getting a few groceries I went back to rest my injured ankle, Dave went out for an evening walk. We managed to stay up until 8:45, I did not sleep at all on the flight so probably had been awake for probably 30 hours! 



Feb 4-9

Feb 4 - We packed up a lunch and our beach stuff and had a beach day. It has been almost a week since our last beach day!

Big waves at the beach today

Unique home we look across at from our balcony

A couple units to this unique outdoor living apartments 

Dinner was at one of our new favorite places, The Seahorse. Such a nice family that runs this place, the sweet girl waiting on us didn't speak any English, but still had great service, and chef Raul came out and greeted us!

View from the Sea Horse

Chicken Marsala

Lasagne

We walked around taking in the evening festivities.

Yearly book fair

Feb 5- We went to the botanical gardens, taking a taxi to get there then took bus back home.  The gardens just keep improving every year, so beautiful. We took the Vanilla trail and enjoyed the various gardens before lunch. 

Jungle lunch view

After lunch took the Jaguar trail, which is a bit more challenging. A group asked us about its difficulty and I said there are a lot of ups and downs. We followed them and they should not have done it! We were not sure one of the men was going to make it.

Dinner was left overs on the balcony enjoying the sunset.

Feb 6- Dave had a couple of work call/meetings today so we did a big morning walk, saw a group of horses going down the busy road!

I spent some time off and on at the pool, reading and visiting with my new friend and her daughter, they are from the Winnipeg area, very friendly. 

We ate all meals in today, made delicious beefy bean tostados for dinner. We did wander out for the evening to walk around and finally made a stop at the churro man getting a small, 3 piece bag of churros.

We have been playing cards or working on a puzzle in the evenings.

Feb 7- We walked the beach to La Playita for lunch.

Bought produce from the back of a truck that was parked right outside of our condo, so fun and convenient!

Had dinner at Cafe Bohemio.  Owner Sol sang a few numbers, waiters are a lot of fun here.  Sol makes the best soup that is included with all dinners, tonight was lentil. I had meatloaf, Dave had chicken enchiladas.

Stopped by Eulos bakery for a piece of carrot cake to share, not great but we managed to eat 1/2 of it anyway!

 Feb 8- Had breakfast at Eldorado, we love breakfast here, not only delicious but an amazing view!

Had lunch in then packed up for an afternoon on the beach. We are both getting a lot of reading in, I take breaks to go walk and search for sea glass, my collection is growing.

Dinner was at Archies Wok, always delicious!

Kitty cat greeter at Archie's Wok

After dinner walked around. 

Boat lounge chairs!

Have been seeing this cute dog for years, reminds us of Scout. Well tonight Dave snapped this picture of him...... 

then dog proceeds to walk into the shop of his owners, lifts his leg and pees on this shirt!!!!

Feb 9- Went to the Marina today taking the bus to Walmart then walking the rest of the way. We walked around  and checked out Velas Vallarta where we stayed with the kids last year and have reservations for next year, it is a great place, looking forward to returning. 

Velas Vallarta pool, can't wait for next year to enjoy with the kids!

Had lunch at Victors. They brought us beautiful complimentary kalua and cream drinks, felt bad but neither of us drank any, me I hate milky drinks and Dave has been abstaining due to a headache cycle. 

Lunch view

Drinks we didn't drink!

We took an uber back to town, guess there was a 5.1 earthquake that happened while we were waiting for the uber, never felt anything.  Then we walked up the river to the El Rio BBQ, now called La Huerta, to listen to a Reggae band. They were a lot of fun. We walked back, by then we have put on many miles, over 12, my knee was hurting! We stopped and picked up a pizza to go from Mia Mia to have for dinner.  Got home and iced my knee while eating cheap pizza :)

Walking up the river

Dave always makes new dog friends

Cute restaurant along the river

Brimstone Reggae Band

Dancing from my chair!

Enjoying the music!