Puerto Vallarta spring break 2018
Sunday: This year it was just myself, Matt and Greta. James and Noelle went to Golf Shores with their mom. This was our second Costco vacation. We opted to skip the all-inclusive so we could enjoy parts of Mexico eating out and cooking in our own kitchen as well. We left at O'Hare at 10:30 AM. Our flight there we had first class. Pretty nice except that we were we weren't all sitting together.Matt and I took turns sitting with Greta. We had a direct flight. Lunch consisted of beef stew for Matt, ravioli for Greta, spinach beet salad for myself. Once we got to Puerto we were able to dodge all the time share holders who wanted us to take part in their presentations. We learned the hard way last year. After our cab ride to La Villa Estancia we changed into our shorts and explored the property. The weather was gorgeous, 86 and sunny. We purchased some snacks at the conscience shop and let Greta take her first dip in the swimming pool at the resort. She fell in love with the swimming pool so we opted to have our first meal at the poolside. My seafood salad served in a half coconut was amazing. Greta tried some of my octopus...she wasn't a fan. Matt enjoyed his fish tacos and Greta her cheeseburger. We went back to the room and washed up and decided to take a taxi to the local grocery store. I fell in love with the produce. I had to laugh when I asked Matt to find some avocado...I wanted one a day. I didn't realize one avocado could be's size of a Mini Nerf football. Avocados are good for you right? I was even able to find coconut oil and coconut milk. However later to my discovery my coconut milk is actually coconut cream… Yum! Mats found some amazing seedy wheat bread. I caved and had some even though I haven't done wheat in a month since my endoscopy noting gastric erosions. I did OK. We are all beats this evening...we stayed up late watching Nanny McPhee.
Monday: We slept till 7 AM. Greta woke us up. She said she wanted to run with me on the beach. As soon as Matt volunteered to swim with her she quickly dodged her run plans. I ran north on the beach several miles. My highlight was seeing a few dolphins jumping. Once back to the resort I had my morning green smoothie and Matt headed off for his run. Greta and I walked the shoreline while he ran. Afterwards we all decided to have our lunches at the swim up bar. We all repeated last nights dish since it was so yummy!! We headed back to our rooms to shower up and now Matt and Greta have fallen asleep. I guess that gives me time to catch up on journaling. After nap time we decided the catch a cab to downtown Puerto Vallerta. We walked along the boardwalk stopping along the way to pose for pictures in front of the art sculptures. We were sunburnt and a little tired so we headed back to the resort instead of doing dinner downtown. No hurt feeling for me....dad and Greta enjoyed eggs and toast and I enjoyed my lime and sea salt seasoned pechuga, beets, and sweet potatoes. I'm still not sure what kind of meat I'm eating. We are now all watching Body Painting in Spanish. Interesting to say the least... tonight we hit the bed early.
Tuesday:
This morning I awoke before dawn. Had to wait to run at least until the sun started rising. I ran my 5 miles south down the beach shoreline. Once back to our resort we did breakfast at the Flamingo resort. They had an amazing breakfast buffet. Once we were fueled we hit the connivence store for stronger sunscreen and more snacks. Matt FaceTimed his mom and dad and we packed our bags for today's adventure. We hailed a taxi to Boca de Tomatlan. Our taxi driver wasn't used to that long of rides. He went a little stir crazy on the pot holed curved roads leading to our destination. He would slam on the brakes and then swerve around every pothole. Once to Boca we were greeted by the locals immediately asking if we wanted any of their corona. We politely said no gracias and took off on our hike. We had to take off our shoes to cross a stream. Our destination was 1.5 miles to a secluded beach called Los Colomitos. We wondered around properties backing up to the the crystal blue waters below. Boca is the southern most town one can drive to, from there you either hike or take a sea taxi to the next several beaches. Greta was a trouper. She made the full distance without any problems. Matt rented a beach umbrella and bought a Corona. We found ourselves a spot to sit and had our lunch (Peanut butter and jelly for Matt and Greta and tuna, avocado, celery, apples and lime for myself). After a good hour wading in the water trying to catch floating coconuts we dried off our toes and hit the trail to hike to Las Animas. The next secluded beach was much less populated; yet still beautiful. We had our trail mix on our beach towels and after 30 minutes of watching a little 4 year old Mexican boy flirt with Greta flopping around in the sand we hailed our sea taxi back to Boca. The Mexican boy that helped us in seemed no more than 8 years old. We then caught a cab back to our resort. Greta and Matt crashed the whole cab ride back. We ordered room service for dinner tonight and went back out to our pool to watch the sun set and for Greta to compete against our 50 year old Minnesotan neighbor in doing backwards summers saults in the water. Greta won. The couple next to us ended up being really cool. He is super goofy and gave Fuzzy attention...of which she liked. Tonight was another early night...long day!!
Wednesday:
This morning I ran South again my 45 minutes along the shoreline. Today I saw a baby turtle no bigger than a half dollar. Once back Matt went out on his run. Greta and I decided to test the Flamingo resort pool. The Flamingo is the sister resort to ours...but a bit more kid friendly. In a matter of 2 minutes she met Sofie, from San Diego. Sofie is another 6 year old. They hit it off and swam together the next 3 hours...and also drew, watched iguanas, jumped the waves, ate pringles & pineapple. Sofie's grandma was a hoot...very witty and a bit strong tongued. We then ate at the poolside restaurant at our resort for lunch. I got another seafood salad in a coconut half. After lunch Matt had his 2 hour spa...first hour using the water therapy and the second hour being the Swedish massage. Meanwhile Greta and I bought our gifts and wave jumped until it was my time to use the spa. Again...the first hour consisted of water therapy and the the Swedish massage. It was great! I loved the steam room sentes with mint and grapefruit...the apple cinnamon tea...the cucumbers on my eyes with rice pillow over my shoulders. The whole experience was amazing! Afterwards we took a taxi to the grocery store to stock up and buy hamburger & star fruit for dinner. We ate on our porch tonight while FaceTiming James. Thank goodness their weather in Golf Shores is turning around...they were able to spend the day at the beach. After dinner we opted to go out by the pool again for star and moon gazing while in the hot tub. We crashed soon thereafter.
Thursday:
Today began with my 45 min run north again along the shoreline. Once back I had my green smoothie and packed our bags for today's adventure. We hailed a taxi to Sayulita. The town draws surfers and health food junkies. What a seen! The full moon is tomorrow so the surfing is good today. We rented an umbrella for 200 pesos and waded in the water. A nice couple from Vancouver, B.C. who stays in the area 4 months of the year, pointed out the trail head for us. We hiked jungle and along the coastline until we made our way to a secluded beach. We walked through a cove where waves were crashing in...we didn't stay there long. We had our lunches along the way as we usually do on our adventures. After the 1.5 mile hike up and out and 1.5 mile back it was time to refuel with "real food"...As Matt would call it. Chips, guacamole, corona, apple juice, water with a lime, fried calamari, shrimp salad, and fish tacos. The restaurant had a great vibe...very authentic feel. We purchased our gifts for Noelle & Greta and hailed a taxi back to our resort. Once back we all rest staged and then headed to the pool. Once again, Greta met a friend in less than a couple of minutes. Dad enjoyed the hot tub and I wondered the pool grounds searching for Wi-Fi. Once Greta's friend had to leave we also packed up our pool stuff and went back to the room. Greta worked on her post cards while dad went for a run. I took a long hot shower...well deserved and made a low key dinner...yummy wheat toast with butter! Today Matt clocked us in at 24,000 steps...no wonder we are all spent and are eating up our groceries like mad! After listening to Greta's journal while sitting on the porch we all decided it is cuddle time and lights out.
Friday: I enjoyed my final run of the week. Today I went 45 minutes south on the shoreline. Once back we had a chill morning. We packed up our bags and headed to the pool side for one final swim and lunch at our favorite restaurant. Our Costco shuttle picked us up at 12:30. We departed Puerto at 3:30. It was a great trip. No regrets on this one. Matt and I decided we definitely come back to this resort again.
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