Puerto Vallarta - bus adventure

It seems to be becoming a normal process whereby I start a travel blog, have a hard time with Internet connections while away, then update what I did once I get back.  And the same was true on this trip.  There was Internet access but sketchy and not very consistent.  Thus my "after the trip is over" update.

The trip started off slower than expected as you already know from my first Puerto Vallarta (PV) post.  Once we left LAX though it was smooth, albeit snug, sailing for the remainder of the journey.  Arrived on schedule just after lunch on Oct 12th we made our way through the gauntlet past all the time-share salesmen and headed outside the airport.  Boy the heat hits you like someone has thrown a pail of hot water at you.  With sweat dripping places I didn't know I had pores, and the sun gloriously shining in the sky off we went to try and find the local bus stop into town.  An airport crossing guard was helpful and directed us onto the proper bus and off we went.  You really need to be able to read quickly when finding the right bus as they paint all the destination names on the windshield and you have to be able find where you want to go pretty fast or the buses just fly by.

Now this following adventure is dedicated to my father, who explained how very easy it is to take the bus in PV:  You need to imagine first of all though two travel-weary adults who have already slept overnight in the airport; spent the morning on the plane, and by now are covered with a slight glistening of sweat (everywhere).  Let's just say we are probably not looking our best.  Luggage in tow, along with the required 13 pesos (6.5 x2) for the bus fare, I clamored on board.  I paid the fare to our bus driver who I am sure was blind in one eye, and the cataracts in the other one probably render him nowhere near 20/20 vision.....well at least he knew where he was going.  I see some seats a couple rows back and go and sit down expecting my travel companion to be right behind me, but all of a sudden the bus takes off like a bat out of hades and the next thing I see is my travel companion and their rolling luggage literally flying to the back of the bus. Mexicans clearing the way row by row until they reach the back.  I was honestly expecting to see a Loony Tunes exit through the metal back of the bus with only the shape of a person left behind to show proof of their prior existence on the bus journey.  Luckily by grabbing onto the last post they were able to screech to a halt with just a moment to spare.

Due to my pastiness and sweaty gleam it was obvious, even though I was now several rows forward on the bus, that we belonged together and I was offered a seat in the back row - probably a good thing for an easy exit later, but due to the lack of shocks, and the very pot-holed cobble-stoned streets it made for an extremely bouncy, jarring ride.  At one point we even caught air, and I don't mean just a little - I mean luggage and all lifted off.  See the picture above - well those metal seats REALLY hurt when you land again.

Fortunately a mid-30s guy who spoke some English let us know when we were supposed to get off and, after watching other people disembark at previous stops I knew we needed to be ready when the time came, as there is no such thing as "coming to a complete stop" for these bus drivers.  It isn't really a rolling stop either.  More like you just need to be sure you are ready for when the doors open while they are still going mach 10 and prepared so that when they are finally going slow enough you can jump off.  If you had to jump, duck and roll and you wouldn't break anything that is about the speed they slow down to.  Happy to report no humans or luggage were injured in our "departure".

Half way there

It is currently 12:46 a.m. and I am sitting in the LAX airport in terminal 7. The flight changes and delays today (or I guess I should say yesterday) got me into LAX at 9:45 pm instead of 7:38 and by the time I was able to find a place that was still open to eat where I wouldn't have to sell my first born for a really sad looking salad the time had ticked away and suddenly it was 11:30 p.m.  I am now lounging on a lovely bench without armrests and switching between catching a couple minutes sleep here and there while listening to some lovely instrumental music, and jerking awake every time they remind me to keep my luggage under control over the speakers and not carry anyone else's luggage, or packages.  I would say that happens every 10 minutes or so!!!! Ugh. Looks like I will be making up for my lack of sleep tomorrow either on the beach or poolside!

At least they don't appear to be washing the carpets or vacuuming any time soon.  Here's hoping that isn't a four in the morning thing at LAX.

1:37 a.m. update:  I was totally off the mark this morning - it was scheduled floor waxing; who'd thunk it.  And I just discovered that my next flight has been changed to Terminal 8 - guess I know where I am wandering off to once my Net Book is fully charged.

Mexico again - Wedding celebration

Mexico, two times in 6 months, the first time was to relax and refresh and this time is to celebrate!  My long time friend Scott got married in advance back home in Victoria in August and I had the pleasure of being a part of that ceremony; and h e, and the lovely Heather, are now renewing their vows at Vallarta Torre, in Puerto Vallarta Mexico; with about a dozen friends and family there to celebrate with them.

Expecting a great time - sunny, hot (with a few thundershowers thrown in).  Now if only I could get over the cold I picked up a week ago all would be well.  I have been told that if I take Tequila by the spoonful I can honestly consume it as "cough syrup"!  I think I will try the lounger by the pool in the warm sun first before resorting to that method.  Sick or not on the plane I am going, albeit with plenty of Kleenex, cough candies and lozenges to get me through. Oh the things we do for friends!  not like I am getting anything out of the deal spending one week at a lovely beach side timeshare resort - ha, ha, ha!

So this morning things went well - it was a beautiful fall day and all my chores got done.  The groom of this celebratory trip gave me a chauffeur ride to airport and it ended up I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare as my initial flight to San Francisco has been delayed by over two hours...meaning my secondary flight to LAX also had to be changed and I will now hopefully arrive around 9:45 pm.  Looks like the time I have to wait for my final flight to Puerto Vallarta tomorrow morning has now been decreased substantially!

Waiting has begun - YYJ

Cabos come and gone

Great plans for updating the blog fell to the wayside due to an extremely slow free Wi-Fi connection at the hotel, as well as falling into a relaxation zone which I am still currently in. Going back is going to be hard and the flight home is only a couple hours from now. It has been a fabulous time away.

Lunchtime buffet

Quiet pool next to favourite lunch buffet

Great landscaping

Everything hoped for was achieved - sun, fun, laughter, massage on the beach, copious amounts of food and bevies all ready and prepared for us. Throw in the no dishes, cleaning up or schedules to keep and it was the makings of a perfect break away from the everyday.

I admit we are not yet in cattle-mode but our bags are all lined up waiting for the transfer to the Los Cabos airport and the mass exodus of all the other Vancouver-bound travellers.

But we still have one hour here at the resort so I am now signing off so we can go do the last couple items on our vacation list before being herded onto the hot crowded bus.

En route to the fun

Getting up early ended up being just a continuation of the previous day - will be paying for this later but just seems to make sense since we had to leave for the airport by 3:45am.  Luckily last night we discovered we were able to check in and due to there being quite a few empty seats we were issued seats right away - so no worries about not being able to get on! Yippee.

Everything has run extremely smooth so far and as I write this we are just sitting in the Vancouver airport, charging up our electronics and waiting to be called for our flight which is leaving at 11am.



Waiting in YVR

I am starting to feel the lack of sleep now but will be attempting to persevere so I can have my nap next to the pool.

Last Minute Trip to Cabo San Lucas

I always say I should try a last minute getaway sometime and now I am. Just a week and a bit ago found a fabulous deal for a week all-inclusive to Riu Santa Fe, Cabo San Lucas Mexico and booked it! Spur of the moment or what, but how could I "no" to a cheap and cheerful week away full of sun, warmth, fun, beach and pool time, meals ready and waiting, entertainment and even your beds made for you!  What more could a girl ask for?  Going with a friend who makes me laugh and am so looking forward to it.

What I am not looking forward to is the holy cow in the morning flight that is connecting us through to our charter flight in Vancouver.....but I guess that is the price we pay for living in such a beautiful place that also happens to be on an island.  Makes for an early morning (or should I say late night) but at the end of the day I will be sitting by a pool in 90-93 degree weather, no doubt with a pina colada in my hand and relaxing.

Final day and trip home

How quickly our week together came to an end....luckily though we will be able to meet again back home in less that 2 days if we so desired.  After 8 months away I think a little acclimating and putting away may be required though prior to the visiting starting!

The Girls

Our last hours together were true family quality time - hard core sampling at Costco. And when we all arrive we are truly a force to be reckoned with. Let's just say the samples disappear quicker with the whole Harper clan in tow. And there was a fine selection today. And then they were off...... and we too were on our way.

The rest of the afternoon was spent repeating the trip in reverse back up to Port Angeles from Warrenton (Costco) - where a lovely dinner awaited us. What a treat.

And now here I sit writing this blog while Scrabble (Round three) takes place between Jim and Mom.

I wonder when and where my next adventure will be?

Last couple days in Seaside, OR

The last couple days have been quieter, and the warm sunny weather has been fading away, changing to cloudy skies and rain.

On Thursday I chauffeured and walked with mom around downtown Seaside, shopping as we went.  Scott and the family went to Fort Clatsop just north of us and we met up again mid-afternoon.  After dinner we all got together at the cabin and played "Things".  Oh the things you can learn about your family when you play games such as that - let me tell you! It is a little concerning.  Thursday night the rain just pounded down for the whole night and most of Friday morning.

Friday we got together for breakfast and then headed south of town in search of what is supposed to be the 3rd largest Sitka Spruce tree (stump) in the world.  We found it but only four of us were willing to make our way out into the rain to see it and snap a couple pictures.

Then after lunch we made our way back to large salt water taffy and ice cream parlour we visited the first day we were in town and were escaping the rain.  This time we had a winner at Spin the Wheel (the previous time we just got a free taffy each).

and then we  all partook in an ice cream cone (to be clear we had one cone each) - courtesy of Grandma/Mom - thanks again to our latest sugar fix.

Nephews' 11th Birthday Celebrations.

Today was all about Travis - whatever he wants to do to celebrate his birthday.  The day started off with gift opening and then a crepes breakfast, with bacon - so yummy. 

Then while he went off to the lounge to check his birthday e-mails the girls and I ran around the resort putting up the clues.

After all 11 clues were found it was time for Travis' first go-carting experience - he was just tall enough and the owner was so nice he let him (and Shae and Bradley) go for almost twice the normal time, and even let Scott join them for the last half so they could all enjoy the go-carting together.

Travis' lunch choice was the Pizza Hut lunch buffet; followed by a a really enjoyable walk on Cannon Beach.

Taking it easy the rest of the day - with plans for cake and sherbet this evening, pool time, hot tub and possibly an evening of family games.

Arrival and first couple days.

The last couple days have been full.  On Sunday we got up to blue skies, which lasted throughout the day with only a couple short showers.  The drive from Port Angeles, WA to Seaside, OR was very picturesque and the new car drove well.  Besides a stop in Hoodsport and the state park just after there (where we stopped for a lunch break), and Raymond, OR (where we stopped to see some amazing metal art located along HWY 101 and throughout the town) we pretty much drove straight through.

We arrived at Thousand Trails Seaside park (TT) in the middle of the afternoon and as I drove into the parking area in front of our cabin Mom mentioned how nice it would have been if Scott and the family were already here. Too bad they weren't (as she had been told by the park ranger). A convenient lie from where I sat - as I could see Scott's big blue van and trailer just a couple spots up across from us. Mom didn't see it and when I mentioned perhaps she should head up that way as she may meet someone she knows across the park I see a family of 7 running, ducking and weaving, trying to stay in the shadows as they tried to surprise her.

It was so strange seeing them all again - like no time had passed. Hard to believe 8 months have passed since they headed out on their big adventure last August! So much to catch up on, which we did as we toured the park, then had dinner together in their trailer.

We spend the evening laughing together as we ate popcorn and watched the Tim Hawkin's DVD Scott caught when they saw him in concert down in Florida.

 Monday - after having breakfast we loaded ourselves into our vehicles and headed for the Seaside Boardwalk down on the beach.

We wandered out in the sand to see the water then walked about 3/4 of the way to the other end when I felt a drop of rain hit me. Now the rain here comes in fast and furious so as soon as that happened we all made an about face and made our way (rather faster then the beginning of our walk) to the main road where all the storefronts had awnings. We killed some time in the Carousel ..... Mall then walked the rest of the way back to our cars - again in the sun.

We hit the outlet mall on the way back to TT and after lunch spent some time in the pool and hot tub.  In the evening Janet and I relaxed in the trailer and had some girl catch up time while mom and the younger kids visited in the cabin.

Tuesday - today we went to Astoria and again the weather cooperated and we had sun.  En route we went to the required number of thrift stores, Costco for lunch then made our way up to the Astoria Column.  Everyone but Scott and Mom made the trek up to the top (164 steps - 125 feet high).  The view from the top was absolutely gorgeous.  The trip back down the spiral staircase was dizzying.

With wobbly legs we then went back to another thrift store Scott and the family saw up our way up the hill to the column then went in search for the sea lions that congregate down by an old pier on the water.  Talk about loud - we could hear them blocks before we reached them.

In the evening the girls and I created a scavenger hunt for the following day - my nephew Travis` 11th birthday.  It was a lot of fun and we all hope he enjoys doing it tomorrow.