Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Continuing travels in Mexico

We traveled in Mexico from February 21 to March 15, 2005. Dick and I flew separately and I am not sure why. My flight on Continental was delayed and I missed the connection in Houston where we had the same flight reservation. Almost ten years later I don't remember the whole story. Dick checked into the Grand Mayan in Neuvo Vallarta and came to meet me 8 hours later. This was the first time we stayed at the Grand Mayan with the water park. This part of the resort is the same but they have added all the other things and more than tripled the buildings. We ate at the Green Break which is now Gong - an upscale Asian place.

I was using a cane and Dick says I was getting stronger. I guess I had the hip surgery in December 2004. We ate at a Fajitas place in Neuvo that is no longer there. Most of the restaurants where we ate have changed. After a week we moved to the Mayan Palace at the Marina. It is close to Puerto Vallarta so we spent more time away from the resort. We visited the Huichol Indians and made the boat trip to Los Caletas for Rhythms of the Night. Naturally, I was sick - but Dick enjoyed it.

March 3, 2004 -- Dick's 70th birthday. He kept the card - memories.

Dick has a long description of our day to visit the Huichol indians. I am so glad he was so good at keeping notes and writing them up.

We flew to Los Cabos and stayed at Finesterra for a week. We had fun - but we agreed that we did not want to return to Los Cabos - really a party town. Again Dick has covered all that we did - where we ate etc. Again another fun Mexican trip.

2006 - The long driving trip though central Mexico. we left Detroit On January 14th and came home on March 28th. This was our transitional year. We had bought the house in AZ in late 2005 - but it was not finished until March 2007. I quit working full time in early 2006 so we spent the year traveling.

We stayed a week at Villa del Palamar closer to downtown Puerto Vallarta. We enjoyed being closer to town. We walked the Malecon with the Bustamenta sculptures and actually shopped. This trip we spent time on the "River," went to church, found German restaurants, second hand book store -- as always Dick has so much detail.

We moved to Mayan Palace for a week. This is the trip we went to the Mexican Fiesta -- great show.
This was the trip when we discovered the Estudio. It is still there and much better. We also found Guido's a great Italian restaurant and it is still in Neuvo.

We were excited about renting the car and going on a road trip in Mexico. We had a VW Pointer. The first day we drove though agricultural areas - so beautiful. We were on the toll road - great driving. First stop was Ajiici - a quaint town and a quaint hotel but it was on the main drag and the owner was helpful. We unpacked and took off to Tom's to see the Super Bowl - many Canadians cheering for the Seahawks. We were quietly for the Steelers and they won. We found a great place for breakfast Mes Amoures. We would stay there if we returned. We drove over to Lake Chapala which is known as an expat place. It is bigger but we did not want to stay. Dick explains our adventures on the road - luckily he has a great sense of direction.

Next stop on Wednesday, February 8 was at the Great Western Pasada del Vasco in Patzcuaro. Lake Patzcuaro was a development encouraged by Father Kino. Each village around the lake has a different artisan focus. One is guitars, one baskets, etc. We made a side trip to Uruapan -- fascinating place. After exploring the town we went to the Eduardo Ruiz Parque Nacionale. How beautiful!

On Saturday, Feb 11th we drove to Morelia. It breaks my heart to hear about drug battles there. It is a National Heritage site and well deserves it. The Cathedral lights up at night and you hear the music. The parks and museums are wonderful.

Next post will be about the favorite stop San Miguel.