After we checked in things continued to be interesting. We were told by the girls in the office that we would have to check ourselves in with the port captain and they gave us a map explaining that it was short walk down the highway towards the cruise ship terminal and there we would find the port captain. Jeff in disbelief asked several times, "are you sure we need to do this?" And we were told, "yes" this is how things are done at Marina Vallarta. So we grabbed our folder of documents and passports and made our way down the highway sweating in disbelief. At some point Jeff noticed that it was getting to be close to 5pm and thought we should pick up the pace. Hot and tired it wasn't possible for me so I watched as Jeff high tailed it ahead. As we approached the cruise terminal we asked a couple of people where the office was and someone directed us to the second floor. At 4:55pm we walked in to several workers all closing up and walking out. Jeff said we were here to check in with the port captain. They all looked at us confused and we explained how the marina had sent us and we just arrived. Again in disbelief we were told that they don't do that here. The only way to check in is to hail the port captain on vhf 16. I think I was hot and in a daze from our delirious walk that I let out an, "oh good god" as I threw my hands up in disbelief. What was going on around here?! Tired and cranky we grabbed a taxi back to the marina and went back to the boat.
Passing By Our Summer Home- Paradise Village
Paradise Village
Downtown Puerto Vallarta
Entrance Channel
Marina Vallarta
In our Slip
Super Tight
Marina Vallarta
The next morning as we were having breakfast the same security guard knocked on the boat telling us we needed to move slips to a wider slip across the dock. While I was relieved to not be wedged into the Sea Ray next to us the musical boats was getting old. Jeff told the guard to give us an hour and we would move. After breakfast and coffee I redid the lines once again and off we went around the corner to our new slip. It was much wider and we had plenty of room. Finally we could breath and feel settled in. The day was routine, we had lunch at one of the many restaurants on the boardwalk at the marina and then headed out to Soriana for some produce. Late that evening after the sun went to sleep and the temperature cooled we took a little stroll around the marina and looked at all the shops, bars and restaurants in our basin.
Settled at the New Slip
Whale Sculpture Near the Marina
Evening
Day three was chore filled and we did things we needed to do now that our Mexico cruising season was coming to an end, things like put away the ditch bag and going through all the lines and fenders for hurricane season. Not fun but necessary. That evening we got a nice reward when we went to Cafe des Artists for dinner per a good friend Chuck's recommendation and boy was it a treat. The uber ride took us through the city into the romantic zone and right to the front door. The restaurant was beautiful and our dining room had a cello player playing along with a pianist in another room and also a violinist. It was so nice and soothing and instantly we were happy and relaxed. We had some speciality cocktails and then perused the menu. Of course the 7 course vegan and pescatarian menus appealed to us both and wine pairing was a nice touch. We sat back and listened to music and talked and talked as beautiful courses were laid before us. It was such a rare treat and a memorable experience for us both. Thanks Chuck.
Table Serenade
Cello Player
Jalapeno Mezcal Martini
Outside the Restaurant
Outdoor Garden
Sunday June 11th was a lazy day. We spent a long morning in pjs and drank coffee and relaxed reading and enjoying the air conditioning. At some point we did get dressed and took a dingy ride around the basin. It was hot and not very memorable but it was nice to use the dink again.
Our final three days at Marina Vallarta were spent finishing up projects. Jeff hired some guys to re-calk the front of the boat. He had a fiberglass guy repairing some cracks in the upper boarding doors. We had our water pump replaced because for some reason it just wanted to run. The boat got her bottom cleaned and washed. All those fun things.
Flipped the Boat Around for Caulkers
Final Night at Marina Vallarta
Finally on Thursday June 15th at 10:30a.m we took our final cruise of the season to our summer home Paradise Village Marina. I was more then ready to leave Marina Vallarta and finally see where we would be spending the next four and a half months. The cruise itself was easy we turned left towards downtown (opposite direction form Paradise Village) in order to see downtown from the water and also to give the water maker some extra time to fill up the tanks. I was just happy being on a boat ride and tried not to think too much about staying put for so long.
Three dockhands were waiting at our slip and coordinated effortlessly to get us tied up, plugged into power and gave us our gate keys. Already we could tell we were at someplace that had their shit together. In the office we were welcomed and given a hand painted sign with our boat name as a gift from the marina. We learned they offered weekly pumpouts included in our slip fees along with all the amenities (two pools, beach club, 8 restaurants, spa) of the resort. They even gave us a free two week pass to the yacht club on site. We were giddy with excitement. After check in we walked the grounds in the heat and tried to get our bearings. This place is huge. For lunch we went to the yacht club and had a welcome drink and toasted our new summer home and a successful Mexico cruising season.
Cruising Towards Downtown Puerto Vallarta
Downtown
Entrance Channel to Paradise Village
Paradise Village
Lunch at the Yacht Club
Paradise Village Marina
The next morning the marina offered us a ride on the water taxi to the port captains office to check in. The pontoon pulled right up to our stern and we got in. Check in was only a matter of minutes and then he dropped us back off. Such a nice service. We spent the day going to the grocery store on site to get a few things for the weekend when Izzy would be coming to visit. We also readied the boat making sure everything was clean and ready for him. Right before sundown we took a leisurely stroll around the resort and ended up at the beach club and watched the sunset. It felt like we were on vacation.
In Front of Beach Club
Sunset From Beach Club
The next day Saturday June 17th around lunch time Izzy arrived. We were both ecstatic to see him and catch up after several months apart. We had welcome margaritas and toasted the reunion. Afterwards we made lunch and the boys took a nap. Jeff planed to watch sunset at the sunset sky lounge that is only open to resort and marina guests. High above the rest of the facilities we had a sunset cocktail and Jeff and Izzy shared an appetiser It was so great being together. After we strolled to an Italian Seafood restaurant where we enjoyed being in the air conditioning and talking and laughing.
Izzy Arrives
Sunset Sky Lounge
Sunset Sky Lounge
Dinner
Father's Day was the next day and Jeff was so happy to spend it with his son. Me too. He couldn't remember the last time we were in the same city as the kids to celebrate. Jeff decided he wanted to try the pancake restaurant in the mall for brunch for his father's day. I think we agreed that the company was the best part of that breakfast. After we all deflated a bit we got a palapa at the beach and laid and swam in the ocean and relaxed. It was wonderful. I loved closing my eyes and listening to the waves crash onto the beach. Not a more peaceful sound in the world. Jeff read an article about the best restaurants to visit in Puerto Vallarta and La Palapa was on that list. So around 5pm we took an uber into downtown Puerto Vallarta and walked the melecon, saw a church and walked through a street fare on our way to dinner. The magazine recommendation did not disappoint- La Palapa was great. The boys had ceviche appetiser and shrimp and fish for dinner and I had a nice vegan mushroom risotto. We watched the crowds walking by on the beach and the sunset into the water. It was a great capper to Father's Day.
Pancake Breakfast in the Mall
Walk Down the Melecon
Church
Walking Along Melecon
Street Fair
Mass in the Church
Bridge Over Lagoon on way to Restaurant
Father's Day Beach Goers
Jeff & Izzy on Father's Day
Sun Setting Behind the Pier
View From La Palapa
Sunset
Mariachi's at La Palapa
View From Table
Izzy's Dinner
Pier at Night
Monday would be Izzy's last day with us. Everyone worked out in the morning then we made our way back to the mall for lunch at a place called Jude. The boys liked theirs. Me not so much but fortunately the coffee shop next door makes a great americano which made up for my mediocre lunch. At some point we made our way to the pool and enjoyed the quiet of the adult pool and even found chairs in the shade. By late afternoon we took an Uber to Bucerias a nearby town we have been wanting to check out. Once again Jeff found a restaurant on the list called La Negra and again it didn't disappoint. We sat upstairs in a treehouse like setting among a restaurant full of nothing but gringos. Despite the heat the beers and wine helped to cool us down. I had really good mushroom tacos and the boys had a feast of baked cheese and tacos as well. It was a great final dinner with Izzy and we had such a wonderful time during his visit and couldn't believe it was coming to an end.
Izzy Outside La Negra Restaurant
Murel Inside La Negra
The Tree House Setting
Just like Izzy's visit the blog too will be coming to an end until we start the winter cruising season on November 1st and make our way south to the Panama Canal.
