Blog #6 Reflections on San Blas

The night before we left Rincon de Guayabitos for Puerto Vallarta, we had dinner at the Vista Guayabitos situated at the south end of town high on a hill. The food was wonderful. Instead of nacho type chips and salsa they gave us lobster sushi for a nibbler!!! I knew this was going to be a good night!!! There was a dj playing as we ate and at the end of the meal as we were sipping on liqueurs he played Andrea Bocelli's "It's Time to Say Goodbye". Up we jumped and danced and sang, the only ones on the floor, to what was a most fitting ending to our great time in Guayabitos. The unit we rented on the ocean is not available from Jan. - March or we would be back real soon!!!

We took a taxi to Puerto Vallarta and booked into Tropicana, our favourite hotel, but not without incident of course. I had phoned and told them we were going home early and needed to change our original reservation from Dec.20-23 to Dec.8th. On the phone there was no problem but at the hotel they were going to charge us again for the 8th and not refund us anything for the paid 20th. Then, they credited us for the 20th but wouldn't refund any of the difference in price. By this time after having 5 weeks of being continually financially being taken advantage of, I had had enough!!! Time to talk to the manager. The result - free breakfast. Not fair but something!!!

Above is the picture of our last morning on the beach. This lovely deaf guy gave me this henna bracelet. After negotiation of course!!! Thought I wanted a tatoo here but now, I'm not so sure......

We arrived home, no this is not our home but the cabin on our property, to snow!!! In fact, we drove through a snow storm to get home.

San Blas - we loved San Blas for 4 years. We had some great times there and met some wonderful people who I hope will remain our friends for the rest of our lives. I loved where we had rented for the last two years and where I felt a part of the community. I knew all of my neighbours and got along well with them all. The kids were great!!! I will always remember this neighbourhood with great fondness.

If Gustavo from the mini-super on the square had of told us the truth that the house he wanted to rent to us was not ready, we probably would not have gone to Mexico this year. San Blas is hurting like the rest of Mexico in these hard financial times. I think our Canadian attitude would be, "Hey, here are some tourists wanting to stay in our country and spend money here so let's give them the best deals we can and make them as happy as we can!!!" That is not what happened to us. It was more like, "We have them here, let's squeeze as much out of them as we can get." People who we thought were friends and cared for us, really didn't. Ouch!!!!!

If you are planning a trip to San Blas I would recommend the following places to stay - Bungalows Cony, Casa Roxanna, Garza Canela, Flamingos Hacienda. They all have white grout in the bathrooms!!! That is my basic problem with all the other rental places in town. You walk into the bathroom and can't imagine yourself naked in this room!!! Not a good sign!!! Some travellers are willing to bleach the place when they move in - not me!!!

What's a head? Well, three days before we left on this trip, we bought a tiny two room cabin on Lake Bernard in Sundridge about 30 minutes north of us. Deal closes on Jan. 6th. It needs gobs of work and hopefully by June sometime, it will be ready to rent. I'm going to document progress through a blog - Almost Ready to Rent a Cute Cottage on Lake Bernard or something like that!!!

I can't see us staying here for the winter. I think one day we just look at each other and say, "Ok, enough snow is enough. Let's leave tomorrow!!!" We will climb in the car and drive south. Around the end of January, I'm thinking. I want to go to New Orleans for two nights and the Keys in Florida. I think we might take a tent to make things even more interesting. Think I will blog the trip. I'll send you the first one and if you don't like it, just let me know and I'll take you off the list but I really hope you stay for the ride!!! Life is great!!!! Love to you all!!!!

Blog #5 Guayabitos and home.....

Guayabitos is a small coastal town set along the Bay of Bandaras. This is the beach looking south. The fellow with the wheelbarrow sells me oysters everyday for my lunch. A dozen on the half shell for $3.85 CND!!! What a deal and oh so yummy!!!!

This is the beach looking north. The water was really warm when we went swimming in the ocean when we first got here but for the last few days the surf has been too strong to swim. One must respect the ocean. We had booked a tour just for the two of us today to go out in a boat for two hours to sightseeing and fish a bit but the roll of the waves is too intense. We have been watching little boats, only two of them so far, with our binoculars and they completely disappear from view as they go along and get between waves. I don't think this looks like a fun activity to be doing on our last day in town. The guy is coming back later to give us back our deposit and then he will probably want to sell us a nice piece of land in the Everglades.......

Last night after dinner, Mona Lisa Pizza is the best here in town, I dragged Ray to a jewelry store because except for my watches I hadn't bought myself a nice piece of bling to take home. While I was looking a guy came up and asked me in Spanish to try on this ring he had in his hand. He didn't work in the store. He was just passing by like us. It was way too big for me so he made Ray put it on and then when it fit he told him to keep it. It was a gift. It seemed a little strange but hey what the heck we went along with it. When we got home I took a closer look at it and discovered it had a cross on it. This morning Ray got a really good look at this ring and low and behold it had writing all around it, actually five lines of writing. He copied it all down to put on to google to translate but when he showed me I was sure it was the Lord's prayer. Oh, he of little faith went ahead and did the translation thing and it is the Lord's prayer. Now, how strange is this story. Ray hasn't worn any jewelry since he lost his wedding band over 40 years ago and now he has been given this special ring that he is actually wearing!!!!! Do, do, do,do. Welcome to the twilight zone............

A Posing Pelican

A Posing Pretty Bird

Ok, by now you are convinced I'm not a birder but these might be plovers or friendly little gray birds. The shore birds are really friendly. I was amazed at how close I could get. We walked the beach yesterday looking to rent a place for Jan.-March. February seems to be the problem with no vacancies anywhere except the kind of place you wouldn't want to stay in!!!!

Maybe an Eagret

This is a common site on the beach. Vendors walking along in the sand carrying their goods on their heads. Don't think I will be trying it any day soon. These young women were deep in conversation and paying no attention to what they were carrying at all. Amazing!!!

These folks sell fish, marlin or albacore, or shrimp on a stick for under $2 each.Very yummy!!! I just go to the end of the porch and they take my order and bring it over when it is ready. Great fun!!!

There is an island off shore and to the right you can see shrimp boats that are safely tucked away in the lee of the island during these rough seas. Usually the shrimp boats anchor farther out at sea during the day when the crew sleeps and then they go out at night to make their catch.

The other day there was a photo shoot at Estancia San Carlos. This young woman is probably getting ready for her sweet 16 party or Cinsinata. I have no idea how to spell that word but if you say it phonetically you will say it right. The 15th birthday for a girl here is huge with families planning for years on the big event. They took a few pics right outside of our unit and here she is smiling for my camera. Her father wanted to know where we were from and seemed very pleased that we were taking pictures of his daughter.

This is our place from the beach. The big glass doors slide over at night. We eat all of our meals on the terraza or porch, read, play cards, watch the beach processing by. Inside the doors to the right is the living room. The kitchen and dining room are to the left. I have a puzzle all over the dining room table. Through the doorway you can see takes you to the bathroom on the right and the bedroom to the left with two comfy double beds. There is another long narrow porch off the bedroom. We get daily maid service with new sheets and towels every day. The other day she did our laundry for us. We really like it here. Love the location of the unit!!!!

This is the view from our patio looking south. Tomorrow we will be taking a taxi to Puerto Vallarta and then home the next day to Canada. Stay tuned...................

Blog #4 "Know when to fold em, know when to walk away......"

Our first day trip this year in San Blas was to Casa Manana. One of our favourite local spots on the beach south of town in Los Cocos with great food and margaritas!!! The bus station has really been improved this year with a fresh coat of paint and bathrooms you might like to use.

"Ray, can you smell fish?" "No, can you?" "Yeah and it gets real strong the closer I get to you!!!" On inspection it was discovered that someone had left this bag of fish right beside Ray's chair. Too bad they came to reclaim it before we got on the bus or we could have had a few tasty dinners!!!!

We arrive at our destination to discover that the place is closed!!! No restaurant, no bar, no guests!! So we did what I'm sure most of you would do. We got changed into our suits and jumped into their pool. I'm glad to report by the time we got out of the pool the staff were waiting for us not the police and we had another great day at Casa Manana.

Oh, my!!! They do carry large guns here!!!

Here we are camping at Marta's. A one burner hot plate, two forks, two knives, tiny fridge, brown running water for the first two weeks, occasional hot water in the mornings blah, blah, blah..... We had a couple of other disappointments and last Saturday morning I looked at Ray and said, "I'm not happy!!!" I believe we are all responsible for our own happiness and when you aren't happy you change life until you are!!!! It appeared he wasn't happy either because when we started talking about what to do he was the first to say let's get out of here asap and that is what we did.

This year we got to know Billy Bob from Billy Bob's famous or infamous bar and restaurant. He was one of our San Blas joys this year. What a funny man!!! He tells the greatest stories and gave me one of the most unique gifts I have ever received which leads me to another story I almost forgot to tell..... A friend's Mexican husband took Ray and I to a "rodeo". It was Sunday night, dark, bit scary. An iron ring was built out by the airport and cars had been driven right up to it. People were sitting on their hoods or dancing in the back of their pickups. Yes, there was a live band to keep things hopping between bulls. It was basically like Octoberfest with cowboys!!! Everyone was drinking beer. Even the guys on horseback trying to keep the bull rider safe after he came off. Now, although the whole event was really something, the thing that hit me the most was that after the rider fell off, the band started to play and the couple beside us jumped into the ring and started doing this dirty dancing grinding number that is so popular here. The BULL was still in the ring!!!! Couldn't believe it. Others joined them. I think it was one of those, "I'm braver than you!!" things. Dumb in my mind!!!! Any way, when we got back to the hotel and told Marta where we had been she said, "You should not have gone there. It is too dangerous. You have just kissed the table of the devil." Maybe so but it was a lot of fun!!!! So glad we went.

Billy Bob, thank you for the light in a dark time and for the "bull" souveneir that will "hang" with my other baskets!!!

The last art class was held last Saturday. The kids got loot bags like at no other party!!! Like in any divorce everything needs to be divided up and the kids got a load of art supplies each.

So we got on a bus first thing Monday morning and headed out of town. We are now two hours south of San Blas in Guayabitos. We had a taxi driver take us to the next town south the other day, Los Ayala. He suggested we went to the top of this huge hill to get a view of the town and the bay. It is spectacular. This is a very exclusive area where the "other Mexicans " live. Opulent. Every house had its own pool. All had fantastic views.

This is Guayabitos taken from the south end. Fishing and tourism are its main stay.

The first place we had booked into was the Decameron. It is an international chain in Latin American countries. It is all inclusive and cost the same for 3 nights as our house in San Blas had cost us for a month!!! The property is very well kept. Great staff. Lots to do. Great shows at night. Mainly Mexican guests with a sprinkling of us others. Although it took me an hour to get us booked in, don't ask, just be very careful when you make reservations on line and need to change them, we had a great time and were done with the experience after four days.

Our second day in Guayabitos we met our new BF. His name is Jose Louis and he is a local taxi driver. He took us to 3 places I thought we might like to stay at and we chose this one, Estancia San Carlos. Got a great deal on the one bedroom suite, about half the rate price, right on the ocean. Still the rent for one week is equal to a month and a half of rent in our house in San Blas.

Here I am sitting on my porch just a stones throw away from the beach and quite enjoying it!!! We have changed our flight date to Dec. 9th as we were afraid we wouldn't like Guayabitos and didn't want to be "stuck" here for three weeks. So far, we like it just fine. Ray is off golfing today. I'm going to buy oysters in the shell off a beach vendor for lunch. Yesterday we bought shrimp and tuna from the vendors outside our patio on the beach. Jose Louis took us to the market in La Penita yesterday and he will take us to Puerto Vallarta next Thursday where we are staying at the Tropicana in our favourite room and then flying home the next day!!!! Whew!!! Five months is way too long for me to be away. Now I know. Not sure what we are doing in January. I've cancelled the flights back to Mexico. Westjet are sooooooo helpful when you are "unhappy". We may still come back. We may go to Florida. We may go to the Caribbean. Just not sure but will be sure to keep you in touch......

Loved these watches so much I bought three of them when we were at Decameron. Going to an arts and crafts market on Monday here in Guayabitos and think they may be there selling more. Anyone interested at $25 each?

Blog #3 The Best of Times, the worst........

On Tuesday we decide to bike over to the house we have been waiting for Gustavo to finish to see if the air conditioner had been put in the bedroom. We would know it was done because there would be a new hole in the bedroom wall. As we turned the corner onto our road I was surrounded by about 12 kids all asking about Art Classes. Ray rode ahead and when I looked for him he was talking to Gustavo who just happened to be at the house and Ray was not looking happy!!! When I arrived Gustavo told me that he needed us to pay 10 000 pesos or two and a half months rent so he could finish the house. Now I ask you, do we look like a bank or bankers!!!! We had already been ripped off 5 000 pesos by the owners of the purple house, asked by two others for months in advance and here it was happening again!!!! He went on to tell us that he had another couple ready to pay him and move in. This was after THREE calls to him from Canada to make sure he had a place for us. Ray was and remains very angry and just wants to get on the next bus out of town. I am so disappointed and sad. We made a commitment to our little community where we rented for the last 2 years. Our goal was to find a place where we could return every winter and now that has been smashed. Renters beware!!!!!!!!!!!

On a much happier note, on Wednesday we discovered this San Blas gem, Pizzapan. We had tried to buy a pizza here the week before but after I had called,"George, George!" and no one responded we went somewhere else for dinner. I later learnt that his name is Roger!!!! They are supposed to open from 4-10 but in actuallity he opens closer to 6. The pizza is outstanding. Possibly the best I ave ever eaten. We tried the Suprema, mediana for 95 pesos. Roger told us he will deliver if you live close. In San Blas, I think that could be anywhere I would think.

To find Pizzapan go along the road out of town past Kane. Turn right at the next street. Pizzapan is right there on your right and the phone number is 323 116 84 96. Give this young man some business. I believe you will be very happy!!!!

November 20th is one of the biggest celebrations in Mexico. It is celebrating the Day of Revolution and if you want to know all about it, Google it!!! The parade was supposed to start at 10 so we were taking our time getting there as most things start late here but as we rode towards the town center it had already started!!!!! It was fantastic with a huge assortment of floats, acts and entertainment. We started watching from the street and then moved upstairs to the balcony of the San Blas Social Club. I was having to lean over people to get pics until this lovely young guy parted his people and put me at the front so I could get some good shots and that is just one of many reasons why I have loved San Blas in the past.

Instead of Where's Waldo? Can you find Jora our American friend?

Everyone stopped infront of us to perform for the judges sitting under this tent on the right.

They walked for blocks in these amazing costumes. Gorgeous!!!!

The other morning we walking through the dining room on our way out. Ray was in front. I stopped as I always do to go through the good morning ritual. I always want to know what they are having to eat as I have smelt it upstairs and don't always recognize the smell. This particular morning there was something in the bowls I'd never seen before. When I asked I discovered it was cow stomach and ofcourse I was asked to try it!!!! "Oh look Ray they are eating cow stomach and we can have some. Ray? Ray? Where are you?" Couldn't see the wise man or his dust!!!!

When we ride down the roads they are often narrow and lined with cars. We do always ride in the same direction as traffic now and I have suggested that we both ride on the same side of the road so that the guy behind us does not have to decide which one of us to hit!!!!

This situation we are in here is much like a love affair. Many of you have heard me say that I have fallen in love with San Blas and as happens between people, when you first fall in love you tend to ignore the flaws and only see the positive. Time passes and some of the flaws grate on you a little more and then one day there is a big event and the preverbial hits the fan and you decide that's it, no more!!! It is time for a divorce and after that moment everything confirms your decision. That is what we are going through with San Blas. We will he here for just over two more weeks and then we are moving out of the winter home. It has been wonderful but sadly it is coming to an end.

What is next? Well on Dec.8th we are taking the bus to Rincon de Guayabitos two hours south where I have us booked into an all incluse for two nights. Figure by then we will have had enough of that life style!!!! If we like Guayabitos, we will return on Dec. 30th and if not I believe we are going to Florida!!!! We have two great offers. Our nephew is willing to put up with us for two weeks on the east coast and friends have offered us their house and a car on Sannibel Island. If you want to add an invite to the list please feel free!!!!!

Til next time, smile, we are truly blessed just to have what we have and to have the choices in life that we have. Love to you!!!

Blog #2 Yes, it is as hot as.........

This is Iguanas Ranas or Pasada Carey in San Blas. On previous stays we have stayed where the two windows are upstairs in the middle. This stay we are in the back of the building. There are 5 units upstairs and an undisclosed number down.

We use the door on the right as a garage for our bikes. It is actually an unused staircase to go upstairs. Like many other Mexican gems, this does not appear to be a great place to stay but let's look inside.....

On entering you pass through a large room with rooms on your left and a living room/dining room on your right with additional rooms further to the right. Straight ahead you exit into the patio and swimming pool area. We spend most afternoons here. First we swim and then we play cards and read a bit.

This is our unit upstairs with the door open. It is really nice and shaded in the morning but the sun slowly creeps around and it gets pretty hot by late afternoon. We have a great overhead fan and air conditioning for sleeping. Our room is also a great location for seeing some spectacular sunsets. We are staying here until about Dec. 8th.

No this is not a wedding setting that was created here last Wednesday afternoon. It is for a baby

shower!!! OMG!!! A baby!!!! Yes, this one must officially be a princess!!!! The women who attended the shower had a great time. Lots of speaches. Mexican people love speaches. Lots of laughing and clapping. By morning, it had all disappeared.

We saw this beauty in Carol's garden the other day. It looks just like coiled pipe cleaners. She had a lot of zinnias and the butterflies were having a great time. There was one in particular that was pure white and bigger than my hand expanse but it refused to pose!!!

Now this beauty was huge and had these incredible shining eyes. It came to dinner downstairs the other night with us at Marta's. Marta was not happy to see it as it the "Death Moth" but I think we all survived dinner ok.

Here's Marta the Happy Cooker!!!

We had a fabulour dinner of breaded chicken cutlets with a creamy herb sauce over the top, spaghetti with herbs and olive oil, garlic bread and a lovely fresh salad. Everyone loved our Canadian salad dressings especially Fig Balsamic and Poppy Seed. Yes, we bring salad dressings and now, when we come home at Christmas we will have to bring a lot more back with us. Can I call it humanitarian aid?

This is one of the houses we looked at during our on going search for a place to stay here in San Blas. Sadly, negotiations fell through when we the price got to $1500 USD plus, phone, internet, gas and electricity. I wanted to rent it so badly but...............Now, this house is really gorgeous and brand new. It is on the market for $120 000 USD and that my friends is a bargain!!! Please note, the guy behind the fence does not come with the house.

Oh, one more thing. Todays travel tip - Women, if you find yourselves traveling with large amounts of money I suggest you put the money into your deep pant's pockets because let's be honest, we have all heard about purse snatchers but have you ever heard of anyone having their pants snatched in public? I don't think so!!!

Winter 2011 #1 We have landed!!!!

Getting our 4 bags checked in with Westjet was no problem. I mentioned we had two bags of humanitarian aid and they didn't even check to see what exactly I was taking as "aid". I guess it could have been anything. We took 4 hours to get to Calgary where we decided to travel to for lunch. Then we reboarded and spent another 5 hours flying to Puerto Vallarta.

In Toronto at the airport I had read a Globe and Mail article written by one of their reporters who had been randomly selected and then "groped" at a U.S. airport and this article just reaffirmed for me that 'd rather watch t.v. all day in the air than be groped by some stranger who had actually been told it was ok to do this to another complete stranger!!!!!

This is what was waiting for us in Puerto Vallarta. This is the view from one of our two balconies at the Holiday Inn near the airport. Now remember, when you book online and make one teeny mistake like I did saying one person instead of two and they want more money, just ask to speak to the manager and all is good with the world again!!! A tired old hotel but lots of Mexicans were staying here so that made it ok with us. Sure got a good deal on a gorgeous room!!!!!!

Being very messed up with time, here is a shot of sunrise in Puerto Vallarta creeping over the mountains.

Saturday morning found us up bright and early as I have said and we were at the bus station by 9. Caught the 10:00 a.m. bus to San Blas and checked into Iguanas Ranas or Pasada Carey as it is known, our very favourite place in San Blas to stay. Our gracious hostess Marta is always a delight. This pic is one end of the pool. It is like a big dog bone with these circles at each end. We found the pool so refreshing. Hate to say it but OMG is it hot here!!!! Thank goodness my hairdresser got rid of all of my hair before we left. Now it is just all curly on top. No sides, no back!!!

I forgot to mention that the house we had been promised was not ready. Oh so not ready so the search was on!!! We looked at 4 houses on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. We finally decided on a two story place you will see in a minute.

Yesterday we headed to the beach because all of the Mexican people go to the beach on Sunday. Problem is, as you can see, there were very few people there. I had yummy fried oysters and didn't need to eat for the rest of the day. We picked up our bikes on the way to the beach and the guy we always go to had spray painted the rims on the wheels silver for us and fixed our tires and charged us just $4.50 each. What a guy!!!

This is the house we rented yesterday for a month. A good friend had found it for us. The lovely people who own it have never rented before and at about 6 last night we moved in. You know how you don't really know someone until you live with them. It is exactly the same with a house. You don't really know a house until you have lived with it!!!! There were many minor problems that we just didn't want to deal with. The biggest problem for us is that the bedroom was not air conditioned and let's face it, we are spoilt!!! Our home has air and last summer we loved it!!!! It was 85 degrees upstairs in the bedroom and we were naked ontop of the matress with a fan blowing on us and we whined. Oh, how we whined!!! When we woke up this morning at 5:45 I had a plan. We were moving. Where? Why back to Marta's with the air conditioned bedroom and the pool. There are two houses that we are interested in but no deals have been made yet. We were here by 8 this morning and this is where I'm staying until something better comes up!!!!!

This is the living room dining room. Do I need to tell you that the owners love bright colours?

The house came with a "pool".