8 AUG.-18 AUG. 2021 PUERTA VALLARTA STORY

After so much running around in Pennsylvania, and snorkeling with the Whale Shark in Cancun, we came home for a bit of a rest. In other words, we did our laundry, repacked, and took off for a quiet bit of adventure in Puerta Vallarta, another piece of calm on the on the Pacific side of Mexico. It was here that we made some neat discoveries. Yes. The Tequila was grand, as was the sushi, nigiri, and other seafood delights. It’s where the “jungle meets the ocean.” It’s also where John Houston shot “Night of the Iguana.” He fell in love with the area, and consequently bought a house there.

For our monthly anniversary dinner, we chose one of the seafood restaurants. Somehow we let it slip that it was our monthly anniversary to one of the waiters. This was the result. This orange creation, cotton candy, is part of a goof that the locals like to play on tourists. We, of course, filled the bill. Here is Naomi dining on her “Orange Tree,” as the natives call it.

Ever the gallant, helpful husband, I joined in on the Orange Tree feast. Yes. I know that Naomi is a dentist. So I didn’t want her to shoulder the total blame for the rapid disappearance of the Orange Tree. Following this sugar rush, along with an after-dinner drink, it was time to call it a night.

The next day we decided to begin our first little trip. Naturally, we chose to go to the local Tequila distillery. On our way there, we stopped at a beautiful area named Arcos Bay. It’s rather like Morro Bay, but a bit more lush. Speaking of lush, there was no Tequila consumption yet.

Yes. I know what I’m carrying. If anyone calls me a sissy, I’ll hit you with my purse!

Upon arriving at the distillery, located in Cabo Corrientes, our little tour group was introduced to Emanuel, or as we called him, Manny, the local Tequila maven who was going to guide us through the virtues of the nectar of the agave plant sip by sip, and step by step, from the plants to the harvesting, to the processing, to the aging, and finally to the consumption (my favorite part). He was truly a man of many words. A man of few words would not have fully covered the topics, nor remained sober enough to go through each step. What a guy. He must have an iron-clad liver.

Our man Manny. A two-fisted drinker if ever there was one!

What would a Tequila tour be without some music during our lunch break? These fellows strummed and sang their way into our hearts as we sipped and dipped….Tortilla chips in Guacamole.

After a bunch of adios hugs, we were off to our hotel to rest after a hard day at play.

We found this guy, for whom John Houston named his movie, just outside of our apartment. He may not look so great, but his personality is nil.

After a few days of following bogus directions, we finally found the much fabled “Orange Tree” of Puerto Vallarta. Here it is in all its glory.

Yes. It’s fake. Oh well, the stuff of legends and myths, et cetera.

Shortly before we left, we saw a strange natural phenomenon. A layer of schmutz on top of the sea, brought from some local rivers, and overflow from the rains in the jungle.

This is not fake.

Something else that we discovered during our forays into the swimming pool was a most delicious libation, Mango Margarita with a bit of Tajin powder, which packs a bit of spice on the rim of the glass. Of course it’s made with Tequila. What a wonderful way to usher in the dinner hour. This, too was a nice touch.

What would a trip like this be without a gorgeous farewell sunset? Here it is in its natural beauty. Thus ends our trip to yet another Mexican port of call that beckons us back.