Thursday, September 24, 2009

Last port of call, Puerto Vallarta

We didn't schedule anything formal for our last port of call...we wanted to just enjoy relaxing.  So we woke up, put on our bathing suits, and headed out to explore.  (Picture above is the sunset, obviously, from Puerto Vallarta.  Picture below is of the city/beach from the ship.  We sat at the beach by that pink hotel on the left.
Right when we got on land (there was just the ramp to get off again...no need for any tender boats) there was a little market square filled with little souvenir shops.  They really know where to position themselves to sell you those trinkets!  We decided to shop on the way back, so we didn't look around much.  We walked down the sidewalk...it reminded me a lot of Waikiki, Hawaii actually.  There were lots of big hotels and we just ducked into one and went through the lobby, out the back door, and on to the beach.  
We found some nice chairs under canopies and we set up camp.  After we slathered up with sunscreen, we headed to test out the waters.  Nick found that he liked the water more and more this trip; he is becoming a better swimmer and really starting to enjoy the ocean.  I like it too...in moderation.  I am not as great of swimmer as he is and I still like my feet to touch. :)
The beach was pretty rocky in Puerto Vallarta once  you got close to the water, but after a few feet it got really soft and sandy again.  I experienced this the hard way when a big wave came and knocked me down while washing me to shore; I landed on the rocks and took a fair amount of skin off of my knees.  There is nothing like salt water in a fresh wound...guess that is where that saying comes from, eh?  Also during this same spill my sunglasses were knocked off and were gone for good.
We each took a stroll up the beach and then decided to head out.  We found a shower thing to wash our feet off at, and then wandered around until we found our way back to the ship.  We stopped and looked at a few souvenirs and even bought a few...even though we kind of got ripped off on one of them.  Oh well. :)  We headed back to the ship to wash up and head to dinner yet again.  Now it was just us and the boat for a few days while we sailed back to the great U S of A.  We were happy to have some time to enjoy the ship, but sad to know that it meant our vacation was coming to a close.  We had such a great time and can not wait to do it again!  Viva las Mexico!

4 comments:

Loni said...

I'm sooo jealous, but glad you had a nice trip. I would do a cruise again in a heartbeat. So many things to do and see!

kellebelle said...

Nice sunset picture. I love sunset on the ocean (never up early enough to see a sunrise). There is something so beautiful about that vast expanse of water meeting the colorful sky.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your sunglasses. Have you heard the story of our Dad's wedding ring? Those oceans are beautiful, but tricksy!

alee said...

Yes, in fact Nick was a little nervous that I was wearing my diamond in the ocean. He kept asking if I still had it! Luckily the glasses I lost were a replacement pair from my last real glasses that I bought- my dad had picked them up at the gym and no one had claimed them! Nick took me to Target and helped me pick out another cheapo pair and now all is well again!

LWV said...

I have loved reading your recap of the trip! I'm so glad you and Nick got out and experienced as much as you did; it sounds--and looks-- like you had a great time! One of my favorite memories was the last formal night when you two escorted Cora to the dining room. All the way through the Promenade heads were turning, and people were staring and saying, "Look! Look at them!" as if you were the royal family or something! You really did look stunningly beautiful--all three of you! My pictures don't quite do you justice, but I will send them anyway. It was SO GREAT to be with you! We can hardly wait for Thanksgiving!!!