Mexico - Day 23

Ken and I went out yesterday for a bit. We needed cat litter for the dogs. Yeah I know sounds strange but we are litter box training our Rat terriers. August the oldest is doing great, Lexi the stubborn one is a little delayed but she is also the runt of the litter so I expect she is behind the curve.

While we shopped, I had the guys there wash and wax my car. They have a machine they tow around that carries the water. They do a pretty good job. It cost $150 pesos. Not bad at all. How many of you would pay someone to wash and wax your car while you shopped or watched a movie?

The washer.

Another thing I really like about Walmart in Mexico is the covered parking. Why don't they do that in the US?

Covered Parking at Walmart PV

We went to a nearby mall while they took care of the car. The mall is two levels with a large cinema and many stores. Very much like our malls.  With the exception of a casino. Yes it had a casino. We had to go in and try our luck. Well I did anyway. Ken decided to go check on the car while I gambled a little. I started with 500 pesos. I left with 663 pesos. So I did ok. I had fun and a couple of very good margaritas.

the Mall

After we left the mall we wanted to go check out this hotel which offers day passes for use. Most of the all inclusives in PV offer day passes for non residents. We looked up several hotels and really liked the NH Krystal.

Inside the NH Krystal grounds

The hotel has several bungalows with private swimming pools I thought I took a picture of a row of them but I guess I didn't. Oh well next time. The grounds are huge and they do have several buildings. We headed towards the beach area, we both wanted to see the elaborate swimming area along with the beach area. We were not disappointed.

The pool area at NH Krystal

I did not get very great pictures of the pool area either. We kind of let ourselves into the hotel and I did not feel comfortable about it. So I did not want to stand out taking so many pictures. We did eventually go talk with someone at the front desk about the day pass details. It's around $20 per adult and $10 per child for the day. The great thing is that you can buy drinks or food and it comes off the fee you pay. So you do get your money back so to speak.

After we left the hotel we decided to take a walk on the Malecon. (the boardwalk) We found a great parking spot near McDonald's, while we were parking there was a cop there writing a ticket to some guy who was parked in the same spot we had parked in the day they took our license plate. Thank goodness we got our plate back and also got a handicapped sticker for our car.

We went to this one little outdoor mall area where we had went last year with Javier. They have this round outdoor bar and the guy who works it is very likeable and makes some great drinks. I had a margarita and Ken had a Bohemia dark.

The Round bar

We met a couple of ladies from Portland, Jan and I cannot remember the other ladies name. They were both very nice and fun to talk to. We found out they were staying in a condo very close to ours and they went to the same beach that we went to. So we got their number and will meet them at the beach sometime before they leave next weekend. I had a shot ( Well it was more like 4 shots)  of Raicilla, it's a home-brewed moonshine. Very popular in Yelapa. It was okay but did no agree too well with me. My mouth started watering like it does right before you're going to puke your guts out, I excused myself and just made it to the bathroom. I attempted to throw up but all that came out where two huge belches. Yuck!! I washed my face and went back. I gave the rest of the stuff to Ken who of course drank it!

We left that place and went to our favorite little Cuban restaurant La Bodequita. Our favorite waiter Josephat was working. We sat in his area downstairs this time. He was happy to see us. They had just finished their specials for the evening and were going to regular prices we told him that's cool, we wanted something Cuban so he brought us black beans and rice and some fried plantains. They were both excellent. I had a couple of Mojitos and Ken had a couple of Bohemia's.

Cute hostess who greets you at the entrance

Ken and Josephat at La Bodeguita

They also sell Cuban cigars here at a discounted price on Fridays. but Ken has decided he likes some of the cheaper hand rolled Mexican cigars just as much. He gets them up the street.

Foods of Mexico - The Jamaica not to be confused with Jicama

JAMAICA ( HIBISCUS FLOWER)

Hibiscus Flower known is Mexico as Jamaica

Dried Hibiscus flowers

Look for Jamaica flowers (also known as hibiscus or flor de Jamaica) in most Latin grocery stores; they’re often found in the bulk bins or in the dried herbs section. I'm told they have them in Food City.

The leaves and calyces have been used as food and the flowers steeped for tea. Hibiscus has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic and mild laxative, as well as in treating cancer and cardiac and nerve diseases. Although information is limited, the potential for hibiscus use in treating hypertension and cancer, as well as for its lipid-lowering and renal effects, are being investigated.

Read more: http://www.drugs.com/npp/roselle.html#ixzz0ltTXGkYx

INGREDIENTS

3 quarts (12 cups) water

1 (1/2-inch) piece ginger, finely grated

1 1/2 cups dried Jamaica flowers (also known as hibiscus or flor de Jamaica)

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar or natural cane sugar if available

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from 1 large lime)

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine water and ginger in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.

Remove from heat and stir in Jamaica flowers and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Let steep 10 minutes.

Strain through a chinois or fine mesh sieve into a large, heat-resistant bowl or pot. Stir in lime juice and set aside to cool. Refrigerate until ready to use. Serve over ice.

You may also add a good Vodka or Rum to your beverage for parties.

Foods of Mexico - The Jicama

Jicama pronounced He cama

I am discovering all kinds of new fruits and vegetables here in Mexico. I just love the food here.
I will be talking about Jicama today. Jicama is a root type plant. It looks like a brown turnip. It resembles a potatoe when peeled. It's texture is like that of an apple. It tastes between an apple and a watercress. It is best eaten uncooked. It can be mixed in salads, eaten alone with salt, pepper, lime and cayenne.

Prepared raw Jicama

In Mexico it runs around .20 a pound for Jicama. I have seen recipes where they combine, Jicama, Mango, and cucumber sticks with the lime and chili to make a salad. Sounds good I think I will try that as soon as I get some mangos. Cucumbers are very cheap in Mexico. There is a spice mix called Ajin which you can buy at Food City. It is the same as adding the salt, cayenne and lime. It's very easy to use you just sprinkle it on the Jicama. I know that my niece Robin would become addicted to this and it would be very good for her as well as her children.

PV Day 15

Today we needed to go find a DHL place of business so I could get information on shipping a package to Mexico. The mail service here is not too reliable from what I have heard, so I guess I will have them call me when the package is delivered.

On the way out of town, we stopped in the outskirts in small village. They were having a market but apparantly it was only clothing. We stopped in a very tiny restaurant? Anyway Ken had eggs with beans and I forget what else, I had some kind of chicken fillet with rice and beans. It was pretty good. We also had some very fresh corn tortillas, mmmmm they were soooo good.

After fiinishing up with that errand we decided to take a little ride to Boca de Tomatlan. It's a small village where the road ends at the other side of the Bay of Banderas. The road actually continues but it continues straight instead of curving around the bay. We went there last year when we were in PV for a week. From there we caught a water taxi to Yelapa. This is the only way to get to Yelapa unless you want to trek through jungle on foot. I'm too old and out of shape for that! Oh if I were only young again.

Boca de Tomatlan beach

When we arrived there were quite a few police in the dark uniforms there. It was kind of strange. I wondered why they were there. They weren't doing much but just hanging out. We parked on the side of the road where we found a space between two other vehicles. There were cars parallel parked on the opposite side of the narrow road too, so if a huge vehicle say like a bus were to go by there would not be enough space. Ken started tripping about this. I said for God's sake Ken we are in Mexico, and only spitting distance from the car, if they need us to move it then we will move it. Sometimes he just stresses over the silliest stuff.

We got out of the car to stretch and take a break, I sat under a shady palapa and ordered a ice cold Pacifico con limon. ahhh it was perfect. While we were sitting there, Ken began to fret about whether he left enough space for a vehicle to get past our car. Ken was still fretting over the car, so he was just walking around with August. Couldn't get him to relax. Oh well, I needed to unwind from his driving. We will be lucky to have a suspension when we get back from Mexico since he is always looking at the dang ocean when driving. I am afraid one of these times we are going to be in the ocean! I keep telling him if he wants to sight see let me know I will be more than happy to drive!

While I was enjoying my cerveza a group of people from a tour came in by bus. They were waiting for a boat to take them back to Nuevo Vallarta. I chatted a bit with a young mother who had her two children with her. She was from Vancouver Canada and was enjoying the heck out of Mexico. They were in love with Mexico! This was their first family trip and she promised herself that they would return next year.

Another gentlemen who was with the tour had a very strong German accent, but he was Mexican, apparantly his folks emigrated from Germany and he was born in Mexico. I forget where he said they were from.

I could see that Ken was getting antsy so I sucked down my cerveza and paid the guy for the beer, it was 25 pesos. Took him awhile to get back with the change, but finally got it and told Ken I was ready to go. He looked relieved.

Oh yeah I can't forget Benito, he was a jewelry vendor, they have them all over the beaches in Mexico, only they all don't have Bennys personality. He was something else. I liked him. I ended up buying a pair of earrings from him, they match a bracelet I bought last year. He wanted 280, but I got him down to 200 mxp. Ken was interested in casting his net off the pier to get some bait fish and I asked Benny if that would be okay and he said sure! So we got to talking about fishing and he said he had a friend with a boat he could take Ken out for very cheap to go fishing so the next time we go we will look for Benny and he will hook us up.

We came home and decided to go down Easy street to the beach. Since the dogs were probably tired we left them behind and headed out. Ice chest in hand with beach towels we (drove) down Easy street. It's hard enough for a car to come up that street. I cannot walk up that street I don't care how hard I try! I have to get in better shape. So I decided when at the beach I will do a few walks up the beach and back. That's more than enough for me. I wish I could build up some stamina, but it's these dang meds! I am so miserable with that part of it.

We found a good spot spread out our towels and went in and enjoyed. I did not take my camera from experience I learned not a good idea so no pics of the beach. The tide did come up at one point and soaked our towels, we had them too close to the tide line. We stayed a couple of hours and them came back to the condo. It was nice and cool since we left the A/C on for the girls. (dogs) I am thinking about changing their names to Sarah and Trinity! LOL

Los Arcos, Mismaloya

Looking for the Perfect Fishing Spot

The agenda for today was to walk to the stairs and take a picture of them. We managed to do that and more. I said well since we're here why don't we walk on Easy street to find you a fishing spot. So we turned back towards the cond and went the other direction.

Just the beginning there are 58 steep stairs to descend here.

These stairs go forever, we did not go down them today so I have no idea how many there are, my guess would be 300 plus.

We found our way to the rocky side of the beach which seems to me would be a great fishing spot to start out with.

The spot!

getting there

Going to the Market

Today we wanted to go check out the farmers market. We also decided we would have breakfast in town. Ken wanted to drive since we planned on buy produce and whatever else they sold there as far as food goes.
We found the place fairly easily using our Garmin GPS receiver. Just punched in the address and off we went. I love this thing. But I also loved using Google maps on my Palm Pre. One thing the Garmin is good for is locating places nearby, like hospitals, fuel, restaurants, public services etc. You can do it on the Palm also but you have to type in most of it and it can take painfully long.

When we arrived parking was scarce so Ken dropped me in front of the place and went in search of a parking spot. I saw Coco's restaurant right across the street and made my way there. While I waited I chatted with a few of the people coming out. One lady had her little poodle in her arms and stopped to chat. I asked her where she bought the cute harness for her dog and she told me in the states. It looked much more comfortable then the ones we got for Lexi and August. I will have to get one when we get home, by then the ones they have won't fit anymore.

Ken arrived and found me sitting at a table in Coco's. We were of course allowed to bring the girls in with us. About 95% of the businesses here in Mexico do not object to pets as long as they behave. We always put the girls in their bag when we sit to eat. Otherwise they draw so much attention and you spend most of the time talking then eating.

We ordered omelettes. Mine was a Greek omelette with Spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and feta cheese. It came with hashbrowns and some awesome cornbread. After the cornbread is baked they take and toast it in a pan coated with butter. Yummy. Probably better for me if they toasted it with Olive oil.
Ken had your traditional Chorizo Omelette. It was pretty good too. Next time I want to have the Meditterenean omelette, it has salmon and capers.

After we ate we headed across the street to the Market. It was so disappointing. More of a Yuppy American type market. Holistic stuff, organic vegetables but not a great selection. I asked around and found they do have a Mexican market nearby, that is where we want to go next Saturday. I am surprised they only have one a week here. In Chapala area you could find one every week in the different villages around the lake. I think if we decide to stay here in Mexico I prefer the Chapala area, it's much cooler and the people are so friendly., Not as many vendors and everyone knows everyone. Plus if you want to come to PV in the winter to warm up a bit, it's only a few hours. Not that Chapala is cold but it does get some sweater weather.

We ended up at the Bodeguita, a favorite of ours.It has two floors we head to the upper floor since the ocean breeze is awesome up there and the view is great too. Ken can smoke his cigars up here without offending anyone too. They sell cubans here. Quite expensive but very good cigars.

The License Plate

We had our first experience here with the law. Ken parked in what seemed like a normal space but apparently it was part of a handicapped space. When we came back to our car it had a ticket on the windshield. I cannot remember how long it took us to realize that our license plate was removed. I guess you don't blow off tickets in Mexico, they want their money every $2.00! That's how much it cost us to get our plate back, besides the long drive over to the municipal building to retrieve it. We were very surprised they were open on good Friday. Maybe on holiday weekends they stay open because that's when they hit all the tourist up!

Believe me, the police could certainly use the money. Their buildings are dilapidated, they are way under paid. Even a maid makes more money than the police in Mexico. It's a joke!

The Drive to Puerto Vallarta

Surprisingly, the drive was uneventful. Which of course is what we all want right? We were unable to leave our house till after 2PM so much for getting an early start. Thank you Lawely's. I am still very upset with the way things were handled at Laweless and I doubt I will ever take my car there again.
Ken took it in on Wednesday the 24th for a service check. They said we needed the transmission flushed and the coolant flushed. No problemo, gave the go ahead, plus an oil change. After the coolant was flushed, my check coolant light was coming on. Never had that before, so we took it back. The mechanic said that the coolant resevoir was cracked and we needed a new one. No problemo put one in says I.
He returns to say that they did not have one in stock. The inventory showed one, but they didn't have it. So he would have to get one tomorrow after 10AM. I said no way, can't you get one off a new caddy, since I think they had something to do with this. He comes back after awhile and says, it's not the resevoir anymore but the coolant sensor. hmmmm so the cracked resevoir miraculously repaired itself!
Oh, yeah and the reason I returned to begin with was, when I left after the maintenance check, I did not have A/C. I had A/C when I took my car there to begin with! Apparently when they did some of the maintenance I think they cracked the high pressure line or just loosened up the bolt, Adam my son said it looked like it was leaking out of the bolt. So anyway, he claims its the line. Kaching $400 more to fix that! I am starting to feel like I am hemmoraging money at Lawely's. What can you do though, they know we have to get out of town, they know we need A/C and a reliable vehicle. They want me to upgrade my Cadi, are they kidding? I will never own another Cadi! Unless of course it's free.

Oh just remembered we had some seals replaced on the suspension too. Guess what, our coolant light is on. Service engine light is on and the Service supsension light it on. Is there a pattern  beginning here?

Driving to Mexico

Somewhere along the road I misplaced the San Carlos pictures. That's okay, it was evening and we were tired. We stopped the second day in Mazatlan arriving around 5PM.
We stayed at the hotel Pueblo Bonito. It was very nice. Had several restaurants, two pools, valet parking and all sorts of entertainment. Especially the children's programs. For around $20 your children could be entertained for the entire day.

Swimming area, note the waterslide for children.

We stayed in a junior suite. It was pretty nice for a Mexican hotel. We had a great view of the pool and ocean from our room.

Junior suite at Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan hotel

We left Mazatlan around 9AM on Thursday, expecting to arrive in PV around 2PM. Well there was a wrench thrown in, during the drive on the jungle road around one of the treacherous curves was an accident involving three cars. It took some time to get the traffic moving around that so we did not arrive in PV until 6PM. We stopped and had dinner, called Gary the condo manager and met him around 8:30pm. Slept fairly good that night.

Jungle road

First meal in PV. Chicken fajitas. Ken had grilled Tuna and it was very good.