Ejoying the surroundings

The girls just love boogie boarding, can't get them out of the ocean half the time.

Trinity heading back out for more wave riding action!

Sarah heading out to catch waves.

Playing in the water

Bay View Grand Condo

Here are some pictures of our condo at the Bay View Grand in Marina Vallarta. Enjoy....

 

Master bedroom from hallway

View from dining area

Looking out from the living area.

Living area looking in from balcony.

Living room from dining area

Other condos in the same facility across form ours.

The beautiful grounds

Front door of the condo and the kitchen windows to the left.

Elevator area there are two more one to the right and one to the left.

The hall that leads out from the elevator to the pool area! It's much brighter than in the picture.

Pounded Flower Bookmarks

Pounded Flower Bookmarks

A Day at the Mall

Upstairs in the mall

Today we had lunch at the Mall. Initially we wanted to go to this steakhouse buffet restaurant because they have an all you can eat for two for $109 MXP. We arrived about 45 minutes too early so we decided to walk the mall. We walked around upstairs, stopped at a Radio Shack and paid $99 MXP for some much needed earbuds. Ken does not like it when I watch my shows late a night. We walked around for a bit, found a large store similar to Macy's. They sold everything you could think of. Very upscale. Probably get a lot of business from the Cruise ships across the road.

The Restaurante in the Mall

We walked a bit more and discovered another restaurant which was open and they had a all you can eat buffet for $146mxp. So we thought what the heck lets eat here. Well they were putting away breakfast, cleaning and then bringing out lunch. So it was another 15 minute wait. We walked a bit and by now we are starving! We decided to go eat at the original place so downstairs we go. We went in and told them we wanted the buffet, instead of $109 it was $259! I said whoa what happened to the special? She said it started after 6pm. So off we went to the other restaurant which by then was almost ready. We asked to be seated while we wait so they gave us a nice table with a view. The food was finally ready and we ate. It was okay, not as good as I was hoping for. But it filled our bellies.

The Sangria's were good

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.