Puerto Vallarta Vacation...

We Just Got Back Late Last Night!

WE HAD A BLAST...


DAY 1 - (Travel Day)

Friday 10-17-08


Since we typically travel stand-by we ended up flying on Mexicana Airlines...



We connected in Mexico City where it helped me to realize just how organized or just how not organized Mexico City Airport is when it comes to customs...


It is fun to see how everything is a bit altered when you travel to a different country...

***All the way down to the appearance of a Diet Coke can***

We arrived at the Puerto Vallarta Airport where we were bombarded by taxi drivers like vultures ready to take us to our destination (The Grand Mayan - across the river from Puerto Vallarta in Nuevo Vallarta)...


At check in I was able to convince the front desk senorita to switch from a 2 bedroom suite to individual suites for each couples at no additional charge (I knew at this point this vacation was going to be amazing!)...

They provided robes for us to use during our stay...

We even had a jacuzzi tub in our master bedroom...

There was polished stone floor throughout with a contemporary decor (loved every bit of it!)...

A full functioning kitchen and living room (bar stools and even a table for 4)...


To top it off our suite came with it's own private pool on the balcony...

After investigating the suite we couldn't wait to see what the rest of this private resort had to offer...

We (or I guess I should say Trevor) ordered room service...

***As you can see our eyes were way bigger than our stomachs but after a long day traveling we were quite hungry -
even the room service man set up our table for us! Talk about first class...***

DAY 2 - (Play Day at the Resort)

Saturday 10-18-08


When T and I woke up we headed to the pools (there were more pools than we could count, 3 wave pools, private beach and a lazy river, water slide the list goes on and on)...

***This is our view right outside our balcony... so peaceful***

When you think of tourists Trevor and I fit the perfect profile today...

We got henna tattoos...


Purchased Mexican Made Jewelry...


Dined at a fancy restaurant pool side...

***The fish was delicious***

We even spent time in our own private pool in our room...

***It was so neat to walk out on our balcony, relax in private with the beautiful foliage, the sounds of the waterfalls
and the view of the lazy river with the ocean waves crashing in the background.***

Brooke and Nate arrived later that afternoon where we went to the local taco shop and then off to the local grocery store to stock up for the week...

You know you are in a different country when raw meat is chillin' in the middle of a aisle ready for you to help yourself (we stuck with the refrigerated meats for sure - Nasty :0)...


DAY 3 - (City Day)

Sunday 10-19-08


Today we went into the center of the city of Puerto Vallarta...

***We traveled by bus today***

The day started by one of those "Time Share - 90 minute presentations" - free breakfast and free gifts for your time blah blah blah...

***As you can see Trevor & Nate have just about heard enough of the sales pitch!***

However we were able to see some amazing views and were educated on what is fun to do in the area...

I am not a fan of birds but we saw quite a few that were so pretty up close...


After over 3 hours of being handed off from sales person to sales person Trevor had enough and off we went on our city adventure (on the bus we go!)...

***The MAJOR BONUS of the presentation was the amazing discounts we got for our activities for the rest of the week***

We went to the "boardwalk" in Vallarta and checked out the shops...

***Did I mention T is not a big fan of shopping... yet he was quite the trooper! ***

We ate at this authentic Cuban restaurant looking out on the ocean...

***Food typically cheers T up - this is BEFORE we were served***

***This was AFTER we started to eat***

The decor was very unique with graffiti all over almost every surface...

***Every surface including the ceiling to the lamp shades you name it***

We checked out a flee market located inbetween 2 rivers and covered by trees (it felt like I had stepped back into the 70s)...

***All the vendors were so laid back until you picked something up and of course they wouldn't let you walk away without lowering the price 2-3 more times or showing you something else***

I gave in to one of the vendors and got a cowgirl hat for $10 (what a bargain :)...

We saw ritual in action on the beach (a by-stander said he thought it was a wedding?)...

There is just something majestic about staring out into the ocean...


DAY 4 - (Golf & Swim)

Monday 10-20-08


Trevor and Nate took off Monday morning to go golfing at a PGA tour course...


Brooke and I headed to the beach and pools...


When the guys got back we made homemade guacamole and salsa...

We relaxed for a while...


Then off we went to a local sports bar for Monday night football (yes my family would be so proud - Nate is the big Bronco's fan too!)...


We had met the owner of the restaurant during our city adventure and he told us it was a new restaurant (it was adorable and very Mexico - meaning a grass roof with a shared pedistal sink right outside the his and her restrooms)...


When we got back to The Grand Mayan... Trevor and I decided to take pictures of the facilities (very impressive)...


As you enter there is an entire wall of back lit Onyx...

There are statues that are about 3-4 stories high with a pond lit by candles ...


The lobby...
There are super cool Sitting Areas throughout the entire property...


The decor in the various restaurants was very classy...


This is the hallway to our suite...

By the time we got back to our room I found my day in the sun was a bit more intense then I thought...


Miss Brooke saved the day and brought over after sun burn relief gel (thx Brooke)...



DAY 5 - (Canopy Adventure)

Tuesday 10-21-08



Have you ever heard of zip lining through the jungle...?

Well that is exactly what we did...


IT WAS AMAZING...


And a good work out as well as we hiked up to the top of each mountain to zip through and see the beautiful waterfalls, wildlife, foliage you name it...


When we were done with our adventure we ate at the restaurant literally built directly over a waterfall...

There is a clear view of the waterfall from the restaurant where random locals risk their lives jumping into the waterfall for the tourist hoping for tips (LOCO for sure)...


DAY 6 - (Beach & Pool)

Wednesday 10-22-08


We relaxed on the beach...


And explored all the pools at the resort...



We met up with Brooke and Nate for Dinner...



Since Trevor and Nate both served missions in Brazil they were stoked to have found a Churrascaria...


Then of course for Dessert we had to stop by the local taco shop and get homemade Flan (these boys love their food for sure!)...



DAY 7 - (Dolphins & Cruise)

Thursday 10-23-08


We started our morning out by swimming with Dolphins...



Then ended the evening on a cruise "Rythms of the Night"...

We boarded the boat around 6pm...



Toured the islands by sea and watched the sun set...


We arrived at a private island where thousands of candles and torches were lit (I felt like I was stepping on the scene of survivor)...


We saw a show...



We had dinner next to the water...

***The boat didn't get us back to our hotel until midnight... dreading the sunrise in the morning for sure but well worth it!***

DAY 8 - (Travel Day)

Friday 10-24-08


Trevor and I left early in the morning to catch the soonest flight we could get on to get back to the states...

***Good-bye Grand Mayan!***

We arrived at the airport nice and early...

We got on the 11:45am flight to Houston Texas...


And basically spent the rest of the afternoon/evening in Houston...


We FINALLY got on a flight at 9:05pm to Vegas...

THE END!

***Thank you Brooke and Nate for the invite to Mexico... We had so much fun!***