Honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta

[Clark2008]

Hey all!

Back from Puerto Vallarta, complete with pictures. I've posted a couple, but to view the whole beautiful batch, visit: http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/lbgbs/

The trip to Nashville to take the flight was awful: hail, thunderstorms and rain the whole way - and it was that way coming back. Once we came home, we learned that a dozen people or more died in Tennessee the weekend we left and another, sadly, 11 died last night - the day we traveled back.

However, not all was dampered by the storms. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with tons of "Holas," a damp towel and a flute of champagne. Of course, that wasn't the last time we had a drink - we beelined to the pool and the swim up bar - the Manatee - for margaritas and Negro Modelos and sinfully delicious libations called the Dirty Monkey (a banana and cream daquiri with Kaluha) and the Mango Loco (mango juice, rum and grenadine).

The resort we stayed on had several restaurants, and the first was the Sea Side - a cliff-perched cafe that featured surf and turf and the best hor'deuveres of the trip.

The next day was, of course, more pool-sitting - all day long - after a breakfast of just about everything imaginable (bagels, fruit, tortilla-wrapped eggs and fixin's, refried beans, cheeses, cheeses and more cheeses, champagne, juices, milks, Mexican coffee) and a lunch of buffet faire that included shrimp, meats, salads, fruits, mini-burgers (please, if you're like me and don't like rarish hamburgers, don't order one in Mexico - even when asked for well-done, the middle still sang out "Mooooo" when I bit into it. Ugh!) and more libations.

After a long, long, long nap, we headed out for dinner on our second night. We visited the resort's Mexican restaurant. While the waiter was lovely - and showed us that a Mexican desert features a shot of tequila, a shot of tomato juice with tobasco and limes - the faire wasn't as Mexican as we had hoped. Sure, the guacomole was good and the nachos were freshly-made, but most of the food was more coastal Mexican, we assume.

On Wednesday - after a long night of those Dirty Monkeys, Mango Locos, Negro Modelos, Pacificas and Mexican deserts - we, of course, stayed at the pool again and recovered. Breakfast and lunch in the World Cafe and dinner at Oceana - the resorts seafood restaurant. Dinner of red snapper and lobster and shrimp and clam chowder. Yum! Also that day, we pampered ourselves in the spa. I got a body wrap and we both got deep-tissue massages that didn't last long enough. My skin and my muscles love me now.

On Thursday, a big breakfast, a short stay at the pool and then site-seeing! We visited the marina where we dived in with baby dolphins and got to pet them, hug them and I even got a kiss (the picture is not digital and my scanner's connection is busted, so, alas, I can't share that picture until I get that problem fixed).

Afterwards, we walked along the boardwalk, souvenir-shopped and took more taxi's than we cared to (the taxi's were fine, but the way they drive! God, I'm glad Gav's an insurance salesman!).

Dinner that night was Italian - yes, Italian - at a Mexican resort. And it was good! The butter and garlic dipping sauce was to die for.

Most of the time, of course, we sat by the pool and did absolutely nothing, so, to keep this long story from getting longer, I'll end by posting a couple of pics. Visit the link above to see them all:

[CC]

1. Welcome home and a happy one I

hope in spite of the storms, though sounds like all is well on your home front. Glad you had a good (or great) time. But looking at just these two pictures, you let yourselves get sunburned? Bad newlyweds. Though you don't look newly as burned as Gavin does. Bet Ramzey is happy you are back. Off top look at more pics.

[Clark2008]

3. Gav got sunburned - I didn't. I don't burn.

I was a bit rosy in that pic, but I think that was more from the Mango Loco and tequilla shots than the sun.

I have Native American skin - and Irish hair and eyes (and, apparently, an Irish constitution when it comes to holding alcohol, as well. LOL!).

Gav's a bit fairish of skin - we called him the Rock Lobster. But, he's fine now. I doused him with Noxema and tons of aloe and Vitamin E baby oil and made him drink lots more water than he's accustomed to.

[CC]

4. Good to know you didn't get

burned and that Gav's burn is all better. BTW the week you were gone I was here listening to hammers on the house. lol Getting resided in between high winds and rain but is getting there. And not complaining, the house is finally getting some what nearer to getting finished.

[RevCheesehead]

2. Welcome home!

We've missed you this week! But we also knew where you were, and had some idea of what you might be up to. ;)

What beautiful pictures! And you two look deliriously happy! :hug::loveya:

[CC]

5. Hi Rev

If you wondered where I have been while Clark was having fun, you can see here http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x14614 Though I have spent most of my time fighting with the evil Home Depot trying to get my windows. Lowe's is about twice as far from us but I do believe will will do the extra driving now because they are not getting one more cent from us. The down side to rural area, not many places to chose from.

[Berry Cool]

6. Aw, it sounds like you had a whole lotta fun.

Glad you're back safe and sound, and with many memories to share.

[WolverineDG]

7. LOL!

I just read that thread. I, too, give the "it ain't gonna be that easy" warning. I never know what's going to be uncovered next. :scared: When the guys took out the sheetrock & insulation in my master bedroom a couple of weeks ago, I found the previous owners had completely walled in a window on the east side & covered up a transom over the window to the south (and that explains the stained glass transom window they put up in the garage. Plus, there is no light fixture in the master bedroom, so all of that combined makes me think :wtf: were these people thinking when they did this? At least the wiring was still good, so no worries there.

dg

[CC]

8. What do people have

against windows? We found a third window along the front of the house, walled over. They took it out too, Course it was in the middle and the wall we plan on removing went through the middle of the hidden window. It does confirm that it is not a load bearing wall though. :rofl:

[gkhouston]

11. oh, my

yes, I had been wondering how things were going for you. Now I know. :rofl:

[SharonRB]

9. Wecome back, Clark

We missed you. Glad you and Gav had a great time.

[gkhouston]

10. Welcome back

sounds like you had a great honeymoon! :hi:

[Olney Blue]

12. I'm so happy for you both!

Thank you for that wonderful travel log- it was a fun vicarious trip to Mexico!

[crispini]

13. Awwwwwww! Those are fabulous!

Thanks for sharing!