Not surprisingly, I spent the Christmas holiday eating, drinking and socializing with friends old and new. On Friday I went with Tod, Donna, Mike and Lisa to Titi's in Jarretaderas for dinner after drinks on Circadian. On Sunday, Steve had a old bandmate visiting with his son and daughter and invited me to join them for the big brunch at El Tigre. Terrific all you can eat and drink buffet in a beautiful setting, including violin serenade, all for 349 pesos (about $18). We had such a good time that I ended up giving them a little tour of downtown, including a ride on the local buses. We capped a full day with dinner at the Rio Café.
Somehow I was able to get up the next morning in time to make it to Cadenza for a Christmas cruise to Las Animas. Las Animas is a small village on the south side of Banderas Bay. It's not well known by outsiders, but the Vallarta Yacht Club has been bringing donated toys to the local children for several years. Cruisers know it for it's lovely beach, good restaurants, and of course Norma, the famous "pie lady."
Once I recovered from all the excess, I started in again on getting Circadian ready for sea. Hopefully I'll make it out soon after the first of the year, perhaps buddy-boating with Jay and Terri on Cadenza.
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Friday: Friends on Circadian for cocktails before going to
dinner at Titi's in Jarretaderas. L to R: Donna, Wags, Tod,
Mike and Lisa.
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| At Titi's: Tod, Donna, Mike, Lisa |
Sunday Brunch at El Tigre
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| Patio table with a great view |
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| L to R: Patricia, Steve, Lucy, Ray and Trey |
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We spent four hours trying to empty these
and never succeeded.
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| Fresh handmade tortillas for tacos made to order |
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| Omelets or eggs any style made to order |
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| Sushi made to order |
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| Sample plate |
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| More sashimi! |
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| Desserts (ice cream sundae station not shown) |
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| Walking it off in old town: me, Ray, Lucy and a local. |
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Trey, Lucy, Steve and Ray in front of the Puerto Vallarta
sign on the malecon
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Some pretty young kids performing for tips on the
malecon at the bridge over the Rio Cuale
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| At the arches looking across the bay toward hotel row |
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Lucy wanted to see the church of Nuestra
Senora de Guadelupe
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| Dinner at the River Café: Steve, Lucy, Ray, me, Trey |
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Lucy wanted to try elotes (corn with a variety of toppings).
Finally found street vendors at Walmart and the bus stop.
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I joined Jay, Terri and some other folks from Vallarta
Yacht Club for a short cruise to Las Animas on
Christmas Day.
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It took a bit of doing to secure their boat Cadenza
to a mooring, but we did it.
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Pangas lead you to the mooring, hand you a loop of line,
and bring you to the dock.
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| It was a busy day, so the pangas wasted no time! |
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| Fresh oysters |
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| Nice spot! |
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| Ready for lunch on the beach |
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| More folks from the yacht club |
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| Jay likes his michelada! |
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| Coconut shrimp: everything local and fresh |
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| Fish zarandeado |
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The freshly-caught fish is marinated is a homemade
marinade, then grilled on a wood fire.
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| Yum! |
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Norma is the famous "pie lady" who makes
pies and brings them to the village restaurants
for sale by the slice or whole pie.
The perfect dessert!
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Santa arrives bringing the kids toys that
have been donated by cruisers.
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| Francisco (local celebrity iguana) |
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| On the dock to see us off |
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| Headinng back on Cadenza at sunset |
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| Local celebrity on Circadian: a small gecko |
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| Dock bum waiting for a handout |
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| Local pelican gang harassing fishermen in hopes of a handout. |
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| Casting the net |
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Checking anchor and running lights in preparation for
departure soon after the new year arrives.
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| Another sunrise from the boat |
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| Brightwork maintenance |
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I helped Jay fix a vexing freshwater leak
on Cadenza. Opened up the valve and
put in o-rings. Not the proper parts,
but they worked.
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