Nothing like a last minute trip to Puerto Vallarta! We expedited expired passports, scored an awesome deal on a VRBO in Punta de Mita, coordinated with friends to overlap our vacations and we were super excited to venture some place in Mexico we had never been before!
Flight boarded and on our way to Punta de Mita!
My company, Grey Matter Marketing, was participating in the Random Act of Kindness (RAOK) project in memory of Gwendolyn Strong.
Such a fun way to raise awareness about Spinal Musical Atrophy (SMA) and theGSF.org
Nicest pilots we have ever encountered!
Even let the kids fly the plane. ;)
Video: Flying the Plane
I'd say we were off to a great start in Puerto Vallarta and hadn't even left the airport!
We bypassed the mess of taxi and tour companies trying to sucker everyone into a crazy-expensive cab ride and headed straight to the curb. Well, let's just say that no one was in a hurry to help us. Despite Thatcher's smile, it was HOT and humid and more HOT. My Spanish is nonexistent and Todd's was pretty rusty at the start of the trip. We began wheeling and dealing and fumbling with our phone calculators second guessing our math with the exchange rate as no one would accept our offer.
FINALLY, we were in a car the size of a Tic Tac headed to our destination. Yes, that is a surfboard on Todd's head. Who knows how much we offered to get this gem of a ride? My guess is not much.
I couldn't stop laughing or taking pictures.
The cab driver spoke little English and almost crashed into another car which sparked an argument between the two drivers all this while blaring the Best of Micheal Jackson CD. I think Todd and I were a little nervous and were second guessing our decision to hail a Mexican cab on our own.
FINALLY we had arrived to our destination in Hacienda de Mita!
The last time we had an internet signal was on the plane. We had sent a message to our friends that we were vacationing with, the Mochi family, that we had landed and we'd see them soon. Well, everything took WAY longer from customs to the taxi debacle even the long walk through the property because we were so anxious to jump out of that cab that we had him pull up to the front not realizing it was a very long, LONG, walk to the house. We tried calling them but no cell service.
FINALLY, made it!
Fresh ceviche and cervezas upon our arrival! See, I know a little Spanish!
Major bonus of our house, it came with a cook!
Violetta was amazing!
Stocked fridge!
That is Vienna and Samantha already in the pool within minutes of arriving. And guess what, that was OUR pool!
Swan towels are cheesy but I am not complaining since another perk of the place, a housekeeper!
We immediately set out to explore the property and the surrounding area.
Fabulous photo opportunity when you come across a guy who had just caught a fish like this!
There are pools all over Hacienda de Mita and the kids were jumping in and out of them along the way into town.
We walked along the beach to the left of the property where the fisherman boats came in and out. It was super rocky and no waves. We actually almost stayed at a hotel right here and we were so glad that we didn't because just being on the other side of this we had a beautiful sandy beach.
We were all jumping in and out of the water along the way to cool off from the heat. The water was so WARM, borderline hot!
The kids had fun playing on this gigantic tree in the water.
Right along the water is Si Señor Restaurant that we loved!
Toni has been to this area a lot so she was a fabulous guide to have.
Table-side guacamole.
The amount of chips and guacamole consumed on this trip was impressive!
I wonder if that giant fish the kids were taking a picture with ended up here?
Epic first night! We were so excited to be on vacation!!
The Mochi's LOVE to dance. This is how we ended every night. Lots of music, laughing and DANCING!
And planking.
Morning sunrise.
We aren't used to seeing green!
Each morning we were woken by the smell of fresh coffee brewing, bacon, eggs and whatever else Violetta cooked for us.
Pancakes and Nutella were the kids' fav for sure!
Our house came with a golf cart to get around the area.
Not sure what kind of birds these were but always fun to see wildlife that you don't see back at home.
Our golf cart ride was short-lived as it broke down.
When you are not in the pool or moving in a golf cart with a breeze, it is HOT and some of us were more prone to bug bites than others. While we only had to wait ten minutes or so for someone to bring us a new cart, we were sweating, spraying bug spray and there may have been some complaining children...
Back in business with "Muy Guapo"!
The property had several Beach Club properties to choose from.
Hacienda de Mita had two beautiful Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses that we weaved in and around.
Cool bird nests along the way!
Our first stop was the St. Regis Beach Club that we had heard was AMAZING!
Well, we didn't get past the gate. The Beach Club passes come with your rental so it depends on what the owner belongs to. Unfortunately, we learned our passes didn't work BUT for a hefty fee, he was willing to let us go beyond the gates. No thanks...
Thank goodness the next Beach Club we pulled up to, Kupuri, we had access to because it looked even better than the St. Regis AND we were practically the only ones there!
When Sam saw me videoing her and Boston swinging together, she got embarrassed. ;)
Video: Sam and Boston
The exchange rate was 14 pesos to a dollar so it made it very easy to let the kids order whatever they wanted and for us to order whatever we wanted. We spent the entire day there ordering food and drinks, LOTS of food and drinks, and for each family it was $60 US.
Seriously, we had the place to ourselves. We just ate, drank, swam, relaxed, watched the Olympics, repeat.
Video: Flips at Kupuri
The kids were flipping off this bridge until they finally got asked by security to stop.
We closed the Beach Club down and headed up to see what Julieta had made for dinner.
Fajitas ready and waiting for us!
The time change made me wake up SUPER early while others slept SUPER late. We were all off our normal schedules but there was no schedule in Mexico so it worked out just fine.
On the golf cart ride on Day 3 we spotted a lone crab trying to make it across the street. The kids wanted to save him and get him to the other side before it got ran over.
The little crab was so bright, almost glowing!
The kiddos led the crab to safety and then off we went to the Residents' Beach Club.
Great snorkeling here as you can see by how animated Boston is about describing the sea life he saw.
How's this for a golf hole? The green was on an island. They would take the golfers from the tee to the green on a water jeep thing-y should they actually make it to the green.
The low season in Mexico is truly the LOW SEASON. There is NO ONE around. The heat and the rain (it only rained once overnight and it was a HUGE thunderstorm) keeps everyone away, I guess. Worked out great for us!
Off to paddle board and snorkel!
Video: Paddle Boarding
This guy came along and he set up shop RIGHT IN FRONT of us! He made the poor waiter drag the heavy umbrella in the heat across the sand to such a random spot.
Hopefully he tipped him well!
Poor Todd, lugged his surfboard to Mexico and there were no waves (yet). He gave paddle boarding a try, not sure he is a fan.
After all afternoon at the Beach Club, we headed back in our golf cart and guess what?!?! It broke down! Perhaps we exceeded the weight limit. I don't doubt it with Violetta feeding us!
We tried everything to get it going on our own because this time our calls went unanswered and seriously they probably weren't going to give us another one.
Video: Golf Cart Trouble (Again)
It's pretty hot out there to be pushing a golf cart so there was a little attitude going on from the group ;)
Somehow Todd got it moving (with less of us on) and we slowly all started to pile on as the cart gained momentum.
We went straight home and jumped in the pool because that was hard work!
Todd found a crab and took an art-sy shot.
We took a walk into town on the other side of the gated community we were in and there were lots of chickens and stray dogs. I felt bad for the dogs but was assured by everyone that the strays were well taken care of. The chickens, I am sure, were in the tacos we ate.
Back to Si Senor!
Hammocks in the middle of the restaurant!
We gave the kids each $5 US which would keep them occupied with the vendors selling their treasures.
The kiddos learned how to wheel and deal very quickly.
While the adults enjoyed a lovely meal.
Video: Si Senor Entertainment
Boston opted for a "tattoo" with his money.
The rest of the kids had vendors coming out of the woodwork trying to entice the kids with whatever they were selling.
It was such a beautiful evening. We listened to music, the kids were entertained by the vendors and jumping in and out of the water.
Back home for some Olympics!
And then a talent show! We had dancing, singing and even water chugging!
Video: Talent Show
End of Day 3, more to come!
