Miercoles, Febrero, Diez, Dos Mil Diez
Buenos Dies, mi Amigos! (warning, this entry is going to be a long one, mas photos to follow)
Up at 6:30am, not sure how long it’s going to take to get to Nuevo Vallarta for the big Kontiki II outing. The first bus ($10 pesos) took me to Blvd. Nuevo Vallarta. From there I took a packed bus ($ 5 pesos) to the public dock next to Paradise Village. 8:00am, so about an hour. (note, there is a Starbucks at the bus stop)
The Kontiki II was scheduled to leave at 8:45, but I am in Mexico. The Kontiki 1 arrived at 8:05, loaded a few passengers and was off. At 9am, the Kontiki II arrived and by 9:12am (yes, I wrote it down) I along with 25 others, were off on an adventure. We cruised to Puerto Vallarta where we picked up another 30 personas at 10am. The Kontiki can probably hold 200, so 50 was not at all crowded. (note, the boat has dos good banos!) One photo shows the size of a Carnival cruise ship. I’m told that on certain days, there can be as many as three of these in port. Yikes!
It was about 10:30am before they put out the continental breakfast. (ever wonder why they call it continental?) A variety of fruit, sweet rolls, yogurt, juices and cheap coffee. No tequila, yet! (note, I recommend that you breakfast eaters have a bite beforehand.) It was plenty of food for a dieter. (which I am)
Our first stop was Los Arcos (couple large rocks) which included a short 45 minute snorkeling stop. (45 if you were the first in and last out) The safety demo was hilarious, not safe, but funny. I tried to capture the fish, rock, swimmers, and scenery as I elected to stay dry. The water was not crystal clear and here is where The Gulf side of Mexico wins. (note, they require a photo ID for use of their snorkeling equipment, aka mask y snorkel. No flippers.)
If appeared that fun was had by all and when they returned to the ship, several trays of tropical drinks were awaiting. Tequila Sunrise, Margaritas, Pina Coladas, Sex-on-the-Beach, and cerveza. (1st note, a good researcher must sample them all to make objective comments) (2nd note, I’m a good researcher!)
Second stop was just to drop passengers off at Animas, a cool looking beach, where one could simply relax on the beach, sip beverages, find a bite to eat, (not included in the price) or book zip line or horseback tours. You would have up to two hours to play. About half the boat chose to go to the next stop, Quimixto, including myself. (note, when selling these tours, they tell you that you have 2 hours on Animas, and 2 hours on Quimixto when really you have to chose between the two. Buyer beware!)
The 3rd stop was Quimixto, pronounced “kee .mees toe” a correction from an earlier attempt. Quimixto is noted for its beach and the horseback ride (optional) to the waterfall. The welcoming committee on Quimixto was two large and colorful iguanas. For 50 pesos you could hold and pet them. Nice!
I would like to say that the walk, no hike, no climb to the waterfalls was a leisure 10 minute stroll. NOT. When you realize that you’re hiking uphill for two miles on dusty narrow trails and through small streams of horse piss, one tends to justify the pain by saying, “Hey, it’s good exercise!” My motto is: No Pain, No Pain! (it actually wasn’t that bad since they sold cold beer before you left, along the way and when you got there. (Motivation is all I need!)
The brochure states, “The largest waterfall of this destination!” No lie! That’s like saying my favorite daughter and son, when you only have one of each. The waterfall was no Victoria or Yosemite. I’ve seen some backyard swimming pool falls in CA this size. But it was still cool. And we hikers actually beat the horse riders. What does that tell you about the horses?
About 4:30pm, when we were all back on the boat, a lunch(comida) or dinner (cena) was served consisting of spaghetti, rolls, chicken fajitas y soft corn tacos. Just what one would expect: Spaghetti on a tour of Banderas Bay in Mexico? Not great, but after a grueling day at the gym, aka Mexican hiking, it wasn’t bad. The stomach needed a sponge.
The cruise back was very entertaining as the Kontiki staff continued to force complimentary drinks on us. One person commented to me, “Is your drink weak?” My response was, “No, I’m sipping straight tequila!” (note to readers, if you think your drink is weak, simply ask the bartender for more booze, they will gladly fortify it.)
One of the games played was the 5 women against 5 men version of musical chairs where you have to quickly find a randomly called item. i.e. lighter, towel, napkin, straw, $1.00 bill, lipstick and life preserver. The last one to return has no chair and is out. It was funny to watch the scramble and even the breaking of one plastic chair. The lucky winners received a quart of beer with a straw. Lol (motivation!)
After a brief stop in Puerto Vallarta, we returned to Nuevo Vallarta at 6pm and I hitched a ride, part way with a six-pack of Canadians. Thanks, if you’re reading this. From MEGA, I hopped on a bus and arrived at The Shamrock at precisely 6:59pm and thanks to Natalie, just in time for last call. For Happy Hour.
I was talking to Jordan, who has a tour shop in Bucerias, near Karen’s Place, He confirmed that the Kontiki tour was the best and told me to see him next time I needed any sort of tour. He would beat any price. (good contact!) I left with a rare 20 peso unpaid bill, but somehow they trusted I would return.
Indeed it was a Brilliant day!
Buenos Dies, mi Amigos! (warning, this entry is going to be a long one, mas photos to follow)
Up at 6:30am, not sure how long it’s going to take to get to Nuevo Vallarta for the big Kontiki II outing. The first bus ($10 pesos) took me to Blvd. Nuevo Vallarta. From there I took a packed bus ($ 5 pesos) to the public dock next to Paradise Village. 8:00am, so about an hour. (note, there is a Starbucks at the bus stop)
The Kontiki II was scheduled to leave at 8:45, but I am in Mexico. The Kontiki 1 arrived at 8:05, loaded a few passengers and was off. At 9am, the Kontiki II arrived and by 9:12am (yes, I wrote it down) I along with 25 others, were off on an adventure. We cruised to Puerto Vallarta where we picked up another 30 personas at 10am. The Kontiki can probably hold 200, so 50 was not at all crowded. (note, the boat has dos good banos!) One photo shows the size of a Carnival cruise ship. I’m told that on certain days, there can be as many as three of these in port. Yikes!
It was about 10:30am before they put out the continental breakfast. (ever wonder why they call it continental?) A variety of fruit, sweet rolls, yogurt, juices and cheap coffee. No tequila, yet! (note, I recommend that you breakfast eaters have a bite beforehand.) It was plenty of food for a dieter. (which I am)
Our first stop was Los Arcos (couple large rocks) which included a short 45 minute snorkeling stop. (45 if you were the first in and last out) The safety demo was hilarious, not safe, but funny. I tried to capture the fish, rock, swimmers, and scenery as I elected to stay dry. The water was not crystal clear and here is where The Gulf side of Mexico wins. (note, they require a photo ID for use of their snorkeling equipment, aka mask y snorkel. No flippers.)
If appeared that fun was had by all and when they returned to the ship, several trays of tropical drinks were awaiting. Tequila Sunrise, Margaritas, Pina Coladas, Sex-on-the-Beach, and cerveza. (1st note, a good researcher must sample them all to make objective comments) (2nd note, I’m a good researcher!)
Second stop was just to drop passengers off at Animas, a cool looking beach, where one could simply relax on the beach, sip beverages, find a bite to eat, (not included in the price) or book zip line or horseback tours. You would have up to two hours to play. About half the boat chose to go to the next stop, Quimixto, including myself. (note, when selling these tours, they tell you that you have 2 hours on Animas, and 2 hours on Quimixto when really you have to chose between the two. Buyer beware!)
The 3rd stop was Quimixto, pronounced “kee .mees toe” a correction from an earlier attempt. Quimixto is noted for its beach and the horseback ride (optional) to the waterfall. The welcoming committee on Quimixto was two large and colorful iguanas. For 50 pesos you could hold and pet them. Nice!
I would like to say that the walk, no hike, no climb to the waterfalls was a leisure 10 minute stroll. NOT. When you realize that you’re hiking uphill for two miles on dusty narrow trails and through small streams of horse piss, one tends to justify the pain by saying, “Hey, it’s good exercise!” My motto is: No Pain, No Pain! (it actually wasn’t that bad since they sold cold beer before you left, along the way and when you got there. (Motivation is all I need!)
The brochure states, “The largest waterfall of this destination!” No lie! That’s like saying my favorite daughter and son, when you only have one of each. The waterfall was no Victoria or Yosemite. I’ve seen some backyard swimming pool falls in CA this size. But it was still cool. And we hikers actually beat the horse riders. What does that tell you about the horses?
About 4:30pm, when we were all back on the boat, a lunch(comida) or dinner (cena) was served consisting of spaghetti, rolls, chicken fajitas y soft corn tacos. Just what one would expect: Spaghetti on a tour of Banderas Bay in Mexico? Not great, but after a grueling day at the gym, aka Mexican hiking, it wasn’t bad. The stomach needed a sponge.
The cruise back was very entertaining as the Kontiki staff continued to force complimentary drinks on us. One person commented to me, “Is your drink weak?” My response was, “No, I’m sipping straight tequila!” (note to readers, if you think your drink is weak, simply ask the bartender for more booze, they will gladly fortify it.)
One of the games played was the 5 women against 5 men version of musical chairs where you have to quickly find a randomly called item. i.e. lighter, towel, napkin, straw, $1.00 bill, lipstick and life preserver. The last one to return has no chair and is out. It was funny to watch the scramble and even the breaking of one plastic chair. The lucky winners received a quart of beer with a straw. Lol (motivation!)
After a brief stop in Puerto Vallarta, we returned to Nuevo Vallarta at 6pm and I hitched a ride, part way with a six-pack of Canadians. Thanks, if you’re reading this. From MEGA, I hopped on a bus and arrived at The Shamrock at precisely 6:59pm and thanks to Natalie, just in time for last call. For Happy Hour.
I was talking to Jordan, who has a tour shop in Bucerias, near Karen’s Place, He confirmed that the Kontiki tour was the best and told me to see him next time I needed any sort of tour. He would beat any price. (good contact!) I left with a rare 20 peso unpaid bill, but somehow they trusted I would return.
Indeed it was a Brilliant day!
Buenos Noches!
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