Life at Paradise Village

We are still at Paradise Village, mixing chores, exploring, socializing and relaxing.

Chores

Of course the first thing we did was to wash the boat. It was surprising how much salt was on the deck after the passage from Puerto Los Cabos, as well as a few dried squid, one of which got excited and inked before his demise.

As we were having problems with the engine and fuel during the later part of the passage from Puerto Los Cabos, Rich installed a new fuel pump and replaced the fuel filters.  Usually he replaces them after 300 hours of engine operation but he decided that while we are in Mexico we should do it after 100 hours. We have run the engine a few time since and everything seems to be a-ok. We also cleaned the oil pan under the engine and put in new 'diapers' so if there is a leak we can identify it early.

I have been working on polishing and waxing the stainless as well as compounding and waxing some of the deck as I do the stanchions. While it is rewarding to see everything nice and shiny I do realize that this is never ending and that I will be doing it again in the future. I am using a new wax which I hope will increase the time between polishing.

I am pleased to report that our mail finally arrived here at Paradise Village, on Tuesday, 12/27. After returning to Seattle it was sent on to Sarah in Portland. There was a little delay as Sarah's address was incorrect on the package but the error was corrected and it arrived shortly thereafter. We thank her for culling through the mail, removing the offending medications, packaging it back up and sending it on to us. I now have my new driver's license, ATM cards, as well as the new boat document. Of course there were a few bills but nothing major or unexpected. Rich was able to take his prescription containers over to the farmacia and get them refilled for about 2/3 of the cost in the states. Now we just have to work the paperwork with the medical insurance folks.

Exploring

We forgot to check out of La Cruz before arriving at Nuevo Vallarta on Tuesday, 12/20. We took the ATM bus from Paradise Village to the main highway, crossed the highway, dodging traffic and caught the bus to La Cruz and Punta de Mita under the overpass. At La Cruz we walked down the hill to the marina, stopping to see the crew of Convivia at the taco stand and then on to the port captain to get out check out papers. Then we reversed the process back to Paradise Village and took the water taxi from the Paradise Village Marina dock over to the Nuevo Vallarta dock to visit the port captain and have our check in paperwork stamped. All in all a simple process.

On Friday, 12/23, we took the ATM bus into Puerto Vallarta to walk to the Malecon. The Malecon is a wide walkway along the waterfront. On one side is the beach and on the other there are shops and restaurant. The walkway includes statues, planters and benches for sitting and enjoying the view and people watching. We stopped at an italian restaurant and sat on the second floor overlooking the Malecon and had great pizza. We continued our walk, checking out the shops and the statues. In the older section of town we walked along the shops where proprietors promised not to sell us time share condos but instead they had good stuff to sell us. It was an interesting marketing scheme. There are many buses going in and out of town but only the ATM buses go to Nuevo Vallarta and Paradise Village. We walked most of the length of town back past the other end of the Malecon looking for an ATM bus stop. We finally ask a woman waiting for a bus and she gave us directions, three blocks in the current direction, turn right and go two blocks, then turn left and go two blocks. We did and we arrived at the ATM terminal and got our bus.

On 12/26, we took the ATM bus to Marina Vallarta. We had spent some time here 10 years ago. There are more buildings surrounding the marina and a new golf course. We were please to find that the small restaurant that served fish and shrimp tacos was still there and the tacos are as good as ever. The marine store is now almost across the street from the marina and it a lot larger than before. We were able to purchase replacement zincs for our Maxi-prop. We walked down to the Galeria Vallarta, with some more upscale shops and a movie theater. I got Rich a new pair of sunglasses. We also checked out WalMart before heading back.

Socializing

We enjoyed sundowners and Christmas eve dinner with Heidi and Joe of SV Huck, whom we met in San Diego and also did the Baja Ha-Ha. Wednesday night we had Constance and Tim of SV Midnight Lady over for drinks and latkes. We had met Constance on the dock and struck up a conversation as they are from Victoria, BC and had spent some time in the US. This morning we met Kellie and Terry of SV Noah. They had found our website of our first trip and commented about our first check-in to Cabo San Lucas. They even sent us a new flowchart of check in at Ensenada, very funny. They are from Pt. Roberts, Washington.

Heidi and Joe of SV Huck

This afternoon our friends, Phoebe and Reg of SV Three Sheets arrived so we gave them a tour of Paradise Village and spent the afternoon with them enjoying nachos and drinks on the beach. They told us about their stay at Los Muertos in 35 knot winds and their visit to Isla Isabella.

Relaxing

On Christmas day we grabbed our beach towels and our books and found a palapa on the beach to hang out for the day. The waiters even come to your palapa and take your order. What luxury!

We are having chaps made for our dingy to help protect it from the ultraviolet rays here in Mexico. We will take the dingy to their shop next to the marina on Monday and hope to pick it up completed on Wednesday. So, our stay will be extended a bit before we leave and head south.

We want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and that 2012 will find you healthy and happy.

Feliz Ano Nuevo 2012