Bar Man Emerges Victorious

First, a shout-out and a welcome to Allen Welch and Terence Mulvhill, the two newest members of the Beer Party™ - I am sure you will both do the party proud as you proudly party.

Bar Man's Banana Coconut Cream Daiquiri Is A Winner


I will have more on this tomorrow, but I just wanted to let you know that my Banana Coconut Cream Daiquiri was declared the popular choice favorite at Daiquiri Dick's first ever Daiquiri Mix Off.

There were nine entries altogether, five professional bartenders and four amateurs, including myself. Although I didn't win the judges over, my entry was deemed to be the best of the bunch by the crowd who attended this event and I won dinner for two at Daiquiri Dick's. Plus, of course, bragging rights.

Tomorrow I will post more pictures and my award winning recipe.

Cruising To La Cruz

The other day a few of us decided to take a bus and head to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, a once sleepy little fishing village north of Puerto Vallarta. To get there you grab a bus not far from where we stay, the former Playa del Sol and Blue Seas and now, after a change in the majority ownership, One Beach Street Vallarta, Then you head to the large Walmart where you switch to a more touristy type of bus and for 20 pesos more you head on out.

The Mysterious Chinese Woman Leads The Way


No Dwadling


You were either on the bus or off the bus, and those on the bus included:

Valerie And The Mysterious Chinese Woman


Bill And Marcie


Sharon And Paul


Bar Man


Once we got off the bus we took a walk through the town and headed to a really nice little park.

How Pretty


It had been several years since I had been to La Cruz so we weren't sure where we wanted to eat. But we did know we were hungry and a wee bit thirsty. No surprise there. We ran into a couple who looked like they should know where to go and asked them.

Our Tour Guides


They recommended we go down a little cobblestone road until we hit a place called:

Ana Banana


It was just a little outside eating area with no view of the water and a cement block kitchen area. But it did come highly recommended by a couple of total strangers.

And They Have Live Music


Of course nothing says Mexico like sharing a big bratwurst.

Reminiscent Of "Lady And The Tramp"


After a few beers and a hearty breakfast we asked the waitress how long it would take us to walk along the beach to Bucerias.

Do Not Trust This Woman


Our waitress, who was a decent enough waitress, told us it would take about twenty minutes. And we believed her. Silly us. I think, maybe, she meant by bus.

Well, knowing no better, we did head out for a walk along the beach. And for awhile it was a pretty little walk.

This is still a fishing town and most of the boats that go out supply the surrounding areas with their catch.

A Load Of Snapper


The Scenic Walk Begins


Not Quite So Scenic


Are We There Yet


How Much Further


Oh! Oh! Buzzards


After walking for about an hour we asked some people we met how much further it was to Bucerias. They said another hour and a half if the tide didn't come in, in which case there would be no beach to walk. What??!!

We found a road that cut up to the highway and that was a good twenty minute walk. Then we caught the bus to Bucerias and that was another twenty minutes or so. I am guessing that if we hit the tide right it would have taken us at least two and a half hours to walk from La Cruz to Bucerias.

Oh well, life is always a bit of an adventure.

After getting off the bus we headed to my favorite little place, the Slanty Bar.

Thank Goodness, It Is Still Here


And let me tell you, we were all ready for some cervezas.

Mighty Refreshing








I ordered octopus cerviche to share but, for some reason, not too many people wanted to try it.

They Don't Know What They Are Missing


We took a quick little walk through the town and through the flea market before heading on home.

Watch Your Step


Checking Out The Flea Market


It was a fun-filled day with a bit of a longer walk than we had planned. On the other hand, we all felt like we had earned our cervezas.

I had my last ceveza at Sweeny's after we got back to town. Actually, I had to go to the bathroom after the long bus ride and didn't know if I could make it all the way back to my place. And it was an excuse to grab another beer served to me by the lovely and friendly bartender.

Semilla, As Friendly As She Is Lovely


And once I had my beer I was...

Almost Home


And that was our road-trip to La Cruz and Bucerias. Not for the faint of heart or the weak of liver.

Daquiri Dick's Mix Off

I am officially entered into Daiquiri Dick's Mix Off, a contest at Daiquiri Dick's restaurant to see who can make the best daiquiri. There is both a professional and an amateur category and I, of course, am merely an amateur.

I spent a good part, a very good part, of today perfecting, or attempting to perfect, the recipe that I will enter: A bananna, coconut cream, lime, and rum mixture. The rums will be Bacardi white and Appleton gold.

It took me three tries to get exactly the right mixture, and I recruited a group of friends to try them out. I might have nailed it.

I Think They Liked It


And They Seemed To As Well


Wayne, Well, You Are Never Sure With Wayne


I Know I Liked It


And The Recipe Is All Up Here


The contest is Wednesday afternoon so it will be interesting to see how I do. I blend all of the ingredients except for the ice and then shake them with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. That way it isn't a frozen drink, has a bit of a bite to it, but is still kind of tropical fruit tasting. A traditional daiquiri, one of John F. Kennedy's favorite drinks, is fairly potent. Just rum, lime juice and a bit of sugar. I wanted to keep it strong but with a little more of a tropical flavor. We shall see how people resond.

Sadly, daiquiris, like martinis and margaritas, have lost their original high alcohol potency and have sunk to syrupy things like chocolate martinis and strawberry margaritas. Even my daiquiri recipe has moved in that direction, but it still has a kick.

I will publish my recipe after the contest. If I win I get a the cocktail put on Daiquiri Dick's menu and it will be named after me. I am hoping they will call it Bananna Dan's Daiquiri.

St. Patrick's Day Revisited

Oooh!! What a day. Bar Man and St. Patrick's Day go together like, well, like Bar Man and St. Patrick's Day.

You saw some of the preparations for our party, mostly consisting of my tasting and refining the Green Apple Margaritas. But there is more to a St. Patrick's Day party than drinking, I think.

More Party Stuff


The cake and jello-shots were Marcie's contribution and, I must say, the jello-shots were the best I have ever had. Definetly not for the kids.

Early Arrivals, Bill, Marcie And The Mysterious Chinese Woman


Bar Man And Marcie Taking Our Medicine


Over The Lips


Through The Gums


Next to arrive were Wayne and Marge. Well, they arrived physically. Wayne, well, we are never sure about Wayne.

Wayne, It's Not Kansas


Wayne always comes around once he has had his medication, though.

Everything Is Better Now


Next To Show Up Were Paul And Sharon.


This next sequence of shots is best viewed in rapid succession or, better yet, not at all.

Bar Man Dances








Marge Was Less Than Impressed


Next to arrive at the party were Jim and Carol. Marge, of course, had to demonstrate my dance for them.

And Then, Carol, He Did This


Jim Had Seen It All Before


And, of course, what is a St. Patrick's Day Party without tattoos? Marcie, of course, came fully prepared.

Jim had the perfect canvas for our artwork.

It Won't Hurt A Bit


Well, Except For Your Dignity


Just Perfect


A Little Bit Of Medicine For The Pain


And then we all had to show off our tattoos.









This was a pre-Sweeny's party though so, eventually, we all had to roll out the door and on up to Sweeny's.

Heading On Up


Now, as many as you know, Sweeny's is one of my favorite drinking and eating places in Puerto Vallarta. Yeah, I know, it isn't even Mexican. But they do have good food at reasonable prices. Their pork chops are fantastic and I like their shrimp bowl. Not a shrimp cocktail, a whole lot of shrimp in a warm spicy clear liquid.

But Today Was Corned Beef And Cabbage


And Bar Man Was Pleased


Of course not everyone likes corned beef and cabbage, but Sweeny's had more to offer than just that.

Fantastic Shrimp


And, as you would expect, we all had a great time.

Party Hardy


We were having such a great time that a couple at the next table, Bob and Martha, decided to come over and join us. Marcie was quick to pounce with her tattoos.

Marie's Artwork On Martha


And Bob Too


Of course Marcie's heavy partying eventually caught up to her and Sweeny had her take a breath-test which, I am proud to say, she failed miserably.

Is It Supposed To Float When I Blow It Up?


Actually, we were all kind of floating at this time. But we finished up our meal and headed back to the beach where Kim Kuzma was giving another free concert. Marcie, hell-bent on tattooing everyone, could not be restrained.

Marcie Is A Party Pro


I just relaxed on the beach with my friend Gary and a bucket of beers (that I needed like a hole in my head) and took in the show.

Relaxing, Or Passing Out


After the concert I headed up to freshen up for our sunset finale on the pool deck. Luckily it was dark and I forgot my camera. Marcie probably has some pictures though and maybe I will get some from her.

The last several nights Venus (calm down, the planet) pops out right after the sun sets and then it too sets in about an hour or so. Quite a nice encore to the setting of the sun itself.

Today a bunch of us are heading to Bucerias, a little town to the north of Puerto Vallarta. The fun just never stops. I should have pictures of our trip tomorrow, so stay tuned.