Friends And Farewell

Today is my last day here in lovely Puerto Vallarta so this will be my last post until I return home. All good things must come to an end. The Mysterious Chinese Woman and I had a wonderful eight weeks here and I am already looking forward to returning next year.
We did a bunch of stuff with some friends of ours over a period of three days so I thought I would post about that and then do more catch-up after I get home.

Several years ago, while waiting for a bus out past Boca, the Mysterious Chinese Woman and I chatted with a couple from near Boston, Jim and Margie. The next year we ran into each other in a bus and struck up a friendship. We have gotten together for a few outings every year since. Funny how things like that work here in Puerto Vallarta.

They stayed in a few locations around Puerto Vallarta this year and then spent their last few days at Club Meza Del Mar, just up the road from us. I invited them and a few of their friends over for a few drinks.

Jim, Trudy, And Mel


Trudy is Margie's sister so you may notice a similarity.

Darcy, Jim, Dawn, And The Mysterious Chinese Woman


Darcy and Dawn are married and live in Minneapolis, or in a nearby suburb. I kind of forget exactly where. Kind of a small world because Minneapolis is where I am originally from.

Darcy Shooting The Shooter


And here is Margie and Darcy trying to set their cameras to take a timed picture so everyone could be in it.

Looking Kind Of Silly


After having a few tequilas we decided to head to El Dorado for dinner. Always a good choice for a nice meal right on the beach.

Dawn And Darcy


Mel And Trudy


Margie And Jim


We all had a great time and a great meal, but I think Jim had the best time of all.

Cheers


The next day Darcy and Dawn had to leave for home but the rest of us decided to take a stroll down the malecon to check out the sights. Along the way we stopped up at Los Chilaquiles, the restaurant that had the private party booked for the night a bunch of us had dinner reservations. No problem getting in this time, tables were pushed together, and we all enjoyed a few beers and dollar margaritas while having a beautiful view of the bay and the malecon on one side and the town and cathedral on the other.

Bay Side


The Other Side




The next day we had whittled the group down further and it was just Jim and Margie left. The rumor was that Mel and Trudy had, ah, shall we say, taken full advantage of the all-inclusive nature of Club Mezo Del Mar. Far be it for me to say.

We decided to go see Johnny sing, something that is always fun. We stopped by and checked out Jim and Margies place at Club Mezo Del Mar and were quite impressed. Huge rooms, large balcony, dynamite views, nice restaurant, several swimming pools, beachside drinks and snacks, palapas and beach chairs, the whole thing. If I didn't already have a place I would certainly consider staying here. The rates were quite reasonable too. I won't quote them because I am sure they change all the time, but it would be well worth checking out.

Before heading to hear Johnny we stopped at a neat little place on the beach called:

The Beach House


I had lunch their a few days ago with Allison and Steve and I can definitely recommend the food. Very good and large portions. The margaritas are very good as well and they don't hold back on the tequila.

Colorful And Potent


Also Colorful And Potent, The Drink Too

And then it was time for Johnny.

Heeere's Johnny


I think Jim and Margie enjoyed the show.

Looking Happy


And, of course, Johnny has a way with the women.

Like Putty In His Arms


After Johnny was done singing we decided to head down the beach to Langostino's for dinner. We had just stopped in when Tom and Bella walked by on the beach. We said "hello" and asked them where they were headed. One of those coincidences that always seem to occur, they were heading where we were. It seems that the owner is a friend of Bella's so they had driven into town to eat here. Of course we asked them to join us and we all had a jolly old time as two sets of friends got to meet each other.

The Whole Gang


Another fun day and I do think my friends Jim and Margie had a good time. It also seemed as though Darcy, Dawn, Mel, and Trudy enjoyed visiting as well. I am already looking forward to seeing everyone again next year.

More on Mexico after I return. I might need a day to settle in though so it might be Sunday before I actually get a chance to post again. We shall see.