Viva México

We spent a week at the beautiful resort of Iberostar Selection Playa Mita in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico over the Christmas Break. To say it was a wonderful time is an understatement. We ate so much food, saw so many things, and took so many pictures. It was fantastic. My motto of this trip was "Guess we'll find out" because of all the times we wondered what we would do or see or eat next. 

We were able to spend the first few days of the Christmas break with my family celebrating the season before jetting off. We went for some chilly walks and ate yummy a Christmas dinner and had waffles in the morning. It was like we were practicing for all the buffets coming up!

December 24:

Woke up earlier than we needed to. Breakfast. Got everything packed up and left for the airport. Got to the airport just after 9am. Went through security with no issues. The girls got a Christmas gift from the airport. Got lunch at the airport restaurant and ran into one of my old high school teachers. Boarded and waited for de-icing. Take off. Flew through the mountains, the plains, and into Mexico.

Landed early. 4:30. Got through immigration no issues. Our baggage was right there on the conveyor belt. Customs was easy. Saw an eagle soaring beside the Mexican flag. Found our way out of the airport and to the shuttle. Stopped at two other resorts to drop people off. We were the only ones on the shuttle to our resort. Long drive. Checked in. Found the buffet. Back to the room to rest. 27°

December 25:

Woke up around 7:00. Our room had Wixárika artwork on the walls. Breakfast at the lobby buffet. Wandered around exploring. Got towels and walked down to the pool. Watched the ocean waves. Swam in the pool. Walked down to the ocean and played in the waves. Changed. Lunch at the steakhouse buffet. Relaxed in the room for a bit. Walked to the cafe to get frappés. Walked to watch the waves. Played ping pong. Bingo. Mark won a t-shirt. 26°

(the view from our room)

Back to room to cool off and relax. I read on the balcony. Got dressed and went to the Pacific Express restaurant for dinner. Very nice and fancy three course meal. Played pool. Walked back to room.

December 26:

Woke up. Breakfast. Girls ate after us. Then they got us great seats next to the pool in the shade. Mark and I walked to tour desk but the tour company representative wasn't there yet. Sat by the pool. Walked down to the beach with Izzy. Abby joined us. Walked back to the tour desk and booked our excursion. Came back to the pool and the girls were doing aquasize. Grabbed a drink and some nachos. Watched a falconer keep the crows away. Ate burgers and nachos by the pool for lunch. Back to room to change. Girls had rest. Mark and I walked down to archery with Marco Polo. Mark got 42 and I got 35! Abby ordered a room service sandwich. Rested, showered. Walked down to Steakhouse for dinner. Very yummy and full. Back to the room to prepare for tomorrow.

December 27:

Woke up 6:30 am. Breakfast. Got ready for the excursion to San Sebastián del Oeste. Our Tour Guide was Alphonso and the driver was Pedro. Arrived at Panaderia Bakery, a small bakery that had a patio covered with beautiful flowers. We had yummy pastries and coffee and hot chocolate. 

Crossed a bridge 300 m down. Visited Don Lalin distillery which makes raicilla, tequila, and other spirits. We sampled a variety of racislla and tequilas. We bought a bottle of the coffee-flavoured tequila.

The next stop was at a silver & opal maker. Opal is only found in Australia and Mexico. Mexico is also home to the beautiful fire opal which changes colour in the sun. We bought some earrings and then took a quick water break. 

The next stop was just down the road to a coffee plantation which is owned by the last generation of the original five families who came over from Spain. We learned about the different stages the coffee plant goes through to become coffee. We walked through the grounds and saw birds and grapefruit trees, and sampled some coffee. 

 

Then it was time to drive into the town of San Sebastián for lunch. After that, we walked through the old jail and saw a mango tree. 

Next up was the beautiful cathedral. 

Then we walked through the market where they sell blankets and obsidian jewelry and enjoyed the views of the historic town. We toured the square that was decorated for Christmas.

After a bit of wandering around, we got back on the bus to go to back the resort. We were the last people dropped off so we got to talk more with Alphonso about languages and life. Arrived at the resort at 7:30 pm. We walked down to the buffet for supper and back to the room. Very tired. Showers and bed. I took 12,000 steps.

December 28:

Slept in. Walked down to the buffet for breakfast. Back to room to change. Played at the pool. Went back to the room to grab the snorkels and the flower tree by the building was filled with hummingbirds. 

Down to the beach. Waves a bit smaller but still red flag. Back to room for a rinse and change. Lunch. Watched to look out area. Watched the waves, sat in the shade. Mark went to relax in the shade and us girls went to the Wixarita craft. Sat in the atrium swing until room was ready. Back to the room to relax.

Walked to gift store then to the Mexican restaurant for supper. Walked back to room and got ready for bed.

December 29:

Breakfast buffet. Down to the pool. Took some pictures. Izzy and Mark went snorkeling in the pool. Lunch by the pool. Abby went back to the room, relaxed and ordered room service cheesecake. Then it was time for more beadwork. 

We made reservations at the Japanese hibachi restaurant. It was fun watching them cook right in front of you. We had a great time. 

After supper, we walked to the lookout and then went to the Lobby Bar to watch the mariachi band.

December 30:

Woke up slowly. Breakfast buffet, Izzy stayed in the room and joined us later at the pool. Mark and Abby went shooting. Abby got 38 Mark got 64. Izzy and I swam - only people in the pool. We went over to the swim up bar for 10 o’clock margaritas. Abby and Izzy went to the cafe to get a sandwich. Mark went snorkeling with Izzy. Sat in the sun. Went to the steakhouse buffet for lunch. Mark went back to the room to rest and the girls went to finish our crafts. Back to the room to rest. 

Walked down to the lookout for sunset. 

Back to the room to check in with the boarding passes. Filled our water bottles. Steakhouse for dinner. It was empty when we got there because there were circus performers putting on a show at sunset. It quickly filled up once the show was over. Back to the room to shower and pack. 

December 31:

Woke up slowly. Packed up. Breakfast buffet. Back to the room for final pack up. Played pool instead of going to the pool. Back to the room to grab all our bags. Checked out. Walked down to the ocean and waved it goodbye. Wandered around and our last lunch at the buffet. 

Went down to the lobby to wait for the shuttle. An hour drive straight to the airport.

We went right through check in and security. No issues. Found our gate. Changed into pants. Bought some water and waited. We landed 10:21 pm and went through customs and security no issues. Grabbed bags and caught a taxi right away. Bed by 11:30 pm. Happy New Year!!