Thurs Morning, Nov 12, 2009: Home again......hmmmm...

OK, here I am.....wondering what the hell has happened to the last couple of days since I woke up in my own bed this morning, and don't quite remember laying down last night(about 2;30am this morning).



Trying to look backwards......



TUESDAY, Nov 10th:



The 1st Lady and I spent almost the entire day.....on the beach!!!! Yep.....it was a great day to just kick back and really enjoy our last full day here in Puerto Vallarta. You know....I continue to say Puerto Vallarta, when actually our hotel, as I HAVE said, is in the city of Nuevo Vallarta....a few miles north of Puerto V. proper. However, like any large area....it all runs together and only the signs...and the river....are the boundaries.

But....back to the wonderful beach here at Rio Vallarta Hotel. You can lay in the expansive, un-shaded area, or you can lay in among the tons of tall palm trees where you can shade yourself from this very, very hot sun. We have been using 50 SPF sunscreen and it has helped to keep us from getting burned......don't come down here without it!!

It has been soooo nice to lay on the loungers....a few hundred all provided by the hotel....and have the bar servers drop by with full trays offering drinks....whatever they have, or they will return to the bar and make the drink you want.....all for FREE and no tips necessary. I just cannot imagine how much we have saved.....just in drinks alone...by this being an all-inclusive hotel. I began having drinks around 10am on this day......WOW!!! Did I ever enjoy that!!!! We had a great day......slipped up the beach to the sister hotel....Riu Jalisco....and had lunch there, as our "bracelets" allow usage of their facilities, also.

The remainder of the day was spent in laying around, having a few more drinks....uhhhh, perhaps more than "a few"......and then by later in the afternoon, we returned to the room to prepare for our last dinner here. I got up early...as usual....and stood in line 30 minutes before they began taking reservations...just so we could eat at Sir George again. And.....we were able to do that!

For dinner I had the stuffed grouper with shrimp and squid, along with the crab bisque soup as a salad/starter. Of course, we each had a bottle of wine....she had the Chardonnay and I had the Cabernet Sauvignon.......once again, the wine was free, as well as this wonderful gourmet dinner. It was all soooooooo good!!!!!! WOW!!!! The best place to eat here at this hotel/resort.

During the dinner we met the couple sitting next to us....and quite a conversation began with them. They are from northern Idaho....and we exchanged emails so we can maintain contact with them. They invited us to their lake home....and said they would have room for our RV to stay for a few days. Such a friendly couple!!!!!

Again, the live musical show was excellent again.....each night of the week is a different show.....with all the drinks you want....well, HELL...that goes for this entire place. Never have seen soooo many great bars and friendly staff as they have here.

Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009:

Yesterday.....we spent the morning on the beach. Then we checked out at noon...and waited in the beautiful open air from all sides Lobby....until our transportation, a private car, picked us up and took us to the airport around 1:30pm. Lots of security there......a complete search of our luggage while we watched, and then into the very nice terminal. More security as we processed into the concourse.....and then after waiting for a couple of hours, we boarded our plane. As left from the door at the gate.....more security. It was there I was taken aside, had to remove my shoes, given the wand, carry-ons checked thoroughly, and then given the OK to get on the plane for the flight to Phoenix. LOTS of security....and that is really great!!! Bothersome, but safe flying is the issue and for that I am glad. I can always retie my shoes, can't I???

A good flt to Phoenix....and there we went through US Customs and Immigration Control. A breeze it was.....and then our luggage had to be reloaded onto the plane that would take us to STL. We just had time to trudge through that large airport.....pick up a personal size pizza from the wonderful California Pizza kiosk....and it was time to board. Another almost three hour flt and we arrived in STL at 11:30pm. Of course....THIS was STL ....and it took forever for the luggage to be unloaded at the pick-up point....and then to wait for a shuttle to take us to the long term parking area. But......we were home around 2AM.....and then.....I guess I fell into bed.

It was an incredible trip!!!!! We loved it there and will return, I'm sure!!! Our flights, our 7 night, 8 day stay in this fabulous five star resort hotel(without wifi), all food, ALL drinks, all tips, all transfers to and from the airport, everything connected with this trip except our little tours/zip lining/etc.......was just a bit over $1600 total for the two of us!!!! Just hard to believe!!!!!! With the included drinks, etc.....it is much better than being on a cruise ship....MUCH BETTER in all cases!!!!!!

And so....I must now revert back to Misery reality.....and get caught up on several things that are waiting for my attention. Sooooo.....more pics will be put on here....sooooo keep checking back to see. I have a couple of great ones from the zip line experiences that I need to scan and then down size them so they will print on here......stay tuned!!!

LIFE IS AMAZING....AND....JUST INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!