Hardship in Puerta Vallarta – NOT

For the last couple years Bill has recounted the hard work he had to do on Turtlebones each time he travelled down here to Mexico – and he has done some great work on ceiling panels, LED lighting, hand crafted wood work in strategic places, upgraded batteries and solar panels – BUT, he totally blew any hope for sympathy after I arrived here today.

As I climbed off the plane I checked the address for the Marina where the boat was tied up – Paradise Village should have been a dead giveaway.

After arriving at the boat and unloading the satellite upgrade and other critical items for the passage (mostly things not found in grocery stores here), a chat and catchup and then I leared of the afternoon routine. He and Sharon and his sister Leslie (here until Tuesday) walked me up past the pool with the 100 foot crocodile waterslide – the party pool. OMG.

We continued on to the amazing beach where at different times we could see the blow from a whale out on the water. A welcome break from our Canadian winter. We parked under a cabana and it was explained to me we had a window of opportunity for pools, ocean swims or beach volleyball that needed to wrap up by 5, because that was when happy hour started.

So we watched Bill play volley ball for a while, I managed a quick swim in the ocean and we were right on time. Lots of Bill and Sharon’s friends and acquaintances (many Canadians) said hello and were introduced to Leslie and I. The beer was cold and the sun was warm.

Bill assures me tomorrow will be real work – a mechanic arrives at 11am to pull the generator out of the boat.

Candidly, I’m surprised Bill hasn’t decided he needs another year here working on the boat!