Friday, January 30, 2015

Day 104: Puerto Vallarta

When the alarm went off at 7am this morning, and we flipped to the "front of the ship" webcam channel, we saw it wasn't even light yet. Ugh. This being on CST has not been fun!  We tarried a bit but managed to meet Greg and Suzan in the IC as planned at 8:30pm. Our goal was to walk over to Sam's Club and WalMart in search of the Swimways floats we use on cruises. Traffic around the port in Puerto Vallarta was typically heavy, and a recent heavy rain had left large puddles to be avoided. It was overcast but not uncomfortably humid...at least this morning.

With no luck on the floats, we walked back to the Grand Princess and met up with Grant, Carol, Phil and Jan. After a quick breakfast (once again, it was bacon, egg and cheese muffins in the IC. We have never had one of those before this cruise, but have managed to eat them three mornings so far), we walked off the ship and took a taxi to Las Muertas beach. Phil and Jan wanted to parasail today, and that was the recommended beach to do that. 

We watched as Phil geared up and was pulled off the beach for about a 10-minute ride around the harbor. Jan followed, and there was no bloodshed, so that was a relief. In fact, I don't think they even got their feet wet. 

Phil airborne

Phil circling around to return

That mission successfully accomplished, we walked back to a nearby beach bar and grabbed six chairs and two umbrellas on the beach. It probably wasn't even noon yet (but it was 5 o'clock somewhere) when we ordered Dos Equis and chips, salsa and guacamole and enjoyed watching the waves crashing on the beach and the water sports, including jet skis and fly boards and stand up paddle boarding. 

Eventually, we started to walk north along the beach and the Maleçon, as packed with people as it always is. There were a few sand sculptures, though not ones as large as we've seen in the past. 


Sculpture along the Maleçon

Though it was never really sunny today, the humidity clung to us like plastic wrap. It would have been oppressive in the sun, so that was a bit of luck. We took a taxi back to the Grand Princess where G and I did a final bit of shopping in the souvenir stands around the pier. We met up with Suzan and Greg on the Horizon Terrace and had a bite to eat to carry us through until pre-dinner drinks and hors doerves in the Elite Lounge at 5pm. ;-)

Dinner at 5:30pm was light and quick (chicken Caesar salad for me and sorbet for dessert), and we made it to comedian Doug Funk in the Princess Theater at 7pm. Now, comedy is a personal thing, but Doug did improvisational comedy, and I love that. I thought he was harious; the older couple behind us did not. To each his own; I'm glad we went. 

50th anniversary light on the curtains in the Princess Theater

The other show option tonight is a bit weak:  mariachi band Los Briliiantes in the Vista Lounge. The reason is that the Grand Princess' premier 50th anniversary Love Boat Disco Deck party will begin at 9pm, and the weather should be perfect for it. We are back in the cabin for a short rest before heading back out for this new (for us) experience.