On February 11 it was time to leave Mexico City we go first on the Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta has to observe humpback whales. Then north to explore the area canyons.
Marielle unfortunately leave us momentarily, recalled to France for family reasons. His return is expected that the 21. And as Helen is still in the Yucatan with his parents, we, 2 Olivier, we'll be alone for a dozen days.
Given the high price of transport by bus, we opted to rent a small car to move during this period. Even at 2 instead of 3 people, this solution was more advantageous. We go so good morning to the Hertz airport for Mexico City to remove the vehicle. And the colossal our surprise, after signing the contract: the price is almost 4 times higher than announcement at the reservation on the Internet. And to think we were ready to leave, with the receipt for credit card sign ... Fortunately, a last look at the total price we put the chip has the ear and the blood almost freezes us. Rapid conversion of pesos into U.S. dollars (the currency used during the reservation) updates our mistake: there are 10,000 pesos (600 euros) to pay too! This difference corresponds to the many taxes and insurance on the vehicle. From then on, we stop the transaction by explaining that we do not have such a budget, and for more than 2h, we look back All of our plans while the team of Hertz quantity of proposals we made has finally come down to one third of the starting price (almost the same rate for the bus).
Considering the car as a token of freedom, we finally accept the offer (while apologizing flatly) and we leave, road atlas in hand. According to lessors, follow the ring road and take the exit for the Pacific coast is a breeze. The reality is quite different: signaling in Mexico is confusing or missing and we never find the desired output. In addition, indications of the atlas gives us journey times much higher than we expected (we drive a 80 km / h average on these roads it). Finally, the difficulty of managing the traffic and the idea of having to ride at night we do take the rational decision making illico the car after a walk of 2 hours (for 31 km) in the streets of the capital.
No, driving in Mexico is not a stressful ...
Ashamed and confused, had we paid our agency's, and swore to travel bu (s). Travel by night buses offer many advantages: very comfortable in Mexico, including previews of movies, you save one night hotel, and it happens not very fresh, but arranged in Puerto Vallarta.
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We shall be at the hotel Ana Liz, share a bed "marital" (as they say here) and do our laundry late. The food we should be very fast: fresh fruit (but dirty-lemon), the machaca (beef "frayed" mixed with mashed potatoes), especially the tacos (corn cake) topped (chorizo, pork, tripe, onions ...) or quesadillas (tortillas with great cheese and similarly fitted).
At the Hotel Ana Liz
Puerto Vallarta is just the Riviera on the Pacific. Strolling in the city is a bit like walking on the boardwalk, not English, but Americans. They are indeed many to flee the harsh winter of Alaska, the Great Lakes or the Plains of Canada. As for us, our favorite spot was the beach, the hills that drain into the ocean and Intrepid Birds do the same. To watch this show away from the activity in Mexico, we almost forget that the next day we go with the cetaceans.
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the morning of Friday, February 13, we go to the marina to board the Puerto Vallarta Adventure 1, a catamaran filled with American tourists, Canadian, Mexican few (mostly the crew) and 2 in Europe (guess who). At 7 o'clock program excursions: whale watching humpback, fin, snorkeling along the islands and sea kayaking Marietas board, David, head of animation, funny and made a presentation dramatizes the way to behave so that everyone can watch whales (whether to port or starboard), and even how to put on a suit, flippers or breathe through a snorkel, for many neophytes present.
is the entrance to the marina of Puerto Vallarta, or that of a theme park?
And yes, the marina, and this boat is not ours ...
After three quarters of an hour of browsing, we meet early cetaceans and a deep silence fell on the boat. Even at a distance, these leaders inspire respect.
A mother and baby are easier to observe, because it must back more often to breathe.
Venues of Alaska, and leaving their pantry, humpback whales come to mate or give birth (a baby of 700 kg) in these waters, safer and warmer . After this trip, they will have lost more than half of their weight, that may be looking for American tourists also come here.
After an hour of observation, Pedro, the captain set sail for the islands. And after teams, we throw ourselves with water (slightly cool), hoping to observe a colorful wildlife. We do not keep a great memory, firstly because the visibility was very poor, secondly because of the attitude of some supervisors, ready to seize his bare hands of a puffer fish to impress clients (and they get their money?).
The fish that we saw better, finally, were those who crowded around the boat.
Barely runs on the boat, we jumped whisked a kayak, paddling history and approach the coast to observe lots of birds nesting on the rocks. It was a short but good time of tranquility and calm, a few miles from the hustle the buffet had been served on board.
back on the catamaran, we fully understand the meaning of "all inclusive": not only can be used at will, but the team seems to a point of honor that our glasses are never empty. The recipe is simple: pina colada and tequila sunrise + DJ and music (American, it goes without saying) + = heat and sun room and a boat that rises almost nightclub, which returns to port was a bit too quickly our taste, without recrosses whales as we had virtually assured.
Tequila sunrise or pina colada?
By handing off the ground, our feeling is mixed. We indeed observe the whales and this show is worth the detour. The objective is achieved, but nevertheless dillu in a series of events worthy of a holiday camp. Finally, the drunk assistance was not there a way to sidestep the, uh ... whale.
After Mary and Jesus, one is surprised to find, on occasion, statues of God himself. And for those who do not know, it is rather old, with a long white beard, obviously ...
Finally, we will not be surprised to see AC and blends of tradition and ancient Christian practices religious. Thus, Christ is in the middle of Indian dances and rituals. A very special market in Puerto Vallarta representation from all this merry mix: traditional medicine, shamanism, amulets, protection of angels and purifying practices. They sell all neccessaire for his happiness ... and the vendor's portfolio. "
Olivier H
"So I have spent three days in this seaside resort and I will place under the sign of water ... .
Water - cean / Pacific course with a little time going over and under ... and these visions of fish and mammals never seen before;
Water - tre / tourist, with high attendance and American Canada, which gave our presence has a sense of isolation ... not unpleasant in this brouhaha;
Water - H2O / natural element, which once icy gives a good taste for tequila and pina colada!
I left Puerto Vallarta without n stalgie UAE, with the image at the top of the sunny green hills in the distance, falling into the ocean ... and me on the beach! "
WATER OR livier ...
" In Mexico, after 6 months in Asia, is a return on Catholic lands ... with the sometimes not very Catholic ... but often with particular fervor.
First, visit a church here is necessarily see the portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She even often the first place, relegating Christ has a role of bystander. I must say it has a particular significance in the hearts of Mexicans. The first apparition of the Virgin on the new world took place here, a idigene, Juan Diego. The populations are then converted to mass. And the most curious is that, through the Bishop of roses was unknown in Mexico as proof of the apparition, the image of Mary was printed on the clothing of Juan Diego. The machine is now jealously guarded. NASA has done research and could not find the original paint pigments. Lots of mystery and veneration ...
When Christ is represented, it is often seen going through his Passion. So is shown covered with wounds and blood, or even falling. It is a vision very doleful, that can sometimes be scary. But when you think a lot of pre-Columbian societies practiced human sacrifice, the image of a man who suffers, bleeds and gives his life in sacrifice Was not particularly relevant five centuries ago (and today yet)?
First, visit a church here is necessarily see the portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She even often the first place, relegating Christ has a role of bystander. I must say it has a particular significance in the hearts of Mexicans. The first apparition of the Virgin on the new world took place here, a idigene, Juan Diego. The populations are then converted to mass. And the most curious is that, through the Bishop of roses was unknown in Mexico as proof of the apparition, the image of Mary was printed on the clothing of Juan Diego. The machine is now jealously guarded. NASA has done research and could not find the original paint pigments. Lots of mystery and veneration ...
When Christ is represented, it is often seen going through his Passion. So is shown covered with wounds and blood, or even falling. It is a vision very doleful, that can sometimes be scary. But when you think a lot of pre-Columbian societies practiced human sacrifice, the image of a man who suffers, bleeds and gives his life in sacrifice Was not particularly relevant five centuries ago (and today yet)?
Finally, we will not be surprised to see AC and blends of tradition and ancient Christian practices religious. Thus, Christ is in the middle of Indian dances and rituals. A very special market in Puerto Vallarta representation from all this merry mix: traditional medicine, shamanism, amulets, protection of angels and purifying practices. They sell all neccessaire for his happiness ... and the vendor's portfolio. "
Olivier H
The next day he took a little time to provide us with all our emotions ...
But it was time to leave Puero Vallarta, towards the north and the mainland! But with our pictures (see above), can we compete with it to earn $ 500 in support of the prettiest shots? See for yourself ...
But it was time to leave Puero Vallarta, towards the north and the mainland! But with our pictures (see above), can we compete with it to earn $ 500 in support of the prettiest shots? See for yourself ...
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