Enjoying life after early retirement, while living in Mexico, traveling by RV in Mexico, getting involved in our Mexican community, and learning new, fun ways to get our daily exercise. Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico!
Showing posts with label Puerto Vallarta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Puerto Vallarta. Show all posts
Panoramic View of Banderas
Bay and Puerto Vallarta
From Mirador Cerro de la Cruz
While there are
several routes to the best viewpoint in Puerto Vallarta, I chose to start
walking from my home in the Romantic Zone. I’m training to walk the
119-kilometer Camino de Santiago Inglรฉs in Spain, so the route through Isla Cualeoffered the perfect warm-up with a few gentle hills.
Here are a few
of the views along my route to the hilltop cross. Below, I’ve included a
walking map.
The First
Mural after the Pedestrian Bridge to Isla Cuale
Starting from Tintoque, Aquiles Serdรกn 445
Up the Stairs and Over La Iguana Bridge to Gringo Gulch
Video: Crossing the Rรญo Cuale on the Iguana Bridge
The River View and Steps Toward Gringo Gulch
Gringo Gulch is Beginning
to Look Like Old Spain
At Cuauhtรฉmoc
21, Puerto Vallarta Centro
Puente del Amor (Bridge of Love) on C. Zaragoza
Connecting the
two buildings of Famous Casa Kimberly
Following Google Maps
on my watch, it indicated that I should turn right at C. Zaragoza 399. There I
found another long set of rustic steps climbing steeply uphill, though there
were no signs indicating the way to the viewpoint. To be sure I was headed in the
right direction, I asked a local man while pointing up the stairway, “La
Cruz?”—meaning, “Is this the way to the cross?” He nodded with a smile and
gestured upward. “Sรญ, el mirador,” he said.
Another
long stairway at C. Zaragoza 399.
No sign, but these steps lead up toward
the viewpoint.
I Stopped to Rest
and Appreciate the Views
I Love this Old Wooden Door on C. Emilio Carranza
Pink
Trumpet Tree blooming on Emilio Carranza
I dug my water
bottle out of my backpack while admiring the views along Emilio Carranza and
took a long drink. The temperature was already over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and
I’m no spring chicken. I didn’t want to become a casualty of dehydration or
heat stroke, and realized I should have added a packet of electrolytes to my
water before leaving home.
Then I realized
I was hungry and hadn’t packed any food. That was the second rule I had broken
for hiking. In training for the Camino de Santiago, I’ve learned that finding
food for sale along the way can sometimes be a challenge. Fortunately, I
spotted a tienda, a small store, up ahead and decided to stop in and look for a somewhat
healthy snack.
I was grateful for this tienda on Emilio Carranza
and Alicia
Platanitos, a Salty Crisp Plantain Snack
Finally, a sign that I was on the right path to the Hill of the Cross.
A roadside shrine to the Virgin of the Hill along Calle Aldama
while climbing toward the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint.
The Last Steep Climb to the Viewpoint—Or So I Thought
This stairway climbs beside abandoned funicular
tracks.
My
First Glimpse of Banderas Bay and the Long Climb Below
A Bench
By the Viewpoint Mural, One Flight of Stairs Below the Cross
I set my
backpack down and leaned my walking poles against the bench—a small sign that I
had reached my destination. From there, I still had two pinnacles to choose
from to finish the climb: the cross or the mirador platform. I chose the cross,
and the final steps were worth it.
It was my first
time making the climb to the cross at Mirador Cerro de la Cruz, even
though I’ve lived in Puerto Vallarta for almost five years. Reaching the
top felt like a small personal victory—and I was proud of myself.
The Cross at the Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint
Overlooking Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta
How Do
You Walk to the Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint?
My Google
Maps walking map below shows a distance of about 1 kilometer and an
estimated 19-minute walk from Tintoque Restaurant, across Isla Rรญo Cuale,
and up through the hillside neighborhoods to the Mirador Cerro de la Cruz.
Of course, that estimate doesn’t account for the steep climb—or stopping along
the way to rest and enjoy the views. It took me almost an hour to reach the
summit and about 30 minutes to walk back down. If you decide to take this
route, I recommend allowing about two hours so you can enjoy the walk at a
relaxed pace.
A Story Inspired by Life in Mexico
Living
in Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita has inspired many of my stories about
life in Mexico, including my novels. If you enjoy
stories about life in Mexico, you might like my novel, Mexico For Better or
For Worse. The story follows Jake and Lindsay, an expat couple living in
Sayulita, as they navigate serious health challenges and the uncertainty of the
COVID-19 pandemic while trying to hold on to the life they built together in
Mexico.
¡Feliz Navidad y
Prรณspero Aรฑo Nuevo desde Puerto Vallarta!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Puerto Vallarta!
Jon and Terry on a Day Trip
We wish joy and peace for family and friends this Christmas and
New Year.
Jon and I spend one or two days each week
together, sharing new adventures. This week we visited San Pancho for the first
time in many years. We met friends, Phil and Leslie, at a beach restaurant for
good conversation, delicious lunches, sunshine, and warmth. See more HERE.
It’s been a busy three months caring for Jon, Max, and Sophie—while also reminding myself how important it is to care for my own well-being. November was National Family Caregiver Month, but I’ve decided to make self-care an everyday practice.
I'm Volunteering for Weeding and Planting
In the Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone
Lately, that’s meant spending time gardening with the Vallarta Garden Club, enjoying Zumba with Efren on the Isla Cuale, getting a massage every two weeks, and taking long walks through the Romantic Zone. Part of my self-care also includes gently easing Jon into life here in Puerto Vallarta, which helps bring me a lot of peace of mind.
In late October, I helped Jon move the motorhome from Lo de Marcos to an RV park in Puerto Vallarta. Shortly after, I found him a perfect studio apartment in Colonia 5 de Diciembre and moved him in right away. We also sold the Minnie Winnie just a few days ago—what a relief for both of us! The new owners are already out enjoying road trips with her.
I invite you to SIGN UP for my "Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico Newsletter," published monthly. To make sure you get my newsletters, please sign up and add my email address to your contacts or mark this email as ‘Not Spam’.
Thank you for reading my books and blog articles. If you enjoy my books, I would appreciate it if you could leave a review or rating on Amazon, even a brief one. You can access all eight of my books on my Amazon Author page.
๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ญ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐ณ๐ฌ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐น๐๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ in Puerto Vallarta
(๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ณ of 100 Days of Blue)
Day 61: Puerto Vallarta View From Barcelona Tapas
My Birthday Dinner in July, Early Rainy Season
It’s hard to
believe I’m already sharing Part 7
of my #100DaysOfBlue journey. What better place to experience Days 61 through 70 than in beautiful Puerto Vallarta?
Blue๐ Blue Water๐ Blue Mind๐คCalm, Tranquility, Positive State of Mind๐๐ฝ
Day 62: A Memory of
July 11, 2024, Over a Year Ago
"Today is a good day. This week has been a rollercoaster. Watching the sunset over the ocean is so calming. Viewing the deep blue color of the sea
during a two-hour seafood dinner with my best friend promotes a blue mind
condition. Life is good.๐"
This photo holds more than just a view. It
holds a memory, a feeling, and a breath of peace during a chaotic time. Over a
year ago, I shared these words without realizing how often I’d come back to
them. The blue water became more than a visual comfort. It was a space where I
could let go, even for a moment, of the stress and emotional weight of
caregiving.
My husband’s early Parkinson’s dementia was
beginning to change our lives in ways that were hard to explain. The ocean felt
steady when nothing else did. It was deep, calming, and quietly powerful.
This journey through #100DaysOfBlue isn’t just
about beauty. It’s about reflection, healing, and honoring both the peaceful
and the difficult moments. ๐
Day 63: Puerto Vallarta's Playa Los Muertos
It was supposed to storm again that afternoon, so I took the dogs for a walk down the Malecรณn earlier in the day. Brunch instead of dinner felt like the right call.
Most of the restaurants were either too busy or hadn’t opened yet. We circled back to Daiquiri Dick’s, and I’m glad we did. Huevos rancheros and fresh orange juice with a view of the ocean were exactly what I needed. ๐
Daiquiri Dick’s Huevos Rancheros are Delicious!
Day 64: Dancing on the Beach Video
Watching the Fun Next to the Ocean Waves
I was sitting at a beachside restaurant bar with Max and Sophie, taking in
the ocean view. A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon deepened my Blue Mind calm. When
a group started dancing on the sand beside the rolling waves, it brought an
easy smile to my face.
Day 65: Pool Day Video
Blue Pool Jet on My Feet was Relaxing
Blue Mind at the Beautiful Residences Sky Bar
Day 67 of Blue Water: Santorini Puzzle Time
Working on My Santorini Puzzle was Relaxing—
Especially with a Blue Water Video on the Screen
You may remember that on Day 43 of my 100 Days of Blue Water, I was
in Santorini, Greece. (See more in Days 41–50 of 100 Days of Blue Water, Part 5: The Mediterranean to the Gulf of
Mexico๐ฆ). The deep blue sea
view from the Santorini cable car was unforgettable. The only souvenir I
brought home from that Virgin Voyage was a Santorini jigsaw puzzle—a perfect
reminder of the many Blue Water days I experienced on that trip.
After a gathering at the Living Room Bookstore on August 1, I had lunch at
El Faro in Marina Vallarta, a high-end international restaurant located inside
a lighthouse. From the panoramic 360-degree views, I could see all at once what
makes Puerto Vallarta so stunning—this is truly the place where the sea meets the
mountains.
Gorgeous Blue Water View of the Bay of Banderas
Day 70 of Blue Water
A Quiet Day on Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta
I walked with the dogs along the beach and stopped for fish and chips for dinner at the Sea
Monkey on the Puerto Vallarta Malecรณn. I forgot to take a photo! Let's just
say, there were no leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
Our First Day on the Beach—
Since Max's eye surgery 2 Months Before
That day was Max’s first time on the
beach since his eye surgery before I adopted him. I didn’t want him getting
sand in the healing eye, so until then, we’d enjoyed the ocean views from a
distance. His eye actually looked pretty good at the time. But four months—and
a lot of treatment and love later, he was blind in that eye. The inflammation
kept worsening, and his vet eventually recommended removing it. He’s now healing well. The stitches
are out, he’s no longer uncomfortable, and once his shaved eyebrow grows back,
he’ll be as handsome as ever.
The Sea Turns Gray on August Afternoons
As It Reflects the Gathering Clouds
The fishermen, white egret, and
pelicans were sure the fish were in close. The pelicans were the only ones I
saw catch anything.
What a mellow scene.
If you would like to view the first fifty
days of Blue Water photos, including many memories of past adventures with Jon,
here are the links:
Blue Mind is the mildly meditative
state people fall into when they are near, in, under, or on water. It is peace.
It is the feeling of calmness and relaxation that comes from being in or near
the water, and it has a positive impact on our mental health.
100 Days of Blue is a campaign
inspired by marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, encouraging people to
spend time near, in, on, or under water for its positive impact on well-being.
To carry on his legacy, many people are posting one blue water photo or video a
day for 100 days, often with the hashtag #100daysofblue.
Thank you for reading my blog articles and following along on my journey! ๐๐
I’ve written eight books about my life and travels in Mexico, and you can view or download them on Amazon by clicking the book covers to the right and above. ๐๐๐
Vitea Beachfront Bistro is Open After Hurricane Priscilla
Vitea Beachfront Bistro on the Puerto Vallarta Malecon is Open!Concrete work is ongoing,
but service and food are excellent, as always! I'm so grateful so many showed
up at the Restaurant Rally to support them.
The Restaurant Rally at Vitea was a Success!
El Dorado Restaurant Recovered Quickly
Do You See What is Missing?
I had breakfast at El Dorado Restaurant on Los Muertos Beach in Puerto Vallarta two days after the recent devastating storms. I was happy that they were mostly back to normal after the two hurricanes last week that brought extremely high waves. The wooden boardwalk was missing, and my first thought was that it had washed away!
People and Dogs Walked Next to the Ocean
Rather than Through the Restaurant
I noticed that without the boardwalk, people and dogs walked along the ocean rather than through the tables and lounge chairs. I felt it was more peaceful in the restaurant, but that was temporary. The boardwalk would return when the danger of high waves eased.
Wooden Boardwalk Sections Were Salvaged During the Storm
Stacked Next to the Fisherman Sculpture Waiting for Calm Seas
My Huevos Divorciados were beautiful and Delicious!
Not all restaurants fared as well last week. On October 6, Hurricane Priscilla caused waves that flowed through and destroyed some beach restaurants. El Barracuda, on Calle Paraguay in Puerto Vallarta, is still temporarily closed on this date. See the video of the waves at this news link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17ByHU583J/.
Jon had Fish Tacos at El Barracuda Just Before High Waves
Jon and I had just enjoyed fish tacos at El Barracuda two days before Hurricane brought high waves that devastated this restaurant. I'm grateful we did. It will be a while before they open again, but they never give up!
The Marigalante ship disaster, as it took on water, was another result of the storms. All members of the Puerto Vallarta Pirate Ship crew were rescued during high seas on October 10. No passengers were on board at that time. The ship sank later that day. See the rescue at this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16S3Y8vYbd/.
We have wonderful memories from our trip on the Pirate Ship in 2022. See photos in my blog post HERE.
Puerto Vallarta is still reeling from the sinking of our Marigalante ship. This is such a sad video of her last moments: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2339589686472792. But her sister ship is on its way from Cancun to continue the pirate ship tradition here.
Heavy rain after the hurricanes has created severe flooding in parts of Puerto Vallarta. Hundreds of homes and families were affected. Several organizations are collecting funds and goods to help the flood victims.
Here's
one way to donate to Vallarta
Cares for aid to the hundreds of families affected by recent flooding
in the PV area:
I
shopped online at La Comer and had items delivered to Vallarta Cares. The
order of non-perishable items arrived between 12 and 1:00 today. I don't
have a car, so that was the easiest and quickest way I could think of to help a
few flood victims.
La Comer Order: One Way to Donate to Vallarta Cares
Thank you for reading my blog articles and books. I write to share my knowledge and to help others.
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Concrete work is ongoing,
but service and food are excellent, as always! I'm so grateful so many showed
up at the Restaurant Rally to support them.
