(From Ann)

I know it’s been a while since we posted anything and we apologize. We are really enjoying being at anchor in La Cruz and find the night life (live music, great food and fun people) very enjoyable, so we aren’t getting back to Charisma in time to post a blog.

Ann and Stephanie from Camanoe enjoying the Margheritas at Huanacaxtle Cafe

Bob, Ann, Stephanie and Dave at Huanacaxtle Cafe

The music at Huanacaxtle

In addition to enjoying the town of La Cruz we have been taking some day trips into other towns. Our first great adventure was joining our friends, Stephanie and Dave from Camanoe for a day trip into Puerto Vallarta which is “just an hour bus ride” away. The bus system in Mexico has much to be admired. We have been told that the buses are privately owned. You look at the windshield where they have written destinations in shoe polish (my guess) to determine which bus you want. They list towns as well as locations like Costco, Airport, etc. Your bus driver will confirm locations when asked as you get on. The most we have spent on a bus ride is 26 pesos for the two of us (about $2.00). Very affordable.

The buses stop when someone on a corner waves them down. They stop often and don’t really wait for the doors to close or people to sit before moving on. We arrived at the bus station in Puerto Vallarta and quickly found the town square full of merchants with handcrafted goods. We wandered around negotiating and purchasing some fun Mexican crafts. The market was at the base of a beautiful church, always a must stop, and right near a local quesadilla stand. While one woman took our order another woman made tortillas the size of a large frying pan. As the tortillas cooked the guy grilled the asada, chorizo and onions. Each meal was made individually and included an assortment of salsas for us to put on them. Bob chose the hottest one and found that his lips were numb from the heat! Great meal!

Yum. Best quesadillas ever

Onward down the malecon (walk-way along the waterfront) we marched, often being enticed into the tequila tasting shops. There are many unique statues along the malecon that we enjoyed being silly around. Additionally local artists had created very intricate sand sculptures along the beach. Each artist puts out a box for tips if you enjoyed it enough to take pictures. It is an incredible amount of work for tips.

On the Malecon (Boardwalk) at Puerto Vallarta

Just one of the arts/crafts areas to shop through. So colorful!

Also among the stores along the malecon we found Huichol Indian art. When we were in San Blas we purchased a beautiful piece of Huichol art made from pressing yarn into beeswax that has been spread onto a board (the best way to describe its look is “embroidery”) and so were interested in seeing more. We saw some really impressive pieces but came away really pleased with our find. And not to be missed in the PV was the church of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (the patron saint of Mexico) that has a bell tower topped with a lacy crown that is a replica of the crown worn by Empress Carlota, wife of Maximillan who ruled Mexico in the 19th Century. A stop inside this church and a trip across one of the swaying suspension bridges (made much more difficult with stampeding friends) and we were ready to find our bus home.

We immediately found a bus with Wal-Mart on its window and jumped aboard (actually, it said “Wal Mar”, but we’re not going to pick nits). We had been told that
you needed to take a bus to Wal-mart and then switch to a La Cruz bus from there.
Shortly we realized that it was 5:15 and rush hour.  The bus driver just kept
letting more people on, squishing everyone down the aisle. At one point the
front door did not close due to people standing on the steps and hanging
outside. As we arrived at the “first” Wal-mart Dave made sure to go ask the
driver if we were also going to the “otra” Wal-mart (the one closer to La Cruz)
and was twice assured that we were.

The bus continued to stop and let off a few and pick up many more.  At one point the bus took a right turn we just weren’t expecting – our first hint of confusion.  We chalked it up to a safer drop off point and stayed on.  About 45 minutes later
and deep into the small town of Ixtapa, Nayarit (not the Ixtapa near Zihuatenejo) the bus came to a complete stop with only ourselves and two locals remaining aboard.  As the locals got off they could tell we were not where we expected to be.  With their translations help we were informed that the driver had been mistaken when he told us we would be going to the “otra” Wal-mart.  We think he meant thawe would return to the first Wal-mart.  Oops. He was chagrined, we were laughing.  His fellow bus drivers, also waiting at this barren street corner, told us he was “loco” and gave our driver a hard time. We ended up waiting at the “bus stop” (end of his line) in a dusty little town with no sidewalks, no street lights, just happy people, for twenty minutes
until he was scheduled to head back to —Puerto Vallarta!!! Fortunately
because of the help of the last passengers our driver stopped part way back to
PV and indicated we should get off and cross the street to catch a different
bus.

Our driver. Click the photo to see how they organize the change.

The "bus stop" Hmmm, we were definitely not where we thought we were going.

The buses on this particular line. In reality they are all different...

So the “just an hour to Puerto Vallarta” return bus ride ended up getting us back to La Cruz at about 8 pm – just in time to try “Tacos in the Backyard”, another local  taco
stand. And again we were treated to incredible homemade tacos, more than we
should have eaten, and beers for $10 a couple.

The taco place. This is Pedro. A nice guy. You buy your cerveza across the street at a little tienda then he"ll open it at your table.

It’s always an adventure in Mexico!  We love it here.