We have been asked if this move to Mexico has benefited our children.
Of course it has.
They have been exposed to a culture that values family above all; they have met and made friends with a variety of unique, interesting people; they have learned they can still love their family and friends “back home”; but the most dramatic impact of our move here has been…
THAT THEY DON’T MIND AT ALL GETTING INTO THE CAR AND DRIVING FOR HOURS TO GO SOMEPLACE!
That is huge people. We come from an area of the United States where no one drives more than 1/2 hour for pretty much anything. The phrase in Rhode Island is “if you are driving more than 30 minutes you pack a bag.”
Then we took a 3000 mile drive through the US and into Mexico, drove around there, and drove back another 3000 miles. And then did it again to move here.
So our 6 hour drive last week to Puerto Vallarta was no big deal to these seasoned travelers.
We have written about this ride before.
http://www.enosfamily.com/?p=1881
It’s a pretty interesting ride. (get ready for a bunch of pictures. takes me a while to sort through all the pictures and them compress them enough to post.)
Can you see the top of the mountain in the cloud?
The road winds up, down, and around the mountains
After 3 hours we stop at this halfway point for gas, snacks & bathrooms
Haystacks
We are supposed to pass double trailers on blind corners. ACK!
Into the lush jungle
These roads put the "S" in s-curve
Pineapple truck ready for market
Almost there
While the kids head down to the pool, Mikee is setting up his office
We even bumped into our friends Joy & Joe
The Pan-American games were going on in Guadalajara. There were events here in Puerto Vallarta too. (sailing, beach volleyball, and some others) We passed lots of people coming to buy tickets. Security was even tighter than normal.
Pan Am Games - Sailing event -way off in the distance
Zoomed in
Spectators of the races coming into the marina at Paradise Village
Our friends and their little 7 week old baby came along. Can you believe it was only his first vacation in his entire life? 😉
What a cutie head
The girls kept him very entertained
But he really likes to "hang out" with Austin
Enos family outside Bucerias KH
Very pretty inside. They even have a/c
Our friends outside Bucerias KH
Amy was pulled from the audience for a contest. She did a great job!
We spend lots and lots of time in the pool.
And then we spent more time in the pool.
And one of these kiddos even learned how to swim
She took off the princess floaties
The frisbee contest. We had no winners for this one
But Austin won this drink in the "slam dunk" contest
SCUBA lessons!
Scuba Steve is the instructor
Austin with all his gear on
India is all set to go
Ginger Kitty is cheering them on
There goes Austin
India is catching up
They LOVED it!
Lots of pretty birds
Even Kitty (who is very scared of birds) held out her arm
This guy uses just his fingers to paint these beautiful tiles
We like Puerto Vallarta. There is a lot to see and do. The beaches at the top of Banderas Bay are different than at the bottom. You can be as busy and touristy as you like of you can find a secluded little spot and just chill out.
Something you should visit is the malecon. It is a public walkway along the water. Just about every town has one. (Here on the Lake Chapala there are several and they are all unique to the town they are in.)
The malecon of Puerto Vallarta is famous for it’s sculptures on the walkway and the sandcastle art on the beach and it’s many vendors and street performers.
Oh, and also I think it’s is the time share piranha tank of the west coast. Every person has a time-share pitch. My personal favorite was the “free tequila for the babies” guy just past Senor Frogs. 🙂
Speaking of Senor Frogs… ever since our little Ginger Kitty was a baby, she has always loved the frog figure that is around beach areas with a Senor Frogs. She would run up to it and ask to have her picture taken. We have quite a few pictures of her next to this little guy. Walking along the malecon was HOT and our little baby friend was needing out of his chariot and my kiddos were starting to drag. For the first time in their lives they were finally able to go to Senor Frogs. No worries- they only had shirley temples.
The walkway has pretty swirled patterns of stone work. They first pour the concrete and leave styrofoam in the decorated areas. Then a man comes and fills in the patterns.
Catch your breath because more pictures are coming…
Rick and Amy know a great Indian restaurant. Are you going to be in Puerto Vallarta? Then you must try this place.
You drive to the Neptune and Whale statues and turn towards the marina.
Many thousands of tourists come to Puerto Vallarta and there is all the fun stuff that goes along with that.
But the real reason I like it here is the beach.
Before I sign off this post, I hope you have a great day and enjoy YOUR family and YOUR sunset, where ever you may be.
~~send2BL~~
Those pictures were beautiful. After looking at them, I feel like I just came off vacation myself. Your children don’t seem like they’re afraid to try anything. The scuba diving class looked cool. Glad you are living it up down there. It has been warm most days this month, but the cold will probably catch up with us soon. luv, ginny
What a beautiful place to vacation at and thank you for the picture tour of Puerto Vallarta. If we ever get there I will know some of the local sights to visit. Your family is fun to follow and we enjoy your posts so much. Thank you again.
love the pictures!!! love you guys!!! addison and i are very excited to see you!!!
What an amazing journey! Glad you are putting Jehovah first and he is blessing you so richly. Your family is beautiful. Keep up the great work.
Loved, loved, loved the picture tour!!! Can’t wait to see all of you!
GREAT VACATION PICTURES!
LOVE SEEING YOU GUYS IN PARADISE!!! You all make me smile! Your eye for taking pictures in INCREDIBLE!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing! We miss you!!
We really enjoyed your blog. Miss you guys and hope to see you soon!