Until the next Bikini Trip...

For A Vacation in Paradise

As is evident, I love Puerto Vallarta. But one thing about going a staying a feeling part of the place is being comfortable and at home there. I love to rent a condo so I have a living space, kitchen, and cook either cook or eat out. Shangri La is the most beautiful property in all of Puerto Vallarta. It is a guard gated community. It is 5 minutes from the airport. It has the marina on one side and the ocean on the other. It has a full restaurant and bar from 9 to 5, a fully equipped gym, and offers facials and massages. The unit I rent has three full bedrooms and baths. The owner is wonderful to deal with and it is as economical as a hotel. If going to Puerto Vallarta, I strongly recommend renting here.

http://www.vrbo.com/145909

Living Room/Dining/Kitchen

Master Bedroom

View from Condo

Bikini Packed

All packed and ready to go home...after extending the vacation for three days.

Muy Bonita!

The Westin in the marina is a few doors down from Shangri La (the Bikini Travel place of choice to stay in PV) and always a favorite place to spend a day at the beach, eat a meal and shop in their cute shops.

Favorite pic of Norma from the vacation!

Happy Luggage

How happy would this luggage make you everyone it passes by? I want it!!!

Twins???!!!

Tai was thrilled to share time in PV with her soul sister Gloria!

Soul Sisters Tai Collins & Gloria Cuccione

Pasta in Mexico!

Tai dear friends, the Cuccione's, hosted her for a homemade pasta dinner. The pasta handmade and rolled! Yumm-yumm!

Song of the Day

No Puedo Hacerlo (I Can't Make It) by the Groupa Rana de Guatemala

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8WavtIzK6c

No Mexico Without Tacos

Mexico wouldn't be Mexico without tacos and tequila. Some of the best and most authentic are at Pepe's Tacos in Pueto Vallarta. It's authentic in every way. A hole in the wall with an incredibly friendly staff (which I find everywhere) and HUGE margaritas! I recommend the tacos al pastor. They are open from 1 pm to 6 am. It's a favorite stop for those up partying all night.  If you go once -- you will return!

Quote of the Day

I met a sweet guy by the pool who lives in Puerto Vallarta from November until May every year. He said his friends often ask him what he does all day. His answer made our quote of the day.

"Work out. Lay out. Hang out. Go out."

Sounds pretty good!

Of course he was beaming with pride over this sculpture he created. A hobby he has taken up in paradise. Wonder which category that fits under?

Mexican Silver - A Must!

One can't go to Mexico without buying a few silver trinkets. Norma & Tai did their fair share.

Let the Good Times Roll!

Tai was so happy to share time with Gloria and family on vacation!

Domenic Cuccione (Gloria's husband), Tai Collins & Mike Cuccione

Day of the Dead

Everywhere you go in Mexico you see an array of skulled figures depicting El Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. 

More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. Know as Day of the Dead, people don wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead. 

Although this celebration is associated with the dead, it is not portrayed as a morbid or depressing time, but rather a period full of life, happiness, color, food, family, and fun. There is excitement everywhere. In many areas, outdoor markets are displayed in which they sell many symbolic goods, such as special breads, flowers, pottery, baskets, candles, paper puppets, candy skulls, etc. The main symbols of this holiday are skulls and skeletons, which are displayed throughout the cities. Scenes of skeletons hugging, marching, dancing, and laughing are seen in window displays on the streets. Marigolds are another significant symbol for the Day of the Dead festivity, and are known as the "flower of the dead." Their scent is believed to "attract the souls and draw them back." This holiday is believed to "welcome the souls of the dead." The souls are said to return each year to enjoy the pleasures that they once had in life. They are thought to return to be with their living relatives for a few brief hours each year in this world, but come as spirits who have returned from another world. A widely held belief is that the souls of the children ("angelitos") return first, and food and gifts appropriate for their age and taste will be set out for them.

Destination Romantica

Puerto Vallarta was awarded as "The Most Romantic Place in Mexico 2012" by The New York Times About.com.  Congrats PV!  

Bride and groom at the Rotunda of the Sea

Quote of the Day!

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home."

~ James Michener

The Rescue

The precious puffer fish was scooped out of the sea by a bird in search of dinner. The puffer "puffed" and the bird dropped it to brighter our day by the pool. After Tai had a quick photo opt, the fish was returned to the sea.

Relaxing Time...

Norma getting a message from Ivan

Song of the Week

Norma's Favorite song Besame Mucho has been the song we keep hearing everywhere we go! She has loved it!

Familiar Faces...

Las Palamas on the Malecon is always a stop when in downtown Puerto Vallarta because from year to year we get to see the familiar faces of the sweet staff that work there!

2012

2009

Drink of the Vacation

While we have had our share of margaritas, mojitos, sangria, and tequila -- the drink of the vacation this year has been the Mud Slide. We recommend one a day with a smile!!!

Mud Slide Recipe

1 oz. Vodka

1 oz. Kahlua

1 oz. Bailey Irish Cream

I oz. Cream

1 cup crushed ice

chocolate syrup to drizzle inside glass

whip cream (optional)

Drizzle glass with chocolate syrup. In a blender, combine vodka, coffee liqueur,  Irish cream liqueur, and crushed ice. Drizzle in Chocolate syrup. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish with whipped cream if desire.

Note: May also substitute vanilla or coffee ice cream and blend.

Life is Too Short...

...for dull vacations! So vacation where  you can taste lots of tequila! We sampled almond, cream, coffee, pomegranate, coconut,  chocolate, and plain old non-flavored! So good!!! Of course I bought 3 flavors!

Orange ~ Vaca Color

Long before orange was noted as the fashion color of the season, Norma was on an orange kick this year with a purse, sweater, T's and more. She has carried it  in to our vacation and it's spilled over to Tai in her clothes, swimsuits and even her toes.