Paradise Marina, Aeeshah, and around during August

PHOTO LINK–>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/xHkQxaxWyj8o1LNR7

Back on Aeeshah

We found Chico subdued, but, perfectly happy. He had definitely gained a bit more weight and so back to trying to eat less and walk a bit more around the boat. I would love to take him to the lawns to walk, but no mascotas allowed. No, cats on the docks even…

The weather was sunny, with temperatures daily well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, plus high humidity. There hadn’t been the usual rainfall, which meant there was no cooling down. Since we have been back there have only been a few evenings and night of thunder, lightening and rain to cool the temperatures. The AC is essential!

We have quickly returned to the regular routine.

Normally after breakfast we go for a walk. This is normally along the beach, but sometimes along the road that passes from the resort to the hotel region.

The beach walks often start with the break wall that tries to protect the entrance from the surf. Since we have walked it we have seen how effective the seas are at smashing man made obstructions. There are large cracks, missing pieces and soon I can imagine parts will collapse. The little hut/shelter at the end is now just a platform and it too has huge cracks in its walls.

The surf is normally crashing in and rolling right up the beach. There hasn’t been a low tide since we have been back, the tides here are very different to elsewhere. Therefore there hasn’t been a lot of sand shifting, so apparently the Chanel is “silted” up as they call it. There is a dredger that has been dredging for weeks. The sands are shifted through a huge pipe across the break wall and out to the seas off the beach.

Along the beach there are always sea birds wading in the shallows and of course tourists enjoying the surf. The beach goes on for miles with Paradise Resort at our end and then numerous others down the beach.

John saw a turtle on the beach during one walk, I was elsewhere………>>IMG_0092

There are local punters trying to sell all types of clothes, jewelry, drinks, sweets and more. We walk, enjoy the scenes, drinking up the beach breeze and getting our morning exercise.

Occasionally we walk out of the marina and along the roadway leading out. This aging is lined with resorts on one side and amenities such as the mall on the other.

The boat work has continued

John getting the bow ready for our new windless. Yep, had to get a new one after our big problem with the old one. Of course modifications have to be made and the whole area renewed. John believes the bow is more or less ready, the windless is here and the new chain has arrived. Now we are awaiting the ground plate….the thing it sits on.

He has also been installing new engine parts like a pressure switch, and temperature sensor.

Then of course there was the whole Starlink drama……the company changed its policy and plans which really messed up the cruising boat community who had become reliant on Starlink.

Our solution was to buy a new Starlink and hook onto a new plan which will serve us while we are in Mexico. John bought the Starlink and proceeded to set it up.

What should have been easy took 3 days because we had our previous plan registered in Panama and Starlink didn’t like it. Finally John managed to get us up and running smoothly. Of course it’s more expensive, such is life.

I had Chico’s garden to redo as the grass that had grown in seemed to be not the type he should eat. And naturally he was a bit upset with me, but in the end just sat down and supervised me.

Plus we had grocery shopping and stocking up to do…..

I also had all the canvas repairs to do. These included the entire sail cover. That was one —– of a job. However its finished and waiting to go back up.

La Cruz

We had been working for several weeks and decided to head out to La Cruz for the day. The plan was to see folks there and pick up a few bits and pieces. We headed up to the mall and ordered an Uber.

The Uber arrived, in we got, off we headed. Then about a mile away, we were stopped by the police! Our driver, a nice lady was told to get out, we sat, waited until the police came and told us that our driver was basically arrested. She was driving without insurance, they were taking her and her car so we would have to walk. We chose to walk back to the mall. We did have lunch in the mall which was nice.

Next day we set off again, another Uber, this time making it successfully to La Cruz. We had basically gone to La Cruz to have a day away from our regular. We first strolled by and visited the fish market, buying some fresh fish.

Out to the shrine at the end of the point, then back into the village visiting the bakery and the fruit and veg area.

Our lunch was at our regular eatery on the street.

We both love the food, John his breakfast burrito and me my BLT in a croissant. We chatted with the regulars and had a lovely time.

Coffee morning group

I was invited to join a ladies coffee group that meets weekly. This was a first for me, but I must say it was very enjoyable. Plus quite informative about the area and such from folks who live here. Definitely and repeater.

Car for 2 days

With several items to pick up from Home Depot and such we rented a car for the day and then turned it into 2 days with the next being a day of adventure. After our bit of shopping at Home Depot we went again to La Cruz for a delicious fish taco lunch at Fish Tacos restaurant.

For our second day’s destination our choice was to drive to the:

Botanical Gardens

https://www.vbgardens.org/

The Vallarta Botanical Gardens is a non-profit dedicated to showcasing the wonder of endemic and exotic plants and the best of Mexican culture, conserving the habitats and ecosystems of the Los Horcones river basin, contributing to global botanical research, offering environmental education and inspiration to visitors and locals alike, and serving as a pillar for sustainable development in the surrounding community.

The drive there is through the city of Puerta Vallarta, along the shoreline and up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Along the shoreline we stopped whenever possible to look out across the massive Banderas Bay. The scenery when driving into the mountains is lush, green deeply forested, totally different from around the marina.

Once at the gardens we set off to enjoy ourselves. The 1st paths we took were through some of the many gardens.

The gardens look a bit wild, but it is simply the way they are set out to be natural.

Loads of butterflies flutter around, there is the sounds of bird song and the river of course.

Down to the river we eventually found ourselves. Last time here with my bad knee all we did was look.

This time we walked the pathway upstream. There we enjoyed the views even though the river was running brown from the recent rains.

We both enjoyed following a pathway along the riverside, stopping to look out, enjoying the sounds of the running water and birds song.

Where it looked as if the pathway ended John found the Jaguar trail.

We decided to follow this steep uphill pathway as it wound around and up. Little did we know this is the longest trail in the gardens. And, phew! What a steep, slippery climb it was, at least I thought so.

And, yes, apparently there are Jaguars about alone with other felines. I would have loved to have spied one.

It turned out to take just under an hour to complete and ended right near the restaurant.

I was soaked in sweat, just dripping, and yes, John was too.

On the terrace of the restaurant we both welcomed water and a lemonade each. This restaurant is wonderful, looking out over the mountainside with the river below. (you can see John wet shirt below – wet from jungle sweat)

The food was excellent and the violinist playing was excellent.

After we looked around there rest of the upper floor enjoying the display cases which were wonderful.

And lastly we came across Calypso a blue macaw who was rescued. Calypso was happily demolishing his wooden chair perch.

The rest of our visit was spent visiting the different area of the Botanical gardens.

As mentioned the gardens are extensive. We wandered around different paths into different structures.

One was the chapel which also has a pet cemetery attached. All was very lovely and peaceful.

The area dedicated to vanilla was most interesting.

The cactus and succulent gardens, the open flower beds with dozens of butterflies.

Around every bend was another beautiful sight, flower or dedication to behold.

My particular favorite being the orchids. However everywhere is just beautiful, a feast for the eyes. I have never visited a Botanical gardens as outstanding as this one.