Sunday in San Francisco, Mexico

Looks like we kept the best for last! We drove to San Pancho which is the locals' name for San Francisco, this past Sunday and spent the day. It is easy to reach within an hour's drive North of Puerto Vallarta. Life carries on pretty much as it always has in the pretty pueblos along the way to San Francisco. Offering colorful culture - and miles of uncrowded beaches to explore - the sweeping changes of the 20th Century seem to have by-passed this coastal Mexican town. San Francisco has retained its slow pace and gives you what you'd expect south of the border. It is really remarkable considering its breathtaking scenerey and its proximity to bustling P.V.! We walked the beach as well as through the town and the place is perfection itself. That is definitely the place we will come and stay in the future.
Here are a few examples of the homes in town.



Come of the critters on the beach!

Botanical Garden of Puerto Vallarta

The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens is located high in the Sierra Madre Mountains, in a valley, just 12 miles south of Puerto Vallarta. It features Palm gardens, a Rose Garden, a Tree Fern Grotto, an Orchid House, Jungle Trails, Tropical Bird Watching, Agave Gardens, displays of Mexican Wildflowers and the Carnivorous Plant collection. It was opened to the public in 2005 and will be a show-stopper in a few years when more of the planting material is mature. We really enjoyed our day. We had lunch there and the food is very good, not to mention the view of the river and the mountains while eating. Here are some photos.











Agave Planting (the makings of tequila)

Update to PJ's Blog

Click on the link to the right for an update on the girls' blog.

Some Shots of Puerto Vallarta´s Central Plaza

After church, you can get a massage or a tattoo!

Another Afternoon at Playa Manzanilla

We had a visit from a very friendly young Ben - although it was a little girl she reminded us of Big Ben.

3rd Annual Puerto Vallarta Dog Show

This show took place across from the Sheraton Hotel in the municipal park. Stan and I volunteered and had a great time.




Large Breeds



Small Breeds





Stan was in charge of selling refreshments



How many men does it take to put up a tent???



Agility Competition for Dogs of All Sizes and Abilities

Caberneigh Farms, Mexican-style

We came across this lovely hacienda on our way to one of the local beaches one day. How about it girls?

Good Surfing and Going Fishing in Sayulita

Sayulita is very popular with surfers - lots of young people - a reminder of what the California beaches might have looked like in the 50's and 60´s (on the beach we visited in any case). Apart from that, it is developing real estate wise surpassing, we were told, Puerto Vallarta. There seems to be a real estate office on every corner.



Surfers, Pelican and Dog (interested in pelican)





Surf Instructors???

Huichol Indians of Mexico

The Huichol Indians´native home is away from the sea. They come to Puerto Vallarta to display and sell their art. They are very colorful in their traditional costumes. This young couple are enjoying what might be a rare visit to the ocean.

Update on PJ and Nicole's Blog

Check the winter shots at the farm and the trip to New York photos by clicking on the PJ and Nicole's Blog Link to the right.

Totally Recyclable Roofing!

The Old and the New of Puerto Vallarta

Primitive beach dwelling contrasting with hi-rise hotels in the background.

The Birds of Boca de Tomates

Great bird watching at the mouth of the river emptying into the Bay of Banderas

Dinner with Two Irish Lasses

We met Bridget (Bridie if you’re Irish) last year on the beach. Found out she was staying right around the corner from our place and saw each other a few times before the end of the season. We reconnected this year – same place, same time, different year. Her old friend, Joan, is visiting from Chicago for a couple of weeks and they invited us over for dinner last Friday. Bridget’s condo this year is right on the Malecon with a glorious view of the bay and nightly sunsets.

Keeping in Touch on the Net!

Olivia’s mom, Ellen, tells us that she pines for her buddy Stan. As a treat, she sometimes gets to look at his picture on the computer!

Beach Exploration

Drove out in the search of the perfect beach yesterday. We first went to Sayulita but the place is so crammed with people and cars that we decided to head back towards Punta de Mita. Found out when we arrived back home that our landlord, Alejandro saw us there! He is building a house there and said that prices in Sayulita were now higher than in PV.

This is one of the beaches at Punta de Mita, very beautiful and wading-friendly as the rollers are quite small compared to some of the other beaches. Unfortunately, it was so windy yesterday we couldn´t keep the umbrella in place. So carried on... we'll try it again though.








Twin Photos at Punta de Mita







We also found another beach we liked - Manzanilla Beach. Almost deserted. The only activity was some oyster fishermen shucking them.