Punta Mita, Mexico

Unfortunately our trip coincided with spring break, so many areas were ridiculous. When we arrived there were a million people all trying to get through customs and there was no organization to anything, we were just herded into a giant room. I guess there was a mix-up due to the time change that occured during the night, so Mexico wasn't expecting some flights so early. Or so they said.

After two hours standing around we finally made it on our way. I was very impressed with our tour company who had buses with flowers and cool scented towels to cool ourselves off and freshen up a bit. I thought that was such a nice touch. The bus ride to Punta Mita was a little long (probably about 45 minutes), but after we arrived I would not have wanted to be anywhere else in the world. They had more fresh towels and juice in the lobby and even little gift packages for the kids with toy dolls and treats. Beyond the welcome, the resort was absoloutely breathtaking. Four Seasons owns about 18 miles (if my memory serves) of coastline on the peninsula of the Bay of Banderas near Puerto Vallarta. The grounds are pristine to say the least. They have falcons to keep the seagulls away, and iguanas to keep the bugs down. Every room has some kind of amazing view, and the resort is made of of many different smaller buildings surrounded by beautiful gardens and sculptures. There are golf carts buzzing around to take you anywhere you want to go, so you don't even have to walk if you don't want to. It is the definition of paradise. I have never in my life, been to a resort so incredible. Our room was huge and it had a huge patio with two lounge chairs and a table and chairs which was tucked behind tropical foliage that screened us from the 90 degree lazy river that surrounded our building (the oasis bldg.). The devil is in the details and they mastered every detail. There was probably over a hundred dollars worth of L'Occitane (french) soaps, lotions, bath fizzies, and after sun ointment in the bathroom. I heard they even stocked rooms for the children with tiny bathrobes and slippers. Seriously amazing! Unlike many high end resorts who discourage children, they totally embrace them! They had a kids for all seasons club, with activities going all day, the restaurants had special buffets designed just for kids and little boat seating areas. Our kids would have loved it. The pools were so warm and beautiful. They just melted into the ocean.

The only bad thing I could say about it was that the food was VERY expensive, but I guess considering the surroundings it was to be expected. The breakfast buffet was seriously $50 a person. Chris and I shared a salad with grilled fish for lunch with two diet cokes and that was also $50.

After a quick dip in the lazy river we got ready for the welcome reception down by the pool. And like everything else it was just gorgeous. There's an area they have set up between the beaches on the penninsula overlooking the ocean that is just breathtaking. They had a Mariachi band, japanese lanterns strung around and torches. And the food was unbelievable, seriously all you could eat grilled lobster tail, and desserts to die for. What a way to set the tone for Mexico! The staff even provided shawls during dinner for the evening breeze! We got to sit with the CEO and his wife for dinner, so it was fun to get to know them a little better. Then after dinner we got in our bathing suits to hit the hot tub. We went to the main pool by the beach and talked to a few of the other agents and their wives, but we didn't want to stay out too late since we had an early tour in the morning.

The second day we went to swim with the dolphins. I was totally unsure of what to expect, and thought I would be a little nervous swimming around such powerful creatures (especially after the killer whale incident at Seaworld). But I didn't get scared a bit, the dolphins are so gentle and obedient. The trainer even said that they stopped doing one trick with the dolphins and participants because it required a lot of strength for a person to accomplish it and if they couldn't do it the dolphins felt so badly for they person that it made them feel like they had failed. I thought that just really showed what sensitive animals they are. They felt so rubbery I was surprised, I just expected them to feel slimy like a fish, but they don't at all. We got to pet them, ride on their back, on their tummy, and then two of them would come up and give you a "kiss" on each cheek. It was really such an awesome experience, and easy to see how people can come to love those animals so much. We got some guacamole, salsa, and chips there that were to die for. I usually hate fresh salsa, but it was sooo good. It had alot of lime and cucumber in it, where usually fresh salsa is way to oniony for me.

We went back to the resort and decided to hang out at the beach and soak in some sun. The first day was kinda cloudy, so It was great to have a nice sunny day. We found some lounge chairs on the upper beach and considered going on one of the resorts complimentary sailing lessons, but our fish salad we had just ordered was taking too long, so we ended up staying. I was so glad that we didn't go. Because we could see the group that was leaving on boats and all of the sudden we heard screaming. Not oh crap screaming, but

blood curdling screams of terror. One boat was

trying to tow another off the beach and a big wave came up and capsized it about 20-30 ft. from shore. It had about 20 people in it 4 of which were children, and no-one was wearing life jackets. We were close by so Chris went running to go help (since he was a lifeguard and competitive swimmer). He actually ended up saving a young girl whose mother could not keep her daughter and herself afloat to save her daughter. I'm getting all emotional remembering it all. It was sooo scary. I was just standing on the beach watching as they got everyone up on the beach just praying that they managed to get everyone out from under the boat. One little boy was just in total shock. They helped him up on the beach and he walked for a few feet and then just collapsed on the beach sobbing. Oh my gosh it was so hard to watch. Just thinking about how I would feel as a mother. And to think that we were so close to actually having been on the boat. I was so proud of Chris for helping that little girl. It was really cute afterward they had a chance to get everyone calmed down the little girl and her mother came over to thank Chris, It just made me so proud of him. I mean there were tons of people there to help, and someone would have gotten her if Chris didn't but It was so cool to know he was there to help her when she needed it. Definitely will be a memory I will never forget. I can still remember those screams, that kind of terror just gets seared into your brain for good.

Another highlight of the trip was doing the zip lines through the jungle. It was such a blast. The guides were so helpful and professional, you didn't feel scared at all. Although they thought it was hilarious to dunk the girls in the river on rapelling descents. It is definitely a view of the jungle that can be achieved in no other way. We actually rode mules up to the top of the mountain, and then took the zip lines down. It was way fun.

After the company part of the trip, we decided to rent out a few rooms in a bed and breakfast in Boca de Tomatlan. It was farther from the touristy area of Puerto Vallarta, a much more authentic experience. Although "authentic" also means less shielded from the realities of life for many families in Mexico. Not far from our B&B there were trails leading into the jungle where families lived in home with bare dirt floors, with no indoor plumbing. Our hostess was so great, she has done so much to improve the lives of those in this little village, and offered excellent advice on the best places to eat, snorkel, and hike. The Casa La Ventana was perfect for us. It had two rooms with an adjoining kitchen and covered patio, that canbe combined into one space. We got to cook up some delicious breakfast burritos and take the very "authentic" bus into town. It could not have been a more dramatic change from the Punta Mita resort. About all the bus was lacking was live poultry to give the hollywood effect of such public transportation in south america. A far cry from the uniformed golf cart chauffers we had gotten accustomed to. The city was something we didn't want to miss, although I definitely preferred the outskirts. It was more crowded and dirty, but we did pick up some really great pewter pieces, and souveniers. There was some type of festival going on that night so we were able to see some neat costumes and bands.

The next day was heaven, Evette and I scheduled 1 hour full body masages. Our hostess set up the appointment with a wonderful masseuse from Holland. It was so relaxing, she set up the table on the outdoor patio. The beautiful view of the jungle and bay, with a warm breeze was the perfect setting for relaxation. The boys took a hike to a secret beach that was just amazing. We only saw pictures, but it seemed like something out of a fairytale. They said there was literally litte golden flecks in the sand that made the beach just sparkle, and they had the entire area to themselves to snorkel.

The next day we had arranged to have one of the tour guides who assisted us in Punta Mita take us to a little village in the mountains called San Sebastian. We toured the city parks, cathedral and the city jail and then went to a wonderful little restaurant for lunch. Very authentic mexican food that was wonderful. Homemade tortillas, who knew refried beans could be so good.