Whale Watching Tour

Close encounter with humpback whales

We took a whale watching tour one day out of Lo de Marcos.  The cost was 200 pesos  ($15 CAD) per person for the 2 hour tour.  We went almost 10 miles off the coast before spotting the first pod of whales.  In all, we saw 3 pods, the last one consisted of 10 whales. It was hard to take photos with waves bouncing the boat but what a great day!

Gathering on the beach for the trip:  Bev, Rob, Lis, Vic, Neila, Marilyn

The boat and crew for the excursion

On our way:  Bev, Lis, Rob, crewman, Vic, Neila, Rob

Watching for whales

Thar she blows!!!

1 tail

2 tails

spout sited nearby

2 whales of 10 member pod

enjoying time to swim...10 miles off shore

the crew help the swimmers back on board before heading back to shore

Our family together

We were lucky to have both our children and their families visit us in January.  It was a wonderful time for all of us and a special gift for Vic's birthday.

We spent a day together at the condo in Puerto Vallarta before Laura, Bill and Addison flew home.

Lunch by the pool at the condo

Maxine shares her goodies with Addison.

Our children and their daughters

Shannon and Maxine enjoying the pool at the condo     

                                                                                Fun times in Lo de Marcos with Warren, Shannon and Maxine:

Papa takes Maxine to visit the horse

Mommy & Maxine waving to Daddy and Papa

Daddy's boogie boarding while Nana and Papa help Maxine jump in the waves

fun building sand castles

Vic and Warren enjoying the waves

Maxine helps Papa pick out fresh fruit and veggies from the truck

Maxine enjoys the band at the Blue Pig

Maxine wanted to dance rather than eat!

A nice family photo of Warren, Shannon and Maxine

Maxine's 2nd birthday

Our granddaughter Maxine is 2 yrs old today  (Feb 1st).  We had an early birthday celebration on January 16th while Maxine was visiting with us.

Happy Face Cake decorated with fresh pineapple and strawberry slices

Blowing out the candle

Maxine dresses up in Papa's hat and shoes!

Trying on Nana's shoes

Birthday celebrations in P.V.

While our daughter and her family were on vacation here, we had the first celebration of Vic's birthday at Victor's Place in Marina Vallarta.  The food and service there is great with a personal visit by the owner to each table, with a shot of "Mexican water", aka watered down to-kill-ya.

Bill, Barb, Vic and Laura

Laura enjoys some chicken mole

The owner Victor decorates Vic's face with whipping cream from his birthday cake!

The second celebration occurred January 10th after our son and his family had flown in to join us.  This time we celebrated at Tequila y Guacamole in Marina Vallarta. Our daughter and her family were still in PV so it was great to have a celebration with the entire family.

Vic, Maxine, Warren, Bill and Bev walking through the marina

admiring the scenery in the marina

Warren, Bev, Vic, Maxine, Addison (asleep in stroller), Laura and Bill at Tequila y Guacamole

Welcoming the New Year

New Year's Eve was a special day for us.  Our daughter and her family arrived in Puerto Vallarta for an eleven day vacation.  We met them at the airport and stayed overnight with them at the condo they had rented.

view from the condo

Vic and Bev went out on the beach for the midnight celebrations. Not only were there fireworks displays by various hotels, there were hundreds of lighted lanterns released in a line into the sky.  It was a beautiful sight!

Lanterns float into the sky

The following day was our granddaughter Addison's first experience in a pool.  She loved it! To her it was like one giant bath tub!

Laura, Bill, Addison

A view from the top of the hill

On December 29th we hiked with our friend Sandy about 7 miles round trip up the hill at the north end of our beach (shown in the photo above).  There is a rough road/path up the hill to follow at a fairly steep pitch.  Luckily most of the hike was under a canopy of trees.  It took us about 2 1/2 hours but was worth the view.

A view of the coastline to the north

also to the north

The town of El Monteon

A view of Lo de Marcos

The hikers:  Sandy, Bev & Vic

Malachite

white morpho

Postman butterfly

Palm fruit

These palm fruit (or nuts) are as hard as rocks and just about impossible to crack open. They are somewhat the size and shape of a kiwi fruit.We have not been able to identify the type of palm tree.

These little lizards scamper through the leaves as we pass by

flowers along the side of the trail