What do bananas have to do with deep sea fishing? Apparently, a lot. “Do you have any bananas?” Our fishing guide Eduardo asked as we boarded our Vikingo charter fishing boat at the Pier at Los Muertos Beach in Puerto Vallarta. “Because bananas are very bad luck for fishing! If you have any, we’ll have to throw them overboard!” We already knew about the banana superstition when booking our charter, so no worries, no bananas. However, without thinking, I had thrown
Celebrating “The Day of the Dead” in Puerto Vallarta
Growing up Catholic in a large, extended German immigrant family in Canada with more relatives than I can possibly count, death was as natural as life itself. But no one “does death” quite like the Mexicans do as witnessed in Puerto Vallarta on Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). Attending Catholic school until age 11, the church was attached to our school and it was required that all students attend masses and every funeral, whether you knew the
Getting Immersed in Love in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit
From the moment we stepped foot onto the property of the charming, family-owned Casa Corazón in Sayulita, love was in the air. Everywhere. Corazón means “heart” in Spanish and there were many of them adorning the rooms, reception area and walkway stones. Once a jungle getaway (how exotic), signs of love and hearts can be seen everywhere throughout this laid-back Mexican surf town, just 30 miles from Puerto Vallarta. The Sayulita vibe is youthful, hippy-ish, yoga loving, beach bummy and upscale
San Miguel Shoes For Comfort AND Style
San Miguel Shoes Handmade in Mexico The discovery of San Miguel Shoes, an iconic brand, will keep me coming back to Mexico on a regular basis. I’m completely serious. As a person with long term back issues resulting from a botched spinal fusion, I constantly search the globe for comfortable shoes that won’t kill me after two minutes of wearing them, and that are also stylish. It’s a tall order to find “orthopedic” shoes that are not butt ugly or look
Mexican-Style Caesars (Micheladas) Deconstructed: Muy Deliciosa!!
Having had my first Mexican Michelada (pronounced Mee-chay-lah-dah), I will forever pine for this version of a quintessentially Canadian invented cocktail that the Mexicans have managed to elevate to new heights and flavours. The one I had at the El Malecón beach restaurant in Puerto Vallarta is a meal in itself and is really a cocktail and salad all in one. It literally took two hands to get the 1 litre drink to my mouth! Before I deconstruct this delicious concoction,
Prescription Medications That Can be Bought Over-the-Counter (OTC) in Mexico
On vacation in Puerto Vallarta and forgot your Prozac? Penicillin? Sleeping pills? Ritalin? Or Viagra (wink)? No problemo! Just head to one of dozens of Farmacia’s and especially to one of the discount pharmacies. There are many in downtown PV (El Centro). Beyond intrigued, I entered a discount Farmacia on the street Basilio Badillo and as a creative type who finds it difficult to sleep sometimes, I asked which sleeping medications were available. The young senorita whipped out a laminated “menu.”
Life’s A Beach: Playing on Playa Camarones, Puerto Vallarta
Our first observations upon hitting the beach of Playa Camarones (Shrimp Beach – I love a beach named after my favorite seafood) were fivefold: very few people, quiet, very clean, beautiful sand and rolling waves. So far, so good. Our playa (beach) is situated between the all-inclusive hotel beaches and the beginning of El Centro, the heart of all the action and is one of many in the half moon shaped Banderas Bay, discovered by the Spanish in the early 1500s.