18
Apr

Sea Lion Kisses – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Posted on April 18th, 2009 :: Posted in Animals, Beach, Mexico, Water

Director John Huston spent months shooting “Night of the Iguana” (a very bizarre, shockingly modern movie, by the way–watch it if you haven’t already) in and around Puerto Vallarta. By the time he was done he’d fallen in love with the area so he bought an island and built himself a home there.

These days John Huston’s island, Las Caletas, is owned by Vallarta Adventures which runs a nice day trip out there during which guests can choose to do anything from lounge in a hammock to scuba diving to hanging out with a sea lion.

Here’s what happened when we got in the water with Mara…

Eric kissed by Mara.

Snack time!

Karen is avoiding something. Is it Mara's breath.

Karen getting a whiff of sea lion breath.

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14
Apr

Lap of Luxury – Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Posted on April 14th, 2009 :: Posted in Beach, Boutique Hotel, Mexico, Sunrise & Sunset

We capped off our incredible run of amazing resorts up the Costalegre with a few blissful days at Hacienda San Angel in Puerta Vallarta. The hacienda was originally the home Richard Burton (with one of his non-Elizabeth Taylor wives) and has been lovingly, meticulously and amazingly restored and renovated into an art and antiques filled haven where every detail has been attended to with style and elegance.

The gigantic patio in our room at Hacienda San Angel overlooking Puerto Vallarta and Baneras Bay.

Karen doing her morning rituals - coffee and email, on the patio of our room at Hacienda San Angel.

Karen in the midst of her morning ritual: coffee and email on the patio of our room at Hacienda San Angel.

There are some interesting and fanciful sculptures along Puerto Vallarta's Malecon.

For Semana Santa (the week before Easter), there were some amazing sand sculptures being built along Puerto Vallarta's Malecon like this one of the Last Supper.

For Semana Santa (the week before Easter), amazing sand sculptures were being built along Puerto Vallarta's Malecon, such as this one depicting the Last Supper.

Sunset over Banderas Bay from our room at Hacienda San Angel.

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13
Apr

Jungle Luxe – Costalegre, Mexico

Posted on April 13th, 2009 :: Posted in Beach, Mexico, Resort

Anyplace that bills itself as a “handmade boutique hotel” gets our attention, so we hop on a small boat in the village of Boca de Tomatlan, 15 miles south of Puerta Vallarta, for the 30 minute ride to Yelapa where our luggage gets strapped onto mules and we hike up a trail to the hillside retreat that is Verana .

It is an oasis with an infiity edge pool and nine private architecturally unique casitas carved into and around the trees and desert on a hillside overlooking Banderas Bay. It really does have a handmade feel–handmade by experts at melding luxury and style with nature and privacy.