Nuevo Vallarta | April 18 | Day Five

Today was the first cloudy day we’ve had since we got here. Hazy is probably more accurate description, but it was the clear blue sky we’ve come to expect. We got all the sun we need regardless.


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The hotel is very quiet compared to what we’ve seen so far. The staff explained that they were told it was probably going to be like this for the next two weeks, so many of them are making plans to take time off. When it’s busy, they only get one day off for every two weeks of work. I can’t imagine. So, they take the time when they can.

Some of them are traveling home to the home of their family: a village somewhere, the family ranch, while others are just taking extra time with their families.

Both Cesar and Juan, the bartender, left early today because it was slow slow. Cesar is taking the next three days off, and Cesar had gotten only two hours sleep since he’d been up late with his new girlfriend. He was in good spirits and despite being tired wore a big grin all day. Must have been a good night.


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It was our last day and now we have to make new friends with all new staff members. Jane couldn’t care less of course, but she claims I have a thing with making friends with the staff. I guess I do. They’re more interesting than talking to the other guests. I pretty know all I need to know about people from Minnesota and Calgary. I’m more interested in the local population. Why else would I come here? I can go to Miami and find a nice resort on the water. Of course in Miami they’d be full of Cubans and South Americans too, but this is different. I like having to work a little to speak Spanish. It’s not fun if they speak English too well, because you feel stupid trying to fumble through bad Spanish if they speak fluent English.

So, let see. There is Cesar, Juan, Mabi, two Gabriels, Alonso, and Javier. There were more of course, but we didn’t really meet them. All very friendly and courteous.


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We’d been invited to Cesar’s 96-year-old grandmother’s birthday, which would have been a blast, I’m sure, but we need to pack since we’re changing hotels tomorrow. We want to be packed and out early. Our plan is to get to our new hotel in Marina Vallarta, check in if possible (though technically, check-in isn’t until 3pm), then head into town. I want to spend some time walking around to the various shops, scope out a few restaurants and bars, then head back to the hotel. From the little I saw when I was there with Cesar, it seems like a fun place. Lots of funky little shops with all kinds of cool junk we don’t need, but will buy anyway.


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Well, before we go, a little about the resort. It’s basically a privately-owned resort, most of the suites are owned full-time, while some are time-shares. And then there are people like us who simply use it like a hotel. All the rooms are suites with full kitchens and range from one to three bedrooms. And then there are penthouses.


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The resort is shaped like a “U” with the pools in the middle. There are several with waterfalls connecting them, as well as three, large hot tubs.


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There is only one bar in the hotel, other than a small one at the main restaurant inside the resort and it’s in the pool. Of course you can get drinks and food at your chair either on the beach or at the pool, but if you want to “sit” at the bar, you need to be wearing a suit. It’s not the worst thing in the world.

So, tomorrow we leave. As they say, we don't have to go home, but we can't stay here.