Danger on Conchas Chinas Beach

Normally, relatively tranquil waters never breach the rocks on Conchas Chinas beach in Puerto Vallarta. Most days one can find fisherman throwing hand lines, kids digging for crustaceans, and curious visitors lallygagging around the rocks below.

However, one day the waves were enormous and the life guards were trying to keep everyone out of the water let alone climb on the rocks. This poor soul must have missed the communication and obvious warning signs of eminent danger!

One extremely lucky man had up to 4 life guards venture to his rescue.

The outcome was good news for one and all!

Trip to CostCo in Puerto Vallarta?

Unlike other country's and islands we've been to in our travels, Puerto Vallarta is quite "Americanized". With over 50,000 expats from the US and Canada living in PV, the demand for places like CostCo, McDonalds, WalMart, Sam's, Home Depot, Domino's, Subway, K-mart, and so forth has created a not just "Mexican" kind of Puerto Vallarta. While at times it's quite convenient to find what you want when you want it, I believe it can take away from the true cultural experience. But we do go ,seek, and find those great deals and familiar foods like so many others. Here's just one of many trips however this one was on the bike! Of course Randall is used to traveling with "a load" on the bike and keeps everything balanced. :)

Baby Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, an endangered turtle species, are raised in turtle sanctuary's on the coast of the Bahia Banderas here in Puerto Vallarta. One of my "beading friends" is a volunteer who helps by collecting donations for the sanctuary, giving a turtle facts speech, and releasing these Olive Ridley Sea Turtles every Monday during the season. We ventured to the Nuevo Vallarta beach to see this extraordinary event that releases hundreds of sea turtles each night during the hatching season.

The babies you see above were a collection of eggs from the beaches back in July which were brought to the sanctuary for a safe secure environment. They hatched yesterday and were released the same day. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles can grow to be 2 to 2.5 feet and can way upto 100 pounds. To see a fully grown Olive Ridley, look here.

When in Mexico, do as the Mexicans!

When in Mexico, do as the Mexicans who happen to celebrate the evening before with a huge dinner and then pinatas for the kids and gifts at midnight. Many here then have a day at the beach with family on Christmas day.

So, on Christmas Eve, the day was busy preparing for our feast. Prior to our 14 pound fresh pork, roasted root veggies, parsley with fruit salad, sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping along with short bread cookies dipped in chocolate, we went for a stroll around our condominium complex to watch the sunset.

French toast Christmas morning with wonderful gifts in a small package. When you travel like we do intangible gifts come in handy like massages and tickets to the circus etc.

Our tree...

After a lazy relaxing morning, we headed for the beach which is part of the agenda for the locals too. Austin decided to dig a little hole and attracted a bit of attention!

Experiencing new traditions with an open mind broadens our vision.