Christmas in Puerto Vallarta

Neither Deeanne nor I were looking forward to our 36 hour flight from Ushuaia to Puerto Vallarta. The worst part was our 15 hour layover in Santiago. We managed to find a semi quiet corner and fall asleep for a few hours. After six months of cold winter weather Puerto Vallarta was like a warm hug. Somehow my brothers and I ended up on the same flight from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta which was nice. Mom picked us all up and Jeremiah, Ayla, Deeanne and I headed over to our condo across town. Tuesday we tried to sleep in and then hung out at Grandpa’s house for the day.

Grandpa had a favorite fishing spot just off of a place called Cathedral Rocks. We rented two ponga boats and Wednesday morning family and friends ferried out to spread his ashes. I think it is just what grandpa would have wanted. We all got to share our favorite memories and say our goodbye. While it was sad and he will be missed, I think everyone sensed it was as it should be. He passed away last June without pain after suffering a stroke. I will miss his voice the most, the sound of that voice, especially when he would call out of the blue, it makes me smile even now. He lived a rich long life, one I hope I can emulate in many ways.

We all decided we wanted to get away so Thursday we went up to Sayulita and enjoyed the beach. I got to surf for the first time in over six months, which was rad. We tanned ourselves golden on the beach, cooled off in the waves, sipped on coconuts, fended off beach vendors (well mostly fended off), then we ate yummy Mexican food where I got a cool t-shirt. It was a great Christmas Eve day. As an added bonus, Mom found a Christmas tree on our way home.  Aunt Patty did as well (she was in a different car) so we got to decorate two trees!

Christmas Eve we decorated the trees with popcorn and homemade ornaments. Ashley and Sarena made a gingerbread house. We listened to Christmas music and although it was 82 degrees it almost felt like Christmas. Christmas morning we woke up and caught our now familiar bus over to grandpa’s house where I made eggs and Deeanne pancakes for breakfast. Mom took up knitting this year and knitted everyone stockings, which she stuffed full of goodies. We traded names this year and I got just what I wanted- a gift certificate to REI (I had a lot of gear envy in Patagonia so this will be perfect). I also got a cool picture, and hand knit beanie from mom. Deeanne also scored an REI gift card plus a cool scarf and beanie.

On Sunday, Mom and Patty treated us all to a zip-line tour with Canopy River Tours. We had a blast zipping across their 13 zip lines, some were nearly 600 feet above the river. Sarena was a bit nervous about the expedition but even she had fun. On the last zip-line we got to go upside-down and drag our hands in the river, which we all tried. Jimmy is not fond of heights and gladly stayed home to work on grandpa’s boat so we could got out fishing Monday.

I don’t know where the rest of the time went really. We did manage to scarf down a whole lot more Mexican food. We strolled the boardwalk a few more times and relaxed in the pool and hot tub. By Tuesday Deeanne and I both found ourselves wishing we had a few more days. Tuesday afternoon on the 29th we caught our flight to Buenos Aires. It was another horrible flight; and although slightly shorter (at 22 hours) we didn’t manage to sleep even a wink on the 9 hour overnight leg to Santiago.

Tagged as: Christmas, Family, Puerto Vallarta