The sun is out today, hopefully for all day. We are back from Yelapa where we visited with retired colleagues Ray and Donna. After spending four nights there we headed back to Puerto Vallarta by way of boat to Boca. We got off there and walked up the village to the highway where we caught the local bus to the old town. We walked around a bit but carrying two backpacks got rather tiring so we found a bus stop and headed out to the Fluvial area to visit with Mike's cousin Mike and his wife Debbie. We got off the bus at Costco and walked from there to their home. We stayed there two nights and on Thursday Mike drove us to the bus depot where we boarded yet another bus (Pacifico) for Lo de Marcos. It was raining very heavily by the time we got to Lo de Marcos and we quickly headed to the Oxxo (like a 7-11 store) where I needed the bathroom and we tried to wait out the rain. That was unsuccessful so we dashed across the street where there was a building that had a large overhang. Mike was not having success flagging a taxi and we were just about to give up and start walking when our good neighbours, Vic and Bev came around the corner and stopped when they saw us. Thank you good folks!
The kids were successful in finding their home on wheels. We have only had two blogs from them since they left here. Hope they have made it back home by now so they can license the Gypsy.
Some of you readers will know Ray and Donna from the School District. We had a great time with them and their home is really like a big cottage with the big screened porch that they use for eating and sleeping. Yelapa is hard to describe so I suggest you google Yelapa info. I'm attaching some photos for you all to see if you've never been there.
Tony and Kathy were supposed to come but unfortunately Kathy's Dad passed away the evening before Tony was to fly in. Mike and I send our condolences on your loss.
Water taxis run often along the Banderas Bay coast so if you want to visit Yelapa go to Los Muertos Pier at the south end of the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta (P.V.) and catch one there.
The boat is almost full of day trippers. One good tip for going by boat-try to sit in the bow of the boat where the helmsman is steering. The ride won't be so bumpy!This is a postcard view of the beach at Yelapa.
This is a beautiful view of the bay from the front of the house. The hammock is very comfortable.
There is no beach here, just big rocks that are used as drums for the water to beat on. The pathway is crude but it's beautiful when you get to the water.
Casa Piedra, home to Ray and Donna for six months of the year. Now to get to the house, follow the pictures from the house to town; oh, and watch out for the donkey droppings.
The path to town is used regularly by donkeys carrying supplies further up the hill to a very fancy spa, called Verana. They also have a dock that is used by their guests so they don't have to walk up and down the hill."Come on Mike, keep up", says our host.
We're off the hill, but the dangerous part is starting. Don't forget that the tides have been very high this winter all along the coast and Yelapa's coastal waters are no different. This time I didn't get wet, but the first evening out I got drenched by a rogue wave. I wasn't taking any more chances. I was on alert. Just checking that my glasses were on snugly.
We made it to Casa Isabelle without mishap on this trip. We still have a ways to go to get to the town centre but at least the path is higher now and the only thing we have to avoid is the donkey droppings. The walk is now easier and we'll find a restaurant to have dinner. The restaurants are plenty and the food is good. I never did see a donkey carrying anything up or down the route to Ray's place. 
Many hours were spent just sitting and watching the water traffic float or paddle by; the fishers cleaning their catch and the sea birds coming in for the spoils; on Sunday morning Donna first caught sight of a whale so the binoculars were brought out and the whales' progress was excitedly tracked. Meanwhile, Lola the cat found the butterflies a very interesting subject. Moses, the other cat in residence, preferred to sleep on the bed in the sun porch. It seems that I cannot download any more photos on this blog, so I'll sign off and continue tomorrow.
Hasta manana muy amigos.
