Visiting Mismaloya, Buying Jewelry in Mexico

Obviously I have not been active on this blog for awhile. I have many ideas but while the spirit is willing, the flesh seems to be weak. I just can't run fast enough to do everything I should. I'll keep trying.

I never did finish blogging about Harry's and my trip to Puerto Vallarta. Normally February is the prime month, but we were able to get the trip almost at half price so we packed our bags, called the cat sitters and were off.

One day we visited with a long time friend of Harry's, a photographer with whom he had worked in the 1960s, Al and his wife Carol, at Mismaloya where they have a condo. This is the area where the film "The Night of the Iguana" was made starring Richard Burton. His stardom and Liz Taylor's amorous visits to him there in the 1950s brought worldwide fame to Puerto Vallarta where each bought a home. In the late 1980s parts of the original set were still standing when I visited Mismaloya. Since then all trace of the film set has disappeared and a large hotel has been built.

This is how the cove looks today. It's no longer the pristine and plain small village it once was. On the left of the photo is the new hotel and condos. To the right are numerous little restaurants (tables and chairs stuck in the sand) where you can choose a freshly caught fish and have it roasted over an open fire and then served. As you sit there feasting on this delicious lunch, vendors come by with offerings of carved wooden figures, jewelry, etc. It's all part of the fun. One couple was very irritated with the sales people and felt bothered by them. Then I guess they shouldn't eat there or on any beach front because the array of goods being displayed is going to continue. You do have to be careful with your purchases, however, whether it's on the beach or in one of the little stores lining many streets in town. I stopped at a stand where a woman was displaying 'real' turquoise. First the price was too cheap and with examination, I could see the turquoise nuggets were stones which had been painted. On a much earlier visit to PV, I had bought a ring which I was assured was real amethyst. I had it appraised for an article in my magazine and it turned out to be a fake spinel. It's still pretty, but not what I thought it to be. My son on another visit thought he was getting a real deal when he purchased a 14k gold chain at the flea market. My appraiser said it was only washed gold, not even 10k. You'll do better at reputable jewelry stores of which there are many. Actually I've bought some of my most favorite pieces at HSN. They guarantee their wares and you can always return it.

I will say that many, many years ago when Cancun was just being built in the 1970s, my family and I went to a market outside of town. I purchased a beautiful fire opal set in ornate gold for $150. It was appraised at over $600. I doubt you would get that kind of buy today.

I digress. On a walk around the bay, I couldn't resist photographing this pelican. Really the views are so wonderful wherever you go and generally the weather so balmy, you just have to have a good vacation.

Carol and Al later drove into PV which is about a five mile drive of very winding roads and we had dinner at the famous restaurant Daquiry Dick's. I hadn't eaten there for several years and then we ended up dining there twice. One of their specialties is a red snapper on stick. It really isn't that wonderful and quite difficult to eat, but I just had to try it. It was worth it although I wouldn't order it again. Each restaurant is a little different and you have a great choice of cuisines. One of the world famous restaurants is German gourmet. Truthfully neither Harry nor I have had the desire to try it even though you'll probably read about it in every guide book.

There's another trip we took to Jacksonville, FL for the 50th anniversay of the Corvair which I have not written about and which was a result of Harry faithful blogging. I'll bring it to you on the Finding Romance after 50 blog (see link). He had designed the announcement ads for the GM Corvair. He has had over 53,000 hits on his blogs so far. You can find a link to them on the side of this one. He also has painted around a dozen paintings of a new series which I will show you on my next post. His gallery in PV wants about six new paintings and another gallery is interested in showing his art work in Ohio. More on that later, also.

I have been thinking about other ideas, trips, etc I want to bring to you. There is romance and there is romance. A friend of mine went to Thailand on her vacation as a volunteer helping abused elephants. I'm talking with her next week and will bring you her story soon either on this blog or the romance after 50 blog. I'm also planning to show how different you can look with the right makeup with before, during, and after photos of me and perhaps some other friends. That should be fun. While we don't always have to look fabulous, it's good to look good. You feel better. And this goes for men as well. Who wants to go out with a slob!

OK, friends I'll leave you now with a stunning photo I took in PV from our balcony. Have a super day. I love your comments. Let me know what you'd like to read about too. If I ever figure out Facebook and Twitter, then I'll be able to let you know each time I make a new post.

ROMANTIC VACATION IN PUERTO VALLARTA

Well, I just joined Facebook and I cannot believe the time all this stuff takes! I have to put a photo on my page there. Of course every site is different when trying to add things. I thought I was putting a bio on Newsvine and it came back to me as a comment from a reader. I guess I'll deal with that another day as I want to write this blog.

Back to Mexico! Harry and I stayed as usual at the Fiesta Americana Hotel in Puerto Vallarta. We love the balcony overlooking the Bay of Banderas. We can see the town from it as well as the huge ocean liners coming into port. It's a view of which I never tire.

I look forward to breakfast on the beach every morning where I can order whatever I wish including fresh papaya juice. The members of the wait staff have become old friends and they really try to please. I wanted a little more pulp in my juice so I mentioned it to Antonio, the Captain of the morning and lunch settings, and presto, there was more pulp. He really has his staff trained well. His assistant this year was Isabel who always met us with a smile.
Unfortunately the evening offerings are not as good nor the staff as well trained. Because we were quite tired from the trip and elected not to go out, we tried the two hotel restaurants three times and were disappointed three times. Often the young waiters see a couple or group who they think may be big tippers and away they go. (This problem is not exclusive to this hotel.) It took me well over 5 minutes to get some bottled water and only 4 tables were filled. The food was very mediocre. Antonio assured me that he would alert the mangers so that next year would be better.

In past years many of the evening meals have been memorable. There would be extensive buffets on the patio. This year the hotel was only partially full and only limited menus were offered. On the other hand, because of the light week which we had chosen, the rooms were on special - about half what we usually pay. By the way, you have to upgrade to get a full view of the bay from your room. It was a little more but well worth it!

There are so many really good restaurants in Puerta Vallarta that we didn't have enough days to dine at each one. Our friends Ron and Lois were vacationing there, too, so we had dinner with them a couple of times. Here we are at La Vitae which is a new eatery right on the walkway along the bay. On Sunday night you can sample authentic Mexican food from a huge variety of booths along the walk. Not to mention all kinds of crafts.

We sometimes have a difficult time finding an evening to get together with Ron and Lois in Sawyer where Harry lives, but in PV we had more time to enjoy our friends.

Several times a day we would go out on the balcony to enjoy the view.
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most romantic cities in the world Harry and I have been traveling here since we first met over five years ago. Part of the Romance Game is keeping romance in our lives. Harry is very thoughtful that way and we have wonderfully romantic dinners where ever we are. Every couple needs to spend time with each other away from the problems of daily life.

Harry keeps busy with his blogs and has been working on a new series of paintings. (I'll include a couple on a future blog.) John Straun, who owns The Loft gallery in Puerto Vallarta, has a few of Harry's earlier painting/digital designs and would like have several paintings in this new series.
That's it for this post. This is a photo of the two of us having a romantic dinner. Cheerio.

Your Romance Writer Is Back!

Hi dear friends,

It is the New Year and I'm going to be blogging weekly again. Harry and I have just returned from Puerto Vallarta where we had a wonderful, romantic vacation. Harry, if you remember, is my other half. We met on the internet about five years ago. Actually we are on our sixth year in this romantic relationship. I've spent so much time driving back and forth to his house 100 miles away that I've had little time to blog. During my travels to Harry's, I've discovered many new friends plus several other couples who met on the internet. I'll bring their stories to you, probably on my other blog which you can link to from this one. On both blogs, I'll have lots more tips on romance, beauty, health, and romantic places to travel in the coming months.

While in PV, I went horseback riding with my dear friend Pamela Aguirre who owns Rancho el Charro. Here are the two of us, proving I can still get on a horse. (I'm the one in the hat.) Pam and I have been friends since I met her in the 1980s while I was writing a newsletter for a timeshare there. I wrote a story about her and her ranch in 1987 in my late magazine CHOICES. Yearly she and several other women go on a week long ride exploring some wonderful trails starting from Puerto Vallarta. One of these days I'll go with her and bring you our adventures. Bless Harry. He indulges me my pleasures and never complains. That certainly should be part of a successful and happy relationship. I give him the same freedom.

That's it for now. Next blog I'll have photos of Harry and me plus some fun and romantic places we went. Until then, have a super week. I must admit the weather was much better in PV!

Gloria

I'll Be Back SOON

Hi dear friends,

Have had a tough few months with my energy level but plan to start writing about romance again starting in February. I am still having a wonderful romance with Harry and have met several other couples who have found love a second time around which I will tell you all about in just a couple week. In the meantime: HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Superb weather, Wonderful lunches, Nice people

Before I write more about Harry Borgman's and my trip to Puerto Vallarta a few weeks ago I want to make an observation. And I think it concerns romance!

Who has decided that men should look unshaven to be sexy? First of all what woman would want to kiss a man with whisker stubble on his face and get whisker burn! And it must itch! I'll bet the men are not all that comfortable. Where's their pride? (Harry is always clean shaved!) In earlier days we would have said an unshaven man looked like a slob not a great lover. OK, now that I've put that complaint into cyberspace, what do you think? Is this really romantic!

Back to the romance of our trip to Puerto Vallarta. In Michigan where we live, we had had cold and snow for what seemed like forever. We had left my house at 3:30 a.m. to catch the plane and were exhausted when we arrived. But by two in the afternoon we were lunching at our favorite table on the beach. And the weather was so balmy I couldn't believe it. Only once in all the years I have visited this attractive town has the temperature dipped. About three years ago the high was in the 60s and hardly anyone had brought a wrap. I always bring a couple extra layers with me where ever I go but the people in bathing suits were not happy. Fortunately on this vacation the weather continued to be sunny and fabulous throughout the 10 days we were there.

This trip we mostly just laid back, even treating ourselves to a luncheon cocktail. I learned to adore a mango daiquri and Harry preferred a mango margarita. While we decided to eat at the hotel the first couple of days, we finally got ourselves together to go to the River Cafe another charming restaurant in downtown P.V. Between 1 and 4 p.m. you get two drinks for one. After our first visit there years ago when we each ordered a cocktail and each received two, we carefully only order one and get two. The River Cafe is located along the Cuale River and while it is not the most beautiful river I have ever seen, it is somehow soothing to sit near and watch it flowing toward the ocean. There is a little covered patio which extends out. It has four tables and we almost always try to sit there. It's also fun to look for iguanas. Since the Mexican government has started protecting the large lizard from soup pots, you more often see one than in earlier days. And for some reason there's almost always one or more who seem to like the area where the restaurant is, sometimes in a tree and sometimes on the ground. As we were sipping our delicious drinks, someone spotted one near the river. I jumped up to take a photo and managed to get his tail. See if you can find it in this picture.

Then along the river banks and under the bridges you'll find booths with every kind of souvenir imaginable. There are some attractive things such as clothing, purses, etc, but there's a lot of junk as well. It's buyer beware! What fun. However, there are so many things and they are all displayed together that it's difficult to really see all the various items.

After lunch we strolled toward the ocean where the city fathers have built a wonderful walkway along the water complete with local sculptures and more booths from which to buy. If you look closely you might find some interesting jewelry. Shortly after that we hailed a cab and went back to take a nap.

Well, I'm going to wind this post up for the day. I have lots more to tell you about our romantic trip to Puerto Vallarta but I'm running out of time. I need to get out and mow those darned dandelions which keep popping up. If you have any questions about this trip or romance in general please leave a comment at the end of this blog. And don't forget my book on romance which really works as I followed my own advice and met Harry after being single for over 23 years. I know that many women and men have had bad experiences with love and are afraid to try it again or are reluctant to leave their comfort zone. I personally interviewed over 50 couples who met and married in middle life. If you would like to buy one, leave a comment with your email and I'll contact you. This trip would not have been any fun by myself. It's a place for romance after all. I've had four going on five years of a delightful relationship that I wouldn't have had if I hadn't sent an email to a dating site where I saw Harry's profile. Internet dating can be safe if you follow the rules.

I'll be back soon. Gloria

Harry and Gloria Go to Romantic Mexico!

Wow, it's been a while since I chatted with you. Harry, my romantic artist partner, (see my other blog: romanceafter50 link) and I went to Puerto Vallarta for 10 days. We have gone there every year since we met on the internet and the weather is almost always great. This year was especially nice with balmy breezes during the day and night. As I mentioned on the other blog, we decided to go at almost the last minute because of the great deals on travel and hotels. We took the 5:30 a.m. plane to Houston, changed planes and by 1:30 p.m. we were checked into the Fiesta Americana which we particularly like and always go there.Within about 15 minutes we were having mango daiquiris with lunch at our favorite table next to the beach. Unfortunately, we were also exhausted and spent the next two days recovering from the trip. The view from the balcony of our room was just wonderful and between naps we enjoyed looking over Bandaras Bay.


Normally there is only an hour difference between Michigan and Puerto Vallarta. However in our state we had just changed to Daylight Savings Time which I dislike intensely so there was a two hour difference. Just to make everything more confusing, Houston where we changed planes was in a different time zone. By the time we arrived we were totally confused. Of course we had had viturally no sleep the night before as we had ordered the taxi for 3:30 a.m. No wonder we were tired!

That evening we decided we were too tired to dine out and generally the hotel has excellent offerings. I was disappointed with the flounder that I had ordered although Harry was happy with his coconut shrimp. It still was a terrific evening. The TV is limited at the hotel so it wasn't long before we were would asleep.

The next morning I called my friend Pam who owns Rancho El Charro, the best horseback riding ranch there. (You can see her ranch if you click on the link for Rancho El Charro.) We have been friends for over 20 years and we look forward to seeing each other yearly. We couldn't make up our minds where to go for dinner so decided to stay at the hotel where an Italian style menu was offered. Here you see Pam on the left with Harry in the middle and that's me on the right. Again I was disappointed as the pasta was heavy and rather tasteless but it was great to see Pam. Frankly I was surprised at the rather mediocre food as in the past the dinners had been outstanding. (I'll tell you more about this in a future blog.)

While we had decided not to push ourselves dashing around although I did hope to develop another photo exhibit, we were anxious to have lunch at the River Cafe, one of our most favorite places. It soon became apparent to both of us that we were truly exhausted and truly out of shape! Well, tomorrow would be another day and I'll tell you all about our further adventures in Puerto Vallarta in my next post.

Your traveling friend, Gloria

Chocolate is the Food of Love

Well, I'm back! And just in time for Valentine's Day. This most romantic day can be wonderful or just plain disappointing if we have no sweetheart with which to share it or if your sweetheart doesn't spoil you just a bit. However, there is never a disappointment with chocolate!

There's a study reported by the BBC that suggests that melting a piece of chocolate in your mouth will produce an increase in brain activity and heart rate that is more intense than that produced by a passionate kiss and that the experience will last four times longer. Wow. Just think. If your honey isn't a first class kisser or if you haven't one available, just savor that piece of really rich dark chocolate.

Chocolate has been considered unhealthy for years probably due to the fat and sugar in it. Recently studies have shown that dark chocolate contains good antioxidants. Plus a small amount can lower your blood pressure a few points for a short time. If you have a bad cough another study suggests that if you melt a piece in your mouth and let it coat your throat, it may soothe it and stop your cough.

What is considered good chocolate? In earlier days dark chocolate containing 30 percent cacao solids was considered high quality. Nowadays dark chocolate should be at least 60 percent. The higher the percentage of chocolate, the less sugar. I like 85% cocoa in a bar labeled Excellence by Lindt, a Swiss maker of chocolate. I must warn you that many do not like this extra dark chocolate at first. It's an acquired taste like martinis. (By the way have you ever tried a chocolate martini? Be still my heart! See the end of this blog for the recipe!) But back to the Lindt chocolate bar. You can find it in a lower percentage such as 60 % as well. Today Lindt is so popular that you should be able to find the products at Walgreen's. The makers also use Bourbon Vanilla extracted from a type of orchid grown in Madagascar which is considered tops. I was surprised to find that other well known chocolatiers use soy emulsifiers which is a hydroginated vegetable stabilizer in place of cocao butter which is a slightly cheaper process.

If you like hot chocolate, be aware that Dutch chocolate which sounds as if it should be really good is just the opposite. Dutch chocolate is processed through alkali to make it easier to dissolve and to enhance the flavor. Unfortunately it also takes out most of the antioxidants and the flavonoids which are good for us. Both Hersey and Nestles make chocolate natural and Dutch processed. Just check the front of the packaging.

In many areas there are dedicated chocolate lovers and makers who create the most wonderful handmade delicacies. North of West Michigan there is Mimi Wheeler's shop on M-22 called the "Grocer's Daughter Chocolate" in Empire. She practices her art by using chocolate from Ecuador and is Rainforest Alliance certified. Her website is www.grocersdaughter.com.

In Wayland, MI you'll find "Awesome Chocolates", delicious handmade chocolates created by Henry Klok. He shares space with Daily Brews coffee shop. For more information you can call 269-792-2739.

"Sweetland Candies"has been a popular destination for years. The business was started 90 years ago by the family of co-owner John Naum Jr. Can you think of a more divine place to work? All candies are hand made in their full production area. For more information about Sweetland Candies call 616-363-3444.

In Grand Haven there's Patricia Christopher busy with her second career in her shop "chez Christopher." A retired school psychologist, she studied in Montreal at the Chocolate Academy and specializes in ganaches. You can find more information about her delicious products at her website: www.patriciaschocolate.com.

I must add one more destination for absolutely wonderful yummies. If you're looking for the best nuts and the best and SAFE peanut butter try "Koeze's". I've known about Koeze's for most of my life and in fact my late husband and I use to ride horseback with some of the Koeze boys many, many years ago, but I only recently realized how superior their nuts and chocolates were. A friend sent me a selection of mixed nuts and turtles for Christmas. Then I bought some nuts as a local store. Well, there is just no comparison. If you want to impress your sweetheart or treat yourself call Koeze's at 1-800-555-3909.

Incidently, a word of warning. Chocolate is very unhealthy for many animals including, cats, dogs, and horses to name just a few. They cannot digest the theobromine in the chocolate and can lead to death. So don't think you're giving them a treat if you love your pet.

I will suggest that if you want to spice up your romantic life, share some wonderful chocolate. And if you want to get your love in the mood, treat him/her to the best. My loving partner, Harry Borgman, and I are planning to take a tour to the above chocolate masters for our Valentine's treat. Then we are dining that evening with dear friends, Peg and Phil, at Markos, our favorite restaurant in Grand Rapids. Mark makes the best walleye we've even tasted. Then we'll finish the dinner with Markos' divine chocolate ganache tort.

Here's the recipe for a fabulous chocolate martini which we enjoy at Harry's and my favorite restaurant. Soe's, in the town of Sawyer in Southwest Michigan on the Red Arrow Highway. Kathleen, one of the co-owners and bartender extraordinaire, graciously shared it with us: 1-1/2 oz Vanilla Stoli, 1 oz Cream de Cocoa, 1 oz Bailey's. Shake Well. I would suggest only one if you plan to drive home!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!