More Fun With Dick & Kaz - & Sam! The Mouse, The Magic & Mexico...

[CustardTart]

W is for... Wine Tasting... We came, we sat for ages listening to wine chat and finally (just when I thought Dick was about to seize a Sommelier by the scruff) we tasted...

All in all, great fun. - but would we do it again??? OF COURSE WE WOULD!!!

Especially loved the part when the chief wine guy performed le sabrage, or opening a bottle of champagne with a sword - tho' to be honest, I can do it with an ordinary kitchen knife...

We also enjoyed a California Adventure of our own in the on-site Golden Vine Winery where we tasted 3 different wines as well as a glass of something that tasted remarkably like Rosa Regale! CHEERS!!!

X is for... X-rated food photos!!! That's rude food porn to you - I'm not especially gifted but thought I'd share some of the gastro-gorgeousness we encountered throughout the trip...

Brunch...

Entrees...

Desserts...

Y is for... Yard of Ale in Senor Frogs, Puerta Vallarta!!!

Actually it was a yard of Coca Cola and Samuel was less than impressed by the amount of ice involved as he felt it wasn't a true yard.

Still the balloon headgear...

...and general silliness more than made up for it...

In the interests of fair testing, he has since tried it at home with pure unadulterated Coke Zero and informs me that a yard of that equates to 1.5 pints - that's my science geek!!!

Anyway, we loved Puerta Vallarta with it's a lovely seafront...

...and cute shops...

...so, swine flu notwithstanding, definitely plan to return there in the future...

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Claire, I wouldn't mind doing all that myself.

 

[Chilly]

great report

 

[CustardTart]

And finally...
Z is for... Zip lining and Mazatlan!!! So I saved the best till last. Actually, I didn't. In all truth, it was one of the worst ordeals I have ever experienced and I had the shame of having to admit defeat after the 3rd zip line whilst the others carried on. But I'm getting ahead of myself so let's start at the beginning when we were picked up by coach for the 45 minute journey to Huana Coa. Upon arrival, we were kitted out in all the appropriate attire. Cute or what...?

Some of us looked cooler than others...

...and there were those who rashly refused to consider the lack of available restroom facilities in the jungle...

Once everyone was ready, our guides led us to what they proudly described as genuine “Pinzgauer” 6X6 all-terrain vehicles!!!

I would describe them more as genuine bone-rattling instruments of torture and the 15 minute journey seemed to last at least an hour!!! But we finally arrived at the first (and highest) platform and after a brief but succinct safety briefing we lined up, ready for the off. I stood behind Samuel, who was wearing a tee-shirt from a previous Mexican Riviera rendezvous...

...and looking very relaxed...

...which wasn't that surprising as he has zip-lined before and, from an early age, has enjoyed all manner of activities including paint-balling, abseiling, skiing...

thrill rides...

...supporting Aston Villa...

...and the solo eating of desserts clearly designed for sharing...

Soon it was my turn, and I was reminded of the safety instructions by the guide before stepping off the platform...

And I loved it!!! The feeling was exhilarating and the view breathtaking but unfortunately I was so busy enjoying the experience that I forgot what some of the instructions and ground to an abrupt halt some way from the second platform! I then suffered red cheek embarrassment as a guide had to come and retrieve me. What joy!!! Soon it was time to step off the second platform and even though I concentrated more on my technique, I did it again! I was a little nearer to the platform this time and managed to haul myself unceremoniously to the end. By now the nerves had started to kick in and my third attempt was no fun at all. So when I landed heavily on the fourth platform and jarred my back, I decided enough was enough and called for Ant and Dec!!! "I'm a liability, get me outta here!!!"

I was retrieved from my jungle hell by a guide on a quad bike. I perched on the back and hung on for dear life as we descended almost vertically to the base camp with perilous speed!!! After divesting myself of the all the kit, I walked to the final platform and waited for my guys. Before too long, I saw a familiar flash of blue on the horizon...

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?? No, it's a Dick - but don't tell him I said so...

He landed gracefully on the platform and pointed towards the jungle where another figure was gliding towards us...

They shimmied down a rope...

...and we were soon reunited on terra firma! No time for tears or handshakes however as we swiftly returned to the coach and departed for the next stage of the excursion - tequila tasting!!! The area was surrounded by fields of blue agave...

...and we were taken to Los Osunas, a local distillery using traditional methods to make the tequila-substitute. Let me explain what I mean by that - alcoholic blue agave juice looks like tequila, tastes like tequila, smells like tequila, is made in exactly the same way as tequila but can't be called tequila as only blue agave from a certain area of Mexico is allowed to use that name. Got it?? Well, that's what the guide told us during the tour... At the end of the tour we were led to a group of outdoor tables and shots of tequila-substitute were handed out. I'm ashamed to say that only Dick stepped up and this was his initial reaction...

...followed by...

Suffice to say, we didn't buy any but trudged wearily back to the coach safe in the knowledge that we'd soon be relaxing on the Magic, kicking back with a Kir Royale and savouring the prospect of another day in vacation nirvana...

So, until next time..... Cheers!!!

PS: I hope you have enjoyed this amble through the A-Z of August 2008 as much as I have. One thing's for certain, our West Coast trip was fabtastic and certainly ranks for me as one of our best ever - which is high praise indeed. And who knew how effective browsing a bunch of badly taken photos and a year old itinerary could be in coaxing so much out of an aging brain??!!!

 

[wickesy]

Another great A-Z Karen.

 

[Pinky166]

Another fab report Karen. I am glad you managed to remember so many details to share with us. Fab pics too.

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks for all your nice comments - it was lovely to relive the trip... So many things I'd forgotten...

...I'm loving this A-Z format you've started, might pinch the idea when we return from DLRP as pics are my thing whereas verse is not.

Pinch away, Joanne! It's definitely the easiest way of getting the job done - especially when the trip was a while ago and it's hard to recall who did what...

BTW I think you can tell pics aren't really my thing but I inflict them anyway... Look forward to seeing yours after your DLRP week...

I am glad you managed to remember so many details to share with us...

I'm glad too, Claire - gives me just a little hope for my exams...

 

[Pegasus928]

A great TR - and I love the A-Z method of reporting.
I can see it being used by others on here - provided they don't have to pay royalties.
Thank you for taking the time to post.

 

[raph_b]

And I thought I took ages to get my reports done

What a great report Karen , I absolutely love your ABC styling.

I've never really fancied a cruise before but your report makes it look so much fun I may have just changed my mind!

Thanks for the food porn pics, those steaks look absolutely delicious.

PS I love Sam's Lucky Charm T Shirt! - I want one!

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Great report Karen, thankyou for sharing.

Loved the ToT video lmao inside a man bag

 

[CustardTart]

Great report Karen, thankyou for sharing.

Loved the ToT video lmao inside a man bag

Thanks Emma - it's hilarious isn't it?? I think DH intends to do it on as many rides as poss - I like a man with a mission...

 

[CustardTart]

A great TR - and I love the A-Z method of reporting.
I can see it being used by others on here - provided they don't have to pay royalties.
Thank you for taking the time to post.

Ooooh royalties!!! I like that idea!!! Glad you enjoyed it - it was good therapy for my aging brain to have to remember the details...

And I thought I took ages to get my reports done

What a great report Karen , I absolutely love your ABC styling.

I've never really fancied a cruise before but your report makes it look so much fun I may have just changed my mind!

Thank you! Yes, it took a while but I got there in the end, even with the decidedly dodgy hairdo!!! If you are even vaguely tempted by a cruise, you should give it a try - it really is the best of all worlds!!! Can't wait to get back on the Magic in September...

...PS I love Sam's Lucky Charm T Shirt! - I want one!

I think he got it from Hot Topic in Florida Mall. He actually has a T-shirt mantra - he'll only buy one if it can be categorised as "Bands, Brands and Slogans"... Bless...

 

[natalielongstaff]

If you are even vaguely tempted by a cruise, you should give it a try - it really is the best of all worlds!!! Can't wait to get back on the Magic in September...

You and Mandy are responsible for me taking my 1st cruise in October

 

[jns]

Thanks for sharing

great report

love the A-Z idea

 

[CustardTart]

You and Mandy are responsible for me taking my 1st cruise in October

Always happy to help... You guys are going to love it!!!

I love cruising with Disney - we should definitely think about a Girly event on the Wonder at some point in the future...

 

[jockey]

Your plans sound fab

 

[Pinky166]

I love cruising with Disney - we should definitely think about a Girly event on the Wonder at some point in the future...

Yes Yes Yes Yes

 

[Pugsly]

Great report, Karen.

You are forgiven (for taking so long to post). It was well worth the wait.

 

[mark&sue]

better late than never! Kirsty loved the kids club on our disney cruise, once we forced her in we never saw her again until our trip ended. she even came to bed after us!

great photos which really make me wish I was not here in London during this miserable week in May.


susan

 

[gemmybear83]

Just found this trip report - great photos! We spent two weeks in Puerto Vallarta last June and loved it, your photos brought back some lovely memories. The Disney Magic was docked while we were there too. We would love to got back 9expecially if it was via disney cruise )