My sister-in-law Diane, her husband Maurice, Nicole and I  decided to take a trip into Puerto Vallarta.   The purpose of the day trip was two-fold.    We were in need of supplies, and secondly, we had not had a chance to visit the dowtown area.   We left Lo de Marcos just before 8.00AM (9.00AM in Puerto Vallarta) for the 60 kilometre voyage down the twisting, turning two-lane highway 200.   

We arrived in Puerto Vallarta shortly after 10.00AM.    Trying to find a parking space on the streets in the centre of town can be  an exercise in frustration, so we opted for an underground parking garage a couple of blocks north of the malecon.    The cost of 40 pesos for over 4 hours parking made this a very reasonable alternative.

Since this was the first time in Puerto Vallarta for Diane and Maurice, and being pressed for time, we only hit the high spots.   One cannot visit el centro ( downtown) without a walk along the malecon.   I was surprised that things hadn’t changed that much along the main street even though it has been over 20 years since I was there.   Favourite restaurants such as Carlos O’Brians and the Hard Rock Cafe were still in the same locations, however other businesses had changed.

View of main street looking southward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we strolled the malecon, I noted there were many new brass statues erected.    Here are some photos of the new statues.

I call this one The Lovers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicole with the "Mermaid & Snail".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one I name Downng An Oyster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diane sitting with the Monsters of the Deep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I called this one Climbing to the Stars.

The Saxaphone Player.

Neptune and his girlfriend.

This next statue was my favourite.   

Fiesta Dancers.

In addition to the statues along the malecon, there were magnificent sand sculptures on the beach.

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta.

Life size Mozart.

I call this one The Family Vacation.

After walking the malecon we visited a number of souvenir shops.   By this time hunger was taking over so we visited La Roma Cafe, located near the Rio Calle, where we had excellent thin crust pizza, beer and of course a shot of Tequila.   

The girls clowning with the waiter at La Roma.

 A stop at WalMart for supplies then we returned to the trailerpark by 3.30PM glad to be back to the tranquility of Lo de Marcos.