January 13, 2009. Mexico. Massage.

It started by being told no. The Japanese restaurant looked interesting, so a couple of years ago, we went into the hotel lobby, only to be told NO. This Vallarta Palace is an all inclusive hotel, and only guests are allowed to eat at the Japanese restaurant. We were shut out. Every day we walked past this restaurant and every time we were irritated by this situation, because the restaurant was never full. One morning last week while walking by, I suggested to Ken that we go into the hotel and ask for information, so we did. First we had to speak to the security man at the gate, who took us to the person in charge of information. He told us all about the hotel and their system, and told us to go on line for additional information. Finally, I asked him the real question which was, "How can we dine at the Japanese restaurant?" He laughed and said that it was impossible, except for two options. The first was to buy a day pass for $81. each, which would include everything going on at the hotel for that day. The second option was to take a tour of the facilities, and hear their story for an hour and a half, then be given a day pass for any day we wish, at no charge. As we had nothing to do at all, we made a date for the following Monday at 11:00. So now we have it after all. We are going to be able to dine at the Japanese restaurant at no charge, other than a few hours of our time. And it all started out by not accepting the NO.

I had a free massage too. The day of our all day pass, Ken and I ate every meal at the Vallarta Palace, and attended their concert in the evening. It was fun being a part of an all inclusive resort again, and the guests are friendly and pleasant, as is the staff. I was given a free massage that afternoon and it was wonderful. Ken would say that it was not free. It was given to us when we signed up for 100 weeks at the Palace resorts, situated in Mexico and the Dominion Republic. So out of our free day has come the membership, plus the right to visit and pay for their resorts. Again we were thinking about our aging years and planning ahead. We will be ready when we are eighty, and we have enough weeks for friends and family. But my massage was still free!!