February 10, 2011. Vallarta Palace, Mexico. A New World.

We are a mere five hundred yards from our own Playa Royale but we are in a whole new world at Vallarta Palace.  Here, guests come for a week and are more excited.  Alcohol is free, with the mini bar stacked with everything you could want, including gin, vodka, whiskey and tequila, so people drink more at least for the first few days.  They rush around taking trips.  Large groups come together, many for conferences, so the large groups gather for a drink prior to their private dinners around the pool.   The conversations are loud and full of laughter.  They are having fun.  There is very little interaction between guests.   These groups know each other and never speak to anyone else.   It is interesting to observe.  Even couples stick together.

Every evening a show is held at the outdoor amphitheater.  It is a lovely facility right beside the beach.   We always attend these nine o'clock performances.  Last evening was a display of Mexican dancing.  Although the dancers were skilled, Mexican dancing is somewhat repetitious.  An older man, who was probably deaf,  sitting right behind us,  said to his wife "but they keep doing the same things over and over again", which was true.  His wife shushed him anyway.  The evening before was an excellent circus, with only six performers giving a fine rendition of Cirque de Soloel.  Great gymnasts and dancers and jugglers.  They did it all.  One evening we left, it was so bad.   But we enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of the staff.   It is indeed a different world, here at The Vallarta Palace.  I bet that we will be ready to go back to our own condo after two weeks of living the high life.