Friday, February 11, 2011
February 11, 2011. Vallarta Palace, Mexico. More Books.
I recently read another of Bill Bryson's books "An African Diary". It is short and describes eight days traveling in Africa with the Care group, specifically to write a book to raise money for Care. It is a re-printing of the book originally published in 2002. The second part is the first chapter of Bill's latest book I just read, The Home, added as a way to flesh out the African Diary and raise more money. Bill is an excellent entertaining writer but the African Diary is not worth buying.
Jerome K. Jerome deals with every ism controversial at the turn of the century and beyond. The really interesting thing is that we still argue about the same topics today. Things always stay the same, it appears. He is a tedious writer but certainly tells you how people lived at that time period. He is a bit like reading Edith Wharton, but not nearly as skillful. I completed one of his books and have completed 5% of his work on my Kindle. My problem is that I really only want to read "Three Men on a Boat", but I do not know how to find it without reading everything ahead of it. There must be a way.
I am now reading a biography of John Adams, by David McCullough. You know a lot about John Adams, but until now I have never read a biography so I am enjoying it. Interesting man and an even more interesting wife.
Jerome K. Jerome deals with every ism controversial at the turn of the century and beyond. The really interesting thing is that we still argue about the same topics today. Things always stay the same, it appears. He is a tedious writer but certainly tells you how people lived at that time period. He is a bit like reading Edith Wharton, but not nearly as skillful. I completed one of his books and have completed 5% of his work on my Kindle. My problem is that I really only want to read "Three Men on a Boat", but I do not know how to find it without reading everything ahead of it. There must be a way.
I am now reading a biography of John Adams, by David McCullough. You know a lot about John Adams, but until now I have never read a biography so I am enjoying it. Interesting man and an even more interesting wife.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
February 9, 2011. Vallarta Palace, Mexico.. San Sebastion, Jalisco.
San Sebastion was founded by the Spanish is 1604. Of course it had been in existence for hundreds of years, where the Incas mined silver in the area. But the Spanish discovered the silver mines and made it into a proper town complete with church and town hall and jail. At it's peak, thirty thousand people lived there but now it is home to three thousand.
Today we took a trip to see the old colonial town. I don't believe it has changed for hundreds of years. The streets are cobblestones and very narrow and wind up hill and down dale. The town is in the mountains, a two hour drive from our home in Nuevo Vallarta. The road from the coast was put through in 1957.
I can never decide whether it would be better to fix the place up or leave it as it was hundreds of years ago. There were no shops at all worth looking at. The lunch was great, served in an old restaurant. We wandered around the town and up and down the narrow streets along with our tour guide and all the rest of the group. I don't really enjoy organized trips. The tour guide talks too much. But we enjoyed it anyway. The bus driver was careful. And we did not need to drive. It was a good long day.
Today we took a trip to see the old colonial town. I don't believe it has changed for hundreds of years. The streets are cobblestones and very narrow and wind up hill and down dale. The town is in the mountains, a two hour drive from our home in Nuevo Vallarta. The road from the coast was put through in 1957.
I can never decide whether it would be better to fix the place up or leave it as it was hundreds of years ago. There were no shops at all worth looking at. The lunch was great, served in an old restaurant. We wandered around the town and up and down the narrow streets along with our tour guide and all the rest of the group. I don't really enjoy organized trips. The tour guide talks too much. But we enjoyed it anyway. The bus driver was careful. And we did not need to drive. It was a good long day.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
February 8, 2011. Vallarta Palace, Mexico. A Hot Rocks Massage.
We both had them, eighty minutes of a Hot Rocks Massage. I convinced Ken to have one, truth be told. He has just recently been willing to take a massage, let alone the exotic hot rocks. His increasing arthritis has made him more amenable to massages, including the hot rocks. I love massages. One Christmas, Santa gave me one massage every week for a full year. Everyone assumed it was from Ken but it actually was my secret gift to myself. I loved it.
Many years ago, on some trip to the south seas, I took a hot rock massage, but I did not like it. I can not recall what I did not enjoy about the treatment. Since then, many folks have spoken highly of the technique so I persuaded Ken to have us both try them out. Sure enough, it was great and we loved them.
It is hard to fathom, but since we have arrived on Saturday, which is four days, we both have had, each, a half hour back massage, a manicure and pedicure each (yes, Ken too), and an eighty minute hot rock massage. We are indulging ourselves because it all comes free with the admission. It costs no more money and we are having a blast. Who would have thunk it!!
Many years ago, on some trip to the south seas, I took a hot rock massage, but I did not like it. I can not recall what I did not enjoy about the treatment. Since then, many folks have spoken highly of the technique so I persuaded Ken to have us both try them out. Sure enough, it was great and we loved them.
It is hard to fathom, but since we have arrived on Saturday, which is four days, we both have had, each, a half hour back massage, a manicure and pedicure each (yes, Ken too), and an eighty minute hot rock massage. We are indulging ourselves because it all comes free with the admission. It costs no more money and we are having a blast. Who would have thunk it!!
Monday, February 7, 2011
February7, 2011. Vallarta Palace, Mexico. Service.
Anyone in the service industry could learn a thing or two from The Vallarta Palace staff. They are wonderful, from the top to the bottom. I have been watching them since our arrival on Saturday and have been trying to figure out why they make you feel so good about staying here. In the past, in superior hotels, I had decided that what was done that makes the hotel so remarkable was not necessarily such big deals but when combined with all the services, you recognized superior service. The same is true here.
Yesterday we were moved to a bigger room. The staff listened and immediately took action. This morning while finishing breakfast, one of the chefs and the head of the restaurant, stopped by our table to introduce themselves and to ask us if we were happy with breakfast, and to ask is there was anything else we would enjoy. Every staff person in the hotel speaks to you as you pass with a greeting and a smile, from the floor cleaner to the managers. While walking through the lobby this morning, we spoke to a young man who is in charge of introducing you to the hotel. We saw him Saturday and he merely said hello this morning, but he also asked us if we had everything we needed. "Actually", said I, "I would really love to have a regular chair by the pool as all they provide are lounge chairs". He immediately came outside with us and told us to ask any of the service people and they will bring us chairs, where ever we wish to sit.
Of course, the big things are important too. The restaurants are all excellent and the pools are beautiful even though the rooms are not large. The grounds are lavish with every tree and bush named. But it is the willingness to listen and respond that makes the biggest difference. It is a pleasure living here, even though it will be difficult to not eat too much!!
Yesterday we were moved to a bigger room. The staff listened and immediately took action. This morning while finishing breakfast, one of the chefs and the head of the restaurant, stopped by our table to introduce themselves and to ask us if we were happy with breakfast, and to ask is there was anything else we would enjoy. Every staff person in the hotel speaks to you as you pass with a greeting and a smile, from the floor cleaner to the managers. While walking through the lobby this morning, we spoke to a young man who is in charge of introducing you to the hotel. We saw him Saturday and he merely said hello this morning, but he also asked us if we had everything we needed. "Actually", said I, "I would really love to have a regular chair by the pool as all they provide are lounge chairs". He immediately came outside with us and told us to ask any of the service people and they will bring us chairs, where ever we wish to sit.
Of course, the big things are important too. The restaurants are all excellent and the pools are beautiful even though the rooms are not large. The grounds are lavish with every tree and bush named. But it is the willingness to listen and respond that makes the biggest difference. It is a pleasure living here, even though it will be difficult to not eat too much!!
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