Cruisin' The Mexican Riviera Part IV

When we left Mazatlan behind, we shipped out to Puerto Vallarta. When I was booking shore excursions, I thought we really needed a well rounded Mexican experience so I reserved "A Tour of Tequila Factories - Old and New". This tour came complete with tastings so I thought there was no way we could go wrong. It did turn out to be a very fine tour but because of the tour guide, not the tequila factories.

I must say I was surprised at our first stop; having a church at a tequila factory just didn't mesh in my mind. But why not, the natives feel pretty passionate about both!

Inside a very old family Bible with fresh roses as a book mark.

It seemed to be a simple family chapel although the outside seemed much bigger.
Because this was the new factory, we didn't waste alot of time talking about the distilling process and got right to the tasting. Each of us was given a small plastic shot glass and the tequilas were poured while the the guide talked about that particular type of hooch. After the first, Mike was asking for "Paquito" (little bit). The last three shots were peach, almond and chocolate - they were by far the best and later we were told they sold for$50, $60 and $70 respectively - not in my world were they worth that kind of money. We noticed that not many on the busload purchased.
Mike ate a couple of tacos and a Coke at this stop - Real Mexican Taco Bell according to the the sign... The food didn't set real well with Mike...

After about an hour, we left the tequila factory and boarded the bus to battle the country traffic.. Everywhere, people selling what they have to sell. These are typical roadside scenes. Our guide told us that before tourism became so big, this area raised mangoes and agave for tequila. Now the mango groves are gone and there is little work unless you work "meeting the needs of tourists". We were about 20 -25 miles outside of Puerto Vallarta. Our guide lived in this area as it was too expensive to live closer to town.

When we got to the old tequila factory, it was down an alley and what impressed me immediately was the pineapple palm tree; I had never seen one before. They grow in this area because it is so close to the Tropic of Cancer that it is almost tropical.

At this old factory, our guide told us more about how the agave is roasted and prepared. Here Mike, with margarita in hand, inspects the trunk of the agave plant and below is what it looks like close up.

After roasting, it is "beat to a pulp" and run many times through a shredder and squeezer to get the juice out before being filtered and distilled.

Open air vats... the bees were buzzin'

The tequila in this factory was as bad as the last place. But, hey, for free I drank a few shots anyway. I also sampled a couple of tacos and they were good although we have determined that Mexico must not have any regulations for food preparation.

When we left this factory, we headed into town. When we approached the harbor, I was impressed by the sand sculptures. Evidently talented people in the community make these detailed works of art almost daily as often the tide or waves come in and destroys their work. (This picture was taken from a bus - sorry about the post in the middle of the Pieta.)

They also have metal sculptures, as do most other harbor towns. This is the one for which Puerto Vallarta is famous... unfortunately I have forgotten its name.

I just liked this one.

This tourist town has changed drastically in the last 15 years according to our guide. It is built in and around swampland so you wander over many bridges as you explore the old town area.

And smack dab in the middle of town, we spotted this iguana. He was big and beautifully colored but once again I had to shoot thru bus window so it is not very clear.

Although not very thrilled with the tequila on this tour, we were very satisfied with the quality of the tour and the guide's insight.

Once again, we returned to the ship tired and with new insight into a tourist destination we had frequently heard people mention.

"Been there, done that, no need to return." seems to sum up our vacation to the Mexican Riviera. Unlike some retirees, we do not fear traveling in Mexico neither do we enjoy it. We will continue to go across the border when in Yuma but really have no need to explore the country any further. In my opinion, it is a nation, with a large number of impoverished people, who depends way too heavily on the U. S. and Canadian tourist to thrive, let alone survive.

As for cruising, we may go on a shorter cruise again some time and if we do, we will be smarter about the whole thing... mainly we will take fewer clothes and more money!

Now we are enjoying Christmas week in the Palm Springs area. Our friends, Bobbi and David, arrived today so laughter and good food and card playing is forecast. Speaking of forecasts, the rain is scheduled to leave the area in the next 24 hours; hope the snow "back home" does not interfere with any of your plans.

May you all enjoy a Christmas Blessed with the love of family and friends and the joy that comes from knowing you are a part of God's Family.