Tapas and Fireworks.

For those of you looking for a great dining spot you should consider Barcelona Tapas which is located downtown just about a block up from Woolworth's. We went for dinner last night and the place was happening!

Barcelona Tapas has what discerning diners look for: a great view, fantastic food and great service and they aren't even paying me to write this! If you can manage the "huff" up the many, many stairs to get there, you will be glad you are in shape to do it. They also have a no smoking policy during dinner, so if you are put off by that, it's probably not the place for you. (My husband was asked to "butt out" and he respected that.) Anyway, there is a huge list of tapas which are small plates of food designed for 2 or 3 people so you can have a nice variety. Some of the delicious possibilities include bacon wrapped dates, baked goats' cheese in a tomato sauce, 3 types of 'shrooms in a devine sauce with bits of chistoro, sizzling garlic shrimp and skewers of delicious arrachera beef. We also ordered some spicy baby potatoes and it was all so good, hot and tasty although we were fairly stuffed when it was all said and done.

The side bonus is the show of fireworks during dinner. Due to the location of the diningroom, diners have a fantastic view of the bay and night sky and all the fireworks from a variety of hotels and the pirate ship as well. It makes for a nice added extra.

Cuates y Cuetes and the Spring Equinox/07

Yesterday we found ourselves ring-side for a spectacular show. It was the annual Spring Equinox concert at Los Muertos beach by the pier and although the place was just jammin', our good friends managed to hold us a couple of seats since we arrived later than expected. What a view we had! We were front and center, so we had the whole cavalcade of characters walking past, the stage, the beach and another delux sunset to savor. It was a tropical extravaganza in front of a navy blue ocean with good friends and everyone present was in great spirits (in more ways than one.)

Just to give you an idea of how great the people watching was, this is a small sample of the circus: At any given moment you could look up and see Santiago from The Old Man and the Sea, a handsome pseudo pirate, a ZZ Top wannabe, a shipwreck victim, hosers, a "model," a tatooed hippy, a "Pat," a tranny, lots of girls in skimpy tops and plenty of tanned body parts. Once the music started-- an eight piece salsa band--random couples just started dancing right there on the walkway and everyone was feeling the love along with the margaritas or Cubas. So, following the Salsa band, a Canadian Rock group took the stage and they were rockin' it with Chuck Berry's "Suzie-Q". Somewhere between the salsa and the rock was the pre-hispanic dancers. Several men and women dressed in Aztec outfits replete with large feather head-dresses performed a "cleansing" ceremony that involved lots of smoky incense. It was an entertaining juxtaposition to see an Aztec smoking down a Hoser. At one point some newbys arrived and stood right in our viewing area so we had to resort to hucking limes at their backs when they wouldn't respond to "down in front!" Eventually they moved on after a few "limonazos." Heh, heh. Well, safe to say it was a heck of a time and since we had to work the next day we left our vacationing friends and made our way home at a relatively decent hour. We will certainly look forward to our next equinox down by the pier.

Gone Blogabout.

In true Aussie form, I went walkabout on my Blog but after seeing and doing and having an assortment of adventures, I'm back on the job. Did you miss me? Hope so!

I will make an attempt to report more faithfully to those out there who care about what's going on here in Vallarta. This town is BOOMING and it would truly amaze someone who hasn't been here in awhile to see what changes are taking place. Yesterday as I carved a route along the highway, I was amazed to see the development progressing where the Cruise ships arrive. The pier has been greatly expanded to accommodate even more passenger ships, and across the highway there is an enormous structure rising amidst the dust which I'm told will be Liverpool, one of the mega department stores found in large Mexican cities. There are at least 3 new plazas/parks with underground parking facilities, a new extension of the malecon, new highrise condos and the list goes on with development after development; sort of like Vallarta on steroids. There will be many new places to write about in the near future, so stay tuned if you want an idea of what's shakin' in the ever-changing, fast paced former fishing village.