from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta

Had a good weekend exploring the city and a lovely day on Sunday at the Zoo. I caught my bus to PV at 10 this morning, Monday, and enjoyed the 5 1/2 hour journey.Took us ages to get out of the city but, once that was cleared, it was interesting to see how the countryside changed as we travelled west. First miles and miles of fields planted with Blue Agave, Maize and Sorghum, then, over a range of hills and into shrub with cacti, over the next range and acres of Sugar Cane followed by huge tracts of Mango Trees.

As we were getting closer to the coast Banana Trees, Coconut Palms and what looked like Pineapples started to appear and, all of a sudden, vines hanging from the trees and spanish moss. Saw the first Frigate Bird on the same thermals as two Zopilotes ( black vultures) just after we passed Tepic. The Bus Station here is quite small, unlike the one I came from which was vast and confusing, so I had my return ticket bought and was in a taxi seguro very quickly heading for downtown. I'm in Hotel Rio Malecon, 50 yards from the Pacific Ocean and the Malecon, the promenade, in a room with a small kitchenette. I have a patio door leading out on to a balcony which goes around the first floor. To the right is the ocean and to the left the mountains and underneath a cobbled street. It's perfect: right in the centre of the old town, lots of shops and church bells ringing and hustle and bustle. There's a Bar and Restaurant on the ground floor patio so I'll not starve or die of thirst - luckily Happy Hour is from 3 - 7 :)) Went to see the ocean as soon as I unpacked. Huge breakers, tide right in on Playa de Muertos, Will be interesting to see how far it goes out and what the beach is like. Loads of birds. A flock of pelicans flew over as I started out. There were egrets and ducks and cormorant-like birds as well as a group of what may have been avocets on the river. I'm looking forward to doing plenty of walking and less eating here - more tomorrow x