Jan. 2005 Jeff in Puerto Vallarta

Jeff arrived early January. We didn't let him get off easily. He left his ski patrol job, in Vancouver, for a 2 week holiday. The snow melted, and with it his job at home. His vacation extended into 6 weeks. So, he had to earn his keep. He's up the mast cleaning the stainless rigging.

As you can see he still had lots of time for the sun...quite the tan! He really enjoyed the beach volley-ball and played nearly everyday.

Jeff is rather tall and I guess these macaws took him for a tree. Personally, never being much of a bird person, I'm glad he's holding them and not me. I've been "shad" on one to many times to do this. I'm even wary of budgies and canaries!

As you can see, from the expression on Ralph's face, he appears to harbour somewhat the same sentiments as I! This feeling caused the macaw to roll over and play dead...either that or Ralph should change his T-shirt more often!

I take no responsibility for Ralph's son's behaviour!

This is another shot on the malecon. These statues are in a grouping and look like something right out of Star Wars! Jeff and I both picked out our perfect dates, and sat right down!

It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!

Here we are back suffering at El Burro restaurant. We have tried to convince Jeff that life for us here is really tough. I believe we've failed miserably! It's been fun having him here to visit us, but who knew 24 year olds could drink so much beer!

Ralph always says I have a very poor sense of direction, but he continues to let me drive! In this case, he has set a watchdog, Jeff, to keep me on course. We are off to La Cruz, for dinner at Philo's, and then to Punta Mita to let Jeff try surfing on his new $40 surfboard purchased at the swap meet.

This is not Ralph's best side, but here it is anyway! We've spent so much time lately, in a marina, we've almost forgotten how to leave the dock, anchor, and return. Jeff is supervising to make sure we do it right.

We took him out to Punta Mita so he could try out the "new" surfboard.

Ralph took this from the dinghy while waiting for Jeff. You can see it looks a little rough!

Up, no not quite! He wasn't used to this type of wave and it was a challenge.

Here comes another one!

Being towed back to Fortuitous. While Jeff was surfing, Ralph nearly ended up surfing himself, in the dinghy. It was pretty rough out there.

They both arrive safely.

On the way back to Paradise Village we were lucky to have a dolphin escort. Also got to see a couple of whales, at a distance. This is the life!!

We took Jeff to Bucerias to see the blessing of the fleet. I swear ther is some kind of festival in one of the small towns every week.

In this festival, the virgin blesses the fleet and then each boat takes a turn to see how fast they can gun their motors and how far they can runtheir pangas up the beach.

If you ask me, their something other than water in that Holy water they use for the blessing. How else do you explain this ritual...oh yes, they are men/boys!!

This is what women do while men are driving their pangas up on the beach. Now, shopping or driving your wheel-less water vehicle up on a sandy beach...now I ask you, which one makes the most sense to you?? Oh, and Jeff was with me under protest.

Street entertainment after the big beach rush.

From Puerto Vallarta, it is possible to do Zip line tours. Ralph, Jeff, Kim and Linda went off to try it out. I still have some residual pain from my rib injury, so decided against it.

Off we go!

Kim and linda in the weeds!

Just hanging around!

Time for the old guy to try it...well, not the "oldest" guy!

This would be the "oldest" guy. All had a great time!