Puerto Vallarta

Today, 16th April, we visited Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Our tour consisted of a walk through the centre of the town, followed by a drive I the country to a ranch that makes tequila. We had tequila tasting, then a Mexican fiesta lunch and of course the usual sale selection of souvenirs.

There were army guys with machine guns, police and security everywhere and our guide learnt that the presidents from Canada, the US states (including President Obama)and Mexico were arriving for a conference.

Mexico is dry and arid. Their rain starts in July and it only rains for three months of the year. The poor areas were a real eye-opener, it made us realize how lucky we are to live in Australia. People who can't afford to buy land or a house can squat in the hills with no water, power or a roof over their heads for ten years and then the government will give that land to them. So in other words they have to sacrifice ten years of their life to become land owners. Our guide rents a house for $200 a month, he earns $130 a month, but he has three daughters living with him who work to help him survive...as I said, we are lucky!

Most of the streets of Puerto Vallarta were dirt, with houses we wouldn't dream of living in. There were broken down cars just left in the streets to become covered with layer upon layer of dust.

In Mexico, if you are caught with drugs, younger than 18 out after dark without an adult or doing graffiti, you are sent to jail and automatically guilty until proven otherwise. If your child is caught doing something illegal the rest of the family are guilty by association. Wow! Not the best place to live...

On a brighter note, it was Dan's birthday and after returning from the tour we had dinner at The Pinnacle restaurant on the ship. The meal, surroundings and staff were magnificent. As we were about to order dessert the staff brought out a small chocolate mousse birthday cake for Dan. The finishing touch to most delicious meal.