Pictures of the Week 2008-4
Hello All,
Puerto Vallarta is at the center of sweeping 25-mile wide Banderas Bay. The town was little more than a sleepy little fishing village until 1962, when movie director John Huston selected a secluded piece of property on the southern side of the bay as the natural set for his film of Tennessee William’s Night of the Iguana. In an instant, the sleepy village was the center of Hollywood’s spotlights and soon it was known around the world as a tropical paradise for the rich and famous. With all of that said, the first thing we saw when we docked in Puerto Vallarta was a Walmart Super Center--so much for the tropical paradise!! However, there was a mighty fine looking yacht tied up at a dock.
Puerto Vallarta is at the center of sweeping 25-mile wide Banderas Bay. The town was little more than a sleepy little fishing village until 1962, when movie director John Huston selected a secluded piece of property on the southern side of the bay as the natural set for his film of Tennessee William’s Night of the Iguana. In an instant, the sleepy village was the center of Hollywood’s spotlights and soon it was known around the world as a tropical paradise for the rich and famous. With all of that said, the first thing we saw when we docked in Puerto Vallarta was a Walmart Super Center--so much for the tropical paradise!! However, there was a mighty fine looking yacht tied up at a dock.
After two days at sea we were
anxious to get off the ship and do some exploring. Before catching a bus from
the marina into town we decided to check out the Walmart. One of the first
things we noticed was all the tropical fruits that were available for sale.
Aside from everything being advertised in Spanish it was just another Walmart.
The mile and a half bus ride
into town was interesting. All the American chains have arrived in Mexico
(Burger King, Staples, Costco, KFC, McDonalds, Applebee’s, Chili’s, etc.). We got off the bus at the town square where
there was a lovely church with a vine clinging on the side with lavender
flowers similar to Wisteria. We then proceeded to the waterfront. Along the
oceanfront for miles is a beautiful walkway. We spent hours strolling along snapping
photos.
Along the walkway there were many wonderful
statues. Way more than we can share with you in this little blurb.
Sand sculptors were busy
working on the beach. These guys were really talented.
And, there were rock stackers!! We had never
seen people stack rocks before--way more patience than we have!!
We then ventured to “Gringo Gulch.” We were
looking for “Casa Kimberley,” Elizabeth Taylor’s 9-bedroom, 11-bathroom former
home. It was the first villa in the hills when she bought the property. It wasn’t
long thereafter that other Hollywood stars followed and the district became
know as Gringo Gulch. We saw the famous pink passage arch between Casa
Kimberley and the neighboring property where Richard Burton resided during the
filming of the Night of the Iguana and their love affair.
As we steamed out of Puerto
Vallarta to our next port of call there was the most amazing sunset. It capped
off what had been a wonderful day. Our next destination would be Mazatlan but more
on that later.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns