Day 1: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

I have had SMA on my list for a long time and on a whim decided to book it!  I invited Colin thinking he would say no.  He did not and honestly, I was kind of glad because traveling to interior Mexico is new to me.  We would be far from our usual Mexico beach vacation.  I just wasn’t sure what to expect.  We flew from our little regional airport to DFW which was seamless for once.  I had booked a car transfer from Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) to San Miguel de Allende.  It was about 90 minutes which was long but easy since it was just the two of us.  I am using Hyatt points to stay for almost free.  Our first hotel, L’Otel Casa Arca (Casa Arca), was in the heart of SMA which was great!  

We dropped our bags and headed out to explore.  You know what always throws me off when I travel?  I look at a map and everything looks so far apart and when you get there it really isn’t.  I had read many places prefer cash so we stopped at a local bank to get some Mexican Pesos (MXP).  We had the biggest laugh as the cash machine was only in Spanish . . . we did not see a button to change it to English so we sort of just went with it . . . cash did come out so I guess our ridiculously limited Spanish was good enough.  We wandered around the streets and pedestrian zone and I was in love with this city.  It is just beautiful

We headed back to the hotel to grab a quick bite to eat before heading back out.  Our final mission for the night was to find churros at Chocolates y Churros San Agustín.  Oh my they were so good . . . cash only!

It was time to relax at the hotel!

Lost Pines, Texas

The last few years we have kicked off summer with a stay at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines.  This year Colin had other plans (he was doing volunteer work) so I went solo.  I had a good sleep and now I am out and about to just do a lot of nothing.  I can’t believe how empty the resort is which is amazing!  Breakfast was menu only which is a bummer because the buffet is usually really good.  I did enjoy my huevos rancheros at Heartwood House.  

Notice my variety of drinks; if you have ever traveled with my you know I like my iced tea, water, and juice with my breakfast!  I headed right to the pool area to my favorite spot . . .  

. . . and floated round and round the lazy river most of the day.

It was hot so I retreated to my room for a shower and power nap in the air conditioning before heading back out to check on the critters . . . they all have fun names!

This is T-Bone . . . 

. . . and his other longhorn friends are Ribeye, Sirloin, Chuck, and Brisket 

Maple (other pig is Honey) 

This is Willie . . .  

. . . and his other goat friends are Johnny, Waylon, and Hank.

. . . and then back to Maude’s to hang out for a bit before I took a walk around the resort and down by the river. 

. . . and saw a deer!

It was so hot I went back to the pool area for a night swim which was super nice; it was empty.

 

One of the best things at the resort are the free nightly s’mores!  There are two firepits and the farther one is always empty! 

It is a beautiful property to relax and disconnect.  I could stay here often it it wasn't so expensive . . . until next time Hyatt Regency Lost Pines! 

 

Bastrop, Texas

It is officially summer but then again everyday sort of feels like summer.  I do not have many summer travel plans since now I can travel any time . . . it is so much cheaper to fly other times of year!  Of course, I am a bit bored sitting at home so I have decided to start off with a local-ish trip to one of my favorite Texas hotels but first a bit of a detour to check out a couple Texas State Parks in the area.  First up is Buescher State Park.  It is late May and already so hot so am I bit crazy to do some hiking?  Yes, yes I am!  I have to remind myself state parks are not as . . . I am not sure what word to use here . . . grand as national parks.  Don't get me wrong there are some awesome state parks around the U.S.   I spent about two hours wandering around Buescher State park checking off blocks by exploring the Big Tree Retreat trail, Winding Woodlands trail, and the CCC Crossover trail.

 

Don't be fooled by the overcast and shade from the trails . . . it is hot, but I am being smart about being in the heat!  I loaded up in the car and back tracked to another state park near by, Bastrop State Park.  Up until 2015 there was an active golf course on site.  In September 2011, the park suffered a major wildfire that wiped out about 96% of the park.  It was devasting!  So to the trails I go . . . it is still early enough that the sun is manageable but not for long!  I visit a few of the key areas such as the Wildflowers Historic Starter House, Refectory Historic Site, Pine Warbler Trail to see the Bracken Ferns.  It is a bit late for Texas wildflowers but there were a few patches hanging on.

And it was too hot to be hiking so it was time to just drive around the scenic park loop road.  I wanted to see if I could get a good view from the scenic over look where I could see the regrowth from the 2011 wild fires.

 

 

I called it a day as I was hot, thirsty and starving.  Is it even a Texas road trip if you don’t stop at Buc-ee’s.  The air conditioning was so welcoming and the smell of  yummy food was overwhelming, but I grabbed my food and headed outside to eat . . . there is no seating inside! 

Oh and let's not forget the frozen Dr. Pepper that was basically stuck to my hand!  It was so cold and refreshing.  And you know what makes you suddenly perk up?  Seeing the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort sign and knowing the next two nights will be so nice!

I can’t wait to enjoy the resort for a couple days!  Since it’s mid-week I was pretty sure I would get an upgrade; I did. This is the first time I got an upgrade to a Lone Star Suite. Who pays these insane rates?

 

I will be honest I sure can’t afford to pay that rate. The only reason I am here right now is because I had a free category one through seven free night about to expire and then used points for the second night so my stay is absolutely zero dollars . . . other than what I spent on food which isn't cheap.  By the way, the lobby smells so good!  I headed to Maude’s for a snack and zero proof Salted Rosemary Paloma. I’ve never been here when it was so dead granted it is a Tuesday but there are only two other people out. It’s crazy and sooo nice too.

Cant wait to explore and relax tomorrow too!

Panama Canal cruise review

After 4799 nm I am back in America.  It was a great trip, and I visited three new countries too!

Highs:

·       Panama Canal passage
·       Guatemala
 
Lows:
·       room noise; the coughing next door was awful!
·       needed more sea day activities
·       long bus rides to get to excursions

Day 15: sea day

Not much to say about today . . . the end is near so I am packing!

Today’s Food Highlight:  fresh bread and fancy butter . . . it is a total weakness!

Day 14: sea day

Another day of just hanging out . . . the weather has turned much cooler and so windy that many of the upper decks are closed off.  I think I only left my room to eat and get fresh air.

Today’s Food Favorite:  Desert Pear Margarita . . . the only one I had all 14 days

Day 13: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I wanted something easy today so I picked the Vallarta's Top Highlights & Shopping tour. I knew it would be a large group that would be herded through Puerto Vallarta, and I was okay with that . . . usually I would not pick any tour that mentions the word shopping as I find that a waste of my time . . . I mean then I am paying for time to shop which cost me money too.  I have found that when you get off a cruise ship in Mexico it is usually in an area with shops and today was no different but when I looked up . . .

. . . I loved the umbrellas!  I thought our tour guide gave good and easy to understand information.

Fact about Puerto Vallarta’s economy:

• 60%  tourism
• 10%  agriculture
• 10%  fishing
• 10%  construction
• 10%  mining of minerals

And we are off the bus!  I am ready to explore the heart of Puerto Vallarta, the Malecón. It is a popular pedestrian-only area stretching 12 blocks and just about every tour bus stopped here. The beach area was a bit rocky.

But there were many statues and colorful displays too . . . it was a bit difficult to snap a photo without someone posing in front but you just had to be fast. 

Season 36 of The Amazing Race, one of my favorite shows, started in Puerto Vallarta.  In the season’s first Detour they had a choice of Pick ‘Em Up or Pin ‘Em Down.  In Pick ‘Em Up the teams had to transport a pair of rocking horses down a steep hill to find a specific sculpture in the Malecón in order to get their next clue . . .

 

The horses were huge, and I am sure heavy!  I thought this was one of the best views of the Los Arcos Amphitheater (the Aquiles Serdan Theater) and where The Amazing Race had part of the season 36 episode.

It was then on to the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Church of Our Lady Guadalupe).  The church is 103 years old and took 60 years to finish the outside.

I thought this statue was fun.  I had no idea who is he was but something about his glasses caught my eye.  This is Father Rafael Parra Castillo.   

So, who is he?  I have read many different things about him and not exactly sure to be honest what the write here. 

And then it happened we stopped at a jewelry store with opals and had 25 minutes to shop! It never fails they lead you to their stores and it was okay as there was no pressure to buy just nice people and cold air conditioning.

The last stop of the tour was at an outdoor market to shop.  I browsed around and listened to the constant begging to come shop my lady and you want to buy your husband something.  I politely said no thanks, laughed, and continued to walk.  We were dropped off at the ship, but I wasn’t ready to get back on the ship so stopped at a little restaurant for a snack . . .

. . . and bought a few small items that I overpaid for but wasn’t in the mood to bargain more than a little.  I thought the price was fair and always feel terrible trying to save a few bucks when I know those few bucks will do so much for that family.  Can you say sucker?  It was back to the ship and honestly, I enjoyed the excursion . . . could I have done it on my own by using a taxi?  Yes, but I had to make zero effort and that is a win for me.

Day 12: sea day

I treated myself to a special lunch today called, Taste of Royal.  It is a sampling of favorite menu items at Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants (extra fee).  I have never had a meal at any of the specialty restaurants so I was looking forward to seeing if the food was really that good.  It was a four-course meal; it was very good!  The entire meal was excellent, but hands down the best course was the Fried Cheesecake!  Just amazing! 

After the meal I had to go lay down for a bit!  I don't eat this much in one setting but it was worth it!  After a bit of rest, I headed out to one of my favorite places to just enjoy the sunshine and gusty wind.