Puerto Vallarta - Travelling Downtown Independently November 2024

Surprised to see we are docked at berth number 2.  The NCL Bliss is at pier 3 and no ship is at 1.  Never have seen this before.

We wander off and walk to the terminal building.  There is also a small shuttle that transports guests for free, but it is only an 8 min walk. 

We refuse to walk the gauntlet of shops in the terminal.  So just as you are about to enter the duty free shop we head straight as if we are walking to the flea market.  Then we just walk along the street to the main drag to catch a bus.

It is busy at the stop.  It is very hot!  We are already tired.  When a taxi driver offers a ride and quotes us the right amount of $10 to the malecon we are in.  Now you can take the bus.  It is only 19 pesos.  But we are glad we took a taxi.

We stroll along the malecon.  It is nice to walk,  it is crazy busy.  Lots of people are on vacation due to Thanksgiving week.

After a few blocks we have had our fill of the crowds and we walk inland three blocks and then turn right and enjoy the quieter streets.

We pass the cathedral with all the tours getting ready to go in.  We pass.  We are on a mission, but not a religous mission.  

Our friend at home, Kim, use to live here.  She had her son here.  She told us the address and we thought, why not seek it out.  Up a hill, then up a staircase, then up another hill. And just pass Casa Kimberly, the iconic home of Elizabeth Taylor that Richard Burton bought her.  Then up more stairs.  Here it is!  Cool.

We stroll back down into town on a different street and cross Gringo Gulch in the Romantic Zone.  We do a bit of shopping, picking up 2 more glasses to match the ones we bought a few years ago.  And I got a cute pair of earrings.

Back into El Centro We spot some whales not far from the shore so we sit and enjoy the scene,  until a family stands right in front of us to watch too!  Why they stood right in front I have no idea.  There was tons of space.  Didn't help we are feeling grumpy.  Remember, little sleep, and we are hot.  So we stand up and start walking.

We decide to take a taxi back to the Walmart.  $10 again, woot woot, normally I am always frustrated with the taxis trying to scam the cruisers.  Maybe they are turning over a new leaf.

We walk into Walmart, along with a ton of crew.  We need to pick up some items.  Conditioner, moisturizer, sunscreen, soda, 2 bags of chips, Bernie is craving them.  And a few Xmas treats, oh and a bottle of wine and a six pack of Pacifico.  We have had no issue bringing on a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer.

We decide to venture to one of our favorite taco stands,  it is just up the street to the right of the Sam Club.  There is a market there, and the taco stand is on the south west corner.  I don't know the name but a lot of crew go there,  it isn't fancy.  Stools, narrow tables and a bag of napkins hangs from above.  

4 tacos, a Pepsi and a beer for 165 pesos.  We gave them 200 and so for $10 US we are stuffed.  

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Another port we haven't been to.  In fact we haven't been to the Canary Islands before.

There are 3 ships in port today.  We are docked the furthest away.  Again Princess has a shuttle, this time free from ship to port gate.  But when we get off the line must have 200 in it and many are arguing about who is butting in.  We once again opt to walk.

It is about a mile or 1,5 km. Easy and again only one shuttle passed us ao we were much faster.

We walk into town and stop for coffee and a pastry.

We explore the market.

We find a huge department store where Bernie buys a pillow.  He hates the ones on the ship.  We have gotten new ones from our steward but they too just sink down and don't suit Bernie's needs.  Since we are on for a few more months it makes sense to just buy one.  

We also find a grocery store and stock up on shampoo, conditioner, some other items.  We find the price to be very reasonable. 

We then walk to the cathedral,

Around 2 pm we stop for lunch on this quiet street.

A fabulous meal!  

We do some more exploring on our way back.  Lots of good shopping.  Perfect weather  too.

 

We arrive at the port gate and again the free shuttle has a long queue.  We see our friends in the line and just decide it is faster to walk.  And it is.  We beat our friends by ten minutes,

Gibraltar

One thing that drew us to this itinerary was some new ports.  We have never been to Gibraltar.  Passed it many times, but have never set foot here. 

Today we did.

There was a shuttle from the port gate to the entrance of the main square for 3 E each way.  It isn't far.  Maybe a mile at most.  We like walking so it was an easy walk for us.  Lots of shops along the way.  Plus where the shuttle drops you is a distance still from the cable car and gardens.

We walked.  The weather was ideal, low 20s, which the locals found cool but we really enjoyed.

We walked to Trafalgar cemetery and then the botanical gardens.

We talked about taking the cable car up... 16 E for part way up.  Then more if you want to go to the top.  The queue was about an hour wait.  Also I wasn't crazy about seeing the apes and the mischief they can get into.  I was not interested.  Instead we enjoyed the botanical gardens.

As we started to walk back we spotted an alley way with a nice looking restaurant.

We order sangria and some tapas to share.

Potatoes with tomatoes cheese and herbs.

Baked Provolone cheese.

And we had two empanadas also.  Sorry missed  taking a picture.

We walked back to where the shuttle was but the line was huge, so we walked back.  On our trip back only one shuttle passed us.  

There was a good duty free shop here.  Security didn't have an issue with bringing wine on but the did collect hard liquor.  

Day Trip To Girona

When planning our time in Barcelona we struggled on what to do.  Oh there is tons to see here.  But we have been here quite a few times and even spent a fee days here.  And in all those visits we have seen most must see places.

Bernie said one day... we should visit Girona. It is an old medivial town with a wall around the city.   So we did that today.  Also know for film spot for Game Of Thrones.

Up early, enjoyed another great breakfast at the hotel and we were off to the metro station. We had to take two different lines to get to the train station. Once there we easily bought our train tickets at the kiosks. No need to pre purchase your train tickets in Europe.

We then waited on the platform and within a short while the train was there.  It was a busy train.  Lots of people heading out for a day trip, weekend away or to work.  But we got seats and relaxed.  The ride is just over an hour.  Note there are fast trains that take about 30 minutes but they never lined up with our schedule.

Once in Girona we walked towards the old town,  but we wanted a Pastry and latte.  

Girona I known for their chucho, also known as suso. It is the most traditional and typical sweets of Girona. Its a deep-fried, sugar-coated cylindrical pastry filled with catalan cream.

Messy but so damn good. 

We then walk to independence square and window shop.  We cross the Eiffle bridge, yes the same guy designed the Eiffle tower.  We are now in the old town.

Streets are very narrow.  Churches seem everywhere.  And many building have you scratching your head.  How did they build that there?  

We stop into a church and a wedding is happening.  We quietly admire, take a picture and leave.

We walk through the Jewish Quarter.  Stop at the cathedral.  

We then head for the wall!  Lots and lots of climbing!  But the views!  

Lots of places to sit though.

After exploring the city for quite a while we are thirsty and wanting a light meal.  Tapas!

Beer and Sangria and some tapas.  It hits the spot.

We catch the train back to Barcelona and we then catch the metro and we are back at the hotel.  Feet are up!

Tonight will be low key.  Maybe just head up to the rooftop bar and get a drink, still haven't used our 2 free drinks.  And maybe a light meal.

Tomorrow we board the Enchanted.  We are ready to get on a ship,  as much as we enjoy time on land I just want to unpack and get settled.   Love that the ship moves and my room doesn't.