5. Puerto Vallarta
Day 18. I woke up early and ready to go but it is still dark outside. 4:30, that’s too early, back to sleep. I am off few hours later into the muggy coastal morning. There are mango stands by the roads everywhere. Must be mango season. They sell one or two but BAGS! I took a bag. I joined the toll road heading south to Puerto Vallarta (PVR). Not nearly as nice as yesterday. Miles and miles of mango orchards. Not too much else. I got rained on for a few minutes. Didn’t even bother to put on my rain jacket. I was quickly through and back to stifling heat again. Here comes toll, the first of many. I realize that it is pretty expensive. I paid today $32 for less then 200km. Cars pay twice as much. After the toll section I took a scenic route by the ocean. But it was busy and hot and not much to see, really. There were big storm clouds all around me. I got lucky I missed them all. It was déjà vu approaching PVR. I landed here many times and I recognize the landmarks I used on the approach. But the hills are much bigger looking from the ground up. The traffic on the coastal route is very busy and slow. Air is hot and muggy. There is nothing more I can take off or open more. That’s it. 36˚C and 85% humidity. If I stop at the traffic lights, I sweat profusely. That’s gross. My hotel is on the other side of the town, I have to go through all Saturday afternoon rush hours. My route takes me around the airport. As I am looking at approach I see WestJet Boeing 737 on short final. Cool. I am not making this up. I wonder who are the crew. And on the other side of the airport, I drive right next to the aircraft parking stands. And there is another WestJet 737 taxiing for takeoff. It would be a very cool photo but I am on a freeway and there is no way I can stop. Maybe next time. Traffic is getting really bad and I am splitting lanes wherever I can. It feels like forever and but I finally found my hotel.
Hotel is very modern and so far the nicest on this trip. Small but functional room and super clean. I cranked the AC in my room and it is almost snowing in no time. Parking right in front of reception. Nice. A quick clean up and off to find some taco stand. All I had today so far was 2 mangos. After some tasty tacos it is time for evening stroll. The board walk along the beach is not far. I took some pics and did some people watching, my favourite past time. Beautiful sunset and it is time to head back and update my blog.
I wanted to take the coastal road southbound along the ocean but it is too hot, humid, busy and slow. So I’ve decide to head back into interior instead. Tomorrow I should be around Guadalajara.