Puerto Vallarta Airport and Me...a warning!

Just a short not of caution...  We are world travelers but it seems that we will be sucked into a sales pitch at the airport every time!!!  We have never taken the bait but it is such a bother and a waste of our time.  When you pass through the airport anywhere in the world and especially in a developing nation,   it is probably not a good idea to talk to anyone unless he is a customs agent checking you into the country or a taxi driver/resort transportation agent.  Go directly to  the taxi line or the company office for resort transportation.  For the Grand Mayan it is the Miller Company.    Here in Vallarta you will pass through several glass doors before you arrive at the taxi line.  Do not stop inside the doors! 

Resort operators are telling horror stories that are just plain scary! 

I must go...a tour bus awaits me!

b

Puerto Vallarta Luxury and Me

Resort to the Pool

A POSTCARD FROM PARIDISE

Dear friends,

We are well.  Wish you were here in Puerto Vallarta with us.  We are in the state of Jalisco in Mexico south of Manzanillo and north of Ixtapa.  The weather is fine and the fishing is good…I think.  Having not gone fish we are not sure but all postcards say the same thing so we thought we had better include the fishing.

Our neighborhood land iguana!  

We are staying in the Grand Mayan Resort where life is slow and heavenly.  We have heard those around the pool talking about resorts in Matzalan, calling them dumps compared to this.  I can see how they might say that.

Yesterday we celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary with a day that included a time in the sun near the Bay of Banderas.  Vendors came by selling jewelry, beautiful dresses (I wish I had one right now) and statues and bowls  carved from wood.  We love to bargain and soon I will head to the beach and see what we can find. 

In the evening we caught a taxi to central Vallarta where we had a glorious dinner at a restaurant called Barcelona.  Barcelona is a restaurant that is filled with the expats that inhabit Vallarta…more that 50,000 of them…and serves the best tapas I have ever tasted!  Because it was our anniversary, we went all out and ordered the menu del dia with selections by the chef.  We ate cold and hot tapas, salad and dessert with coffee followed by a complementary drink made with irish creme and tequila!  Of course we had to have a glass of wine from Spain to accompany it all.  The back street scene for this restaurant and it’s humble appearance would make it very hard to find if you did not visit with a local.  However, it seems all the  taxi drivers know where it is.  We got the tip from a hotel employee.  From the Grand Mayan we paid $19.00 to ride in and $21.00 coming back…please don’t ask me why the difference in price!  

The seat next to the rail over looking the top of the village and the bay was fantastic even after the sun had set.  Diners were late coming and lingered over meals as though it were their living room.  We were reminded of dining in Spain. 

We have stayed at resorts around the world and I would have to say that this is among the most beautiful we have ever seen.  Grand Mayan has gone the extra mile here.  Even though they are continuing to build and each building is better than the last, they are allowing guest that bought in early to use all the amenities available in their properties here in Mexico.  We looked around at all the Grand Mayan property  in Vallarta Nuevo and the complex we actually loved the very best was the Sea Garden.  It is  very small and may have been the first complex the Grand Mayan people built.  Even though it is very intimate it is  just as beautiful as all the other facilities on this property.    We visited with sales people and they tell us that the company revamps all of their holdings every 5 years.  If that is so, I can see why everything is so perfect.

Tomorrow we will take a tour of the city.  I am looking forward to spending some time in the local market.  My husband is anxious to visit the Tequila factory.  I talked with wait people today to find out where I can buy the large mortar/pestle they would use to grind corn and make that guacamole we all love.  I think I will find what I want and my husband will find his tequila too! 

Our favorite breakfast/lunch spot! 

The flowers are beautiful.  Nature is up close and personal  (see our friendly neighborhood iguana). The climate is tropical but not hot.  Vallarta is on the same latitude as Hawaii.  Breezes off the ocean keep us cool even thought the sun is very intense and burning. 

We love you all.  See you soon.  Again…we wish you were all here!

b

If my spelling is not perfect don't blame it on me...the marguarita at my side can take all the blame!

Acorn Squash Soup Recipe

Image courtesy of Jacci Howard Bear http://desktoppub.about.com/

I feel like the "The Speedy Cook" today. When it came time for lunch all I could think about was a vegetable soup that contained every fall vegetable in my refrigerator. After a trip to New Seasons to gather some of the ingredients I began putting it together. Here is what I came up with.

Barbara's Squash Soup

1 box free range chicken broth
one large union chopped
1/2 acorn squash peeled and cut into small cubes
2 large carrots peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
one can chicken meat drained or left over chicken
7 garlic cloves peeled
1/4 cup quinoa
one small tomato or 6 cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoon cider vinegar for brightness (I think fresh lemon juice could be used instead)
1/2 teaspoon garam marsala a (add to taste)
fresh sprigs of thyme and sage
pepper and salt to taste.
Combine and simmer until done. Serve topped with 1 tablespoon of yogurt and a few drops of olive oil. It was delicious and tasted like fall.


****Description of Garam Masala as take from web site All Recipes Website:
Garam is the Hindi word for "warm" or "hot," and this blend of dry-roasted ground spices from the colder climes of northern India adds a sense of warmth to both palate and spirit. There are as many variations of garam masala (which may contain up to 12 spices) as there are Indian cooks. It can include black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, cardamom, dried chiles, fennel, ginger, mace and nutmeg. Garam masala may be purchased in Indian markets and in the gourmet section of some supermarkets.

Snowbird Regulations....Very Good and Funny Idea :-D

I am a granny that loves to laugh. That is why Not Your Typical Granny Blog caught my eye.

Maddie, Amelia and I
2008
Every time I wander around (metamorphic travel) on the Internet I find something that makes me laugh. Today I was on the Blogged website and put aging in the blog search. That was where I found "Not Your Typical Granny". It seems Granny is 48, still a working girl, lives in Florida and faces the onslaught of snow birds each winter. It can be very annoying. She has suggested that there should be "Snow Bird Laws/Rules" and every snow bird should have to sign an oath or something when they return to the state. She says there are only a few months to get this done because they will be back before they know it. Granny had a long list but here are two of her rules:

"In order to drive, Snowbirds must be able to see over the steering wheel of their car. If you cannot see over the steering wheel and must see through it, I highly recommend you get a booster seat. They make them, they are available and maybe then you won't have to make that left hand turn from the far right lane."

and

"Snowbirds required to be on oxygen cannot drive. Putting the oxygen tank in the back seat so you can still breath while driving does not work. If you are on oxygen don't drive!"

While this is really funny, it is also true. Old people do drive with oxygen tanks unable to see over the steering wheel and barely able to walk to the front door of their destination. On the other hand I have friends that carry handicap tags and use them when they are going to a ball game and want to park really close. They walk, see and breath just fine. Arizona has a dumb tourist law but that would not take care of oxygen tanks, senior citizens at the grocery at the end of young people work day or on the golf course on Saturdays. The Dumb Tourist law states that if you drive into a wash when it is full of water and someone has to rescue you, you will be fined! How many times do you suppose that had to happen before they passed a law? And how old were those people? I am seeing more and more that there needs to be regulations/laws/rules just to keep snow birds in line. Arizona might sit up and take notice. Sigh!

Now I am not saying there should be any arresting of old people...don't break the old people is my motto. But I do have a wicked sense of humor so you can see how this would tickle my funny bone.

Anyway...Granny has quite the sense of humor and I have added her to my Blogged Followed list. Head on over if you want a good laugh. This post is hilarious. I do not see any rhythm to her posts so just check back once in a while!

Have a lovely day.

b

Managing Retirement Savings...after retirement!

Image by Always at Home via Flickr
WHAT THE EXPERT SAYS
I was reading an article published in U.S.News.com called "6 Easy Ways to Increase Retirement Saving".  We all know that saving, saving, saving is the best way to go.  The author of the article, Kimberly Palmer, had some good suggestions for saving even if you are a freelance or a student.  She also had suggestions on how to choose a low fee program that would save you thousands of dollars when it came time to cash the savings in.  I think you should take a look at her article.
OUR CHOICES FOR MANAGING RETIREMENT SAVINGS
My husband has reached the age when he must take part of that pre-taxed money we saved all those many years ago.  As we both know, we will pay the consequences/taxes now.  The question is:  Is the cup half empty or half full?  Even though we must pay more in taxes this year we are going to go with the half full plan.  For this first year at least we will spend some of the money on a 50th wedding anniversary trip.  We both know that using our savings for frivolous things is not a good idea.  However, in our case we do not live on our savings or income from our savings.  We will have a discussion for taking out IRA money will our stock broker and decide when to do it next year.  Trends in the market will help us make that decision.
USING COMMON SENSE WHEN MANAGING RETIREMENT SAVINGS
My husband does what Ms. Palmer suggested and saves even now.  We continue to set a goal for a trip or a new piece of furniture...the habits we formed as young people still serves us well.
Although Ms. Palmer did not mention it, I might also suggest that you invest in a vacation plan for the future!  If you do this, you will guarantee yourself some travel even if you retire with less than you expected.  We invested in a good solid time share type of plan.  In our case the time is not set for a week or a certain place.  We bought into a company that offers the whole line up of resorts and is very desirable in the timeshare exchange world. Using this retirement tool will make your "advanced" years a lot more fun.
We made most of that period of time between our children flying the nest and retirement.  We were both working and we saved like crazy using as much pre-taxed money as the law allowed.  My mother often said that saving for retirement was much easier during the post child rearing time.  Boy was she right.  We took advantage of that time and actually on many occasions saved until it hurt!  It was fun.  We used other strategies that also came to bear on what we have now.  There were things we did and did not do...

• We did not buy a bigger house when the children left and we had more disposable cash. We did, however, make sure that the right amount of money was invested in real estate.  That has turned out to be very important.
• We did not upgrade the car or even our furniture.  The life style remained very constant.
• Our cars were bought when we needed them...the emphasis being on NEEDED!
• While we did travel at least once a year we did not go nuts with it.  I know we could have afforded some really upscale travel at that time but we had a goal in mind.  We used business trips as vacation time even though one or both of us had to work.  We were educators so these were very modest trips.
• Our children graduated from college with no debt so we did not need to continue to support them.  That sacrifice has paid off over and over!
• We had our savings removed from our pay before taxes so we never saw the money.  
• We invested in a variety of different types of mutual funds and stock for IRA savings.  You MUST find an investment counselor or stock broker you can trust,
• When we retired, we decided to take our retirement in such a way that the surviving spouse would continue to get the income.  This frees our mind to enjoy the money we do use.

CONCLUSIONS
So, given our decisions both past and present, we are giving ourselves this one wonderful big and expensive vacation!  We will use that vacation investment in a timeshare I talked about earlier.  That frees up a lot for the frills that we always thought might be fun.  Oh, and I did spend a lot on clothes.  I don't know how we could have anymore fun than we have in the past but I will let you know.  It is nice to know that we gave ourselves the opportunity...we are very grateful.
b 

The Advanced Generation...55+

Iphone Art by b  In the Shadow!

     I have been fumbling around with what to call us.  I really really hate the words that are used when people begin talking about my generation.  I have heard old, aging, nursing home, aging parents, dementia, health issues...enough already.  This is the deal....we are the "ADVANCED GENERATION".  Wise, strong, smart, experienced and best of all willing individuals.  Because we have lived through a lot and have seen todays news before, we have a depth of knowledge you need.  We live in your neighborhood, apartment building or in an assisted living facility near your.  We work and play at your side.  Most of all we influence your life when we vote...in huge numbers.
     I am pushing the idea that if my generation would let themselves, they could be one of the most influential generations ever!   Maybe, if we embrace our wisdom and strength by calling ourselves the "Advanced Generation", it will become a self fulfilling prophecy.
    In the meantime, send this to your younger friends along with a message from me:  Talk to us...we have some very good ideas.  Pay attention to us because we are going to be around for a very long time!
     Pass the word!!!
b
 

Arizona National Golf + Yuki Shushi of Tucson...great Groupon Coupon/Wildcat Card

Image by Always at Home via Flickr
We had a coupon for Arizona National Golf today...my husband used a free round from his Wildcat Card.  He has been a member for a long time so he gets three rounds at various courses.  I am a new member so I only get one free this year.  I am just blown away that we can even do that sort of thing!  Arizona National is a premier golf course and home to the University of Arizona Wildcat golf team.  Very cool. 


After a round of golf we used a Groupon Coupon to eat at Yuki Sushi on Cambell Avenue here in Tucson.  Let me tell you, this is my idea of a perfect day.

If you had told me even 5 or 6 years ago that we would be playing golf at the places we play now, I would have said you are nuts.  Here in Tucson the Arizona Wildcat Card, Golf Now and Ezlinks has opened a world of golf courses to those that are smart enough to use them.  I love it!


b

 

If you are planning on visiting Arizona

I recommend Fodors.  I think it is the

easiest travel guide to use!