Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 2, 2023 Author #76 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Another Princess cutback and disappointment We used to love those off-gangway photos in port when the waiting photographer would have a bunch of costumed characters with him/her. Such fun whether Pirates in the Caribbean or lumberjacks or guys in Moose costumes in Alaska. Those days are apparently gone.... Before (2018 Crown, Curacao) After (Puerto Vallarta 2022) The dork "photographer" couldn't even get the full ship's name in the shot. When I picked the photo up onboard they hadn't bothered to put the port name and date on it. What a great souvenir.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 2, 2023 Author #77 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Disembarking the Diamond in PV we followed the signs from the Duty Free shop towards the taxis. A long trek following a herd of people. We came outside and were immediately approached by a man wanting to know where we wanted to go -"Our Lady of Guadalupe" said Carol referring to a landmark church. "40 dollars" was the answer. "I don't think so" said Norris and walked on. Another man approached-same question. Different answer "30 dollars" "Nope" said Norris "How about 20 dollars?" "Maybe " said Norris "See my friend over there? (pointing) He's an Uber driver and can take you for $20" "Let's check Uber " I said quietly to Carol who was on it in a flash. " 5 dollars Uber-driver here in 10 minutes". We ignored the other guy who got the hint. In ten minutes we were in a nice clean car whizzing through the broad smooth streets by the docks and into the narrow rough streets just off the Malecon a few miles away. The architecture went from "Modern Affluence" to "Yikes! What Building Codes?" but we were delivered to the church for just 5 dollars.... You will want to come inside.... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deck Chair Queen Posted January 2, 2023 #78 Share Posted January 2, 2023 1 hour ago, singinalot said: lol that pot pie looks sketch Crystal just imagine a can of Campbell’s condensed turkey soup covered by mashed sweet potatoes, served lukewarm with no seasoning. I’ll take a Marie Callendar pot pie for two bucks any time over this farce. Carol 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XBGuy Posted January 2, 2023 #79 Share Posted January 2, 2023 3 hours ago, Bimmer09 said: A man who was going to be stepping ashore in the land of Fajitas tomorrow ordered the fajitas on the menu but I have to say they were not bad even though they didn't arrive in a cast iron skillet spitting hot fat at me. Tasty morsels! Land of Fajitas? Fajitas are Tex-Mex. I would not be surprised if you could order fajitas in a restaurant in Mexico, but I would bet $1 that it would be a restaurant is visited by a lot of Ameican tourists. Apologies for my puntiliousness. I am enjoying your reports. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgesGal Posted January 2, 2023 #80 Share Posted January 2, 2023 2 hours ago, XBGuy said: Land of Fajitas? Fajitas are Tex-Mex. I would not be surprised if you could order fajitas in a restaurant in Mexico, but I would bet $1 that it would be a restaurant is visited by a lot of Ameican tourists. Apologies for my puntiliousness. I am enjoying your reports. Gee, I was in Merida about 35 years ago when I had my first fajitas which were the best I've had to date - not that I order them frequently. And by the way, Merida at least at that time in the last century, wasn't exactly a well-known tourist city. Donna 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 2, 2023 Author #81 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Take me to Church I'm not religious in any sense of the word except that I religiously like visiting churches wherever we go and that includes our favorite countries of Germany and Italy. The structures are always beautiful, cool and quiet. They were built with love, passion and a degree of care not found say in modern housebuilding where corners can be cut and the frames are made of wood and plasterboard that you can put your fist through and a hurricane or tornado just scoffs at. They last for years and were built to. They can provide peace and inspiration to those who enter and boy do they look good through a camera viewfinder. Here we are in a fine one in Puerta Vallarta- Our Lady of Guadalupe. A lady was working on gracing the pews with these beautiful flowers I was drawn to a little courtyard through an open door. There was birdsong but it was from a blind woman who was begging for alms. At the steps to the church there was also a blind man singing with a beautiful voice. I only had a credit card... We were not inside for long-but long enough to enjoy the peace and beauty of the space 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 2, 2023 Author #82 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Back outside 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MustangGT Posted January 2, 2023 #83 Share Posted January 2, 2023 4 hours ago, singinalot said: lol that pot pie looks sketch Not defending Princess but the menu says “Turkey Hot Pot” guess that is different from a Pot Pie. 🥴 The description does say, “sweet potato crust” …. Uh, nope! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 2, 2023 Author #84 Share Posted January 2, 2023 We found a square with ass-pleasing benches and shade trees It was nice to sit for half an hour before joining the crowds walking the nearby Malecon which hugs the sea. This little square was Plaza de las Armas. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XBGuy Posted January 2, 2023 #85 Share Posted January 2, 2023 58 minutes ago, GeorgesGal said: Gee, I was in Merida about 35 years ago when I had my first fajitas which were the best I've had to date - not that I order them frequently. And by the way, Merida at least at that time in the last century, wasn't exactly a well-known tourist city. Donna Very interesting story, @GeorgesGal. Are you claiming the $1. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt fan Posted January 2, 2023 #86 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Our Lady of Guadalupe is a beauty - love the surrounding area - can't wait to see what you find for lunch! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 2, 2023 Author #87 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Our last Malecon walk had been in Havana-I think Carol would agree that it was a mind-blowing city to visit and the Cubans we met were just the coolest people. Warm souls but they didn't have a pot to relieve themselves in. If America is a Free Country then we should be free to send cruise ships to Havana again, surely? We would be first to board. When you have time seek out my Azamara Journey cruise to Cuba, January 2019 and see why I am so enthusiastic. The rum! The cigars! The music! The 1950s cars!!! The hospitality! Sorry got carried away there. This Malecon doesn't have waves crashing over it but does have a lot of art sculptures to enjoy. Note the Police troupe in the distance 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 3, 2023 Author #88 Share Posted January 3, 2023 While sitting in Plaza de las Armas I had noticed several Police pickup trucks pass with half a dozen men in back and a manned machine gun on the roof. The Mexicans are serious about protecting their tourists from gang attacks. There are two cruise ships visiting today hence a show of strength. These are men of the National Guard. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 3, 2023 Author #89 Share Posted January 3, 2023 This post is dedicated to my friend Singinalot who loves to take (great) photos of shop interiors on her cruises and land trips. Mexicans love color and so do I...this is a Pharmacy on the Malecon where we bought a fridge magnet . 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserRob Posted January 3, 2023 #90 Share Posted January 3, 2023 2 hours ago, Bimmer09 said: I'm not religious in any sense of the word except that I religiously like visiting churches wherever we go Norris, this is me exactly. I love the art, architecture and I'm a huge sucker for pipe organs. Robert 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 3, 2023 Author #91 Share Posted January 3, 2023 3 minutes ago, CruiserRob said: Norris, this is me exactly. I love the art, architecture and I'm a huge sucker for pipe organs. Robert Robert we were in Cologne cathedral one Sunday morning in 2007 and the organ started up and suddenly there was a soprano choir in that marvellous acoustic. I shed a tear while trying to operate my camcorder. Norris-I get you brother! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bob Posted January 3, 2023 #92 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Hay Ma look what I found. Bimmer09 has taken quill in hand and posted another outstanding trip report. Norris Just recently I was sitting at my key board and between glasses of wine was thinking, it works best that way for me.. I realized I had not seen a Bimmer 09 post for some time. I was nervous that you had set sail for that great dry dock in the sky. As always read above with great enjoyment for two reasons. Outstanding content and. drum roll... we will be setting sail on the Diamond on the 29th of Jan for the Sea of Cortez in a aft Mini Suite our selves And thanks to Carol for taking notes to keep you on the straight and narrow with your narrative. Thanks Bob 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 3, 2023 Author #93 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Out to Lunch Back home in Chicago, with time on my hands since retiring in early 2020, a week before Chicago's first Covid lockdown, I had researched TripAdvisor for beachside restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. Dining locally has become my favorite port excursion. So when our legs were tiring, walking the Malecon in the heat and Carol said "Are we there yet?" I urged us forward-"Just up ahead, I can almost taste it!" And it was We had a reservation and the promise of air-conditioning , toilets, fresh seafood and most importantly cold BEER caused a choir of angels to join all the other voices in my head in a Hallelujah ! Beachy decor Tropical vegetation right on the beach View from our table tables on the beach Medallion friendly! 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 3, 2023 Author #94 Share Posted January 3, 2023 The first order of business at lunch was to order a thirst-quenching beverage and this was mine The second order of business was to visit the restroom where I found this funky sink Then head back to our table Our table with a view Where Carol was studying the menu Guacamole made table side Our entrees arrive- my coconut shrimp, each one about the size of a chihuahua We each got a side of rice and veg and Carol's amazing "tequila shrimp"! Next up- CruisCritic poster makes shocking admission of career-threatening ineptitude 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruzeQueen2 Posted January 3, 2023 #95 Share Posted January 3, 2023 3 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: The first order of business at lunch was to order a thirst-quenching beverage and this was mine The second order of business was to visit the restroom where I found this funky sink Then head back to our table Our table with a view Where Carol was studying the menu Guacamole made table side Our entrees arrive- my coconut shrimp, each one about the size of a chihuahua We each got a side of rice and veg and Carol's amazing "tequila shrimp"! Next up- CruisCritic poster makes shocking admission of career-threatening ineptitude Enjoying your stories! Looking forward to the next instalment with shocking admission...thanks for reporting in such an entertaining style 😎 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 3, 2023 Author #96 Share Posted January 3, 2023 (edited) Chicago-dateline January 3 2023 Reuters. Rumors and accusations are flying in Chicago this morning, swirling in the fog that cloaks the streets. Bimmer09 the sometime CruiseCritic columnist who has been accused of writing "far-fetched" and "irreverent" cruise reports this morning admitted in a news conference that he has found previously unseen video footage from a Mexican cruise." I don't recall packing a camcorder nor do I recall using it to record the Koningsdam leaving San Diego. Nor do I recall the Diamond Princess leaving San Diego in the dark." he is reported to have said by a source close to the matter. "I suspect the work of a Proxy or hacker. The video of our lunch in Puerto Vallarta may have been taken by CCTV or a boot heel camera of a Russian spy. It's entirely possible that I did shoot video of leaving PV and of the Whale-Glimpsing trip in Cabo-possible but I cannot fully recall. I am sure a note from my mother could clear this whole matter up" His mother could not be reached for comment. Edited January 3, 2023 by Bimmer09 spelling 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 3, 2023 Author #97 Share Posted January 3, 2023 VIDEO 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 3, 2023 Author #98 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Lunch video 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperdo Posted January 3, 2023 #99 Share Posted January 3, 2023 I'm enjoying your Puerto Vallarta photos. We always visit Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and stroll the Malecon when we're in Puerto Vallarta. Your lunch place looks similar to one we had lunch at last time we were in town. Was this place south of the Rio Cuale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted January 3, 2023 Author #100 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Our lunch at the Blue Shrimp was all I hoped it would be-with one exception: I had hoped for Mexican music as the soundtrack. We love our Mariachi with its happy sunny harmonies and bonkers virtuoso arrangements. We have spent 10 summer vacations in Santa Fe and rent a nice car and listen to only Mexican music, usually starting with a cd of Linda Ronstadt singing "Canciones de mi Padre" before letting the local radio take over. A superb meal with excellent attentive service in a fabulous location! Carol summoned an Uber to drive us back to the ship to relax. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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