Friends and Family,

Saturday was a pretty relaxing day, although we did walk a good deal. It was also one of the warmest, if not the warmest day since we arrived. Did the morning exercise routine, me walking and Polley spending time on the mat with her Pialtes. We did want to get some things from the store, so despite the fact that we were determined to get to the beach (clouds were predicted for later in the weekend), we needed to get to the store. We picked up some Fish Ceviche which we have really come to enjoy. Something we will need to try when we get back home. Polley and I walked down to Leys grocery store. We stopped at a kind of funky restaurant on the way back, Ciollo, at the sign of the large metal frog!


This was a place we had had some wonderful paella last year and tried to return to, but it was open and closed on some very odd schedule, known only to the gods! Today it was open so we stopped for a beer and talked with the woman who runs it (from Barcelona). Barcelona was a place we considered spending time next year, so we thought this might be a good connection, plus we remembered the paella as being delicious. We made a reservation to return that night at 8 pm.

Then it was back home and readying ourselves for the beach. We got down about 12:45 p.m., late for us. It was pretty crowded and very warm. We had our first requisite margarita, but then decided to try a drink we had seen others order, called "A Miami Vice." It is very pretty to look at as it is layered with the top being Piña Colada and the bottom being an alcohol-infused raspberry juice. The catch is that you have to order 2! Believe me they pack a punch and we both HAD to finish whole one (we usually split the two margaritas). That finished us for the beach and put us home for a brief lunch and a serious nap.

We got up about 6:30 p.m., needing the alarm to move us. Did a little pre-functing at the Cuban place just off the Malécon and then headed down for our paella. Last time we ate there we were the only ones in the place for the whole evening. Tonight it had other customers. Paella does take a bit of time, so we had a glass of the worst wine I have maybe every tasted! There is a wine served at a diner at Detroit Lake in Oregon that rivals this one, but I still think this may win the title. It was so undrinkable that we ordered a couple of Coronas to have something in its place. Then the paella arrived!



Looks great doesn't it! Unfortunately, it was very disappointing. All the seafood just tasted old! We were served about 9 clams and 6 of them didn't open, which means they were dead before the were cooked. Doubtless killed with some of the wine! The shrimp and the rice were good, but it was very disappointing. Strike Criollo off your list.

We paid up quickly, tipping minimally and headed out to see if we could wash the taste of the wine out of our mouths. It was a beautiful evening, and like so many weekend nights in PV, the Mexican families were out in force. Just a terrific sense of energy and of community. I really enjoy these nights



Even the Pirate dinner cruise ship was in close and I got another of the 37 shots I have of this -- this I think one of the best



Polley saw her little kitten again and continued to try to lure it into a serious relationship. Kitten is playing very hard to get.


We did stop into Candela for a nightcap and then headed home. We got to our place and discovered a wonderful surprise from our landlord


It was a bottle of wine and a note inviting us to come back next year. We had already discussed going back to two month here and that was exactly what he was proposing. So instead of worrying and waiting, we are set. he will just hang on to our deposit and we are looking forward to our time here again. A very nice gesture and it fits our plans perfectly.

A nice way to turn in for the night.

Ed and Polley