Asteroids Do Not Concern Me!: November 2013

Turtle Sunset Bahia del Sol

This past week, Karalee and I had the opportunity to spend a week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with some old and new friends. We also developed a special relationship with the Olive Ridley turtle. We were the guests of Dr. John Hales, his wife Marilyn, and Jim and Sue Linnemeyer. Allen and April Humphries completed the group of eight adventurers. It was fun getting to know the Humphries, they are great people! We spent the week at the *****Star time-share resort, Bahia del Sol in Nuevo Vallarta, just up the coast from Puerto Vallarta. The finest attribute of Bahia del Sol was its proximity to a spectacular beach. Even better, this beach is a nesting ground for the iconic Olive Ridley sea turtle. After 30 days of eating and gaining strength, the Olive Ridley females come ashore in the dead of night and lay their eggs, 100 at a time. After burying the eggs, they return to the sea. Approximately 60 days later, the flock of youngsters hatch from their eggs and dig their way to the surface. From the beach, they return to the sea. Only 1 out a 100 Olive Ridley's survive to adulthood. Poaching has also taken a toll on the species. The eggs are rumored to contain an aphrodisiac. As a result, these turtles are considered vulnerable and soon may become endangered. To assist the Olive Ridley's survival, a sanctuary has been established on the beach near Bahia del Sol. When the young turtles hatch, they are gathered up, given refuge and subsequently released back to the sea at dusk each day. This offers protection from waiting predators both from the skies above and the seas below. Hopefully, the Olive Ridley will continue its circle of life!


Baby Olive Ridley making his way to the sea.

Sandy Turtles

Adult Female Olive Ridley Turtle (The adult males never return to the beach)

Kar and her Baby Olive

The Hales' and Linnemeyer's have been making the trip south to Mexico every year for over 20 years. They have developed and honed an unparalleled program and schedule, guaranteed to provide the utmost in leisure and relaxation. The schedule basically went like this: A little before 9 AM we rolled out of bed and made preparations to stroll down to the beach. Jim took care of us by having spots reserved for us each day. Jim is the man! Our mornings will filled with boogie boarding, swimming, reading and lounging (heavy on the lounging). Breakfast and lunch was available from the resort's beach side cafe. You can't beat that! Mid afternoons were spent preparing for the day's signature event: DINNER! Virtually no cooking was required which was A-OK with the Forsling's. The Veterans picked a place for us to dine each night, always making excellent choices. By far, the best restaurant we visited was Karen's Place, overlooking Banderas Bay in Bucerias. Karen, originally from England, opened the place in 1998. It was exquisite! We dined comfortably under the palapa, enjoying fantastic seafood and lobster mashed potatoes. The potatoes had to be about the best thing I have ever eaten. Every night after dinner we ventured to a nearby mall in our 10- passenger van, for ice cream. Gelato, hot fudge sundaes and awesome company made for a fantastic dessert. The concluding event in the Hales/Linnemeyer PV program were cards. "Shoot the Moon' took place in the Hales' condo. These games always included demonic competitiveness from certain players who shall remain nameless. Remember, "It's just a game." Each blissful day blurred into the next as the week went on.
The sunsets were sensational, the ocean was orgasmic, the constellations were killer and friendships were forged!
The trip of a lifetime! We hope we are lucky enough to do it again sometime!