Monday, October 17, 2016
Breakfast at home: coffee and pastries. After some effort, we successfully avoided Jerry from last night. We wandered south, encountering Blue Chairs and Mantamar, where Danny and I walked along the beach for a bit. We encountered and took an impromptu tour of Villas Enrique at Malecon 159. The property is exquisite and luxurious and essentially perfectly designed. It is surrounded by construction that looks like it has been continuing for years and will not end. Lunch at La Palapa Restaurant and Lounge with Danny, Drew, and Phil. We sat on the beach with large fans keeping us cool. Vendors passed, frequently trying to sell us goods or services. We ordered drinks: limonadas for Danny and me, Mexican coffee for Drew, cranberry and something margarita for Phil. Bottled water for all. Appetizer to share: coconut shrimp. Complimentary pastries, plantain chips, sweet potato chips, and a variety of salsas. Entrees: Danny had eaten noodles before we left, so he was not hungry for an entree. Phil had a grilled tuna sandwich. Drew had a vegetarian sandwich. I had seafood enchiladas. Too full for dessert. Food and service was very good. Bees and flies were noticeably friendly. About $65 USD before a 20% tip. We walked around town again. On the way home the others stopped to receive massages. I caught up on journaling then went to the rooftop pool to swim and lounge. Nap. We walked along the beach and water, watching lightning play along the horizon. Dinner at Trio, which was recommended by many of Danny's friends. Drinks: cabernet for Phil, Cotes du Rhone for me. Appetizers: Danny had cordoniz al bbq con lechugas largas (aderezo de anchoas y crotones de pimientos dulces), I had cappelletti in brodo (tortellini de hongo y zucchini en caldo y queso provolone). Entrees: Danny had papardelle con camarones al ajo (jitomate y albahacar fresca), Drew had crepa de coliflor y champiñones (gratinados con queso parmesano, salsa de tomate provenzal y verduras finas), Phil had pechuga y pierna de pato con polenta de almendra y lechugas parrilladas en salsa de limones confitados. I had boeuf bourguignon res y verduras del valle al vino tinto con pasta fresca. No dessert; too full. We walked around and got refreshments at Yogalicious, then barhopped at La Cueva and Blondie's. At La Cueva Danny met some locals who invited us to dine at this bar and restaurant tomorrow evening. Blondie's was dead except for some European-looking men who arrived about when we had decided to leave. Drew and Danny chatted with them a bit before we all returned home.