The Promised Comparison of the Tropics.

As promised a review of Mexico vs. Hawaii and time shares vs. all inclusives. One bite at a time, however.

Firstly, a summary of our vacation to Mexico and some editorial comments on our trip.

With the added stress of the past few months, an executive decision was made that a bit of a break was needed. Kristy and Lee were booked into our Lawai Beach timeshare, so the thought of a quick trip to Kauai was not to be. The Edmonton Jacksons had planned a trip to Mexico, (a favorite place for them, by the way) and we opted to follow along.

The Jacksons were booked into an All-Inclusive Resort in Bucerias, Mex., called the Puerto Vallarta Palladium. The resort is touted as 4 1/2 stars (more about that later).

We found that by watching Sell Off Vacations that the price fluctuated and we were able to secure a 2 week vacation, including airfare, accomodation, all-inclusive and taxes for just over $3000. No doubt that the ability to make late plans reduced the costs of the trip.

Leaving on April 19 in the middle of a significant snow storm was poetic. The roads were almost impassable as we made our way to the airport and we had to wait on the plane for almost an hour in order to get a push back as so many people had been unable to make it to work. We treated ourselves to a "Club Class" upgrade so we were able to go to the front of the line for check in, sit in roomier seats and had an excellent meal on board. Very nice!!

First impressions of Mexico were the hordes of sales people lining the aiport in Puerto Vallarta. We felt like we were running through a gauntlet of gremlins who chirped away asking us to look at them. The salespeople in Mexico are motivated far greater than most you meet in Canada or the States. They are paid to set up timeshare presentations, get reservations at restaurants, cruises, tours, limo rides to resorts, etc. Some of them acted officious, asking us if they could check our bag tags for security purposes. Fortunately we had been told to bypass them and look for Air Transat personnel.

A lesson learned is not to take the internet at face value. The Palladium is 45 minutes to an hour outside of Puerto Vallarta and very dated. The rooms were musty and the beds were terrible, in fact, the box springs were concrete. The bathtub had a crack down the middle of it and it felt like you were stepping on mush when you entered to shower. (We didn't even think about a bath.) Our room had a great view of the ocean, only somewhat obscured by trees. The in-room fridge kept the pop and water and tepid plus one or two degrees, only.

The all-inclusive part is an interesting concept. It simplifies the eating decisions, offers some variety but invites the party hounds to abuse the system and make themselves nuisances. The food at the Palladium was good but repetitive. Breakfasts were probably the best meals of the day as there was an option for omelet, scrambled eggs, pancakes or french toast. (The french toast became a favorite of the group.) All-inclusives usually offer an a la carte option for certain meals and we were offered 4 options for the 2 weeks. The a la cartes we chose were the beach bar-b-que (2 times, it was good), japanese (mexicans cooking japanese, think about it) and mexican (good choice).

I was offended by the drunks that populated the pool and the resort. There were a number of Canadian university students who had finished their exams and were letting loose. As the cost of booze is included in the all-inclusive, there was very little limit to the amounts consumed. The pools became noisy in the afternoons as inhibitions were set aside.

The weather for the 2 weeks was stunning. Each day there was a little breeze that took the heat of the sun. The beach at the Palladium is rock-strewn and unfriendly, so we took our sun by the pools.

As a card carrying member of the easily bored, it was difficult to just lay about, so we made the executive decision to rent a car.  This decision was made only after riding on 2 buses; one piloted by a NASCAR wannabe and the other by a hearing impaired, high octane mexican rap music lover. The rental car was great, we actually extended it as it gave us a whole bunch of mobile freedom.

Of course, being the seasoned traveling veterans that we are, the first thing we did is go scope out Costco and Walmart.  Prices in both these stores are very similar to their United States counterparts.  It begged the question how the stores can succeed with the levels of poverty that exist in Mexico.  We experienced a wonderful night on the Malicon (a concrete boardwalk along the ocean in Puerto Vallarta).  I was flooded with memories (having served an LDS mission to Guatemala all those many years ago) as I watched the families make their way along the walk. The latin americans are close knit as families and at no time, did we feel uncomfortable or threatened although GDNJ is paranoid by nature.

We found a wonderful beach town about an hour north of PV called Sayulita.  If you can imagine a movie setting for a surf show, imagine Sayulita.  It is a quaint little Mexican village with a spectacular water front, small surf repeatedly pushing on shore.  It was in Sayulita that GDNJ found herself being bowled over by an eensy weensy wave about 1 1/2 feet high.  She was stuck in about 9 inches of water, not able to regain her footing as the little waves repeatedly knocked her over.  Actually, quite hilarious. Sayulita is the type of community that would attract someone who wanted to rent a mid-term accommodation and enjoy some serious down time.  It may very well be the next hot spot in Mexico.

Alright now my feelings about Mexico vs. Hawaii.  We were a little jaundiced by the 2nd rate accommodations but really liked Mexico.  We will go back, however, we love Hawaii.  We would rate Hawaii significantly ahead of Mexico only because we (I) are easily bored.  We love the freedom of being able to hop in a car and without regard for anything, go anywhere we want on the islands.  We are particularly fond of Kauai and look forward to our bi-annual visits to the lovely south coast.  Our plan is to experience the Mayan Riviera in the future but continue to look forward to our polynesian paradise.