Perreault Magazine - 62 -
The caring staff at the beach club will set you up with a morning or afternoon sail, a kayak, boogie board or a snorkeling sojourn. Chaise lounges are wide and extremely comfortable, and are dotted around two pretty pools. There's an inside seating lounge if you'd like to play board games or watch a tennis match, and an outside lounge as well. Think of it as your own extra-extra large beach cabana. Order a margarita and you're all set! You can also order full meal service at the club, dining leisurely under the palms.
Athletes, rejoice. Punta Mita is also a golfer's paradise. Take your pick of many expertly designed signature courses close to the villa. Or, charter a large sailboat at the nearby marina, which recently hosted a major international boat show and is soon to be a destination in its own right as plans for an ambitious new residential, shopping, and recreational communities are completed.
Chartered sailboat cruises are a phone call away, as are scuba trips, waterskiing, stand-up paddling and kayaking-so never fear-you can easily burn off all the fabulous food Pepe and Marta will prepare for you while staying at the casa.
A trip or two into Puerto Vallarta's Malecon is an absolute must. Stroll along this landscaped pedestrian mall and take in the local color while watching the fiery orange sun melt into the golden sea. Discover treasures from local artisans in the small shops and delicious treats from the street vendors. Take a photo with some of the local artists dressed as angels, aliens and superheroes.
Leah and I had such a great time in Puerto Vallarta proper that we decided to return on Friday night. Locals and tourists alike were soaking up the flavors of the night and enjoying themselves to the max along the Malecon.
Many were dancing the tango in the public square to music from a band dressed in white from head to toe. (We marveled at how well the women could do all their dance steps in heels on cobblestones without turning an ankle. Not something either Leah or I would dare attempt.) Then we did a bit of shopping for gifts and then found a nice table on the top floor of a local Mexican restaurant open to the sea breeze. As always, the service was warm and efficient and the portions generous and delicious.
We love all the activities here, but the piece de resistance is our late night swim in the infinity pool. It has some magical magnetic property that draws us to it every night. A glorious thing it is to take a glassy glide under the midnight moon with a dear friend. We drape ourselves over the edge and sigh with pleasure, watching the waves crash onto the shore below. They glow bright white with the double force of the moon and the elegant landscape lighting provided by the beach club. We can't take our eyes off them.
A friend of mine recently told me about the "two wings of happiness" that help her soar through life. Her way of achieving both wings is to elevate her spirit by blending an eastern philosophy with her western faith.
Our suggestion to you is to bring one wing of happiness with you to Real Del Mar and find your matching, twin wing among the twin rocks at Casa Piedra Blanca.
Thanks forever to our glorious hosts, Pedro and Isabel Martinez, and to Pepe, Maribel and Marta for taking such excellent care of us during our stay.
Until next time, from magnificent Mexico, "Hasta Pronto!" and happy travels to you.