Wordful Wednesday-Playa Yulapa
by Angie on April 22, 2009
*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can’t seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you’d like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to “capture” my 7 Clown Circus button on the left to link back to me, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!
We ventured out of our resort one day of our vacation to spend the day on a privately chartered boat. We wanted to avoid the Spring Break partyers on the larger boats, and the tour we picked sounded perfect. It promised that we’d catch our lunch while cruising the coast, that someone on Yulapa would clean and cook it for us, we would snorkel, and visit a secluded beach where a guide would take us to the waterfall. The “tour” ended up being not all that it was cracked up to be, but we still enjoyed ourselves.
Puerto Vallarta
We boarded the boat from this little dock.
The Los Osos Reserve is a protected area near the coast where blue footed bobbies live. It’s very beautiful in and around this area.
Since the younger kids couldn’t snorkel, it was nice for them to be able to see some of the fish near the surface. Apparently, the underwater visibility improves dramatically in the summer.
Yulapa is a located at the southern most point of the Banderas Bay, and is accessible only by boat. The sand is a golden color, and even though the sand granules are pretty large, the sand is really soft.
Right when we got off the boat this iguana was pretty much thrust into Jeff’s hands. Once I snapped a shot or two I was informed that I only had to pay $6 for the privilege of taking a picture of Jeff holding the iguana for 10 whole seconds. Sweet.
The waterfall that we didn’t hike to was dry. Bonus.
Flat Stanley accompanied us to Mexico and was the easiest going traveller I’ve ever met. This is where we ate the lunch that we did NOT catch while cruising the coast.
The kids LOVED the different sand.
I liked snorkeling the best. And getting ripped off. Cuz we definitely got ripped off. Don’t worry though, I complained to the booking company and they assured me that next time we come to Puerto Vallarta we had a free excursion coming our way. Perfect.
We boarded the boat from this little dock.
The Los Osos Reserve is a protected area near the coast where blue footed bobbies live. It’s very beautiful in and around this area.
Since the younger kids couldn’t snorkel, it was nice for them to be able to see some of the fish near the surface. Apparently, the underwater visibility improves dramatically in the summer.
Yulapa is a located at the southern most point of the Banderas Bay, and is accessible only by boat. The sand is a golden color, and even though the sand granules are pretty large, the sand is really soft.
Right when we got off the boat this iguana was pretty much thrust into Jeff’s hands. Once I snapped a shot or two I was informed that I only had to pay $6 for the privilege of taking a picture of Jeff holding the iguana for 10 whole seconds. Sweet.
The waterfall that we didn’t hike to was dry. Bonus.
Flat Stanley accompanied us to Mexico and was the easiest going traveller I’ve ever met. This is where we ate the lunch that we did NOT catch while cruising the coast.
{ 113 comments }
Absolutely gorgeous photographs! It looks like a wonderful vacation was had by all! I am jealous. Those beaches look so inviting.
Sorry that you didn’t get all that you were promised. That’s pretty funny about the Iguana picture too! HA! And yes, still looks like a lovely place and a wonderful time! : )
grrrrrrrrr
What an AMAZING vacation!
I hate it when you feel like you didn’t get what was promised! At least the kids still managed to have fun.
Sorry man, it sucks feeling like you got ripped off.
I can’t believe the whole iguana thing.
What would’ve happened if you didn’t pay?
I love the fish picture though. I bet the kids LOVED that.
Wow. I was not expecting that about the iguana. As I’m sure you weren’t either. The views and photographs from the trip are beautiful though! Those fish along the surface are amazing.
It looks gorgeous, even if it wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be. UGH
Happy WW!
I’m still envious – and glad they’re making up for it next time. Great pictures!!
Wow. Those pictures are lovely. I love the close up of the fishies and the ones of the daddy and child holding the lizard, though I can’t believe you had to pay for taking that picture. I am sorry the tour wasn’t all you thought it would be, but man are the photos pretty.
Happy WW!
Wow, it’s gorgeous. Looks like a great time. I’m green with envy. I so need a vacation!
I love Flat Stanley
This reminds me a little of my excursion in Mazatlan. Seriously its the stuff memories are made of I am sure. We also had animals thrust at us for pictures and other items as well. Not my style. Your pictures are awesome though.
The pictures turned out beautiful! Looks like a wonderful spot for a family vacation :O) Thanks for the linky and Happy WW!!! My post is up
I feel like I cheated by getting Stanley today and reading about your vacation beforehand!! lol I love that last picture of you, by the way!
I’m gonna have to remember to do this Word(full) Wednesday also! I can’t help but chatter on my blog. I mean, that’s what it’s for right?
Anyways, I’m glad ya’ll had fun! Next time try the Rivera Maya area instead. (other side of Mexico) My husband and I have been to both areas and we said we would never go back to Puerto Vallarta again. We were ripped off too. And our credit card number was hijacked from someone who worked at our resort since that was the only place we used that one. We felt like we were treated like crap in many of the places we went. It was like they were pissed of that we were tourists even though it was a tourists destination. We had a few good moments there but Cancun and the surrounding areas were so much better and more welcoming.
I’d better just send you a Happy WW now before I start sounding like a brochure ad.
Breathtaking! I’m so envious!!!
Great Pics! I would LOVE to go somewhere… off the coast of something… at some point in my life
Iguana pic made me laugh out loud!
Gorgeous photos. The sand, the water, fish, sun…. all so beautiful. So are you and your family!
Well I’m glad you all managed to have a good time eventhough the tour wasn’t what you paid for! Love how they promise a free excursion NEXT time you are there!
Sorry you got ripped off, but at least the scenery was beautiful.
Beautiful pictures, Angie! I can’t wait for vacation now!!
I’m so sorry you got ripped off
Glad you had such a great trip, lol. I love getting ripped off on vaca. 6 dollars is a steal the guy in Hawaii with the parrots charged us 12 or tried to charge us 12… we had to go get change and bailed out!
Huh. Six bucks for the privilage to take a pic with a giant lizard. We have a lizard Angie. I’ll let you hold it and only charge Jeff $3to take your picture. See what a nice friend I am??
I’m sorry you got skunked, but you DID get some great shots out of the deal. I hope you DO get to go back soon and take advantage of your freebie!
What beautiful pictures!! I am so jealous!
flat stanley??? i just love those photos and that you so obviously have a sense of humour about it angie! those locals gotta make their money anyway they can huh?
I have LOVED the vacation photos! How that many red-heads look so natural in the sun, I don’t know…but you totally do
!
Ahh, the joys of traveling in another country. Getting ripped off is just part of the adventure. We have had some interesting tours like that as well. They really know how to get money from the tourists!
I hate getting ripped off. We have been there and I was pretty shocked b/c of all the poverty we saw.
Wow!!! What an awesome trip! Sorry you got ripped off, but that is great they will accomodate you next time!
Awww…Calgon, take me away! Looks wonderful, Angie! That’s the pits getting ripped off…we’ve had it happen, too. I don’t think it’s uncommon when you travel outside of the States, particularly where there’s lots of poverty. Jamaica was the same way. Gorgeous pictures!
Looks gorgeous, bummer about the boat trip! A magical WW to you!
Excellent!!! I’ve been there a couple of times….and I think I held the very same iguana!!!
My W W is posted….it’s a YOU TUBE I made of a tour I took Bud on this past Saturday. If you stop by, turn up the volume…some good music was added.
)
that’s what scares me about traveling to mexico (or any other place where i don’t speak the language)… i am afraid of getting ripped off.
it does look like the kids had a fun time. and the water seemed pretty clear from that one shot. clear water is a must for me.
i think i am going to start only traveling with flat stanley. he won’t make fun of me when i fall skiing.
still, what gorgeous scenery!!
happy WW!
Even though you were a bit disappointed it still looks like one cool trip. That’s the great things about vacation. Things can be less than stellar sometimes but you’re still far from home and in la la land for awhile. The sand looks awesome and the kids looked like they had a ball!!!
Wow – I’d so love to go there ! How wonderful for your kids to get this travel experience!
s
It’s so hard to know how things are going to turn out when you’re travelling, I’m glad at least the snorkeling and the beach were nice! That iguana must be well trained!
That looks like such a nice vacation.
Sorry the boat trip wasn’t what you thought you were getting. Sometimes I wonder what the booking agents are thinking. Do they not think that we are going to notice that we didn’t get exactly what we were promised or paid for?!
I know this wasn’t all you wanted it to be but it still looks like you had a great time. The thing with the lizard is cracking me up. Really, $6?
Sorry the trip was not what you paid for, but it still looks beautiful there!
Great photos! Looks like a beautiful place to visit!
Beautiful pics…and isn’t Puerto Vallarta fun to say!?!
Happy WW to you!
I could use a trip to the beach right now! Looks heavenly!
Glad that Flat Stanley got to make the trip! And I guess I need to repeat ONE MORE TIME how seriously JEALOUS I am. Seriously!
We got ripped off like that in the Bahamas once on a “tour.” Still, I am jealous! I’d love to be somewhere warm.
Really nice photos!
My husband and I got ripped off on a snorkeling trip in Thailand. But overall it looked like a good trip!
There is NOTHING worse than being ripped off while on vacation. It looks like you still had a nice time though!
All I can say is WOW! That is beautiful!
Looks like fun! Great pictures!
Love the little arch/cave over the water pic–how gorgeous! And you are looking so tan!
Blessings!
Love the lizard! Wow! Very cool indeed! Happy WW!
super fantastic…and one thing missing. oh yea…it was ME!!!
I love the rock caves!
Wow those pictures are great now I’m envious!!!!
Even thought it wasn’t what they advertised….I am glad you all seemed to enjoy yourselves! Beautiful pictures!
ahhhh sooo jealous! I so want a vacay right now. THis was one of our stops on a cruise a few years back. Didnt get to explore as much since only there for a day. It looks beautiful!
You got some incredible pictures – and looks like the kids had a great time!
What a wonderful time : ). I am so excited that you got to go on this amazing trip with your beautiful family! And I think $6 is a STEAL to snap a picture of an inguana : ). When are you going back?
WOW….I wanna go!
What a fun time you had. OH what a huge lizard. Happy Earth day.
Sorry you got ripped off…. but wow, what gorgeous pictures!!!
You gotta hate getting ripped off on vacation. Your photos are great and I am glad the trip was a success even though it wasn’t what you were expecting.
Fantastic…the iguana looks really thrilled too. I love getting ripped off…I have had the pleasure of being ripped off on several different continents.
Those fish are gorgeous! I don’t want them to touch me though.
Funny, it’s usually those “experiences” that we remember the most – how you got totally ripped off, but still had an awesome time.
Some of my personal favorite because you just have to suck it up and embrace it. Good family times!
And I would have totally dropped that iguana – ewwwwwwwwwww.
Sorry it wasnt what they promised but looks like you still had a great time!
Yeah…it stinks that you can plan EVERYTHING yet not EVERY thing. These are awesome photos and you guys look like you had a blast regardless
That looks like such a fun time! I’ve always wanted to go there since I was a kid and saw it on Love Boat! LOL! Happy WW!
I’m really spoiled where we visit in Mexico, as I don’t have to get ripped off with activities. Very quiet…not many tourist things happening except for relaxing. You have to drive for those things. I hate that feeling, but am glad to hear you have a free thing coming
Love the pictures!
Gorgeous pictures!
I’ll let you hold all of my geckos for free. Promise!
Sorry it wasn’t what you expected. Great pictures though. I would not have paid the 6 dollars! That’s crazy that they force it on you without you even knowing you have to pay for that.
well, no one can say it’s not gorgeous!! the pics are beautiful.
These photos remind me that I need a vacation! I’m sorry it wasn’t all that you wanted.
what a bummer that it didn’t end up being all it was cracked up to be, but it looks like you all made the most of it + had a wonderful time anyway!
Even with all the trouble it still looks relaxing and warm. You are all such tan sugar babies!
I love the pictures. I need a vacation with warm sand. Glad you had fun.
Sounds like an *interesting* vacation! But looks like you had fun all the same
Beautiful. It looks like you had a wonderful vacation.
Awesome photo. I’m sorry you got ripped off though. That sucks. But at least you had some fun while getting ripped off, right?
aw, sorry about the disappointment–I hate it when that happens!
At least the kids had a good time! Cute pictures too!
P.S. Come see me when you get the chance in the next couple of days–I have some fun news!
I looks like a great vacation. I’m glad the kids had fun. That makes the disappointments with your tour less of a deal.
I would love to be digging my toes into that sand.
That looks amazing, I bet you had a great time.
Oh my husband and I have talked about going to Puerto Vallarta and this just makes me want to go even more!! Great pics!
THIS is the reason we don’t go to Mexico, or have any faint dreams of going to Mexico. Husb’d says everything we need to climb, see, touch, or experience can be found in the good ol’ US of A, where we know the language and exchange rate. Sorry you got ripped off; I bet you cannot wait to get back to Mexico for your FREE excursion!!
How pretty. Put that on my bucket list. But, that is one big lizard!
That looks like such a beautiful trip. At least it seemed to work out in the end even if you did get ripped off!
Those pics are great. I am SO jealous.
Ahhh…. I need a vacay now
GORGEOUS. I need a vacation, too.
This is my first Wordless Wednesday. Thanks for hosting!
What great photos! Even if you DID have to pay for one! lol
The trip really looks awesome. What a wonderful family vacation! One day I hope my husband and I take another trip. We went home for the holidays but I want a real vacay!
I can just imagine the iguana incident. Been there done that. Overall it sounds like it was a great time though!
This wordful wed really tickled me!! They are always out to rip people off over there!! We got ripped off a couple times when we went to Playa… my hubby did for sure!
Okay, even though you got “ripped off” I’m still really jealous!
But, for what it’s worth, you’re not the only one who has been dissappointed by those exursions…
Beautiful pics!
Ahhhh….what’s a trip to Mexico without getting ripped off? At least that is my experience. Never stopped me from going back though!
♥ Great pictures! It's beautiful there and everyone looks like they're having a blast!
Great pictures – I’ve wanted to go to Mexico for a long time. I’ve been ripped off myself many times – Indonesia is just one big scam!
We used to go back to our hotel and reminisce with the other tourists about how much we managed to be ripped off that day – pretty much a competition on who got done over the worst!
I haven’t got myself together for Wordful Wednesday this week – next week I promise!
And next time, take me too. ‘Kay?
You love your pictures, I am jealous I need a vacation!! Thanks for stopping by last week, the beaches are in VA!
your pictures are awesome!! glad you could enjoy your vacation even though it wasn’t perfect. not a lot of people could do that!!
OH MY GRAVY. I think I have to take a minute and be jealous. And worry about my house not selling and worry about my two friends who’s husband’s just lost their jobs.
And then…
think about my family’s upcoming vacation to phoenix in less than two weeks. Evil huh?
that all looks so nice. the cave looks scary and interesting at the same time.
First time i spotted wordful. i just cant seem to shut up on my wordless either! good idea
heres mine
http://www.mummydiariesblog.com/2009/04/britains-smallest-house.html
What a gorgeous place! Love the pics!
Nice vacation!
I just found out about Wordful Wednesday!
Come check out my little bunny and my poopfinger story!
Wow, prices have gone up on Iguana picture taking. They only charged us $1 20 years ago, when we were there for our honeymoon.
Just visiting via SITS today. All the best!
Whew!! What readership you have!
Wanted to say… Lovely pictures!! And I’m so jealous of you!!
And one point I found interesting… Did you know the sand is softer BECAUSE the granules are bigger? Cooler too (relative to avg temp and all) because of more air between the grains!
Beautiful pics Ang! So glad you guys had such a great time. I wish you hadnt gotten hurt though.
Love and Prayers,
Tim
oh that all looks beautiful!!
Amazing! Great pics.
Love the pics and the iguana reminded me of Puerto Rico! My cousins and I used to catch them for sport, because they are FAST!
In the end, it looks like you had a great time even tho they were shady re:pricing, etc. Just keep the good moments and toss the bad I say!
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