And.....we're back home

 The morning went by quickly. Caro went for a run and then had one last swim in the ocean.

I stuck around our place so that Serge and Marthe could move their stuff into our apartment (soon to be "theirs") as their place was already being cleaned for the next guest to use. Also I really didn't feel like doing a run and getting all sweaty anyway. We said our "good-byes" to Serge and Marthe shortly after 10 A.M. and they left to do whatever they planned to do for the day. We heard later that when they returned at 3 P.M. the cleaning lady was still preparing "their" apartment (doing a deep clean to prevent covid transmission between guests).

At 1:30 Caro walked out to the main road and got a cab to come up the mini street to the apartment building and we loaded our suitcases. 

By 2:15 or so we were at the airport and started the check in procedure. It took quite a bit of time as all passengers had to show they had completed the "ArriveCan" app on their phones and then prove they had had their negative PCR test.

Our plane came in shortly after 4 PM

One thing we noticed as we watched the arriving passengers deplane was there were a more pre-schoolers than had come on our flight in January. Perhaps it is something to do with less covid restrictions?

We were on the plane and ready to go by 4:45. The stewardess got on the intercom and asked "are you happy to be going home" and there was NOT ONE CLAP!  Too funny!

The flight to Calgary was uneventful. On the flight I noted that the Westjet App had internet options. Well that was something new for me so I purchased an hour of texting (only) for $3.15 and so after entering my credit card number I was "activated" and spent the next hour texting family and friends from 34,000 feet. It is a nice little perk but I am not sure if it is of any real value unless some really important information needs to be relayed.

The Calgary airport is not very convenient at all. Poor directions for getting people to security and onwards to their appropriate gates (it might be better in daytime but certainly not at night) . It also didn't help things  that MANY on our flight were "randomly"chosen to get covid tests. The testing itself was routine and didn't take all that much time but still...one more thing to stress a guy out!!

Unfortunately we also had to leave the secure area after clearing immigration and customs and getting our luggage which meant going through security again. What a pain in the a_s! I don't ever put my computer or CPAP machine in checked baggage and these items need to be open and visible and in their own trays. On top of that I need two trays for my normal things and need to show my boarding pass AGAIN while trying to get all my stuff in the appropriate trays which lead to a mini panic as I had misplaced my boarding pass in the  chaos (completely my fault-I shouldn't worry so much about holding up the lineup behind me as I fumble my way through this task). 

The flight to Edmonton arrived at 12:30 AM and it wasn't too much time later that we were greeted by Lisa and Chelada who then took us home, arriving at about 2:15 AM.

It was a wonderful time, but too long away from the family. 

Last full day in Manzanillo

 This morning we each had a massage from the same lady who gave us one a couple of days ago. 

While getting "beat up" by Lupita (the masseuse) the palm trees seen in almost all the sunset photos were getting trimmed back. They sure look different now, and I don't think it improves the view at all. We were however able to get a couple of fresh coconuts to enjoy.

We received our results back from our PCR tests and both of us are negative.

By mid afternoon it was time to go to LaComer store to pick up more candy gifts for the grand-kids.

We stopped at the Carnita's Asados restaurant on the way back and had a very good (and super filling) supper.

We needed to walk back just to try and burn off some of the supper calories.

We were able to check in for our flights tomorrow. Fingers crossed that all goes well!

To finish off today's blog here are two sunset photos just taken.

Unexpected Event

 This morning Caro walked out the door about 9:40 going to her 10 A.M. haircut and pedicure appointment.

I was quite surprised to see her back shortly after eleven and it turned out the stylist never showed up at the salon to do the job. Caro had waited over half an hour before giving up.

A short while later we were back out walking to a restaurant we had been to before, to enjoy a brunch. Yummy!

In the afternoon we went swimming in the big "salty pool" with this time being only the second time for me but a daily occurrence for Caro. After I was out of the ocean and at the pool Serge came over and we chatted about getting together tonight. All the while I was watching Caro to make sure she was doing OK bobbing up and down in the waves.

It was a great day talking to family on Facetime. I caught up with Dad, and later Lisa connected with us from Mike and Michelle's house. Hannah and Will are becoming very articulate and Rachel is rolling over! Once off the Facetime call we received a video message from Vanessa and Nathan showing Beckett getting ready to crawl soon. It is really time to get back and enjoy the kids "in person".

As per Lisa's suggestion here is Caro enjoying one of our last beers (beer and Chelada mix). Very shortly after the above photo was taken I took the following photo;

This is not a drone but a full size military helicopter that THUNDERED directly over top of us.

We have noticed a greater number of military and police in the area. We haven't heard about anything happening as far as the drug cartels or anything, just a greater degree of "authoritative" presence.

We finished our supper and watched another mind blowing sunset.

Busy Day

 We had a busy one today!

We left the apartment shortly after 10 and by 10:30 we were at the Barcelo hotel where we got our PCR tests taken. It was quick and relatively painless.

With that done we started walking towards Las Hades resort. We had to walk up into the hills and then westward.

In the center of the photo is Las Hades and down at sea level is the marina. We walked all the way to the marina where we stopped in a restaurant for some sparkling water. As we were walking out of the resort a cab came by so we caught it and had the driver take us to Miramar beach which is part of the bay north of ours (but is still part of Manzanillo).

The beach there is perfect for walking as the seas are very calm and the beach is hard and flat.  After a short while we decided to grab a snack at a beach restaurant.

After we left the beach (in a cab of course) we were dropped off at LaComer food store where we picked up some supplies for our return trip home on the airplane. We were back here about 3 P.M. and we both had long naps.

Tonight we went for supper with Serge and Marthe. We all walked to a restaurant about a kilometre from here. Caro and I were there two years ago and Serge/Marthe had been there earlier in their trip. It was a great supper with great food and drinks at very reasonable prices. There was an excellent guitar player providing live music which further enhanced the beautiful evening "ambience". 

Unfortunately the photo below isn't that good. There is a big sunset happening in the background and the reflection off the ocean doesn't help either.

We walked back together and said our "good nights" shortly after 8:30 P.M.

Getting our Massages

Last night there was another party just outside our apartment building. The owners have video cameras set up to view the area and because of the ongoing issues with people partying at night when they (the owners) saw there was a party they called the police so it was cleared soon after. At least it wasn't too late.

Lupita, "our" masseuse was here at 11 A.M. and after setting up, Caro got her massage.

After Caro was done it was my turn. I said I wanted "fuerte" (hard) so she gave me a good working over! It was great, especially as I had completed a good walk/jog this morning so my legs were tightened up. Anyway the experience was so good (and the price with tip only $25 each) that we have booked her for Thursday morning at 10 A.M.

Tonight we went to a restaurant near the traffic circle. 

It was excellent. I imagine we will go they again. We had a couple of drinks each and the meal for a total cost with tip of only about $26.

Afterwards we sat on Serge and Marte's patio and chatted for a couple of hours. A lady from the apartment at the back joined us. She is from Leon, Mexico and her father is a retired army general. 

Tomorrow we get our PCR test and after that we plan to go to a beach near the hotel where the testing takes place.

Start Your Engines !!

 I forgot to mention last night we watched the whales breaching. They weren't super close but it is always exciting!

Today was a busy day on the beach with many families enjoying the day. The noise of just lots of kids having fun and no boom boxes blasting away was very nice!

This afternoon was the start of racing season. The Daytona 500 was run in Florida. A great race with a rookie winning it by 1/2 a car length. I slouched so long on the couch my butt is killing me. 

After supper and clean up we headed down to the pool area. Caro went for a walk on the beach and I took the following photo.

Caro had been speaking to the owner of the house next door . He is down from Los Angeles for the weekend (he is originally from here). Somehow it came up in conversation about him getting a massage tonight from a local lady he knew. When Caro stated she might want a massage as well the fellow called out to Caro when the masseuse arrived. We are both booked tomorrow starting at 11 A.M!

We had three games of rummy tonight with Caro winning two games to one with the last game won by one move. Can't get much closer than that!

Caro and I have been commenting to each other the last few days that it is time to go home. Right now it looks like six weeks is the longest we want to be away from all the family (and we are in our seventh).

Our last Saturday here

 Today was a great day because for the first time since Caro broke her foot six weeks ago she did a run!

She wasn't able to complete what she would consider a normal distance but about a third or so. Progress!

In mid afternoon there was, what appeared to be, a homeless woman using the pool to wash up. Caro realized what was happening and questioned the lady (from the balcony). She  (the lady) quickly took off. Meanwhile Caro had contacted the owners and Adrian (the co-host) was over a few minutes later to confirm nothing had been stolen from the area and to clean and re-chemical the pool.

We had a quiet afternoon just being lazy and then tonight after supper we got together with Serge and Marthe at the pool side table.

After the darkness came our furry neighbours came out to visit.

We really get along well with Serge and Marthe and I imagine we will spend as much time as possible together before we leave.

Tomorrow afternoon is the Daytona 500 race. I believe I will have to watch it in Spanish but at least I can watch it!