Tired, exhausted and ill from seven straight days of partying and drinking right now...but damn...it was ALL worth it!!! Puerto Vallarta was the BEST time of my life! It was super hard coming back and it's going to be difficult to get back into school mode. *sigh*


The following is a brief summary of each day, including links to the photos. Each photo has a description at the bottom, so be sure to read them!

Day 1 in Mexico

We deparated at 2:35pm Edmonton time, and arrived in Mexico 4.5 hours later. The flight was a rowdy one, with mostly people 18-22 years old. Alot of the people looked quite younger though! While waiting at the airport, we met Jen, Mel and Christy, 2 Edmontonian girls in the same all inclusive tour that we were on.

Our hotel was called "The Getaway Club", which was located about central Puerto Vallarta. We had to stand in line in the hotel lobby for what seemed like an hour, waiting to check in. That was not fun, especially since all Miche and I wanted to do was go change and start drinking...which we did asap.

Having been a long day, tired from the flight and eating no supper, the few drinks that we had did not take long to kick in.

Michelle and I met a group of Italian (and Greek) guys from Toronto. They had just arrived that day as well. We ended up hanging out with them quite a bit for the rest of the week.

All of us went to a bar called Carlos O'Briens to party, where I can hardly recall much, except that Michelle was holding my hair back as I was vomitting into the toilet at the bar. It was bad news. Michelle was hammered too, but not as much as I was. She was wiping my mouth at one point, and my nose ring fell into the toilet. Not like I could find it, and if I could, not like I would wear it again. Ewww!

As we were leaving the bathroom, out of nowhere, this Mexican dude helps me to stagger out of the bar. I had NEVER EVER felt that drunk in my life...I wanted to pass out so bad right then and there. The mexican guy was literally holding me up as I was going down the stairs. My body was practically parallel to the floor! He ended up coming into the cab with Miche and I, paying for it, and helped us get up the stairs to our hotel room. Miche paid him and he left.

I took out my contacts, tried to put in another nose stud (aren't I such a smart girl for bringing extras?) but that one fell into the sink. Shit. So then I closed the sink, and then put in my second last nose ring. Success. Then I passed out onto my bed.

The next morning, Miche and I woke up and luckily, we slept in separate beds because we were both sleeping in our own vomit! It was all over the sheets and our clothes and Miche managed to get some at the end of her bed. I don't know how. We called housekeeping, but felt really bad and tried to clean up some ourselves.

See Day 1 photos here!

Day 2

Michelle and I got up, and had breakfast, then toured around the local area, but nothing was opened really. We headed back to to resort and walked down the beach. At night, we went to Carlos O'Briens (again). This time, we were smart enough not to get too retarded with the drinking.

See Day 2 pix here!

Day 3

I went shopping with Mel, Christy and Jen to downtown PV. Of course, greedy me, I bought some clothes for myself - souvinir shopping could wait!

At night, we went to a foam party at "The Collage" night club. It was my first foam party ever. Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera b/c I knew it would get ruined in the big "bubble bath" party. Bodies rubbin' against bodies. It was a great time, despite the foam getting into my mouth and eyes. It ended up making my clothes stink too, but the party was well worth it.

Poor Michelle though, she ended up getting rashes on her feet, which made them swell. Her toes looked like little pigs...awwww.

See Day 3 pictures here!

Day 4

The highlight of my day was getting my hair braided. I bargained it down from $350 pescos to $300, but I ended up giving the lady $400 pescos (about $40 US) because she did a great job and it took her 2 hours to do my hair. This is the way she makes a living, I think I can afford to give away 10 extra bucks. Bargaining is fun though!

At night, I went to Senior Frogs with the Italian guys, then we got bored and went to Carlos. We walked in just in time for the wet t-shirt contest...although I assure you the girls were not wearing much of t-shirts. The Italian guys headed back to the resort not long after, but Dan and I stayed and danced, then we walked home and went to the beach. We saw two people having sex on the beach, and four mexican workers were poking their heads out of a nearby building watching. It was hilarious.

View Day 4 pix here!

Day 5

Our tour group went on a "Booze Cruise", which wasn't much of one since it wasn't wild. It was more like a family cruise. There was whale watching, snorkeling, and relaxing on a beach.

At night, we went on a "Canada Kicks Ass" pubcrawl to 4 different bars. That was a wicked time! Again, being the party animal that I am, I stayed behind and danced while the girls left. I met Jonah, a cool guy from Calgary, and we ended up walking back to the resort together.

View Day 5 Pix here

Day 6

Michelle's feet were feeling better, so we did some shopping and this time, I bought some souvinirs for others. At night, we went to "The Collage" where there was a Mardi Gras theme. We didn't end up staying there too long because Chrystal, Ashley, Kat, me and Michelle wanted to go skinny dipping in the pool back at The Getaway.

Unfortunately, when we got there, there were about 20 other people there as well, who wanted to skinny dip. Word must have caught on, and the security guard got there right before any action proceeded. Michelle didn't care and just jumped into the pool with her nice dress on. I was laughing so hard - i fogot to get a pic of that!!! I hadn't seen Michelle that hammered before!

We all tried to stay up all night since we had to be up at 5:00AM anyways, but Miche and I couldn't do it and we crashed for about an hour.

See Day 6 Pix here!

Day 7

Boooo! Last day in Mexico...we were all so tired, cranky, bitchy...the plane ride was a quiet one, as most people were passed out. Kurt, the guy sitting beside me, made Miche and I a little nervous since he was holding a vomit bag in his hands the whole time. Luckily, he never had to use it!

View Day 7 pix here!

Ok, so you know how I've been working out hardcore and cutting back on the carbs? Well, it's finally all paying off...because people are taking notice of the changes!

These past couple weeks have been a bit interesting in terms of the compliments and attention I've been getting about my figure. I've had a couple people tell me how hard my arms feel, and yesterday, another girl come up to me at the gym, telling me how toned I was! (That's like the best compliment!) She wanted advice on how I got so toned. Also, I bumped into a friend I hadn't talked to in awhile in the locker room, and she was commenting on how I looked like I lost weight and looked more toned.

Even though I've been cutting down on carbs, and I did lose a few pounds, you know what I think the ultimate secret is?

Tanning. That's right...fake and baking.

I've been tanning to get a base for my Mexico trip. I know that tanning brings out definition of the body even more, so this may be part of the reason why I look more toned. Whatever works!

I have no idea if these next two incidents are related to these "changes", but last week, some guy came up to me in the gym and introduced himself to me. Just like that. Then today, another guy (he was super cute too!) introduced himself to me and asked me out! Now that's BOLD! Of course I had to turn him down, but if I was single, I definitely would have gone on a date with him.

Perhaps it's just me getting extremely excited about Dan coming back soon and my Mexico trip, that's causing me to have a permanent smile on my face (Oh...wait...I'm always smiling)...but the "ora" I have, must be bringing out certain vibes to others.

Check out Dan's new pictures!

Collection A

Collection B

Collection C

whoops, i got a little lazy, and haven't updated in awhile. Anyway, this is a posting from Dan on Feb. 7th

Do I have to come back?

Kepler Track - This was a 4 day, 66 kilometer mountainous trek, with an elevation gain of over 1200 meters. Rain on the first day, which consisted of an 800 meter climb into a cloudy mountain side. The weather cleared for the second, which gave me some great panoramic pictures of the mountain ranges. Another 400+ meters and I reached the peak of Mt. Luxmore, where I spent a few hours along the ridges between peaks and then the steep descent back to flat land. Day was was spectacular. Finally I got a hot day, a day without rain, and a day without sandflies (the first for all three while in NZ). The hut was located on a very picturesque beach on a tranquil lake surrounded by a showcase of fiords and mountains. Swimming in the pristine waters was welcomed relief to my sore muscles. The sunset was unbelievable as sunbeams shot through the clouds until the passing of the final moments of the day. The fourth day was a generally flat walk through lush green forests, where various mosses outlined the path and stringy ferns dangled from the blackened trees, creating a eerie Lord of the Rings feeling. I overhead one German tramper state “This place is special”. I agree.

Anyhow, I’m now back in Queenstown after an adventurous day hitchhiking. I decided to take a more scenic route back, but this plan backfired as there was very little traffic and I couldn’t get a ride for 3 hours (and 15 km of walking). Just when I was losing faith, I came across a high school aged farm girl who, with her horse Bloke, was checking her mail. I soon “saddled up” and got a ride for about 10km or so until the next major intersection. My next three rides consisted of a couple from England, an older couple from NZ who made me sign their hitchhiker guestbook which they keep in their car, and then 4 young NZ partiers from the north island. One moment I’m with someone who’s knitting sweaters and the next I’m being offered beers!

By the time you read this, I will have completed everything I set out to do in NZ and Oz. Tomorrow I will take the Nevis Highwire Bungy jump, which towers at 134 meters (I believe the 2nd highest in the world) and consists of 30 uniquely designed patents used to enhance the thrill factor.

Well, it’s less than a week away until I return. I’m a little home sick, but spending time in a country where I can still wear shorts outside has many advantages. I’ll be spending one more day in Queenstown (a lovely, yet touristy town similar to Banff), a day in Dunedin, then two in Christchurch before starting my many flights back home.

See ya then, D

My mom went hardcore on the cooking and baking today - and as of this moment, I am STUFFED. Mom made lasagna with whole wheat noodles, which was the first time I've tried whole wheat noodles. Honestly, I think they taste better than the regular noodles, and plus, it's healthier! I don't feel so bad about eating the carbs either!

Then mom made blueberry-banana muffins with whole wheat flour (I gotta lot of fiber in me now!) and those were deeeelicious! Mmm-mmm!

And for supper we had a juicy turkey, with mashed potatoes, stuffing and bach-choy (Ok, I know I totally spelled that wrong, but you know what I'm talking about).

After supper, I couldn't help myself, and I had a Hawaiian-nut chocolate - and right now, I am soooo craving for more (I can't stop picturing myself holding the box of chocolates in my lap, and stuffing my mouth full of them - one after another...ooooh man...how badly I want to do that right now...but I won't.)

Weird.

It's probably b/c I've been depriving myself of chocolate lately. Mmmm. Chocolate.... I swear, I can't stop thinking about that box calling my name.

In other news, 2 midterms down, 2 more midterms and 1 paper to go (for this week anyways). And less than 2 weeks until Dan comes home and I go to Mexico! Whoo-hoo!