Whistler & Mexico - Snowballs and Tequila

February 2011 : Traveling to Whistler and Mexico

Snowballs and Tequila – What a holiday !

I have just returned from an absolutely amazing holiday, the perfect combination of snow and sun.
Thanks to Air New Zealand we have direct flights ex Auckland to Vancouver, of which on my North bound journey even I was upgraded to the amazing lie flat beds in Business Class!

The excitement started to build as I flew into Vancouver to see the beautiful snow capped mountains back lit with sunshine and a bright blue sky. Of course the first mission was to get the blood flowing again and walk the streets of Vancouver. Vancouver is such a safe and easy city to explore by foot, so it was from Kitsilano beach to the city and back.

Driving into Whistler was like being on a set in Narnia – a complete winter wonderland. (only 1.5 hrs from Vancouver)Snowflakes the size of my fist were gracefully falling and all around. Settled on the ground was about a metre of fresh powder, still about 10 minutes from Whistler Village...oh yes excited !

I stayed the next 5 nights at the Fairmont on Blackcomb – love it, all too easy with the “ski in ski out”. They even keep your boots in a warm room overnight to start the day with fresh toasty feet!

So I then had the next 5 days hitting the slopes and learning the runs all over both mountains. The terrain is just so vast and some awesome long runs. The ease of skiing both Blackcomb and Whistler is assisted by the Peak to Peak gondola – amazing!

Of course the Après skiing is also worth a mention.... dining out with friends included Teppan Village, a very entertaining night of full service Japanese Steakhouse. The Brewhouse – where the servings were extremely generous and extremely tasty – just what we needed after a day on the slopes...

During the day we refuelled with  Gluvine (mulled red wine) – perfect to warm the innards. Even at lunch time all the local mountain eateries were heaving with exhilarated skiers and music for the soul!

Most evenings prior to bed were of course back to the Fairmont to dip into the outside ( yes in the snow) hot tubs – perfect !! I was sad to leave Whistler could have easily had another week there.

Last dinner back in Vancouver was saying goodbye to some family and friends – so we managed to get a booth at the Cactus Club on Robson – amazing service and amazing food. Great last night in Vancouver !
Next Stop was Puerto Vallarta Mexico – where my cousin had booked us into the Sheraton Puerto Vallarta on an all inclusive deal – YES ALL INCLUSIVE! ( Gold bands on )Yes drinks by the pool from 10 am – 10 pm – a choice of 3 restaurants to eat at and the casual dining around the pool. Heck did we need to go anywhere.... well not really ! But the thought of how large we would in our 7 days here soon set in. We were on our own private beach, only with the occasional hawker trying to sell his wares, or a horse ride up the beach. The walk into the malecon was over cobblestones ( sensible shoes over stilettos are recommended) then up into the old town and romantic part of the village through bustling local markets. All very friendly and very safe and of course offers to taste tequila about every 10 metres – of course we had to indulge and what fabulous tequila there really is in Mexico ! Locally we were commonly known as Charlie and his Angels – too funny. Definitely knowing this was not the first group of x1 man and x3 ladies to be called “ Charlie and his Angels “ – GO MEXICO !
  We did manage to venture a little further than our loungers by the pool, margaritas and dear Edgar our waiter at the pool! So it was a day trip to the gorgeous little fishing village of Yelapa, cruising by boat past old movie star homes on the cliff faces – to the very remote and quaint village to spend the day walking through the village – eating FISH TACOS! – The local delicacy....and generally enjoying the beach surrounds.

A very eventful bus ride took us on another day trip to the stunning village was Sayulita. This place was an absolute fabulous taste of Mexico. Nice beach with little beach bars and restaurants, steep cobbled streets and young boys trying to entice you to learn to surf. A paradise to learn to surf with gorgeous warm water and very graceful waves.....

Eating and drinking was very cheap in Puerto Vallarta even for a touristy area...
This trip I would very much do again.. From the amazing snow and weather of Whistler to the fabulous sun and beaches of Mexico – A great holiday combination!

Margo Searle
Owner Operator
House of Travel Parnell