Wednesday, February 2. 2022 

We returned to Puerto Vallarta today. The weather gods have been good to us so far with clear skies every day unlike the cold and precipitation which has pummeled the East Coast since we left. 

Although the seas were smooth, MA had a rough night and felt like she was awake the whole time.  It was of little consequence since we had no plans, but we had told Danan to give us a shopping list when we came to breakfast, so we dragged ourselves to the MDR before the 9 a.m. closing.  Either Danan did not take us seriously or we missed connections because no one brought us his list. 

Not too long after breakfast, D donned his HAL 9000 baseball cap, grabbed his sunglasses and began today's version of the Puerto Vallarta Shuffle.  From the ship through the adjacent shopping mall -- the only way to reach the street -- and then round one of PV Frogger [as Jon described it].  He dodged from median to median to cross 10 lanes of traffic before finishing the crossing and continuing to Wal-Mart. 

Today's goals were cosmetics such as lotion and sun screen for us as well as Doritos for the waitstaff.  Although he was successful finding these items, he could not find pretzels or cheese-and-cracker packs.  Perhaps it was due to language problems, perhaps to differing tastes in Mexico [no pun intended].  We'll have to continue to snack on peanuts, cashews, apples and protein bars. 

Retracing his steps across the mammoth parking lot and 10-lane death trap, he returned to the tchotchke store where he bought t-shirts last week.  He bought an assortment of goodies for presents including a doll for Danan's 4-year-old daughter. Surprisingly, MA was till awake when he got to the cabin dragging his purchases.  MA approved of them, much to his relief.  

MA was not long for consciousness, though, so had a protein bar as her lunch while D went to the Lido for curried chicken and vegetables.  And the obligatory Diet Coke.  He also picked up 2 more bottles of water to keep in the room refrigerator.  MA was in bed and semi-awake when he returned and fell back to sleep almost immediately.  D read on his tablet and played word games before he, too, went for the SCAN. 

The good ship Covid-dam left port around 4 p.m. as scheduled.  The captain came on the intercom twice to announce the presence of whales on either side of the ship, but we did not see them from our rear-facing cabin.  

 We had the usual drink in the Ocean Bar [Tito's vodka and ice water for those who forgot] and headed for dinner at 8 o'clock.  Tonight's menu featured one of MA's all-time favorites -- the curried vegetable cutlet which is really pureed veggies shaped into a patty and deep fried.  Even D had it as  his entree.  

We gave Danan the doll and said he was going to send a picture of it to his wife so she could show it to their 4-year-old.  She won't get the doll until Danan goes home in July [?].  Tomorrow night, we will take the Dorito's to him on the condition that he share with another waiter, Arjay, who is the one who actually asked for them.  Danan said that usually they try to get noodles when they are ashore since they can fix them quickly in their quarters.  If D gets of the ship on Friday, he will look for noodles as well as another t-shirt for MA. 

Losing efforts in the casino were followed by a slow walk home and Tylenol for MA whose back was really acting up tonight. And so to bed. 

Tomorrow -- Another Sea Day