The city part of Puerto Vallarta is just like any other developed city. We actually found the small villages more fascinating. Our guide took us into the mountain and stopped by a few small towns. Every town has a town center. The size varies, but the color and the shape of the buildings are all the same.
Our guide asked if we would like to buy something for the kids at these small villages. They really didn't have much there. We stopped by at this small stores to get some lollipops for the kids.
We passed by a prison on the way. Our guide told us there are 3 prisons in Puerto Vallarta. One of them is in a small nearby island. Really really bad criminals are sent to the island prison so they can't escape.
Mexican people are religious. There is a church in every town. Usually the church is right by the town center.
This goat is filled with firework, and will be used for some festival.
We went through the jungle between villages. Our guide is very knowledgeable with plants and animals. He gave us lots of interesting info about the trees and animals in this area. For example, the small tree on the right just grew out of the big tree's trunk. This is a parasite tree that will kill the original host tree in the future. Quite interesting.
This was our guide, Eric. He was explaining to us about the shrine at the side of the road. This scene actually reminded me of Taiwan.
We stopped by at a small town. The kids came up to the Jeep to get some lollipop.
This small building is their elementary school. There are about 50 kids in this town. Everyone goes to school in the same classroom with only one teacher teaching. There is one bus in the morning taking the teacher here from the city, and one bus in the afternoon to take the teacher back. If the teacher miss the bus, then school is cancelled for that day. Most of these village kids start working in the farm after graduating from 6th grade.
We went into someone's backyard to look at the "food" that they grow in their house. There were cactus, mango, lemon, herbs, avocado, and even star fruit. There was a little boy following us. He would just pick up fruits on the ground and start eating. He even picked up a guava and gave it to me. So sweet.
This was the most memorable part of the tour for me. We saw a woman walking. After our guide talked to her, she invited us to her house for some http://www.eileenlikestoeat.commade tortilla.
I gave it a try. It was easier than I thought.
Then we cook the the tortilla on the cement "stove".
Homemade tortilla, cheese, guacamole made from fresh ingredients in the backyard, and star fruit from the tree.
This probably doesn't look that special. But we thought this was the BEST food we had on the entire trip. It wasn't gourmet, but it was full of "Mexico". I'll never forget the generosity of this family.
Two adorable little boys. I played with them for quite awhile. Even though we didn't understand each other, but somehow we didn't have trouble communicating. Just be friendly, open your heart, and smile. I think that's the universal language that everyone will understand.
Took a video of how their house looks like. The kids were playing little froggy jumping around. So cute!
We passed by lots of farm along the way. Mexican cattle look different than the American ones. They were all white, horned, and skinny.
View from our Jeep. This is one of the rich town in the area. After visiting this town, we went to lunch. (Will write in next post.) Lunch was also included in the tour.
Dr. P and our guide Eric. Eric is a wonderful guide who is very knowledgeable with the wildlife and history of the town. The tour was both informational and fun. Eric, a graduate from University of Oregon, speaks perfect English. We really enjoyed our "private" tour since there were no other tourists on that day.
I highly recommended this tour in Puerto Vallarta. If possible, you can try to request for Eric as your guide as well. We had a really good time on this tour.
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