We arrive a bit before noon and the daily tour doesn’t start for an hour, so we peruse the map and set off on a fairly distinct trail through a heavy forest. Many vines, not much water; the trail goes up and down a LOT. From time to time there are informative placards and a number of plants have signs, so we’re better informed when we emerge (having clambered over a “swinging bridge: NO HORSEPLAY!”). We find our way to the visitor center, which has a lovely large lily pond … the obligatory gift shop … a small café upstairs … and a tour group of SERIOUS birders with very long lenses on cameras & binoculars.
Happily for us, the experts wander off to keep their own counsel … but now it’s a bit after one and we’re worried that we’ve missed the tour. Claudette makes inquiry and we’re assured that it will be just a few minutes. Retailers and HR folks that we are, we know right away that the designated guide is a no-show and they’re desperately trying to find & free up someone who can speak English well. Ay-YUP! But what a stroke of luck: we’re assigned to one of the scientists-in-residence, who looks pretty Rasta but speaks eloquently about the plants and the work the Garden has taken on. A mighty nice upgrade.
The place was established just a few years ago, originally focused on saving orchid species in danger of extinction. Someone donated a large tract of land, and the mission has broadened to saving a nice chunk of ecosystem (as well as the orchids!). We were introduced to modern and pre-historic plants, several birds (in flight), and lots of orchids. Then our guide had to go back to work (he was very appreciative of being drafted to LEAVE HIS COMPUTER and go outside on a beautiful day) and we went up to the café for our complimentary glass of hibiscus tea.
A strolling one-man-band-for-hire came by, playing a big guitar and a set of pan pipes in lieu of a harmonica. The music was soothing as he made his rounds. The iced tea (complete with small green orchid flower as garnish on the rim) was excellent. Refreshed, we greeted our guide who was hard at work on a laptop as we made our way through the gift shop (chocolate for dessert tonight!) and back to the entrance. We were just in time to get to the northbound bus stop; almost all the pairs of seats were filled with one sleeping person. We found seats toward the back of the bus and enjoyed the return ride; at one point a bevy of schoolgirls in uniform boarded, leaving several stops down the road. Gradually folks awakened and the bus filled in; we debarked in downtown Puerto Vallarta and had to rustle up a cab back up the hill to home. That was unusual, our normal experience has been needing to shoo them off like flies!
This driver seemed more familiar with our street, and took an earlier turn up the hillside. This did prove to us that the road “goes somewhere” beyond our little crest. While the physical road was much better than our end of things, it still went up some precipitous climbs that would put fear in the heart of any American transmission. We did arrive home safe and sound, and happy for the small education.
Dinner was the final chicken breast, a bunch of green beans simmered with plum tomatoes, onions & garlic, and a bit of pasta. All enlivened with a newer Spice House blend, “Bay View Tuscan Seasoning.” Well recommended!
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