PUERTO VALLARTA SAGA 4:

THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA

A few days after returning from Puerto Vallarta, David, Scott, Ted and I watched "The Night Of The Iguana", set in Puerto Vallarta.

When John Huston, Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr arrived there in 1962 to film the Tennessee William's play, the city had only a few thousand residents.

Though a small coterie of adventurous travelers had been coming to the small beach town since the early '50s, Puerto Vallarta was far off standard tourist maps. There were no large hotels or luxury inns, and the notion of million-dollar condos overlooking the bay was beyond conception.

But within weeks of the crew's arrival, things changed dramatically, with the bayfront village making front-page news and journalists and photographers descending en masse to implant the image of Puerto Vallarta in ihe imagination of millions of movie fans around the globe. lt wasn't the movie itself that attracted the attention but rather the illicit affair between Burton, the film's primary star, and Elizabeth Taylor, who had tagged along to be with her paramour. The fact that both were married to other people at the time made their romance a major scandal.

More than 50 years later, "The Night of the Iguana" remains entrenched in the city's history but things have changed so much that only a few physical reminders of the film remain. You can make a quick tour of them in a single day.

Begin at Casa Kimberly, a few blocks above the main church. Liz stayed here during filming, and afterward Burton bought the home for her. The couple liked Puerto Vallarta so much they continued visiting for years after and subsequently bought a neighboring casa to house guests, connecting the structures with a bridge spanning the street.

Taylor sold the properties in 1990 and bought a new home in Marina Vallarta, but the casas remain, drawing a steady stream of gawkers. Huston lived several miles south of town at Los Caletas; you can visit his estate as part of the "Rhythms of the Night" tour.

At night, Burton and frequent guest actor Peter O'Toole would often meet Huston a few blocks from Casa Kimberly at a bar where reportedly they would drink till they passed out.

The movie was shot south of town of Playa Mismaloya, then accessible only by boat. The set remains standing but has fallen into disrepair and has been fenced off.

For other reminders of the movie, a somewhat cheesy statue of Burton and Taylor stands inside the Fuente del Puente restaurant.

On the lsla Cuale, is a classier statue of John Huston.

The most peculiar tribute to the stars has to be the Elizabeth Taylor Theater which now shows porno movies.

PUERTO VALLARTA SAGA 3:

TWO EXCURSIONS

The first was a 5-hour catamaran boat trip around the bay. What fun. Lots of Tequila. The views were spectacular.

We alighted at a beach restaurant for a lively lunch.

A good time had by all!

The next excursion took us way outside town to the spectacular Botanical Gardens:

We lunched at the fabulous restaurant.

Three of us had the horseradish dressed shrimp salad in a wonderful, whole avocado.

Next, THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA!

PUERTO VALLARTA SAGA 2:

ENVIRONS AND RESTAURANTS

We stayed in a nice condo on the south side of town, convenient to shops, restaurants and the beaches.

Walking around, we spotted many wonderful views.

Eating out was one of our favorite activities. Puerto Vallarta is a real restaurant city with many choices. Our favorites were on the beach or in the hills overlooking the city.

The sunsets were glorious.

This restaurant on a river had iguanas to view. During our meal, one of them landed on a dining table near us. It was pandemonium, but exciting.

Next, TWO EXCURSIONS.

INVESTMENTS SAGA 3:

EEGC - DOWN TO A PENNY!

Nothing much has happened with the company since I first invested 5 years ago—except go down in value.

It's January 2012, EEGC is at a low point. Question is, will it recover or die? No one knows at this time but it looks rather bleak.

I can't get any answers from anyone. Everyone's mute.

It doesn't look good. My $200,000 investment is now worth $60,000.

TYPICAL CHART:

CURRENT CHART:

EEGC has a new Chief Financial Officer, David Villarreal, Jr. He holds great promise. But the current thinking is that the CEO, Malcolm Bendall, should be replaced!

And in contrast, OIL is at record highs—hovering over $100 a barrel.

I also feel bad for the several people I got to invest in the stock, thinking it was going to the moon. But there's always hope.

BODY WEIGHT SAGA 8:

THREE MONTHS AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY

I'm doing great! No more discomfort, unless I eat too much.

I weigh the least I've weighed since 1987 (24 years)!

I also weigh less than I did in High School! But I've weighed even less than that in the ensuing years: 151 in 1986 and 165 when I was in Italy in 1982. THIS IS MY GOAL: to weigh only as much as I weighed while living in Italy!!!

BEFORE 12/5/11, 225#

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3/7/12, 181#

225# to 181# = -44#.    GOAL: 165# or 60#.

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PUERTO VALLARTA SAGA:

VACATION SOUTH OF THE BORDER

From February 19th to the 29th, 2012, David, Scott, Ted and I were on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Oh, what a wonderful time. Puerto Vallarta is located on a huge bay surrounded by big mountains—beautiful. It's both primitive and sophisticated at the same time.

It's very hilly with rough, cobblestone streets—picturesque but hard to traverse: sore muscles and back! But, I soon became more acclimated.

But the life there is very fun and lively with extraordinary nightlife.

Here's the four of us:

David

Scott

Ted

and Me.

The symbol for Puerto Vallarta is this boy on a seahorse.

Next, ENVIRONS AND RESTAURANTS.