It has been hot in La Manzanilla so we decided to head for the hills. Meeting our friends , who joined us from Victoria Canada, in Puerto Vallarta, we spoiled ourselves by staying at the posh Villa Premiere Hotel and Spa. Very pleasant experience indeed and both restaurants are recommended. Two days of sheer hedonistic pleasure was enjoyed by all.
Travelling on a new highway, our first destination was San Sebastian in the Sierra Madre mountains. Both this village and Talpa( that we were to go to also )have been difficult and expensive to get to because no highway excisted. One had to fly in before. San Sebastian was very small. It had been an old mining town and dates back to 1605. At 4,500 feet the air was clean and crisp and cold in the night. We stayed in a very basic hacienda type hotel called Hotel El Pabellon Mexicano. The owner was the local doctor and very charming. We sampled a few of the local drinks and had a tour. This had been part of the silver factory and secret tunnels were still in existance leading from the hotel to the church. He invited us to have a look but we declined - all I could vision were rats. 
Very charming village.
The following day we drove to Talpa de Allende which is surrounded by pine covered mountains. Three pilgrimages a year happen here to see the Virgin “Rosario of Talpa”. This is a small statue that is said to have healing powers . At over 4000 feet as well, the climate was perfect. We stayed in a fabulous B&B called Hacienda Jacaranda run by Bill and Guy. Guy is a trained chef and his breakfast was to die for. They were a little out of town but our hacienda style verandah afforded us lovely views of the town surrounded by pastures of horses, ponds and Millets fields. I could see new construction everywhere now that the road is completed. Say good-bye to peaceful Talpa. With its proximity to Guadalahara and new four lane highway just being completed I can see it being another Ajijic.
Next stop was Tlaquepaque for two nights. More gastronomical experiences here with lots of shopping for me. I was looking for unique items for my new Condo in Ottawa. I found a fabulous hanging Alabaster lamp that my strong son will carry in his luggage this Christmas back to Ottawa. Lots of other things too. Fortunately there were pre Day of the Dead celebrations in the main jardin. We were so lucky to listen to a Mariachi bands, dancers and singers plus fabulous fireworks at the end. Few tourists at this time of year. The jardin was packed solid with the locals all singing along and dancing. Lovely to see. We also took a taxi into Guadalahara and showed our friends the Cathedral etc. Lunch was at the fabulous Restaurant 88.
Onward to Ajijic where we love to stay in a terrific B&B. They spoil us so. Here in Ajijic one can find a couple of stores that cater to gringos where one can find items not available elsewhere. Things like hard flour, self raising flour, herbs and losts of other things. Of course they come at a price. Still, we only do it twice a year. We also checked out the real estate. I love looking at homes for sale. They certainly are tempting and for a lot less than La Manzanilla but too cold for us. Also in Ajijic they have an animal shelter. Here we picked up two three month old sisters. They have both had most of their shots and volunteers come in daily to sit with them making them used to humans and easier to introduce into a home. Come and meet Skabanga and Simba.
Back in La Manzanilla now, the weather has turned and believe it or not the heater for the pool has been turned on. The ocean is fabulous as well. The Day of the Dead was celebrated over the past few days too. Lots of flowers and music in the Jardin in the evening.
My rentals start this month too. The Casa furniture has all been varnished and every inch of the interior has been cleaned and checked - palapa too. The beach still remains a bit rocky in places. If nature does not clean it up soon we will bring in a bulldozer to push the stones back into the ocean. This seems to be a yearly practice.
Adios for now.