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The Wonder Luster

For Those Of Us Whose Dreams Won't Die Between 17 and 65.

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

One Week At The Velas Vallarta Resort

Travel | November 3, 2015

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Disclosure Policy.

The Velas Vallarta Resort Pools and Lazy River

This was my first trip to Puerto Vallarta, and despite the fact that we missed a day due to a hurricane scare, things were back to normal relatively quickly (but I’ll have more on the hurricane later).

Velas Vallarta is an all-inclusive resort in the marina area of Puerto Vallarta which is conveniently close to the airport.  We came for about a week, and spent a lot of time at the pool- but also got to enjoy the basketball court, tennis court, gym and the complimentary tours in the greater Puerto Vallarta area that are included.

The Velas Vallarta Resort Review

When we arrived, we were greeted with a cool towel and hibiscus juice (which I didn’t get a picture of unfortunately since we were full with luggage) and check in was smooth and speedy.   We also got some green juice and lime popsicles after our luggage was unloaded, it was instantly relaxing.

Velas Vallarta All Inclusive Puerto Vallarta Mexico Resort

Upon arriving to our rooms, we had a great view of the pool and ocean..which we frequented each day we were there.  The pool side service was top notch- our favorite server was Jacinto. He was super nice and brought us what quickly became our favorite drinks- the mojito and a local favorite (seen below) the silk stocking, a local favorite, which apparently made the server blush when I ordered it.  It was pink and delicious; I had several while sitting by the pool and catching up on back issues of O Mag and Redbook.

Velas Vallarta All Inclusive Resort Pueto Vallarta Mexico

The resort itself was really lush- as you walked around there was a weaving lazy river through the grounds, coconut trees, and greenery everywhere.  Iguanas were frequently spotted by the pool and peacocks roamed the grounds.  Yes, iguanas and peacocks.

Peacocks of Velas Vallarta

The sunsets though, after a hectic day of lounging pool side with unlimited beverages and food service, were pretty fabulous.

Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta MexicoAdditionally, the fridge was stocked with complimentary beers, water, sodas and milk as part of the all-inclusive package. Plus, there were snacks in the room if you didn’t want to wait for room service.

We also enjoyed the resorts two restaurants- La Ribera Restaurant, which offers gorgeous oceanfront views and an equally pretty view of the skyline in the bay. The waitstaff were awesome, and each meal included a trip to the salad bar and soup if requested.

Another on-site restaurant was the Restaurant Andrea and we stopped in there for two of the meals during our stay, and it offered both indoor and outdoor seating and bottle service so you’d never go thirsty.  Nightly, you could enjoy different themes (my favorite being French night) and a few times, the mariachi band came over to serenade everyone.

Velas Vallarta Rooms In Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Okay, so as much as I do like to try new things when I travel- I happened to get quite fixated on chilaquiles with verde sauce. The all-inclusive package of Velas Vallarta included complimentary room service, so every morning I ordered chilaquiles with verde sauce, espresso and fresh fruit.  Velas Vallarta Room Service- All Inclusive Resort in Puerto Vallarta Velas Vallarta Sunset

If you’d like to visit Puerto Vallarta, I’d recommend a visit to Velas Vallarta since it’s competitively priced at about $168 USD per person per day during the off season and $198 in peak season, and that includes everything, food and drink and honestly- really solid service. It was a great value for the money, and the food was muy delicioso…plus, room service whenever you want it? It means you never have to leave your robe, or your bathing suit!

We went during “shoulder season” so we could get a great deal and the resorts weren’t as crowded, so we frequently had first pick on where we’d like to lay out and lounge by the pool.

Tropical destinations really pick up from November to March, so if you’d like to take advantage of the offers and skip the crowds, consider booking during shoulder season in October and April, to also miss the really hot season!

Velas Vallarta is an all-inclusive resort in the marina area of Puerto Vallarta. It was absolutely an amazing experience and I recommend it highly.

 

Thanks to the Velas Vallarta for hosting us for a portion of this stay.

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

« Living It Up In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!
When Hurricane Patricia Crashed Our Vacation & Other Reflections When Travel Doesn’t Go As Planned »

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Some people just make the world a more vibrant pla Some people just make the world a more vibrant place, simply by being in it.  I can say that about these people- who make life more colorful, brighter and true just by being themselves. 

Grateful we could slow down to capture a little snippet in time for our family before we grow again. ❤️
IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelb IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelblogger #travel #familytravel #travellust
3 years since this photo was taken and my former k 3 years since this photo was taken and my former kidney became this guy's kidney. ❤️

I can say, I've grown to appreciate this moment a lot more as time has gone on.  It hasn't been an easy road for my recipient, he and his family have had a few health scares and ups and down, but I'm so grateful we are in each other's lives.

Chances are, you may know of someone in need of a kidney. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S., over 80 million people, are at risk for kidney disease.  While not every diagnosis leads to kidney failure, there are millions of people in this scary limbo hoping for good news.

I didn't know my recipient before this process started, but when I found I could live healthfully with one, I knew I had to try.  Donation is low-risk, my costs were generously covered by my recipient (both through insurance and the kindness of others) and I was back at work in 4 weeks.  Needless to say, it was easier than birthing a baby.

Candidates for kidney donation are thoroughly vetted to ensure the surgery, and life with one kidney are a good fit.  Trust me, your team will not ask you to donate if you have any risk factor of being in need of a transplant yourself down the road.  Testing took months and was incredibly thorough.  Your remaining kidney can do the job of two, and my kidney levels are normal and healthy 3 years later.

Even if you don't personally know someone who needs a kidney, please consider living kidney donation.  You can anonymously donate, be paired through a registry or find someone on social media who is in need, like I did.  There are literally thousands of people using Instagram and Facebook to try and someone who is even willing to get the basic tests.  You could be their person.  Have questions? I’m here for you! 

Being a living kidney donor absolutely enriched my life beyond imagination and has blessed my little family with a beautiful extended family to celebrate with.  Grateful for this day.
Life’s moments are made better with our pets. ❤️

Joey had been with us for nearly 4 years, made possible by the kind folks of South Texas Boston Terrier Rescue. I picked him up, intending on fostering him for a few weeks and ended up falling in love with his sweet spirit, exuberance for anything food related and his lovable derpiness.

Previously, he was kept in a small cage with two other terriers, all day every day and used as a stud. When he was no longer profitable, he, like plenty of others, was surrendered to rescue.  He was blind in one eye, needed teeth extracted and had skin lesions from life in a cage. 

Life hadn’t been easy for him, but I’m glad a rescue was there to give him a second chance, and they trusted me to give in his second chapter.  He was a well travelled dog and he was the Best Pup on our wedding day in Marfa.  Last night we said goodbye. Hubs and I will miss him dearly, but savor the moments and adventures with our little tank. 

Adopt, don’t shop.  Support your local rescues and give your fur kids an extra squeeze for Joey tonight.
“Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked “Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked me this before. To which, I answer- life is full, wonderful, and I am grateful. 

I believe he asks because before kids, I had a very different lifestyle. I traveled to Europe by myself, started businesses, donated a kidney, ran half marathons, got my master’s degree.  I lived a full life, then too. I was fiercely independent because I had to be.

I’m still that person, but fortunately I have more people to share it with. I also have to be more vulnerable than ever.

I had years to find myself and don’t plan on losing that woman I forged. Being a mom has also helped me heal some of the hard parts of the experience I had with my own mom. (I didn’t see that last part coming.)

Being a mom can make you lose yourself.  For me, it’s helped me discover myself once more. Grateful for this day and so many days - I’m just happy to be here. 

Happy Mother’s Day everyone. I hope you discover yourself, heal what you need and feel the love today and everyday.

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