This week meet Cyndi Alpenia, Owner of Archie’s Wok in Puerto Vallarta. Cyndi tells the Story of Coming to Vallarta from Santa Barbara with Archie and Two Young Children, Settling in Qumixto, Becoming Personal Chef to Director John Huston, and opening Archie’s Wok.

Also Dia de Los Muertos Celebrations in Puerto Vallarta

Bus Fares Going Up in Puerto Vallarta

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Hello fellow travelers, welcome this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel show. I am your host Barry Kessler and I am just so happy to be introducing you to my favorite vacation destination, and maybe even yours, Puerto Vallarta Mexico.

That music you were just listening to is performed by Alberto Perez, the owner of the La Palapa Group of Restaurants. Those are La Palapa, Puerto Vallarta’s Oldest Restaurant on the famous Los Muertos Beach, and The El Dorado Restaurant and Beach Club right next door so you can enjoy that fantastic view of the Los Muertos Pier all lit up at night in beautiful colors, or during the day in its grand splendor for breakfast, lunch or dinner, seated with our toes in the sand right at the water’s edge. It’s so romantic, it’s so, Puerto Vallarta my friends.

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This week we are taking you to Archie’s Wok, on of Vallarta’s most famous restaurants on Francisca Rodriguez, on the South-side of Vallarta, and you are going to meet Cyndi Alpenia, the owner, and Archie’s wife. Cyndi has a great story to tell us all, I can’t wait, but first, let’s see what’s happening this week in Puerto Vallarta, the 1^st of November, 2018.

 

Dia de Los Muertos Events for Nov 2^{nd  2018}

Link to Events Calendar Dia De Los Muertos 2018

Okay, since most of this is going to be over by the time you’re listening to the podcast let’s just talk about what’s happening on the night of November 1st there is going to be a presentation of the folkloric dancers de los Muertos and they will be performing at Lazaro Cardenas Park beginning at 8 in the evening till 9:30. Then up at the 5th of December Cemetery at 7, up

at the Panteón 5 de Diciembre, they are going to actually have songs and music and dancing and jokes being told by the Centro cultural Vallarta troupe then the next day the morning of November 2nd there is a free guided tour of the cemetery in the Cinco December neighborhood and I have a map that shows you how to get there that is at 9 in the morning and then will be another one at 10 in the morning again it’s a guided tour of the cemetery and a review and an explanation of the family traditions of the Dia de los Muertos then at 2 also at the cemetery there will be Mariachis performing the infantile performance that’s the little children then at 5 there will be the traditional parade the procession called the “Death is Alive” parade. It goes from the 5th of December Cemetery to Lazaro Cardenas Park and I have a map of the route in the show notes so check that out then later. Then, this is again November 2nd at 7:30 the joyful presentation and dance and jokes and what-not at the municipal Square,also at 7, The Day of the Dead Alters exhibition on the Malecon.

Then over at La Isla shopping center they’re going to have the biggest traditional dead bread in Puerto Vallarta contest. You got to check that out also at La Isla they are going to have a concert of guitars with themes from the movie Coco so there’s going to be all kinds of great stuff happening including fireworks I’m sure that’s going to happen as well.

I have the entire list in the show notes and don’t forget that the following day on the 3rd is going to be the party in the streets the fiesta and la Calle with our friends over at Los Muertos Brewery and again you can check out the maps so you can figure out where to catch that the third is going to be all kinds of things happening all during the day as well they’ll be activities on the Malecon at the Arches almost all night long so check it all out it’s going to be a great, great couple of days the 4th also they’re going to have stuff check out the schedule in the show-notes or on the Puerto Vallarta Travel Show Facebook page. It’s all there.

Dia de Los Muertos Event Calendar 2018

JR’s Meet and Greet at 5:30 at Kelly’s Pour Favor Saloon and Cookhouse

Last week, I brought on Edgar Rivas who told us about the Craft Beer Festival coming up the middle of this month, and we talked a little about the Hurricane Willa, well the next day I spoke with JR about the same thing, and a few other items. I gave you the wrong info as far as the time change for JR’s Meet and Greets. I said due to the time change the meet and greets are going from 5:30 to 6:30, well I got that totally screwed around. They were at 6:30, and now they will be at 5:30 but let’s go to Vallarta on a terrible internet connection, and let’s talk with JR and get it right from the man himself….

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Hurricane Willa Brings Flooding to Nayarit.

JR mentioned flooding in Nayarit from Hurricane Willa. The cities of Acaponeta, Tecuala and Tuxpan to the north in the neighboring state of Nayarit were devastated.

In Tuxpan the river that runs past flooded and almost everyone in that town lost everything to flood, and muddy silty goo. There are lots of efforts right now to get them food, water, mattresses, blankets, medicine, everything. It was all lost as well as their farms and crops. It’s a pretty devastating situation. I have some pictures and links for you in the show-notes. There are organizations sending supplies from Vallarta so look around for those. I’ll work them into the show-notes later in the week. I’ll also post some to my Facebook page at The Puerto Vallarta Travel Show so give if you can.

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/nayarit-town-takes-a-hit-from-the-hurricane/

I also talked with my buddy Alfonso up in Mazatlan, and he says they dodged the bullet. Things are fine in Mazatlan.

So, as JR said, all the markets are open, all around the bay, and we will be covering some of those in the months to come.

Corazon de Nina Starts Their Humanitarian Tours Every Tuesday at 9:30 AM

And speaking of the season getting started, the tours at Corazon de Nina are getting started as well. Corazon de Nina is the orphanage run my Melissa Canez, and we are supporters and friends for Melissa and Corazon de Nina,  and she writes….

We are gearing up for high season and would like you to invite you to our events if you are in Vallarta this winter. The Humanitarian Tour is a truly heartwarming experience. For a donation of $250 pesos you will receive a lovely breakfast, a tour of the home and an opportunity to interact with the children. Please note that we have changed the start time to 9:30 a.m. Every Tuesday in season.

Thank you for your continued support of Corazon de Nina and our children. We hope to see you when you are in Puerto Vallarta.

Bus Fares Increase in Puerto Vallarta November 2, 2018

Puerto Vallarta bus fare increase begins November 2

Bus Fares Increase Nov 2^nd, tomorrow too so check that out. As I said before, the increase from 7.5 pesos to 10 pesos doesn’t affect the typical tourist, but a Mexican family of 4 that’s an additional fare and a half. It’s pretty steep for the locals.

I have a friend who alerted me to a movement in Social media locally to protest the fare till all the buses are updated and the buses have air conditioning. Here’s a post from their Facebook page…

Together we will achieve true changes. People united 
In a press release they said that at the end of November, all the units will have air conditioning and the old ones will be renewed. Therefore, until that happens, we will continue to pay the normal rate.
Do it in a respectful way, record if necessary, respect the special places and above all keep the units clean.

Beware of Ketchup and Mustard on Pants Scam

Beware of the old mustard and ketchup scam. Beware of People being too attentive regarding Ketchup or Mustard stains on your clothing. It’s actually an old trick, thieves have used this scam for some time they squirt a package of ketchup or mustard on your clothes while you aren’t paying attention, then they call it to your attention and attempt to help you clean it off. They are trying to get your attention, so they can steal your wallet or something out of your purse or shopping cart.

If this happens to you, don’t accept help form any of them. make a big deal about it and tell them to get away from you and you don’t want their help. Be loud, and retreat from them or the crowd and make it known all around you, that these people are trying to steal from you. Don’t give these people the benefit of the doubt ok?

Let’s get on with the interview

Archie’s Wok, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

One of the cool things about what I do, is it gives me the opportunity to meet really interesting people. Some interviews are total surprises and this was one. There are some times when I get a little nervous about meeting someone who one might

consider, Vallarta Royalty, but this was actually one of those times when I wasn’t sure if I was going to get the interview. But JR said to me, I spoke with her daughter Keoki, and told her you were coming to interview her mom. They are expecting you. So I stopped in one afternoon to set up an appointment and was introduced to Cyndi Alpenia, and what a lovely woman. She

listened to my pitch, I told her what I do and she very generously agreed to an interview which we arranged for a few days later.

I arrived around 3 in the afternoon and began to set up the microphones on a beautifully set table with linen table cloths and cloth napkins fine stemware, just lovely. We were in the main dining area where the waiters and busboys were preparing for the dinner crowd. It was cool and air conditioned, a peasant break from the October heat. The restaurant had reopened two days earlier from the summer break, so they had been working hard, getting ready for a great tourist season to begin again.

Archie’s wok has been a favorite of many of my guests, and many of my guests have told stories about Archie being the personal chef to John Huston, why even JR told me a story about being invited up to Las Caletas for a poker game with John Huston and being served by the famous Archie Alpenia of Archie’s Wok fame.

So Cyndi settled into the seat across from me, and we got to talking about the old days, a story that, if you listen to it as a lover of Vallarta, just imagine if this were you because it’s about love, and trust and adventure. Let’s go right now to Francisca Rodriguez 130, just eye shot of the Los Musrtos Pier, and let’s meet Cyndi Alpenia, owner at Archie’s Wok, Puerto Vallarta.

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Can you imagine doing what they did? What a story!

Contact information for Archie’s Wok in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

• Address: Francisca Rodriguez 130, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
• Phone: 52+322-222-0411
• Website: https://archieswok.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archieswok/

Suggestions From Cyndi

Most popular items on the menu

• Hoisin Ribs
• Spicy Fried Noodles with Thai curry paste
• Calamari
• Vegetarian favorites

Cyndis Favorites

• Favorite soup is cream of chili poblano with coconut milk

Breakfast

• Cocos Kitchen, Puerto Vallarta–   likes the Chili relleno omelet

Day trip

• Vallarta Botanical Garden:  Likes the fajitas for Lunch

Three day Getaway

• Qumixto, Cabo Corrientes, Mexico
• Or Yelapa. Casa Bahia Bonita, Yelapa    They honeymooned there!

Advice for a first time visitor

• Vallarta Botanical Garden
• Get out of the all inclusive places
• Walk around the streets
• Take in a Show at Act II, The Palm  Cabaret, Incanto
• Get in a boat and look back at Vallarta from the water
• Snorkel
• Don’t wear your gold and diamonds.

I have pictures of Cyndi, in the show-notes as well as of the restaurant and of some of the great food that comes out of the kitchen there. Even pictures from the kitchen.

Also Sergio, Archie’s son sent me some cool pics of Archie and John Huston and Cyndi and the kids. Really cool.

Also I have links and maps to get you right to their front door.

Cyndi was so kind to talk with me and tell me the story of Archie’s Wok. What a wonderful restaurant and a wonderful family. And the food, so good!

Okay That should do it for this week.

Next week, stay tuned for more on the ground reports from Puerto Vallarta Mexico, with travel tips, great restaurant and excursion ideas and more.  Until then, remember, this is an interactive show where I depend on your questions and suggestions about all things Puerto Vallarta. If you think of something I should be talking about, please reach out to me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending us your message.

And remember, if you are considering booking any type of tour while you are in Puerto Vallarta, you must go to Vallartainfo.com, JR’s website and reserve your tour through him, right from his website. Remember the value for value proposition. His experience and on the ground knowledge of everything Puerto Vallarta in exchange for your making a

purchase of a tour that you would do anyway, you’re just doing it through him as a way of saying thank you. It costs no more than if you were to use someone else so do it. Really. And when you do take one of these tours, email me about your experiences. Maybe you can come on-board and share with others what you liked or didn’t like about the tour. Again, contact me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending off a message. Don’t forget his maps, his DIY tours and his revitalized Happy Hour Board. I have links to all of those in the show notes.

And once again, if you like this podcast, please take the time and subscribe and give me a good review on iTunes if you would. That way we can get the word out to more and more people about the magic of this place. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Remember I made it easy for you to do just that with each episode I create. But if you haven’t been to my website, you really need to have a look there.  I have the links to the places we talk about, interesting pictures and the more all right there in my blog-posts and show-notes for each episode of the show so check them out for sure if you haven’t already all-right? All right.

And thank you Cyndi Alpenia, thanks for sharing your story with all of us. Wow, I can only imagine what Quemixto must have been like back then. And hobnobbing with the stars, wow! So cool.

Hey when you are in Vallarta, get over to Archie’s and see what I’m talking about. See the pictures in the show-notes for sure.

And thanks to all of you for listening all the way through this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel Show. This is Barry Kessler signing off with a wish for you all to slow down, be kind and live the Vallarta lifestyle. Nos Vemos amigos!

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