Erik is Your Own Private Driver in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Discover Magical Towns within Driving Distance to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Returning Guests Elle and Russel Talk About Buying a Used Car in Guadalajara and the Towns They drove to From 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 your toes in the sand right at the water’s edge. It’s so romantic, it’s so, Puerto Vallarta my friends.
This week is all about the road. You will meet my friend Erik who is an Uber and In-Driver, and who is my go to guy now when I need a private driver in Vallarta. Maybe he can be yours too…
Then Guests Elle and Russel from New Zealand return to the show to Talk About Buying a Used Car in Guadalajara and the Towns They drove to From Puerto Vallarta in their new vehicle. Man, these two covered a lot of ground.
Let’s cover some ground before we hit the road, let’s see what’s happening this week in Puerto Vallarta the 14th day of June, 2022…
US Travel Restrictions Being Lifted
Big news, starting this weekend you won’t have to get a Covid test to return to the United States…
From Bloomberg Online…
The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that all travelers test negative for coronavirus before flying to the US, amid pressure from airlines that viewed the measure as excessive and blamed it for depressing ticket purchases.
The change will take effect just after midnight on June 12 and be reassessed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 90 days, according to a senior administration official who requested anonymity to detail the plan before it was formally announced.
Under existing policy, international travelers flying to the US are required to present proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within a day of their departure flight to the US. Foreign nationals will still be required to be vaccinated against coronavirus to enter the country, with limited exceptions.
The health agency may decide to reinstate the requirement if a new, concerning variant of the virus emerges, the official said. The administration will continue to recommend testing prior to air travel, but believes that coronavirus vaccines and new treatments made it possible to ease the requirement.
The move is not likely to significantly increase the risk to the US of coronavirus spread, according to biosecurity expert Eric Toner, though he said travelers should still wear masks when they fly to reduce the chance of spread.
“I have long thought the testing requirement for travel to the U.S. was not evidence based or logical — and most other countries have abandoned this approach,” said Toner, a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, in an interview. “It’s been a hardship for the airlines and a real hardship for travelers as people get back to travel for business and leisure.”
Airline stocks climbed briefly on the news, with an S&P index of carriers rising less than 1% Friday morning before turning negative amid a broader slump in equities.
And I have a link to that Bloomberg Article in the shownotes..
Gee…I kinda feel so sorry for all those labs and centers that have been set up these last 2 years to keep us all safe…..not really…in fact…not even a little bit.…it’s okay, they’ll be fine…they will be counting their money for a long, long time…good riddance.
Unvaccinated Canadians Allowed to Fly Again
And speaking of good riddance…Canadians who are unvaccinated and have up till now been banned from airplane and train travel are finally getting their freedom back…
From the CBC Political Desk, because we all know vaccine mandates are all political….
Ottawa set to announce end to vaccine mandates for domestic travel, outbound flights
Mandates have been in effect since Oct. 30, 2021
The federal government is set to announce Tuesday an end to vaccine mandates for domestic travel on planes and trains and for outbound international travel, CBC News has learned.
The government may reinstate the vaccine requirement if a new variant of the virus emerges, said sources with direct knowledge of the decision who spoke with CBC News on the condition they not be named.
Chief government whip Steven MacKinnon confirmed early Tuesday morning that Canadians should expect an announcement rolling back vaccine mandates later in the day, but would not provide specifics.
“I think it’s time to move on from some of these measures,” he said. “They are being suspended.
“Of course, they could come back. The pandemic is not over. But it’s time to, we think, soften up some of the measures that are in place.”
The vaccine mandates for travel have been in effect since Oct. 30, 2021. As the mandates were phased in, travellers had a one-month grace period during which they could instead provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
The government has been under pressure from opposition parties and industry organizations to relax some public health measures in response to delays and long lineups at airports.
When the vaccine mandate came into effect for travel, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said it was to keep travellers and employees in the industry safe.
Unvaccinated Canadians have always been allowed to return to Canada. But the federal government’s website says unvaccinated Canadians have to meet all “pre-entry, arrival, Day-8 testing, ArriveCAN and quarantine requirements” or face a fine up to $5,000 or criminal prosecution.
Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch said that while two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine protects against severe illness or death, it’s time to end the travel mandates.
“The purpose was to really prevent transmission of COVID-19 in transportation,” he said. “Two doses doesn’t really provide much in the way of protection against getting the infection and onward transmission of the infection for those who are infected.”
Government officials — including Alghabra, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam — have pointed to mandates as an effective way of getting more Canadians vaccinated.
But experts have questioned the effectiveness of vaccine mandates for travel since the emergence of the more infectious Omicron variant. Tam has said that effective protection against the variant requires a third booster dose.
So far, the government’s definition of “fully vaccinated” remains two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Last week, the federal government announced that it was suspending random COVID-19 testing at airports.
At that time, Alghabra said Ottawa was taking other measures to address airport congestion, such as hiring more security screening personnel and adding more customs kiosks at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
And I have a link to that CBC article in the shownotes…
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/government-end-vax-mandates-1.6487585
So things are opening up both in the US and Canada, maybe it has to do with what the US is doing regarding dropping the covid test to enter the states, but more likely it’s because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just returned from partying here in Cali, and brought home a case of the rona with him…Trudeau is double vaxed & boosted, and has now come down with the koof for the 3rd time, 2nd in 4 months. So, my guess is that considering he has broken his own rules by flying back to canadia while infected with the virus, he needs to massage the message and finally, after locking down unvaccinated Canadians for 8 months now, since the end of last October he’ll give in to the dirty unwashed unvaccinated masses. And that’s my take…I know I’m not a doctor…uh politician…whatever…
At any rate, congratulations Canadians…you are all clear for takeoff.
Progress on the Isla Cuale Project
The city came and brought heavy equipment to remove tons of rubbish, brush and debris from the island and riverbed which was a marvel. They need to get ahead of the rains by clearing those river beds. And from a recent post from their Facebook Page Puerto Vallarta:Isla Cuale Activities…it seems the Vallarta Garden Club is assisting with some planting, and the Vallarta Botanical Garden is donating plants…How about that…great teamwork…I can’t wait to get back and see what’s going on, on the Isla.
They are currently running a fundraiser to build a kids playground and to pay for equipment. They need to raise $1,000 dollars US and they have about $150. I have a link to the Paypay account set up for that project in the shownotes. Looking really good Mr. Guy Weeks. If you haven’t hear the interview I had with Guy regarding the work being done on the Isla where hurricane Nora buried it in sand and debris, I have a link to that podcast episode in the shownotes.
Speaking of rain…Vallarta had her first downpour, got nearly 2 inches of the wet stuff on the 9th. Good news…the rain is right on time. Vallarta needs it.
Puerto Vallarta to Have First Gay Police Unit in Mexico
June 8, 2022
By:
BanderasNews
The city has a new Police Commissioner. Commander Israel de Jesús García Mosqueda has replaced former police commissioner, Captain Luis Fernando Viveros, who retired from office for health reasons.
In his first meeting with local security officers, the new commander assured that “in Puerto Vallarta, there will be a well-trained and equipped police force, with several specialized branches within the department to handle the different security issues that affect all citizens.”
One of these new branches will be the first gay police unit in Mexico. The municipality will have patrols and officers that specialize in dealing with emergencies and cases of violence in the gay community, with the aim of responding to the needs of LGBTQI+ people who have an important presence and social impact in Puerto Vallarta.
He also announced that, in the near future, the new patrol cars required by the municipality will be delivered to reinforce police presence in the city’s neighborhoods, once the efforts that began under the command of Captain Viveros have been completed.
In addition, the government of Mayor Luis Alberto Michel, together with the new Police Commissioner, will continue to work towards returning Puerto Vallarta to the number 1 spot on the INEGI National Safety Survey, which measures the public’s perception of security in municipalities throughout the Republic. (In the latest survey, Puerto Vallarta ranked as the 8th safest city, and the Safest Tourist Destination in all of Mexico.)
And I have a link to that article in Banderas News, lifted from Vallarta enlina in the shownotes at www.puertovallartatravel show.com.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160293686345719&id=154464275718
I have a few more news items that I will shelve till next week because I have two great interviews for you today.
First up is my new driver in Vallarta.
Erik Calderon Sanchez, Your Driver in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Contact Information for Erik Your Driver in Paradise
WhatsApp or Message # 011 52 322 134 4219
As you know, if you have been following this saga over the years, Jose Camacho Castillo was our driver in paradise for many years. But Jose moved to Hawaii with his family a year or so ago, and I have been searching for a driver now for some time. Well, friend of mine and friend of the show Johnny D from Canada, the hot pickle and carrot guy who stayed with me and my wife a couple of weeks ago here in southern California, you did know that I am…or was the Harriot Tubman of Canada, I ran the underground railroad,
the Mexico to Las Vegas route till Justin freed the unvaccinated just like minutes ago…but Johnny introduced me to his Uber driver Erik. Johnny had gotten his number, and employed him from time to time to drive him to places like Bucerias and Sayulita, or even locally around Vallarta. Johnny said he’s got a nice car and speaks English flawlessly. He even has a great selection of music to listen to, all genres to satisfy any listener.
So, Johnny says hey, let’s go see the Gecko Band at El Chevero this Saturday in Bucerias. I ask him if we are taking the bus and he says no, let me see if Erik can take us…and sure enough, Erik was free so at 10 in the morning, I took a cab from Ray and Debbie’s place where I was staying in Pitillal , I met them at the Walmart across from the Puerto Magico, and we took off for Bucerias. After talking with Erik I knew I needed to have him on the show. He’s an Uber driver and an In-Driver, both you can download on your smartphone to get you from here to there in paradise. And as an Uber driver, I felt he could give us some information on how it works for the drivers, and in turn give us a better understanding of the dynamics involved in these ride applications.
Eric also is available as you will hear, for you to hire for a day or part of the day, at a very reasonable rate. He has a nice car, it’s not an SUV like the one Jose had, but it is a 2018 5 passenger four door sedan called a Honda City. I have a picture of it in the shownotes so check it out, and I have Erik’s Whatsapp and messenger information in the shownotes, so you can hire Erik too. I highly recommend his services.
So let’s go right now, to Bucerias, to a bar and restaurant called YoYo Maw where we stopped for a drink and a quick bite, … and meet my new friend, an Uber good guy….your new driver in paradise, Erik with a k…Erik Calderon Sanchez, your very own private driver in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico…
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Okay, Thank you Erik. I have Erik’s information in the show notes at www.puertovallartatravelshow.com. I have his WhatsApp number and messenger contact information in the show notes as well as a couple of pictures of Erik, and one of his ride.
Driving to Magic Towns of Mexico From Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Okay, in the spirit of driving our next guests are not new to the show, they are my friends Elle and Russel from New Zealand, well, originally both from South Africa, but immigrated to New Zealand, and just recently escaped New Zealand and pulled Mexico
out of a hat and ended up in Puerto Vallarta. I had them on the show back in February, and they were pretty much newly arrived, but I did mention at the end of that podcast
episode that they had just purchased a car, and were preparing to take a road trip, and that I was going to check back with them to see how it went.
Well, last trip down I was able to track down Ellie and Russel between trips, and held them down just long enough to get them to talk about all the travels they took in their
new car. We talk about buying a used car in Mexico, and about the many different places they took their new car….so let’s go right now to a little hole in the wall bar in Cinco de
Diciembre called El Enzuelo, the fishhook, and let’s have a chat about the hitting the road and touring in Mexico, with our friends Elle and Russel Rens, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
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Russel Tips Buying a Used Car in Mexico
- Mercado Libre Used Cars online Guadalajara: https://autos.mercadolibre.com.mx/jalisco/guadalajara/
- Pat’s Plates Expat Help for Vehicle Registration and Driver’s Licenses Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patsplatespv
Places Elle and Russel Stayed
Hacienda El Carmen: https://www.haciendaelcarmen.mx/
Guest House San Bernabe Tres
Thank you Elle and Russel….Wow, these two can hardly stand still. What an adventure. Doesn’t that give you the itch to hit the road in Mexico? It does me.
Next time we talk with Elle and Russel we will find out about their latest adventure driving along the coast, south….I can’t wait.
Now if you are listening to this podcast today June 14th, I may not have all of Elle’s
pictures up, you will have to wait till tomorrow to see all of the pics Elle Shared with me and you know where to find it at www.puertovallartatravelshow.com
I’ll even try to create a map to give you the route the two intrepid travelers took.
Okay, that should do it for today…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 follow share with a lover of Puerto Vallarta or give me a good review wherever or however you
happen to be listening. 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.
Thank you to Johnny D for introducing me to our new driver…and thanks to you Erik Calderon Sanchez, Thanks for sharing what you know about Uber and In-Driver, and for
taking up the slack here and being our driver in paradise. look for his information in the shownotes or send me an email and I’ll hook you up.
And thank you again to Elle and Russel for sharing your experiences buying a used car, and then driving it all over the place, giving us a glimpse into towns we would love to visit.
You two are such a great interview…I love their voices don’t you? What a wealth of information…..Thank you again. Find all the information at…
www.puertovallartatravelshow.com.
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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