We just got back from a week of sun and fun and parties in Puerto Vallarta! What a great city! And nearly 3000 gay men (and some women) poured into town to celebrate Thanksgiving, Latin Fever and Vallarta Fever.

Celebrating their 10th year, Will Gorges and Gilles Belanger hosted their annual Latin Fever event which included 6 great parties. New this year, the owner of Club Manana (the hottest gay club in Puerto Vallarta) launched Vallarta Fever in association with Naked Sword. It was a great week of parties with lots of great entertainment, porn stars, and hot men!

   
                 

When we weren't out at the evening parties, we were usually  sunbathing (and man hunting) out on the beach. The Blue Chairs is the center of the gay beach. And next door at the newly remodeled Green Chairs they had a live DJ  everyday spinning at the beach as we sipped our libations - the music was flawless and non-stop, just like the drinks!


Someone had told us about Diana's Gay Cruise. WHAT A GREAT TIME! Now in her 8th year she offers cruises 10am-5pm one or two days  a week, depending on the season.  $75, continental breakfast, snacks, unlimited beer and open bar (national brands), lunch on shore with a beer or beverage and snorkeling at several different stops throughout the day. It was a great day, a Thanksgiving Day to remember for sure, a beautiful tour of PV's waterfront and Diana and her staff were awesome! - She just started a Monday night sunset cruise as well. Well worth checking out.

                     

My favorite restaurant in PV for the WOW impact is still Cafe' des Artistes. This renowned cafe claims to be "one of the best restaurants in the world" and has the reviews to support that notion. Chef Thierry Blouet was recently named a Maitre Cuisenaire de France. The menu changes seasonally; a recent offering included grilled lamb chops cooked with local spices and balsamic vinegar, served with a garlic creme brulee. The desserts are also extraordinary. The self-described dress code is "dressy to casual," but you may wish to dress up a bit. The patio is gorgeous and romantic - if you can get a seat out there!

While in Vallarta, someone had told us about  this restaurant called  EL ARRAYAN. They have been voted Best Mexican In Vallarta three years in a row  by Frommers Guide. And they serve RAICILLA. Raicilla, pronounced "rye-see-ya", is the local moon shine. It is distilled in crude, primitive stills from a fermented mash made from the roots ( raicilla means "little root" ) of the maguey plant and usually more than 100 proof. Since it is produced without government license, and sold without government tax, it is illegal in the same sense that moonshine is illegal in the United States. Its production is one of the traditional local arts, and it is found only in this area.

   

Since it is higher in alcoholic content than most commercially available liquors even a small amount can produce a sudden, strong, and unpredictable drunkenness. There are many reports of violent gastric reactions, and temporary motor paralysis. It has a strong, and persistent reputation for producing an aphrodisiac effect in women, but causing temporary impotency in men. This can lead to a social situation of confused, and conflicting desires. It gives a rough hangover for sure.

The myth that it produces a psychedelic effect is a product of a raicilla-inflamed imagination. The myth is based (insofar as it is based on anything at all ) on the mistaken belief that it contains mescaline from the local San Pedro cactus. Although the San Pedro cactus does contain some mescaline and has, at times, been used as part of the fermented mash, the chemical mescaline is not volatile ( it crystallizes rather than vaporizes ) and so cannot go through the distillation process, but remains a residue in the mash. -  I will tell you this, we ordered the Raicilla "Boom Boom" - the El Arrayan's version of a martini. It's called Boom Boom I think because it packs a punch and Boom Boom is what it sounds like when you fall down (hopefully not down a flight of stairs!)  After just one, I could clearly feel it's effects but my partner Derrick said it would be a terrific alternative to a Bloody Caesar at breakfast (he's "Promises" ready !

Although I must say, I was really surprised on this trip (we had not been to PV in 6 years) that no one  wanted to take MC/VISA! So many establishments we went into wanted cash only.  So be prepared if you go. And when you use the ATM's you have to be careful they are legitimate ATM's  attached to a bank and not freestanding. I made 3 ATM withdrawals while we were there and when we got home, my bank said I made 4!

If you haven't been, you must go! It's a great place to visit and meet new friends. 6 years ago I was here and there were a handful of gay bars - now there are nearly 20! The only disappointment we had was that the set where Night of The Iguana, Predator, and Kill Bill 2,  was filmed had been closed down and I was told they were putting in condos in the area! All of the area's outside of the old town are being built up with condos, more hotels and exclusive communities. 


 They say that paradise is a state of mind. When all of the ingredients are of the highest quality, it can also be a place. Puerto Vallarta Mexico qualifies for this high distinction!