The Essence of Italy
Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Join us and visit some of the most popular destinations in Italy like Rome, Venice, and Florence. Learn about the modern country as well as its history, which spans many centuries. See the ruins of Pompeii and the incredible vistas of the Amalfi Coast. This video is a must for anyone thinking of visiting Italy and hoping to experience the Essence of Italy.
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The Essence of Israel
Take a journey through time and travel from the ancient origins of the Jewish people to the modern state of Israel. Learn about the struggle to re-establish an ancient homeland. Experience some of the sights and sounds of modern Israel before you travel. You’ll be taken to some of the most popular places to go, leaving you hungry to explore even more. Your journey begins right here!
Puerto Vallarta Adventure
This is a photo essay of my trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in August of 2022. We had a great time exploring this sea-side town and taking in the sights, sounds, and wonderful cuisine of the region.
August is hot and humid in Puerto Vallarta which provides an opportunity for bargain hunters to find great deals on lodging and activities.
We stayed at the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva. It has five restaurants to choose from. Food, drinks, and activities are all included. The hotel has five pools to choose from. It’s a family friendly resort and has a “KidZ Club” which offers activities for the younger members of the family. The staff is very friendly and kind and extend a warm ‘buenos días’ to start the day.
A free walking tour of Puerto Vallarta is offered three days a week by the ministry of tourism. We met our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide, Reinhard, at the Municipal Tourism Office in the Old City Hall building. The tour is scheduled for two hours but we spent three hours wandering through the streets of Puerto Vallarta with Reinhard pointing out points of interest along the way. We also walked through Isla Cuale, an island in the middle of the Cuale river. The island has art galleries, restaurants, and an open-air market. If you look up, you can often see iguanas in the trees.
A good way to cool off on a hot summer day is to take an ATV ride in the mountains around Puerto Vallarta. We booked a private three-hour tour with X-Riders. Our guide, Marco, safely guided us through town and up the cobblestone and dirt road leading into the jungle. We were followed by our photographer, Ricardo, who documented the ride on his motorcycle. With the cool breeze and an occasional splash as we forged our way across the river, we arrived at Rancho mi Abuelo. There, we attended a tequila tasting and saw demonstrations of tortilla and salsa making.
The trip was a great adventure and a lot of fun. I recommend visiting Puerto Vallarta and hope to return one day.
Locations and Links:
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/mexico/hyatt-ziva-puerto-vallarta/pvrif
BlaZe Restaurant
Casa Grande Restaurant
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/mexico/hyatt-ziva-puerto-vallarta/pvrif/dining
Free walking tours
https://visit-vallarta.com/adventures/tours/free-walking-tours/
Isla Cuale
https://www.puertovallarta.net/what_to_do/cuale-river-island/
X-Riders ATV Adventures
https://xriderspv.com/atv-tours/
La Cappella Restaurant
https://www.bellviewhotelboutique.com/lacappellarestaurant
Rancho mi Abuelo
https://www.facebook.com/GOTCHAEXTREME/
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Until We Meet Again
Until We Meet Again is the story of the Valley Stream South High School reunion of the class of 1976. The reunion took place in June of 2016 at Lido Beach Park under the mushrooms. These visual memories set to music of the period will serve as a remembrance until we meet again!
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