Conchas Chinas Here We Come

The definition of retirement is "the action or fact of leaving one's job and ceasing to work."

I guess if that is true, then Steph's retirement was very short lived as I have kept him very busy "working". 3 days after his last day at work we took possession of a house we bought. Originally we were going to sell our house and invest the money, and go travel with no specific return date, but we decided that since the real estate market here is doing very well, we would be better off buying a house in original condition that we could rent up and down while we go travel, then when we return, renovate it and sell it for profit. I have successfully done this 10 times in the past, and while it is a heck of a lot of work for a few months, it is generally lucrative - providing enough money to live on, a nice place to live for a year or two, and lots of time after the work is done to travel and have fun.

The house we bought is a diamond in the rough. By that I mean it is the ugliest house on the block, in a great location. It has a beautiful lake view - but that is about all it has going for it. The challenges will be many - to turn this house into something great - but I will have fun doing it.

Since taking possession of the house 8 days ago we have turned a really ugly basement into a nice little suite that we have rented out furnished to someone coming to Oliver for the winter. We have worked hard painting, replacing sinks, toilets, and taps, and scrubbing years of grime off baseboards, but the work is now done, the place looks great, and we are eagerly anticipating our flight on Saturday morning.

In 36 hours we will be be heading to Conchas Chinas - one of our favorite places to hang out in Mexico. It is a district of Mexican villas built on the hillside overlooking Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas. It is called the "Beverly Hills" of Puerto Vallarta due to its many multi million dollar villas owned by celebrities and politicians. We have 4 weeks booked there in a lovely Mexican style vacation club. We love the big wooden shudders you can throw open in the morning and we love watching the sunsets from the balcony.

Just down the hill there is a special beach where very few tourists go, where the water is a lovely dark turquoise and the sand is soft. We often have the beach to ourselves.

Conchas Chinas is romantic. There is just something about the dramatic hillside, the stunning views, the cackle of birds in the surrounding jungle, the sunsets that take your breath away. These four weeks are for us. To do nothing but relax. To sleep, eat, and make love. To lay by the small pool, and read books. To sit in the hot tub and watch the stars come out and to walk to the beach hand in hand. Every body needs 4 weeks in Conchas Chinas.

Conchas Chinas is a quiet, tranquil respite from the hustle, bustle go go life style we all tend to lead in Canada. Conchas Chinas is where we will learn to slow down, let go of the stuff that bogs us down. Conchas Chinas is where we will remember how to wake up slowly, walk slowly, eat slowly. Conchas Chinas is where we will remember how to take time to smell the flowers and see the stars.

Conchas Chinas is the perfect place to stop working, and start retirement.