Hard Work Pays Off

This past week, thanks to all of my hard work in 2007, I was awarded an all-expense paid trip for two to Puerto Vallarta for the annual Starwood Sales & Marketing Incentive trip. Let me just say, it was an incredible and much needed vacation.

The highlights:

• Arriving at The Westin Puerto Vallarta and being handed a margarita before we even stepped foot in the lobby. What a way to start off the week!
  

• The margarita, along with cheese and crackers waiting for me in my guestroom two minutes later.
  
• The deck from our room overlooking the pool and ocean from which we enjoyed above mentioned margaritas and cheese.

• The boat cruise we took the following day to Las Calietes, a remote cove an hour away from Puerto Vallarta. We kayaked, held a monkey, and even a little parrot…yes, I held a bird for about three seconds. The rest of our day was spent with me lathering on the SPF 50 or trying to find shade.
  
• The Outdoor Adventure of a Lifetime – need I say more? I’m glad I didn’t read the description carefully when I signed us up for this because had I read it there is no way in my right mind I would have done it. Riding a mule up the side of a mountain with the only way down being zip lining and repelling…um hello? Have you met me? I like to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground, and this really took me out of my comfort zone. But overall, it was incredible and I’m so glad I did it. Side note: doesn't Josh look so cute?

• Did I forget to mention the swim up bar in the hotel pool? Yes, after each day’s excursion Josh and I immediately went to the pool to order our afternoon margarita or cervesa with a side of chips and guacamole. I think I probably consumed more than a dozen avacados over the course of 5 days, but it was incredible!
  
  

• Our final night with the Starwood team, we enjoyed an amazing dinner on the beach at sunset, and then enjoyed the rest of the night dancing and mingling. Being the responsible person I always am, Josh stopped me in middle of the evening after I asked for a bottle of water instead of a drink and said, “Meghann, make some bad decisions.” I deserved to let loose a little, so the rest of the evening I spent celebrating!



• One more day on our own was a perfect way to end the week. We moved hotels to stay at the Sheraton Buganvillas. It was closer to Old Town Puerto Vallarta, so we took the opportunity to walk around the town and just relax. My mule riding, hiking, zip lining, repelling adventure the day before left me a little sore so I treated myself to a massage. And not just any massage – it was outside in a little bungalow over the ocean. It was so relaxing and worth every peso I paid for it!




• Our final night, we received a recommendation for a little place off the beaten path to have great mojitos and fresh fish. We ate more guacamole, and amazing fish tacos and mahi mahi. A Mexican band played a lovely song to Josh and I as we toasted our Mojitos on our last night in PV. What a great way to end the vacation!