Puerto Vallarta: April, 2004

The highlight shore experience on our 2004 Mexican Riviera cruise for my family came in Puerto Vallarta. After taking a taxi to Mismaloya Beach, my 11 year-old daughter Amy persuaded us to ride horses up to El Eden, a secluded jungle retreat in an area where Arnold Schwarzenegger filmed "Predator."

The one hour ride up the mountain, through creeks, past pigs and eventually through a jungle took its toll on my butt, especially when the horses changed gears to a trot, but it was fun.

I was happy to climb down from my horse at El Eden. We passed through the giant palapa restaurant and found a pond fed by a waterfall.

Grabbing a hanging vine like Tarzan, I swung off the edge and landed in the refreshing water. The kids couldn't resist following, and even my wife took a turn.

On the other side of the pond, we climbed up rocks near the waterfall and then slid back down the cascading water, freefalling the last few feet into the jungle pool.

After playing in the water and having Pepsis in the palapa, we climbed back on our horses thoroughly refreshed for the one hour ride down the mountain.

Upon concluding our rustic adventure, we happily returned to the luxuries of our floating resort for a sumptuous meal and sail away party in the moonlight.