RHYTHMS of the NIGHT

Rhythms of the Night

How do I find the words? All of you know that finding words has never been a problem of mine. I can always talk. My parents said I was born talking and could always talk the handle off of a jug.

I am certain, without exaggeration that Ken and I have done at least 150 shore excursions and Rhythms of the Night topped them all. I will do my best to share the experience with you but I know I will not do it justice.

We were picked up at the dock around 6:30pm. We were walked to a waiting ship. It was an open air vessel with basically 2 levels with plastic chairs. Quite an ordinary catamaran, but that is where ordinary ended.

We were told to get together with the group we were travelling with so that we could be seated together for the evening. So we were with Barb and Craig and Michael and Jan. We decided to sit on the top deck so we went topside and got chairs. By now it is dusk and darkness is quickly closing in. The lights of the city are beautiful against the evening sky. Immediately a deck hand came around serving liquid refreshment. I had a rum punch and the second choice was a margarita. The drink was not terrible strong but it was sweet so I knew one would have to be my limit. The usual safety announcements were made and the music began to blare from the speakers around the  deck. The ride was bumpy enough and I am so inclined to get sea sick that I decided a Gravol was in order. Wise or not I took one with my rum punch.

By now it is dark and we were visiting and enjoying the lights and the warm night air. The drinks flowed and the deck hand was now bringing Michael and Craig shots of tequila.

About a half hour in we began to get a hint of something burning. Just then the lights on the ship went out and the captain came on with an announcement. He directed us to look toward the front of the ship and there in the distance we could see what looked like hundreds of yellow lights . He informed us that we were seeing our destination. That was our island. We were seeing THREE THOUSAND candles and Four Hundred torches burning. That was what we were smelling.

As the ship pulled into the dock we could see that the water was being illuminated by underwater lighting. The lights were attracting fish and when we looked into the blue green water we could see schools of fish silhouetted. When we looked ahead we could see a waterfall  and sitting there on the rocks was a beautiful mermaid with an amazing flowing green tail. She was being lit by soft floodlights. Enough to see her but not enough to spoil the magic.

The deck hands made certain that we safely disembarked. We could tell by the wetness of the walkway that the waves came over the cobblestones at times. In spots the waves were crashing and the spray was flying. The walkway passed the mermaid so we could get a good photo. Our next surprise, one of many was a lovely cat, perhaps a leopard, perched on the rocks, happily posing for us. If we didn’t know before we knew now that this was going to be a magical evening.

We were directed toward the amphitheater. This was amazing also, the shape was almost like a cone coffee filter that had been flattered slightly at the bottom. Near the bottom was the main stage , which was quite large, and below that was a jungle scene. The sides rose sharply and the area that was to be the stage had a structure that resembled a Mayan temple. In the middle were wide stairs and the sides were sort of flat as if done in almost a cobble stone affect. At almost the top of the staircase was a large mask; at the very top was a jungle area with many large trees and lots of greenery. On the left there appeared to be another jungle setting. We would learn later that this was the orchestra location.  Again over that area was a platform, barely visible. From this platform there was a zip line and people dressed as birds would come and go from there.

On the other side, to my right there were many trees and a jungle like setting. There were what appeared to be pairs of eyes shining in the night. Many creatures came and went from this area during the production. Almost one side of this cone like structure as well as the base had jungle and stages and places that would be part of the production.

The other side, the side where the audience sat was equipped with at least 40 rows of upholstered benches. We think it held at least a thousand people. It was so steeply arranged that every seat afforded a grand view even for those of us who are vertically challenged. We were directed to seat according to our request for seating at dinner. So the six of us were seated together in an area where other people had asked for a table for six. I would say that almost half of the people had early dining. They were seeing this show after their dinner. People were from all over the city and not just from the cruise ship.

Up behind us was the area for the lights and the cameras. There were also three palm trees at least 50 feet high and costumed performers would go up and down these trees.

As we sat there trying to take it all in and watching as others were directed to their seats we listened to strange haunting music and chanting that defies description. Soon a Sharman appeared. 

He was dressed in a native costume and his face was covered in a white makeup which really added to the mystery. He chanted, moved through the audience and spoke with the people; sometimes in English but mainly in Spanish or in sounds that we did not recognize. The lighting was soft with many torches and candles and fires burning. While this was happening a young man costumed as a lizard was moving through the audience, coming up from behind the people. He moved on all fours with a fluid motion that I cannot put into words but seemed so very lifelike.

The production was representing a successful deer hunt and the ceremony of thanks to the Gods that took place after the hunt. There were singers and dancers and jugglers and acrobats. The music was supplied by harps and violins and flutes and drums and horns and keyboards. All of the score was original.

There were so many things happening at once that it was very hard to know where to look. Fire played a large part both in the setting and in the performances. Fire dancers were so amazing it defied belief.

The costumes were beyond description, they were so grand and so realistic. It was almost like Cirque de Soule in the jungle at night instead of in a tent.

In all the performance lasted more than an hour. There was a long standing ovation at the end.

Then we were directed row by row to leave the theatre, again based on when we had arrived and where we would be seated for dinner. It was unbelievably well organized.

Our table was right at the water’s edge and the sound of crashing waves in the candle light made it even more magical. We were in the jungle with torches lighting the area. Even though we were eating with hundreds of people we saw very few others.

Right away a waiter arrived to pour the wine which was included. We had a choice of a red or a white wine. The glasses were heavy with a lovely blue rim. The plates were glass and there were cloth napkins and very nice cutlery.  Dinner was ready and we were directed to serve ourselves whenever we wished.. There were several buffet stations and so the line was very short, if you could even call it a line. There was a wide selection of food; salads, main courses and desserts of many kinds and descriptions with Mexican food being highlighted. There was an amazing shrimp dish which I enjoyed. The fresh fruits were wonderful. They had a  decadent chocolate cake which really pleased Ken. All during dinner the wine flowed. We could even have had coffee and Kalua to end the meal.

After dinner there was some time to roam around and take this all in. We saw signs for a children’s playground and there were dozens of hammocks along the rocky shoreline. This makes us believe that they have daytime functions here as well.

When asking a few questions of our guide we learned that this location was once owned by John Huston and that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were frequent guests here.

We also learned that there are 18 ladies whose job it is to replace the votive candles that line all of the manicured pathways and to light them every evening. In all the staff here numbers over 200.

The signal to make our way back to our catamaran was the ringing of bells. On hearing the bells we prepared to leave this island paradise. You can learn more about this place by going to www.vallartaadventures.com

We were not permitted to take pictures during the performance so I am hoping there are pictures on this site.

When back on board we knew there was going to be more entertainment so we opted to remain on the lower deck. Drinks were served again and when we were almost back to the ship they turned off the lights and played romantic music for couples to dance and appreciate the magic of the evening.

Then the entertainment began. There were three performances and one was exceptionally good. It was stationary juggling with crystal orbs. He was as good as anything we have seen in the Piazzas of the Princess ships. When leaving the ship I suggested that he  do a video and submit it to a cruise line. I am certain he would do very well indeed.

We strolled back to the Pacific Princess enjoying the soft evening breezes and marveling at what an amazing and unforgettable evening we had just experienced.

Never to be forgotten!!