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!!
