Perfect Mexico Vacation La Cruz Beachfront Boutique Inn

If your looking for a very special Riviera Nayarit vacation, take a look at our La Cruz beachfront Boutique Inn.  As we slide into the shoulder season… no longer the high season not yet the lazy daze of summer, Villa Amor del Mar, our La Cruz beachfront Boutique Inn, is the perfect place to be. Although I can credit every month of the year with some special happening, in my opinion, from now until July (and then again in October and November) there is a special vibe about La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Mexico, and our La Cruz Beachfront Boutique hotel. Poolside and beachfront is the place to be as many of the snowbirds have returned North, so the beaches are ready for tourists, travelers or Mexican wannabees, as you will practically have the beach to yourself! This is what one usually envisions for their Mexico vacation..peace, tranquility and beautiful beaches. (Click on the photos that link directly to our photo gallery!)

Around now, prices reflect fewer people. There are more 2 for 1 and Happy Hour specials. You can get even better deals from the vendors. Everyone has time to share their experiences, teach a little of the language, dance moves or songs or generally lend a helping hand.
Our first 2 trips to the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico were the last week of June and the first week of July. The weather is perfect with nice breezes for poolside lounging and sipping a cold one. One of our guests who visited last year during the first week of July said she loved how, with fewer folks in our music mecca of a town, she felt like she was getting a private concert everywhere she went.

This is a great time to book at our La Cruz Beachfront Boutique Inn, (which can also be considered a La Cruz Beachfront Hotel) offering the La Cruz wedding of your dreams, La Cruz retreat, reunion or other gathering as rates are a little lower and there is much more availability.
Villa Amor del Mar
has been inundated with requests for group events yet we’re getting lots of folks from closer destinations booking 3 – 5 day get-a-ways, as well as our special 7 day packages.  Sure, there are a lot of La Cruz rentals out there…however if your looking for something very special, contact us. Our La Cruz Beachfront Boutique Inn is perfect for a romantic vacation, so if reacquainting with the one you love is on the list, ask me how I can make it special!  Click on the above links for more information about our La Cruz beachfront Boutique Inn, and our phone and contact information, or you may email us directly at info@VillaAmorDelMar.com

Our La Cruz Beachfront Boutique Inn is the La Cruz rentals location on the Riviera Nayarit
for a very special Mexico Vacation!

 

2nd La Cruz Sunday Market of High Season

It was Sunday morning and the La Cruz Sunday Market comes alive for the second market of the high season.  La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is located on the Riviera Nayarit in amazing Mexico. This is where one of the best Mercados is found…the La Cruz Mercado.
It was another hot day  and the early birds were already there. I drove in looking for a parking spot and with place pretty full, but somehow I always manifest a good space.
Upon entering the La Cruz Sunday market the band Expiral was playing English songs that everyone could sing along, mostly older rock – n – roll.  The ambiance of the La Cruz Mercado (market) was very upbeat and enjoyable with a good crowd.  The La Cruz market is held alongside of the La Cruz Marina, so the Malecón was lined with vendors of every kind of product all the way down past the La Cruz Fish Market, and down to the end of the jetty.

The venders at the La Cruz Sunday Market provide organic food items such as sunflower honey made in Guadalajara, and Organic Peanuts with Carahuate Carlos, (from PV), homemade Chimichurri and pickles..spicy or German style from Alberto are excellent.  Check out the home made jams….it’s fun to walk around sampling all of the goodies!
Natural homeopath items and fresh farmers market products also abound with soaps and body butter creams from Oxnards Country House Soaps. Great lip balms too!  and if you enjoy aromatherapy oils, many of the creams have them. Having skin issues?…come on over and talk to Greg.
Arts and crafts with many made from plastic bottles or recycled items like these butterflies! and oh so much more!

The good food abounds with many folks that catered to the North American and Mexican comfort foods. Sandy with Hand in the Kitchen Catering, who makes dishes you can take home when you do not feel like cooking, or at the end of the jetty there Hecho En Mexico Bakery..they have gluten free products this season, tasty breads and cookies and orange sticky yummy rolls. The  grill sizzles down at the end with the La Patagonia folks making their grilled steak sandwiches and smoked marlin empanadas. ,.soo good!..Cold fresh juices and also Coco Frio..I really love the cold  fresh green coconut juice.

Passing and visiting every vendor’s booth, I looked around and took in the fluidity of the mingling of different cultures, enjoying the combination of music, food, and the many various forms of art.

Many of amazing jewelers like smiling Chelow from Sayulita who makes fun jewelry, and Chantel, who makes jewelry out of spoons…very cool!  Art is abundant, and hosts a numerous selection. From the Yukon, Arte Metalcio, Ron makes amazing home and garden decorations that also light up out of metals, and other art projects.

Even though it was hot, they have tarps up for shade, and everyone along the walkway has umbrellas, making the market quite enjoyable. Its super fun walking through the market, sampling the goodies all morning. The La Cruz Sunday Market ends at 2pm.
While walking through the market, I ran into old friends, and made new ones as well!  Its fun to stop at Oso’s Oyster Bar for a cold beer as well on occasion.
Stopping at the La Cruz Fish Market for fresh tuna on the way out for dinner to go with the market goodies was absolutely perfect, creating a delicious meal for the evening.
The La Cruz Sunday Market,  officially named the La Cruz Mercado  is a wonderful place to be on Sundays!

Check out the La Cruz Sunday Market this season on the La Cruz Marina, located on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico.

 

La Cruz Marina Fish Market

The Riviera Nayarit is lined with small fishing villages, one being La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, where the La Cruz Marina Fish Market is located. Every beach town has a fish market, and some have several fresh fish shops, bringing to you the fresh catches of the day.
We are lucky to live on the Banderas Bay.  The Banderas Bay is the largest natural Bay in Mexico, among the 10th largest worldwide, and one of the deepest bays in the world reaching depths of over 3,000 feet.  Extending across 68 kilometers (42 miles) of the Pacific Coast, the bay begins in the south at Puerto Vallarta, flows northwest into the Riviera Nayarit at BuceriasLa Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta de Mita, continues north beyond Sayulita and through Lo de Marcos where it joins Bahia Jaltemba Bay. The trade of fishing has supported the local fishermen and their families since the beginning of the pueblos.
When buying fish, what is better than being able to go a fish market, like the La Cruz Marina Fish Market, and purchase a freshly caught fish, shrimp, lobsters, oysters or other ocean favorites?  It really doesn’t get fresher than that, unless you are out fishing yourself!

Although the summer time means less tourists and part time residents, the La Cruz Marina Fish Market is a place that always has customers. The fishermen are there every day of the week selling their fresh catch. Not all of the bays are full right now. There were 4 of the bays open last Sunday. Many local restaurants come to purchase their fresh catch of the day. Every time I go, I learn a little bit more about purchasing fish from one of the locals.

It can be overwhelming with the many different types of fish at the market, and they don’t always have the same kind of fish. It depends on what is “running” that day, and their luck I suppose!
I went to the La Cruz Marina Fish Market to purchase some Tuna, but no one had any. They all told me “tomorrow”, which really means, “When we catch some!”
The fishermen don’t speak English very well. It’s good to know a few words of Spanish that will get you by. Take a Spanish dictionary with you if you need to. If you want to fry, bake, grill, or poach, or make ceviche, these fish mongers know what fish cooks the best way. Sometimes you can get lucky and meet a fellow shopper that is bilingual.  Most folks here are quite nice, and do not mind helping with translation when needed.
Asking what kind of fish it is helps as well Que es esto?  (what is it?)
Also, do you want a whole fish, or a filet? Purchasing a whole fish is not as expensive as having them filet one for you. I prefer them to filet the fish for me. They expertly cut the fish, and clean the small bones and cut out the blood line, which is the deep red strip inside. This can make your fish taste “fishy”.  I have also read that leaving your fish directly on ice will suck the flavor out of your fish into the ice as the ice melts, so proper wrapping is important.  These guys will also devein and peel your shrimp! You can also ask for the trimmings to make your own fish stock for delicious soups.

I was having friends over for supper and wanted to have a little variety.  I chose a Pargo, and also some Mahi Mahi. The Pargo was a big guy, whole, and is much like a Red Snapper. Since I love Red Snapper, I thought I would give it a try.  (The large fish (Pargo)  on the end in photo to the left)
The Mahi-Mahi was already filleted.  A local man standing next to me with his young daughter suggested me to choose the more “red” looking piece as it would have more flavor, than a totally white filet.  Both were delicious, and we all enjoyed flavorful and spicy pan fried fish that Sunday evening.

Visit your local fish market. You won’t be disappointed. Whether you’re in PV, Bucerias, or the wonderful La Cruz Marina Fish Market , you can’t go wrong with the Fresh Catch of the Day!

The La Cruz Marina Fish Market is located in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico.

 

New Malecon in La Penita Mexico

It was a bright bluebird Riviera Nayarit day when I visited La Penita, Mexico  to get some recent shots of the new malecon, and the newly paved streets a couple of days ago. Standing on the new La Penita malecon and looking out over the ocean viewing Coral Island off in the distance with the pelicans lining the beach was stunningly beautiful!
As it has seemed like forever, the vision that was once a dream for many years is now almost completed.  The La Penita Malecon is finished, and it looks like it has been well worth all of the dust, torn up streets and the long wait.  Old structures were torn down, as well as the streets being torn up during the high season; enduring all of the dust and the mess last year has now unfolded to a new and very beautiful malecon that all will surely enjoy. There is still some work left to be done on the new sidewalks. There are some deep rectangular deep holes for the electrical work that are not blocked off so watch your step! As, one could seriously injure oneself!

The new La Penita Malecon is quite a beauty to behold, with inlaid pebbles in a zig-zag design and the Riviera Nayarit logo painted at both ends.  There are plenty of very comfortable benches for seating with Queen Palms planted next to them that will someday bring the beautiful shade.  The new light posts add to the charm.  Easy wide steps lead up to the malecon, as well as wheelchair ramps making the malecon assessable for everyone.

La Penita, Nayarit, a very authentic Mexican pueblo,  is located between Rincon de Guayabitos and Chacala on the Jaltemba Bay.

La Penita has not seen any town upgrades for quite a while.  Not only is La Penita a family town, but also an industrial town, where you can go and get anything that you are needing to build, create or fix. This Mexican pueblo is a favorite for many visitors and snowbirds that relocate for 6 months out of the year during the high season, from November through April, or until Semana Santa begins!

The beachfront La Penita restaurant, Las Brisas, who use to set up tables on the beach serving ice cold beers and great burgers, looks like they are remodeling and gearing up for high season with the newly built malecon right in front of the restaurant. Hytham and Lucy of El Rincon Del Arabe have moved to their new location which is just up from the malecon on one of the new streets and will be selling all kinds of fun Arabic / Egyptian  items, as well as their awesome menu of delicious delights.

Things are looking up for La Penita Mexico!

The La Penita Tianguis runs all year long, every Thursday, starting at 8 am and ending about noon to 1 pm..during the summer.  It is the largest tianguis on the Riviera Nayarit during the high season.

I am quite sure that everyone venturing to La Penita Mexico will be quite pleased this coming high season, as the locals are already enjoying the ambiance of the La Penita Malecon, right here on the Riviera Nayarit in amazing Mexico!

Visit La Penita Mexico and check out the new La Penita Malecon, and enjoy your time on your Riviera Nayarit vacation! 

 

 

Bucerias Community – The BBCC is for Everyone!

 

I love living in the Bucerias community on the Riviera Nayarit. The color of Mexico life makes all of my senses come to life. Bright colors abound together, ones I would not have considered wearing together in Colorado, but do now with much delight. The heart centered energy of the Mexican culture opens my heart also, their faith and love of family and life renews my spirit.
Click on the photos that take you to the photo galleries, and the links for more information.

Living on the Riviera Nayarit and owning websites allows me to help non-profit organizations get their word out and about. They must be truly non-profit to get my attention. There are so many ways to help the Riviera Nayarit communities.

During the winter season, many expats come down for the 5 or 6 months to enjoy the warm weather. These people help out immensely with all kinds of non-profit events in many ways. However, its summertime now, and non-profit organizations like the BBCC need our help.  The BBCC summer program for the children has just begun. Its really fun for the kids, and all of the teachers and volunteers are absolutely NOT paid in any way. I will be teaching the kids how to swim! and help out with the birdwatching classes .with Luis Morales from the San Pancho Birding Observatory, another wonderful non-profit organization.

The BBCC
The Bucerias Community has a community center, called the BBCC, or Bucerias (Bilingual) Community Center.  The BBCC was founded in 2007, and offers a central hub for all residents and visitors to the area who wish to make new friends, learn different cultures and know more about their neighbors and their way of life. This Bucerias Community Center is an activity center dedicated to cultural appreciation for peoples of all ages and nationalities. The BBCC offers a summer program for disadvantaged kids so they can come and learn new hobbies and skills. The Children have fun learning and experiencing bird watching with Luis Morales who heads up the San Pancho Birding Observatory, clay sculpture, guitar lessons, swimming lessons, art and yoga and dance, as well as learning English. There will be story telling and fun and games. The children’s summer program fun started this week, so it’s not too late to get your children involved for the Bucerias community classes.  Call the BBCC at 322-102-0382, or stop by to Calle 16 De Septembre #40 Col La Unidad. You may also email them at: BuceriasBilingualCenter@yahoo.com

In general, the Bucerias Community Center serves some 60% Expats and 40% locals.  Seasonally this changes but during October to April when the Bucerias Community Center classes and workshops and main fundraising events take place, we are supported by Canadians, North Americans, Mexicans and some European or other South American culture-seekers! Contact the BBCC today for class information, or find out the many different ways you can help to support the Bucerias Community. Thank YOU!

Find out more about the Bucerias Community on the Riviera Nayarit in amazing Mexico.

 

 

Riviera Nayarit Wedding Planner

Whether you live in the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City,  Guadalajara, or in another country,  now is the time to plan your  Riviera Nayarit wedding dream for the upcoming Riviera Nayarit wedding season. There are many different types of venues across the Riviera Nayarit to choose from.   A Riviera Nayarit Beach wedding is quite  popular, bringing the ambiance of the ocean that creates a most romantic setting that is desired.  Others may prefer their Riviera Nayarit wedding in a church, or perhaps a Eco green setting, like Los Arroyos Verdes, an amazing Eco Retreat who can house all of your guests right there on their beautiful property, and take care of every need, only 5 minutes form the beaches of Bucerias.

I live here on the Riviera Nayarit all year long, and I have seen some amazing jungle wedding set-ups as well.  From Bucerias, Sayulita, and San Pancho to La Penita and beautiful Chacala, the Riviera Nayarit wedding of your dreams desired can become  a reality.
Maxieventos Doris has some amazing Beach Wedding Setups!

Mexico Destination Weddings
Riviera Nayarit destination weddings used to be reserved for the rich and famous. The cost of having family and friends fly to a vacation site and then housing and feeding everyone was more than the average person could begin to afford. Now there are several wedding planners which specialize in an affordable Riviera Nayarit wedding. Your wedding can be completely taken care of by the company. Everything from the lodgings to the catering and decorations and flowers can be provided in the cost. This truly makes for a wonderful and very affordable Riviera Nayarit wedding experience here in amazing Mexico. Planning your destination wedding, or any wedding for that matter can cause stress. Package deals can make your life easy!

A Safe Wedding Destination
The Riviera Nayarit has been deemed a safe Mexico destination by the United States advisory. Traveling here by plane into the  Puerto Vallarta International airport is very safe, and also very convenient.  The last thing you want to do is travel by cab for hours to your wedding destination. The Riviera Nayarit wedding planners will also handle all of your travel plans.

The Riviera Nayarit is an amazing place in Mexico, with authentic Mexico pueblos with attractions and activities that are easy to get to and discover.
Find the perfect Mexico wedding planner and enjoy your special day on the Amazing Riviera Nayarit, where the jungle meets the ocean. Its a great way for your friends and family to enjoy a vacation as well!

What Time of Year is Best?

When choosing a Mexico wedding  give careful thought  to the time of year and weather conditions.  The deal choice for wedding s are from October through May.  Couples needs to be aware of the hurricane season and plan accordingly.  Destination weddings are planned in advance. While it is cheaper to travel to these locations during the hurricane season, it would not be very nice to have a wedding in a hurricane.

Planning for your friends and family here in Mexico is also important. You want your family to be comfortable and in a nice environment. Many on-line hotel photos are old or touched up, and are not what they looked like when you arrive!  The Riviera Nayarit Regional Network specializes in making sure you are connected with the right people who have  integrity, and will create your perfect Riviera Nayarit dream wedding.  Being in contact with Riviera Nayarit wedding planners that live here will guide you in the right direction, and can also get you the best pricing. Flying into Puerto Vallarta International airport is safe, and  convenient as well. Finding a bilingual wedding planner is ideal.  After all, your Riviera Nayarit wedding will be here…in beautiful Mexico!

If you have any questions about your Riviera Nayarit Wedding,  please feel free to leave a comment.  I would be happy to help!

Make your Riviera Nayarit wedding dreams come true in beautiful Mexico!

 

Alta Vista Petroglyphs on the Riviera Nayarit

I led a group on this hike recently to the Alta Vista Petroglyphs on the Riviera Nayarit  in Mexico, and it struck me again how differently each visit to this ancient and special place effects me.  The seasons change the feeling of this sacred place:  winter’s riot of color and gurgling stream give way to early summer’s semi-arid browns and greens and drying pools.  Every hike in is different because of temperature changes and cyclical rain patterns.  Each visit is different because the ancients knew what they were doing – this is a special place!  There is a serene power at work here, as you enter the area you begin to feel its pull, the deeper in you hike the stronger it becomes, until you stand in the amphitheater surrounded by dozens and dozens of petroglyphs.  Until you stand humbly next to an ancient peoples holy site, a simple ring of stones, a primitive altar still used today by the Huichol Indians, and bow your head, and give thanks to your Maker.

Located on protected land, the Alta Vista petroglyphs are clustered along a stretch of the Las Piletas creek,  south of Chacala.  Covering an area of 80 hectares (200 acres); archeologists have discovered over 2000 petroglyphs there, making the Alta Vista Petroglyphs one of the largest known concentrations of stone carvings anywhere.  The trail meanders along Las Piletas creek leading visitors to various groups of petroglyphs, signs in Spanish and English explain various historical facts about the region, what the different Alta Vista Petroglyphs are believed to have meant, and some of the religious and cultural beliefs of the Indians that originally  carved the Alta Vista Petroglyphs.
But the glory of the Alta Vista Petroglyphs is the amphitheater.  Located in a bend of La Piletas creek, the rock creek bed descends in a series of steps, seemingly hand cared and lovingly placed to shape this one sacred venue.  An elevated finger of land juts out into the creek bed above the turn, and there under a tree, is the small altar – surrounded by dozens and dozens of different petroglyphs – most of them symbolizing requests for fertility, and an ample harvest.  You feel at one with the Tecoxquines Indians who carved these Alta Vista Petroglyphs in order to communicate with their god, as you sit quietly and communicate with yours. For more information on Alta Vista Petroglyphs tours, please contact Cat Morgan at Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com.

Discover the amazing Alta Vista Petroglyphs on your Riviera Nayarit vacation in Mexico!

 

 

Sup’ing, Massaging, n’Partying on the Riviera Nayarit

Hey gang, just had a pretty cool week out and about down here on the Riviera Nayarit  in Mexico with my brother-in-law, and I can’t wait to tell you about it! Our week of fun started on Thursday…and what a  fun week it was!
Living life on the Riviera Nayarit is simply beautiful, as it is no surprise why more and more folks come here for a vacation or to relocate, like I did.

We started out our days  hanging out in the villa, chillin’ out while taking in the view of Banderas Bay, cupp-a-joe in our hands, and giving thanks and that we can be and live in such an amazing place called the Riviera Nayarit.
Sunrises are truly amazing looking out over the Banderas Bay.
What a terrific way to start the day!


An Equinox Blessing at Los Arroyos Verdes Retreat

It all started on Thursday with a lovely blessing for the lunar equinox at Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat.
At Los Arroyos Verdes Retreat, every item is ecologically relevant – every reused, recycled, reinvented, recreated marvelous piece of art that even an old fire hydrant can become. Everything is also for sale at this Eco green retreat.  Fall in love and take it home with you!
But Los Arroyos Verdes is special on so many levels, not just the pragmatic idea of recycling, but the spiritual, the physical body, and the intellect – all your senses are engaged when you walk the grounds at Los Arroyos Verdes, slumber in a chair in a quiet corner, or enjoy the pool and veranda area.  There is a corner, a spiritual haven for nearly everyone at Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat, my friends and I found ours just off the pool area, in a quiet spot not far from the peacock walk, where beautiful peacocks fan out their amazing tails!

We were there to join together in a celebration of a lunar equinox – asking a blessing and thanking mother earth and all the powers and elements for their healing presence in our lives, and releasing all of the old ideas and energies that can prevent one from moving  forward in life.  Marielana Capdevila, who was born in Mexico City, led us in a spiritual walk, an acceptance with gratitude for all that we are given, and the weaknesses we all have – a walk that culminated in shedding our chrysalis of old, un-useful thoughts and habits – a spiritual and intellectual spring cleaning.
We ate at the restaurant enjoying delicious limonada con agua mineral – a delight – while Julio, our waiter at Los Arroyos Verdes, prepared chicken nachos and shrimp salads.  Oh, my goodness!  Another bite never to be forgotten in this life time!  Julio is amazing, Los Arroyos Verdes is amazing – go, dine, live in peace at Los Arroyos Verdes, Bucerias, on the Riviera Nayarit this summer for a romantic weekend get-away, a relaxing day by the gorgeous pool, or an event, as many plays, live music and other events happen there all year long!

Sayulita SUPing
Friday, I took my visiting brother over to the SUP Club on the north end of the beach in Sayulita for his first SUPing adventure.
Here is a note from my brother-in-law about his experiences of our journey!
“A great bunch of guys led by Antonio, who is a SUP instructor extraordinaire!  In just a few minutes of really excellent instruction, Antonio had explained the SUPing fundamentals, and we were wading out for my first ever, really, no kidding, I am NOT putting you on, SUP effort.  How I’ve missed out on the SUP phenomena is beyond me – I’ve spent the last 35 years sailing on and living along the coasts of the world.  But here I am living large on the Riviera Nayarit, and Antonio of the SUP Club Sayulita has – no kidding, in about 2 minutes of on water instruction – got me up and SUPing….and I MEAN SUPing!  None of this paddling around on a mill pond crap, I am up really SUPing, I am bending my knees and digging in.  Very cool sensation by the way, and a very neat way to get about on mother ocean.  If you love her like I do, you will love SUPing ans SUPing in Sayulita, Nayarit, with the SUP Club Sayulita is absolutely the way to go.  Very impressive!   You want to Sayulita SUP, see Antonio at SUP Club Sayulita.  Now, don’t put to the test, I was no means keeping up with the aces that zip around in the surf zone in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit sporting their thongs and fancy moves – but I paddled out to the anchored sailboat in a reasonable amount of time — and I only fell off about 20 times — but you know what I had a blast – and for a guy like me that icing on the cake!”
SUPing is really for everyone, and Sayulita is the perfect place to learn!

Sayulita Mercado
That Friday was also the  last day for the Sayulita Mercado,  we went over there to get in some last of the season purchases.  It’s refreshing to see organic products, crafts, produce, local wares and prepared food, much of it hand made by locals, of all races and nationalities coming together in such a wonderful community event.  Live music was fun while we shopped and ate. Adios until next season mi compadres!
For everyone who is staying for the spring and summer, about ten of the vendors from the Sayulita  Mercado are moving their gig to “Tacos on the Street” (owned by Sandrita) every Saturday morning – at least until they get a feel for affordability. They are located on Revolution on the right corner just before the bridge as you come into town.

Sayulita Massage on the Playa
I wanted to treat my brother-in-law to experience a massage with David Chavas, the Clay Magic Man, who does the Benzonite clay massage on the playa. I can say from my own experience that David and his clay work magic…especially on my wrinkles and detoxing my skin. …almost better than a facial!
Here is what he said about his massage experience.
“Well, at 56 you just can’t jump up and “git’er’dun” like you used to, at least I can’t!  How does the old song go…”I’m as good as I once was, once…” so off I went to get a massage.  SONRISA GRANDE!!  I was very fortunate that my sister turned me on to David Chavez of Therapeutic Massage with Benzonite Clay (or “Con arcilla o barro” if you prefer).  MARVELOUS!!  Absolutely marvelous.  Oh, the aches and pains that I no longer have are legion.  He worked on me, smearing us both liberally with the arcilla o barro for 90 minutes – he found aches I didn’t even know I had, YET!  Cripes…he has the strongest fingers I’ve encountered on 7 continents!  An ex-boxer, David Chaves understands muscles, recovery, stimulus, nerve endings….and after years and years of study, both formal and informal he possesses encyclopedic knowledge of anatomy and various forms of massage – Thai, Swedish, Deep Tissue, the list is long, and exhaustive.  Extraordinary strength, knowledge, talent and a passion for healing is a rare, beautiful thing – visit a David Chavez of Therapeutic Massage in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit – do something for yourself today! …and you have an masseuse of rare skill and ability…a rare mixture indeed.
A brisk swim in the beautifully warm water off Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit and a shower back at David’s washed off the clay, and I was a new man. (The photo is my sister getting a massage.)  Now I was off to another real experience:

When your Hungry Try Km 5 Surf Bar!
Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant, located along the back way out of Sayulita, en-route to Punta de Mita Road.  A late lunch, and a head start.  A head start to get a meal and a good seat, because on Friday nights Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant has live music and there is no place else to get a groove on like the intimate dance floor at Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant.  The band I was delighted to see perform played a pleasing mix of some original riffs, cooler than cool oldies, and some current themes – carrying them pretty ably – with some really cool vibes coming off the bass.  Buon hecho compadres!
Food is really center stage! The food is all freshly made on site by Chef Rodo using all fresh produce, fish and meat and organic lettuce and produce.  I was honored to meet Chef Rodo during my visit to Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant – we chatted while he made, from scratch, his special pizza dough.  Chef Rodo, and his trained staff, create every plate and pizza from scratch that comes out of the kitchen at Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant and he gets it!  He proudly puts his name behind everything that comes out of the Km5 Surf Bar kitchen.
Try the Portobello and asparagus burger with cheese – I nearly died – what a delicious sandwich!  The asparagus was simply perfect….grills marks, a tang – not a singe, if you know what I mean…the Portobello was another technical triumph, just on the dry side of wet, the juices were still there but not dominant…Ha!Listen to me, can you tell I enjoyed that sandwich.
Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant is a special place, totally original painting – the galley is made to be the inside of an old VW combi van – the ground floor is six inches deep in sand – the action is upstairs where the breeze blows, and the sun glows.   It is the only authentic Surf Bar on the Riviera Nayarit that I know of with the “surf shack” building and the sand floors downstairs.
Check them out, you’ll be glad you did.

The Perfect Ending for a Lovely Weekend!
We ended the our Sunday the way all days were meant to be spent – with family and friends.   We made a little camp down on Destiladeras Beach, and had fun swimming and chillin before heading up to dinner at the house.   It was a day filled with blessings of the amazing Riviera Nayarit! Spending time with my brother-in-law has been so much fun!
Our bones loosened up in the warm sun as we walked and swam, then we ate and drank. The Riviera Nayarit beaches are why most folks are here.. ..where the jungle meets the Pacific ocean.
We left there and came home to our villa overlooking Banderas Bay -  Having taken in the view with appropriate vigor, given a nod for another perfect sunset – all accompanied by an adequate, but so far, not overwhelming, amount of eating and drinking, we repaired to the living room/swimming pool area and began to eat and drink in earnest.
Apparently, eating and drinking is a very, very important pastime here on the Riviera Nayarit – because we spent an awful lot of time eating and drinking!
And so this wonderful weekend ended as it began, looking out over Banderas Bay and enjoying the sunset this time, surrounded by my friends and family of drifters, misfits, and retired bums – all of us adrift on the never ending adventure that is life here on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico!

Discover the pleasures of the Riviera Nayarit in amazing Mexico!

 

 

Riviera Nayarit San Blas Sport-Fishing Tournament 2013

Riviera Nayarit is hosting this year’s International Sport-fishing Tournament of San Blas, located on the Riviera Nayarit  from record asistencia torneo de pesca san blasMay 29th to June 2nd, 2013 at the Tourist Marine place located in San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico.
San Blas is both a port and popular tourist destination, located about 160 km north of  Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta and 64 km west of the state capital Tepic. The town has a population of about  8,700 pe0ple, and was founded by local Indians in 1531.  However, the official date is 1768 for that event, when Don Manuel Riviera and 116 families were ordered to occupy the town on orders from the Viceroy of New Spain; and San Blas became a new naval base for the Spanish Navy.
San Blas is also known for its amazing estuaries and fresh water springs with a gateway to an extensive mangrove forest and federally protected nature preserve where hundreds of bird species like blue, yellow and pink footed boobies can be found and other jungle life.  Along with all of this history, wild life, flora and fauna – San Blas is known for its fishing, and delicious San Blas shrimp!

The San Blas 2013 Fishing Tournament will be very much like last year’s tournament.  The fees remain the same, but this year the prizes SanBlas: image 42 0f 60 thumbhave increased – making it more fun than ever to win!  This year the winner of each category wins a CAR!  In addition to a chance to win a car the $19,000 peso registration fee includes participation in the daily “Jackpot,” the Inauguration Ceremony, the official lunch on Friday, the closing Ceremony, and one ticket for the raffle – if you don’t win a car, maybe you can win a brand new outboard motor!  Its easy to register via Bank Deposit, wire transfer or cash on the same day of the event.
Click here to go to the Registration page.

When you are registering ask about custom tee-shirts for your crew.  For more information and the exact times visit http://www.clubdepescadeportivatepic.com/programa.html

Tournament by Vessel
Each vessel can have up to 4 fishermen on board; the winner will be the one that catches the heaviest fish in each category record asistencia torneo de pesca san blasduring the three days of the competition.
Catches by Day (maximums per vessel):
- Three Sailfish – minimum weight 25 kg each
- Three Mahi Mahi – with minimum weight 10 kg each
- One Marlinminimum weight of 85 kg
* Note: every single fish officially weighed in, after a vessel’s return will become the property of the Sport-fishing Club of Tepic, even if it doesn’t meet the get the minimum weight. So, don’t get attached folks!  If you would like information from someone who does this every year and knows all the ropes, contact Peter Vines on his facebook http://www.facebook.com/pvfishing?fref=ts

Thanks goes out to Riviera Nayarit for the great photos.  This is a big event every year for all of the fishing folks out there….so get registered for this fun event, and get out there, catch the big one, and take home a car!!

Have some fun fishing in the annual San Blas International Sport-Fishing
Tournament on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico!

 

 

Sup’ing, Massaging, n’Partying on the Riviera Nayarit

Hey gang, just had a pretty cool week out and about down here on the Riviera Nayarit  in Mexico with my kool brother-in-law, and I can’t wait to tell you about it! With Eric just getting into town, our week of fun started on Thursday…and what a long and fun Riviera Nayarit community weekend it was!

Living life on the Riviera Nayarit is simply beautiful with many Riviera Nayarit attractions; as it is no surprise why more and more folks come here for a vacation or to relocate, like I did over two years ago.

We started out our days hanging out in the villa, chillin’ out, and enjoying the sunrise over the Banderas Bay, cupp-a-joe in our hands, and giving thanks and that we can be and live in such an amazing place called the Riviera Nayarit.


An Equinox Blessing at Los Arroyos Verdes Retreat

It all started on Thursday with a lovely blessing for the lunar equinox at Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat in Bucerias.
At Los Arroyos Verdes Retreat, every item is ecologically relevant – every reused, recycled, reinvented, recreated marvelous piece of art that even an old fire hydrant can become. Everything is also for sale at this Eco green retreat.  Fall in love and take it home with you!
Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat  is special on so many levels, not just the pragmatic idea of recycling, but the spiritual, the physical body, and the intellect – all your senses are engaged when you walk the grounds at Arroyos Verde, slumber in a chair in a quiet corner, or enjoy the pool and veranda area.  There is a corner, a spiritual haven for nearly everyone at Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat, my friends and I found ours just off the pool area, in a quiet spot not far from the peacock walk.

We were there to join together in a celebration of a lunar equinox – asking a blessing and thanking mother earth and all the powers and elements for their healing presence in our lives, and releasing all of the old ideas and energies that can prevent one from moving  forward in life.  Marielana Capdevila, who was born in Mexico City, led us in a spiritual walk, an acceptance with gratitude for all that we are given, and the weaknesses we all have – a walk that culminated in shedding our chrysalis of old, un-useful thoughts and habits – a spiritual and intellectual spring cleaning. Marielena also is an amazing artist, and specializes in portraits and personal mandalas.

We ate at the restaurant enjoying delicious limonada con agua mineral – a delight – while Julio, our waiter at Los Arroyos Verdes, prepared chicken nachos and shrimp salads.  Oh, my goodness!  Another bite never to be forgotten in this life time!  Julio is amazing, Los Arroyos Verdes is amazing.  Dine, live in peace, or a short drive from Puerto Vallarta, visit Arroyos Verdes in  Bucerias this summer for a romantic weekend get-away in one of their comfortable Bucerias rentals, or for a relaxing day by the gorgeous pool.  Plan your wedding or special occasion with them. There is something always going on at Los Arroyos Verdes Eco Retreat in Bucerias!

Sayulita SUPing
Friday, I took my visiting brother over to the SUP Club on the north end of the beach in Sayulita for his first SUPing adventure. Here is a note from my brother-in-law about his experience!
“A great bunch of guys led by Antonio, who is a SUP instructor extraordinaire!  In just a few minutes of really excellent instruction, Antonio had explained the SUPing fundamentals, and we were wading out for my first ever, really, no kidding, I am NOT putting you on, SUP effort.  How I’ve missed out on the SUP phenomena is beyond me – I’ve spent the last 35 years sailing on and living along the coasts of the world.  But here I am living large on the Riviera Nayarit, and Antonio of the SUP Club Sayulita has – no kidding, in about 2 minutes of on water instruction – got me up and SUPing….and I MEAN SUPing!  None of this paddling around on a mill pond crap, I am up really SUPing, I am bending my knees and digging in.  Very cool sensation by the way, and a very neat way to get about on mother ocean.  If you love her like I do, you will love SUPing ans SUPing in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, with the SUP Club Sayulita is absolutely the way to go.  Very impressive!   You want to SUP, to see Antonio at SUP Club Sayulita.  Now, don’t put to the test, I was no means keeping up with the aces that zip around in the surf zone in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit sporting their thongs and fancy moves – but I paddled out to the anchored sailboat in a reasonable amount of time — and I only fell off about 20 times — but you know what I had a blast – and for a guy like me that icing on the cake!”
SUP camps are abundant in Sayulita. SUPing is really for everyone, and Sayulita is the perfect place to learn! . Especially now that the currents have shifted…and Sayulita is often known as “Lake Sayulita” in the summer months!

Sayulita Mercado
Friday was also the  last day for the Sayulita Mercado, or the Sayulita Farmer’s Market.  We went over to get in some last of the season purchases.  It’s refreshing to see organic products, crafts, produce, local wares and organically prepared food, much of it hand made by locals, of all races and nationalities coming together in such a wonderful community event.  Live music was fun while we shopped and ate. Adios until next season mi compadres!  For everyone who is staying for the spring and summer, about ten or so of the vendors from the Sayulita  Mercado are moving their gig to “Tacos on the Street” (owned by Sandrita) every Saturday morning – at least until they get a feel for affordability. They are located on Revolution on the right corner just before the bridge as you come into town.

Sayulita Massage on the Playa
I wanted to treat my brother-in-law for an experience with a massage with David Chavas, who does the Benzonite clay massage on the playa in Sayulita, located just north of Costenos Surf shop. I can say from my own experience that David and his clay work magic…especially on my face wrinkles…almost better than a facial!
David is a nice looking guy, but he wears his clay all over his face and body to protect him from the sun all day. Some folks are a bit put off by that at first. But, once you get on the table all of that fades away.  Here is what my borther-in-law said about his massage experience.

“Well, at 56 you just can’t jump up and “git’er’dun” like you used to, at least I can’t!  How does the old song go…”I’m as good as I once was, once…” so off I went to get a massage.  SONRISA GRANDE!!  I was very fortunate that my sister turned me on to David Chavez of Therapeutic Massage with Benzonite Clay (or “Con arcilla o barro” if you prefer).  MARVELOUS!! Oh, the aches and pains that I no longer have are legion.  He worked on me, smearing us both liberally with the arcilla o barro for 90 minutes – he found aches I didn’t even know I had, YET!  Cripes…he has the strongest fingers I’ve encountered on 7 continents!  An ex-boxer, David Chaves understands muscles, recovery, stimulus, nerve endings….and after years and years of study, both formal and informal he possesses encyclopedic knowledge of anatomy and various forms of massage – Thai, Swedish, Deep Tissue, the list is long, and exhaustive.  Extraordinary strength, knowledge, talent and a passion for healing is a rare, beautiful thing – visit a David Chavez of Therapeutic Massage in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit – do something for yourself today! …and you have an masseuse of rare skill and ability…a rare mixture indeed.
A brisk swim in the beautifully warm water off Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit and a shower back at David’s washed off the clay, and I was a new man.

When your Hungry Try Km 5 Surf Bar!
Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant, located along the back way out of Sayulita, en-route to Punta de Mita Road.  A late lunch, and a head start.  A head start to get a meal and a good seat, because on Friday nights Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant has live music and there is no place else to get a groove on like the intimate dance floor at Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant.  The band I was delighted to see perform played a pleasing mix of some original riffs, cooler than cool oldies, and some current themes – carrying them pretty ably – with some really cool vibes coming off the bass.  Buon hecho compadres!  Food is really center stage! The food is all freshly made on site by Chef Rodo using all fresh produce, fish and meat and organic lettuce and produce.  I was honored to meet Chef Rodo during my visit to Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant – we chatted while he made, from scratch, his special pizza dough.  Chef Rodo, and his trained staff, create every plate and pizza from scratch that comes out of the kitchen at Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant and he gets it!  He proudly puts his name behind everything that comes out of the Km5 Surf Bar kitchen.
Try the Portobello and asparagus burger with cheese – I nearly died – what a delicious sandwich!  The asparagus was simply perfect….grills marks, a tang – not a singe, if you know what I mean…the Portobello was another technical triumph, just on the dry side of wet, the juices were still there but not dominant…Ha!Listen to me, can you tell I enjoyed that sandwich.
Km5 Surf Bar and Restaurant is a special place, totally original painting – the galley is made to be the inside of an old VW combi van – the ground floor is six inches deep in sand – the action is upstairs where the breeze blows, and the sun glows.   It is the only authentic Surf Bar on the Riviera Nayarit that I know of with the “surf shack” building and the sand floors downstairs, and amazing views of the ocean and jungle. Surfboard rentals are available as well.  Check them out, you’ll be glad you did.

The Perfect Ending for a Lovely Weekend!
We ended the our Sunday the way all days were meant to be spent – with family and friends.  We made a little camp down on Destilidaras Beach, and had fun swimming and chillin’ before heading up to dinner at the house.   It was a day filled with blessings of the amazing Riviera Nayarit!
Our bones loosened up in the warm sun as we walked and swam, then we ate and drank. The Riviera Nayarit beaches are why most folks are here.. ..where the jungle meets the Pacific ocean.

We left there and came home to our villa overlooking Banderas Bay -  Having taken in the view with appropriate vigor, given a nod for another perfect sunset – all accompanied by an adequate, but so far, not overwhelming, amount of eating and drinking, we repaired to the living room/swimming pool area and began to eat and drink in earnest.
Eating and drinking is a very, very important pastime here on the Riviera Nayarit – and we spent an awful lot of time eating and drinking!
And so this wonderful weekend ended as it began, looking out over Banderas Bay, surrounded by my friends and family of drifters, misfits, and retired bums – all of us adrift on the never ending adventure that is life here on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico!

 

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