Costalegre in 1955

According to this map there was only a primitive road as far north as Chamela and nothing south from Vallarta. I'm sure Tomatlan and El Tuito were there but possibly very difficult to get to. I found this interactive map (link at bottom) years ago on a site that lets you store lots of data free. I snagged the graphics and the web page (HTML) that makes it work thinking the site may go away ... which it did.

This old Pemex map reminds me when Texaco and other gas stations in the US would give away maps  free. We always needed them about 1950 as we cruised around eastern Oregon and northern California in the old 1949 Studebaker.

Caminos De Mexico

Mapas Pemex

Aerial view of Melaque - 1955

Full Mexico Map - Caminos De Mexico -1955

Another luxury resort for the Costalegre

Just what the hell we need

They're planning another in Riviera Nayarit

One&Only Santa Maria de Xala will be part of a new 1200-hectare development located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Puerto Vallarta’s international airport. The authentic hacienda resort will command 8km (5mi) of impressive beach front, a connection to traditions past yet offering the latest in ultra-luxury. The resort will offer approximately 75 luxury villas and suites with private pools, providing the perfect accommodation for both couples and families. The development will also include a prestigious One&Only residential component.

The region’s heritage will be woven throughout the resort, utilizing natural elements, to inform the design of both the public and private spaces of the resort. True to the brand’s heritage, One&Only Santa Maria de Xala will offer a variety of world-class cuisines, showcasing regional specialties in restaurants overseen by internationally-acclaimed chefs. All culinary experiences will showcase the incredible local and seasonal offerings. The resort will also house an indulgent One&Only Spa, honouring the region’s heritage by utilising ancient Mexican traditions and holistic practices fused with modern spa therapies, as well as a Fitness Centre offering the latest technology and innovation. In addition, event and meeting space will be available for bespoke gatherings, whether for business or personal pleasure. One&Only Xala is planned to  break ground in 2016.

The projects led by Kerzner International, in agreement with BK Parners, boasts about the announcement, “The locations truly showcase the best Mexico has to offer, each with a distinctive experience, and I am very confident that One&Only will continue to define ultra-luxury in the region.”

One and Only Resorts - Mexico

Two luxury resorts are planned near PV

Discover KaraKara Eco Resort

I swear if all development plans went through and the dead projects brought back to life the whole Jalisco coast would be one solid resort. Maybe that's where they got the phrase "The New Cancun" for coastline near Tomatlan.  These KaraKara  people will take your money even though they haven't yet found a location. How crazy is that?

Phase 1 of the development: We are identifying location and will announce shortly

Some of their nonsense ....

TreaZureZ is a master planned, multi-phased, sustainable development that fuses the rich culture and architecture of old Mexico with today’s earth-friendly water, waste and power technologies.

Phase 1 of the development: We are identifying location and will announce shortly.

Development in this area will include an Eco-Resort containing 24 yurts, a boutique hotel with beach club, residential condominiums, private residential homes, condominium hotel product, a commercial center and a golf course with clubhouse.

Become part of the exciting developments of TreaZureZ by becoming a Private Membership Club Member!

-----------------

Experience the “Luxury of Nature” at KaraKara.

KaraKara Eco Resort is located on a spectacular uninhabited 10 km section of beach and private bays on the remarkable Pacific Coast of Costalegre, located between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, Jalisco, Mexico.

The name "Costalegre", which literally translates as "Coast of Joy", is known as "The Virgin Coast" of Mexico. It remains one of the last unspoiled coastal areas of Mexico.

Do not miss the opportunity to be part of this unique project in Mexico!

Discover KaraKara Eco Resort - Website

Pre-hispanic artifacts from the Costalegre

A nice little restaurant in Barra de Navidad recently posted on the local message board that a local artifact collector would have a showing at their restaurant for one day (yesterday). No one showed any interest on the message board which surprised me and not a crowd at the restaurant when we dropped by. The collector (sorry don't have his name) said he only bring out the collection a couple times a year so if you see a notice don't wait around.

This stuff is really museum quality if there was a story to go along with it and of course a museum to put it in. Maybe the pre-Hispanic history is just too vague for this area.   You would think the history here is similar to Colima and the rest of the Jalisco coast ..... hmmmm?   Anyway, here's a couple fotos

Costalegre Rotary Chili Cookoff 2013

Wasn't sure I was going to go as I'd been a few times in the past but some new people were in town so decided to go with them. Glad I did as I met a few people for the first time and ran into a few I've not seen in awhile. It was pretty much stay out of the sun, drink beer, taste a chili or two, listen to the four musical groups and mucho Blah, Blah, Blah. It was fun.

I wasn't impressed much with the chili but with 30 entries how do you taste very many. Turns out I missed the winners so there might have been some decent bowls there. I was disappointed to see a woman parading around all day with "Vote for #19" which turned out to be Crazy Cactus ... and they won the amateur title. Oh well. Had dinner around the corner and I was home by dark.

Our group with only Tecate - no Estrella

Some of the chili booths

Normally useless Dryhouse being usefull

Grupo Exito with Raul and Hector

Best vivero on the Costalegre

I would have waited a little longer to visit this nursery but there was a surf competition in the area so I combined the two into one Saturday. I've passed by a number of times but never really noticed it, tho heard of it. It's about the last place on the north side of town

A great old guy that seems to run it and he'll talk to you about ideas you may have; size, speed of growth, fertilizer, soil, etc. They also have a great garden soil for sale that looks to be mostly shredded coco shells.

I came back with a Carambola (star fruit), a Chico Zapote (Sapote) and an avocado that is supposed to do well on the coast. Also two Sisus vines that are like Ivy. Prices aren't much cheaper than I find in the Melaque area but the place is so large you have a much better selection. There were two pickup trucks filling up with like 40-50 of the same plants making me think they supply the local hotels.

VIVEROS DE LA COSTA Tel: (315) 351 0711
Km 41, Carretera Federal 200, Emiliano Zapata, Jalisco

What you see from the highway

It goes on

... and on

... and on

Young Buganvilla

Costalegre Tsunami warning sirens - but in time?

From Scott Morrison (I haven't seen these yet)

Couple of shots of our new 'tsunami' warning sirens. This collection of eight monster electronic sirens are sitting in front of a house in the 'Primavera' subdivision (the river flats). They are part of the Pacific Rim tsunami warning system, and are just waiting installation. Their control systems are to be based out at the 'Civil Defense' building on hwy 80. They are to be erected around the area and sit on 12 meter high towers.

Now there is a group or individual who is making predictions of an earthquake in May 2009 that will be stronger than the 1985 quake that did so much damage to Mexico City. We know Mexico City is inland but the quakes are all centered off the west coast.

Terremoto = Earthquake
Maremoto = Tsunami

Barra de Navidad Sunset

Saturday was the Costalegre Rotary Chili Cookoff on the plaza and I took the kids over. Fun party but the kids were a little bored with all the gringos. The most I've seen in one place in Mexico. Anyway, just before we left the sun was going down

Papaya's in our future back yard

The papaya plant is a large herb that grows rapidly, reaching heights of more than twenty-five feet and producing a soft wood. The huge fingered leaves form a spiral similar to those of the palm tree. The plant grows quickly from seed and bears fruit within a year, continuing to do so for another two years before the tree is cut down. The tree grows best in temperatures of 25°C (77°F)and does not like storms or winds. It also requires good drainage as the roots will rot if they become water-logged.

This papaya field is a block away from the new house and I expect to make use of a few of them. I also hope we have room enough in our yard to grow a few. I've had a few starts before but didn't know that I was tending a male tree that won't bear fruit. Growing tropical fruit will be a gas.

Almost as far as you can see

A couple are ripe so won't be long

Papaya field in Pinal Villa, Melaque, Costalegre

A Sunday at Tenacatita with Ron and the kids

Ron, a long time buddy, just got down from Seattle and spent a week with me here in Melaque. He and his wife Dora who is from Mexico are moving down once again and he will meet her in Vallarta in a few days. Vallarta has more jobs and they will be working ... but Vallarta is busy and crazy so Ron is not sure. Colima and/or Manzanillo might be the next location if Vallarta does not work out.

Anyway ... Ron and I took the kids up to Tenacatita last Sunday and had a great time. Seven kids total. Bought two barbecued chickens with rice, salad, salsa and tortillas ... to-go in Melaque to save a little money. Then just bought drinks in the restaurant. About 200 pesos in the restaurant and 200 pesos for food to-go with extra salad and rice.

Ron finally bought a digital camera and the last two fotos are his. The first one is mine from the rocky point just to give some perspective of where we spent the day

Tenacatita from up above

The water dogs - Jania, Xiomara and Mia (with a choke hold on me)

The sand fleas - Marcos, Jania and Eddie

Tenacatita, Costalegre, Jalisco Mexico

Dengue Inspection

Today we had a Dengue inspection to make sure our yards were not full of water collectors where mosquitoes lay eggs. This was not the usual young kids with bags of mosquito poison to dump in every receptacle including the well ... but just an inspection. I don't gather junk around the house like some in the neighborhood so I WON a certificate that we are Dengue free. Now I just hope the mosquitoes can read.

Melaque, Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico

Home Made Tamales

Just find yourself a huge sack of fresh corn and a large family and go to work, and everyone did including the three year old. The smaller ears just get shucked and husks thrown away. The husks from the larger ones are cut evenly across the bottom and later stuffed with the ground corn mix.

The corn is cut off the cob and them put in a grinder or blender. A blender was used this time since they couldn't find a grinder. Mix with milk, butter, sugar and a little cinnamon and start stuffing the husks.

They should have had a larger cook pot for as many tamales as they made because the ones on top were not quite done and water had to be added a couple of times so the steamer didn't go dry. Still made a great evening feast !!

Whole family working - more in the wings

Strip the kernals

Stuff the husks

Get them hot out of the pot

Tamales in Melaque, Costalegre, Mexico

Central Cultural Cihuatlan

The plaque and paintings are on the entrance to the Cultural Center in Cihuatlan that's located on the corner near the central traffic light. I've seen a display of very old Cihuatlan fotos in one building but they were covered with thin plastic that gave off too many reflections to get good pictures. Usually after school classes are held there along with meetings.

Cihuatlan, Costalegre, Jalisco Mexico

How to cool off in the heat

A $10 plastic alberca from Sorianas, a sun lounge, garden hose and you have a water park (tobogane). I couldn't fit the larger pool in my van that cost $20 but this seem to work for the kids. It's not broken yet. Long summer to go

Melaque Costalegre

The kids are over

It's the weekend and the kids come over for some space. 15 people living in their little house lately and watching what you want on TV or using the bathroom can be an issue. They also come over for warm showers in the winter, bathroom because theirs is busy .... and to do computer homework (well mostly homework). Tomorrow, Sunday, is beach day.

Kids, Melaque, Costalegre, shoes

Ron with 6 fingers - but wants to come back

He's just a Mexico kind of guy

This is a guy that married a Mexican, still has 2 places in San Miguel, teaches ESL in Seattle and has had schools in Mexico teaching English and Spanish. Could this guy be your teacher. Melaque on the Costalegre is his favorite.

What does that T-Shirt say
Costalegre, Melaque, Mexico

The Afilador - Knife sharpener

I was out in back busy with something and heard a new whistle in the neighborhood. I just figured it was kids with a new toy but Mari came in and said the Afilador is here and asked if I wanted the machetes sharpened. He has a small plastic pan flute that he announces himself with. So for 40 pesos apiece he sharpened my machetes while telling stories and jokes - a real character. 10 pesos extra for fotos ;)-

I hear this guy (or another) can ruin a good kitchen knife so beware !!

Mari talking to the Afilador

Telling one of his stories

Sharpening one of my machetes


Afilador, Melaque, Costalegre, Mexico

The real Virgin of Guadalupe celebration

Mexico’s most colorful nationwide annual festival, the celebration of the appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe, begins on December 1 thru the 12th. This year in Melaque they have been beginning the celebration at 5am in the morning with booming fireworks and audio announcments. Parades almost every day and streets are decorated in combination with Christmas - quite a scene. The fotos below are from last year and on the bottom is a link to short videos of this year.

Short videos of the Virgin of Guadalupe parade Melaque - Costalegre

Look what the cats brought home

One of these was ours but at this point I can't remember which. These suddenly started appearing at our doorstep a few months ago and has since stopped - probably because there are no more left in the neighborhood. They also brought home a bird a few days ago but I'm sure the dusters are much slower. Mystery never solved but I'm careful which of the neighbors I ask over.

Another day in Melaque - Costalegre

Quinceanera

This was my second Quinceanera and we got the invitation a few hours before the party. I don't know if that was an after thought or if they were still unsure they could capture the pig that was rumored to be running around the neighborhood early in the morning. The feast included many parts of pig and each way it's cooked has a different name.

A Quinceanera is the turning of age of a 15 year old girl and the celebration can be pretty elaborate - but this was simple. I had only met her parents so buying two blouses sized medium was not going to fit a large girl - I told them I'd help exchange later. The last Quinceanera the girl went to the dentist to get her 3 front teeth fixed.

The house was in the country beyond Jaluco and I was really surprised by the number of mosquitoes and 'no-see-ums'. The bugs finally chased us back to Melaque about sunset