Playa Azul - Michoacan

This was my second time in Playa Azul and I'm a little more impressed than I was last summer. In the winter there are people there, more businesses are open and they keep the town clean. Last summer it looked abandoned. The beach is long and flat with no protection from the open ocean. We watched a number of fishing pangas struggling to get out over the waves. Had a nice sunset but can't recommend a beach restaurant since our dinner was very average. The food stands in the center of town are good for juice and coffee in the morning.

Playa Azul fotos Link


Intersection where highway 200 turns to Playa Azul


The center of beach activity


One very flat and uninteresing beach


Sun setting from a beach palapa restaurant


Fishermen going out for the evening haul

Playa La Ticla - Surfing the Michoacan Coast

We Just got back from an 8 day trip down the coast of Michoacan to Playa Azul and up to the Patzcuaro area. I'll put the La Ticla and Playa Azul sections here since I don't really have a blog for coastal Michoacan.

La Ticla is off highway 200 between San Juan de Alima and El Faro (the light-house). It has a very interesting new road in from the highway not suggested for large motor homes or 5th wheels. The road is narrow and has a few very tight turns. The beach was full of camping surfers in mid-January so there would be safety in numbers against thieves and trouble makers. Not a real pretty beach but regularly good for surfing.


Playa La Ticla foto Link


Fotos of the surfers


The beach bar


River mouth


Good but not real large surf


Life on the beach

Trip to Project Amigo in Colima

We drove 5 kids from Melaque up to The little village of Cofradía de Suchitlán outside Comala Colima for a special dental clinic they put on for us. Most of our kids had not been to Colima let alone in the mountains at the base of Colima volcano. They had teeth fixed and an adventure at the same time.

Project Amigo is run by a great bunch of people and has been working in Colima for 25 years. Their offices are in a beautiful old home in Suchitlán. I'll let you read more about it on their web page. Ted has given up part of his home, a block away, for the dental office.

Project Amigo Web Site

Kids getting snacks and orientation

Dental office

Garden behind dental office

Kiosko in the Suchitlán Plaza

Suchitlán main street

Volcano from Suchitlán entrance

Barbara's house - at least it was

I promised to get a few pictures of Barbara's house. Sadly after her only being there a few months she decided to head back north. She asked if we wanted to take over her house and of course the answer was yes. It's more secure, prettier, feels larger, has a yard ... and is only a block from the beach.

So we're happier, have a garden to play with, easy for walks on the beach, a block from the kindergarden for the 4 year old (Marcos) ... and looking forward to cooler fall weather. Hopefully no hurricanes in the next few months.

Front of our new house in Melaque

Side street view with the ocean a block away

Our palapa in the front corner of the lot

Back yard - green tarp is for shade this summer - it's hot

Living room and one of 3 bedrooms with Jania on the floor (she's 8)

Side yard with palm, bananas and limes

Settling down in Mexico

I've created other BLOG's for areas along the Costalegre as well as a few others about places I've been ... but have ignored this one. Since this is more about my life here rather than Melaque specifically - here goes.

After living for almost a year in a nearby bungalow the landlords personality just became too much of an issue. My neighbor (Barbara) and I finally just had to get our own places. No pool this time but a lot more peace of mind. Landlord issues are just another thing you may have to deal with in Mexico - especially if they are on the property. Believe me, gringo (or ex-gringo) landlords can just as bad as Mexican ones - and you can understand the words but don't have a clue where they are coming from !!

So Barbara got the place I originally wanted but since I've taken on a family the landlord was too skeptical about the kids. The pictures below are of our place which is very basic, suits the purpose well ... but lacks in the aesthetics department. We put up the palapa for afternoon shade ... and rather than a real pool we have a kiddy pool in the rear garage space.

For those interested in prices, ours is $3250 pesos a month (a little less than $300us), a large 2 bedroom that we made into 3 easily, 2 bath, secure parking, air-conditioning (we pay electric which is expensive), water-garbage-cable TV are included. We pay phone, DSL, drinking water and electric.

Barbara is paying $4000 pesos for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath - a block from the ocean and it has a beautiful garden. We´re 6 blocks away and have no real garden. I'll post another picture or two if I get good ones - and maybe a foto of Barbara's. It takes some looking to find decent places ... and if at all possible, avoid realestate agents, some here want as much as 20% a month for their services.

So quickly, my family now has 5 kids from 4-13, 2 boys and 3 girls. Then there is Mari who is really either aunt or grandma to these kids - an amazing woman who really keeps them inline ... and is a great cook !!

Adios for now

Front of our new house

Kitchen area

The living room from the kitchen - a lot of furnishings were included