Saturday, March 07, 2009

Scouting activities for Mexico reunion in 2011

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - The months have been flying by here in Mexico, with too many things to do and see. Oh yeah. And eat and drink.

But I haven't been totally derelict in looking around for fun things to do for the SWCS Class of '66 Reunion in February, 2011.

And I have also been scouting various places to stay for folks, unless I get a wild hair and build guest casitas (little houses) out here in Arroyo Seco at the Pink Flamingo. (Anyone want to invest a few thousand?)

Typical upstairs palapa looking at ocean
Upstairs palapa with view of Tenacatita Bay

The photo above is of the living room/kitchenette/deck of a casita in La Manzanilla that is the kind of place you might never want to leave once you unpack your suitcase. The bedrooms and bathrooms are on the floor below with tons of space for two couples. The main beach is about 200 yards out the front door. Some of the best margaritas in town are the same distance at Martine's Restaurant.

The price per night right now, is about $100 U.S.. That's $100 for the whole two-bedroom, two-bath place, which includes the kitchen upstairs and living area and deck.

Take that Motel 6.

BTW, with the current exchange rate of 15 pesos to the dollar, a cold beer in La Manzanilla is about 55 cents, a margarita $3, a hamburger and fries at Palapa Joes $3.50, and a big pizza for about $8. My dinner tonight, across the street at my neighor's taco stand, should cost me about $1.50 for 4 chorizo tacos.

La Manzanilla hobie cat
Launching a Hobie Cat through the surf

The same beach (and margarita-watering hole) is also home to several sailboats and enough kayaks to keep everyone afloat from the class who has contacted me and said they might be coming. The bay is a great place to sail, kayak and swim. Sitting on the beach is kind of fun, too. Lots of wildlife to view.

My sailing dinghy will be in the water there long before then, I hope. Right now it is languishing in Arroyo Seco until I can get a small trailer to tow it (and launch it) with my Honda quad.

Here's some assorted photos from the last few weeks:

Sculptures
Metal sculptures, a little big to be souvenirs

Violinists playing
Evening concert in a neighboring town

Coconut off tree
Fresh coconut milk

The last shot is our Canadian amiga Laura Warner, who came and taught English to the village children a month ago. We were out on the beach to check out the sunset and another friend walked over and got us coconuts from a fellow harvesting them.

Gawd, they are good right off the tree.

About two years from now, maybe some of us can be sharing coconuts right here. I hear pouring a little rum in them makes them especially tasty.

Might try that this afternoon.

Triumphant return of the fishermen
Gringo fishermen come in with a full load of red snapper


No comments: