Issue 940, April 9-15, 2015 by Vallarta Tribune

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Life in Vallarta semana santa

April 9 - 15, 2015 Free Issue 940

Riviera Nayarit APRIL MAY EVENTS

Travel SAN BLAS

Photo by Madeline Milne

Destiladeras, Nayarit

welcome

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta

and Riviera Nayarit Here is some advice to make your trip a little easier and more enjoyable. TIME ZONE: The entire state of Jalisco is on Central Time, as is the southern part of the State of Nayarit starting from Guayabitos in the north. BUSES: A system of urban buses with different routes can bring you from one end of the bay to the other and all the spots in between. Current fare is $7.50 pesos per ticket and passengers must purchase a new ticket every time they board another bus. There are no “transfers”. TAXIS: There are set rates within defined zones of town. Do not enter a taxi without agreeing on the price with the driver first. Price is per trip not person. MONEY EXCHANGE: Although you may have to wait in line for a few minutes, banks will give you a higher rate of exchange than the exchange booths (caja de cambio). You will need your passport. Better yet, use your bank card to withdraw funds from any ATM machine. Note that ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and generally charge lower fees. DRINKING WATER: For the year 18 in a row, Puerto Vallarta’s water has been awarded a certification of purity for human consumption. The quality of the water tested at the purification plant varies greatly from what comes out of the tap at the other end. So do be careful. If you want to be doubly sure, you can pick up bottled water just about anywhere. EXPORTING PETS: Falling love with the street dog outside your hotel or a puppy on the Malecon doesn’t mean they can’t come home with you. The process is fairly inexpensive and only takes a day or two. You need a certificate of health from a local vet among other things. The time of year that pets can travel in the cargo section of the plane may be your biggest challenge. For the most up-to-date information contact the Puerto Vallarta SPCA at spcapv@gmail.com. COMMON SENSE: Just as you wouldn’t walk around your hometown drunk and beligerent, it is not acceptable to do that here. While Mexicans are a forgiving bunch, basic politeness is appreciated. For the guys, peeing in public is a major faux pas and if you are caught, can get you tossed in jail or an expensive fine. Pay attention to your surroundings. Pay your bills. Be courteous. And have fun! DRINKING AND DRIVING: First off – just don’t. The consequences are not worth it. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Fines are as much as 10,000 pesos. You can be taken to jail and your vehicle impounded. There are many checkstops on the weekends and you will be asked to blow if they suspect you have been drinking. LEGAL SYSTEM: Not knowing the law is not an valid excuse in Mexico or anywhere. If you find yourself caught in a legal situation be aware that guilt is presumed until your innocence can be proven. This is a very difficult lesson to learn if you are visiting from the United States or Canada in particular. Immediately contact your consulate for assistance.

Director Noemi Zamora noemizamorareynoso@gmail.com Editor Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@Vallartatribune.com Sales Team Rebeca Castellón Rebeca.castellonn@gmail.com Information office ventastribuna7@yahoo.com Designer Cynthia E. Andrade G. cysandra@gmail.com cysandra@gmail.com cisandra@vallartatribune.com

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Calling in Mexico Calling phones in Mexico can be tricky as it is different than in the US or Canada. There are different codes you need to use depending if you are calling landlines or cellular phones and if they are local or long distance. Long-distance calls from within Mexico For national long-distance calls (within Mexico) the code is 01 plus the area code and phone number. For international long-distance calls, first dial 00, then the country code (for the U.S. and Canada the country code is 1, so you would dial 00 + 1 + area code + 7 digit number). Calling Cell Phones (from a land line) If you are calling from a landline within the area code of the Mexican cell phone number dial 044, then the 10 digit number including area code. Outside of the area code (but still within Mexico) dial 045 and then the 10 digit phone number. Cell phone to cell phone only requires the 10 digit number. Phone Cards Phone cards (“tarjetas telefonicas”) for use in pay phones can be bought at newstands and in pharmacies in denominations of 30, 50 and 100 pesos. Pay phones do not accept coins. When buying a phone card for pay phone use, specify that you would like a “tarjeta LADA,” because pre-paid cell phone cards are also sold in the same establishments. Calling Toll-Free Numbers Some toll free numbers work from Mexico to the US and Canada, but many do not. You need to dial a different prefix. To call the following toll free prefixes, dial as follows: 800 numbers Dial 001-880-then the number 866 numbers Dial 001-883-then the number 877 numbers Dial 001-882-then the number 888 numbers Dial 001-881-then the number

Spanish Bloopers

by Sandra Cesca

his column is for all of us who are still struggling with the Spanish language…and for those who just want to enjoy a good laugh! Although I have lived here seven years, I still make many mistakes with words that sound the same but are entirely different or with the same word that has double or triple meanings, some resulting in various degrees of embarrassment. Today’s story: JUEVES (THURSDAY) HUEVOS (EGGS) Another reader writes, “One evening I asked my maid to prepare for breakfast the next morning “dos jueves sin cilantro.” She looked at me strangely and then I realized I had asked for “two Thursdays without cilantro!” We still laugh about that one.” Send me your bloopers and a little story to go with them: sandra. learn.vallarta@gmail.com

Vallarta Tribune is an activity and entertainment guide and merely publishes information as it is provided by the advertiser or event host. We do not assume responsibility in errors or omissions other than to correct them as soon as they are made known to us regarding event schedules, locations and/or prices. In addition, we do not assume any responsibility for erroneous inclusion or exclusion of information except to take reasonable care to ensure accuracy, that permission has been obtained to use it, and to remove it as soon as is practical upon receiving your notification of error. We recommend you always confirm prior to attending or visiting an event or establishment. Weekly publication edited, printed and distributed by Ediciones y Publicaciones Siete Junio, SA de CV Grupo Editorial Tribuna Calle 21 de Marzo # 1174 Col. Lomas del Coapinole Del. El Pitillal, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco México CP 48290 Tel. 226-0800 editor@vallartatribune.com * www.vallartatribune.com * www.facebook.com/vallarta.tribune

editorial

and shallow. There are a number of non-descript beach restaurants which serve cold beer and fresh seafood. You can rent chairs, umbrellas and the steady flow of vendors will sell you sarongs, jewelry, wooden carvings and lots more things you don’t need but have to have. The day was perfect. Simple food, cold beer, a lounge chair and huge umbrella were all we needed. There crowds were thick and they’ll be back this weekend. The garbage left behind is always a disgrace. Education about the effects of litter should be a government priority. I have memories of the wise owl saying, “Give a hoot, don’t pollute.” A few gene-

Letters to the Editor editor@vallartatribune.com

Good Morning Madeline,

n behalf of the IFC, we want to thank you, in your recent promotion for more real estate exposure, for using the IFC as an example of how homes for sale can get more exposure. We show many homes that are for sale and having an organization, like the Home Tour, show your

home on a tour can bring as much as 200 extra people a week to see the home. Although our focus is a charitable one, we are always happy to show a home for sale on our tours. We very much appreciate your support. Warm regards, Ann Boughn, IFC Home Tour Director Conrad Kostelecky and Hank Muffett Home Tour Co-Directors

hat a difference a week makes! We had a very quiet start to the Farmers Market on this beautiful Easter Saturday but it became busier towards lunchtime. Well, everyone has to eat and the Market food stalls have some of the most delectable food in town. We had a new volunteer today: Amber, a vet-technician student from Calgary, joined us at the market. She is with us for only one week at this time but will visit Puerto Vallarta again on her December break. She plans to volunteer at the Market once more, as well as the SPCA sanctuary and at Colina Spay & Neuter clinic. Next week she will join Gretchen & crew at the PEACEAnimals mobile Spay & Neuter unit. Thank you, Amber, good job! SPCA, Colina and PEACEAnimals all work together in different ways, to make Puerto Vallarta a better place for animals and the community. Although there were not so many people around today, we received around $2,000 pesos in donations, $1,000 pesos of which was a special donation in memory of Prince (different to “our” Prince, recovering well at the sanctuary) from George, Pat & Lexi and Susan, Dick & Jersey. Juan Castillo donated a dog bed for the sanctuary. Thank you all once again for your kindness and compassion. Thanks to volunteers Mark, Brian and Amber.” And thanks for this report Lynnette. To see our animals available for adoption, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/spcapv. Go to Photos where you will also find individual Albums for all the animals

available as well as a bit of their history. To make donations via PayPal, select the “Donate” option on our Facebook page www.facebook. com/spcapv or on our website at http://spcapv.com/donate/. If you would like to make a donation other than money to the SPCA, here is a list of items we can ALWAYS use: Kong’s or very hard rubber chew toys (we cannot use soft plastic toys anymore due to ingestion worries); Chuck it balls ... hard rubber; stuffed toys for puppies; BLUE BAG Costco dog food salmon – ONLY; all natural dog treats; towels, blankets, Lysol, powdered laundry detergent; office supplies such as paper, pens, clip boards, scissors, plastic cups for water for our staff and volunteers. Right now we have a serious need for puppy food. We are pretty overwhelmed with puppies at the sanctuary. We have an ongoing need for help transporting dogs to the United States and Canada. The SPCA will take care of all the details and cost of transporting the animals. Stop by our table at the Old Town Farmers Market and we will answer any questions you might have. You can come and spend a rewarding afternoon cuddling the animals at Puerto Vallarta’s SPCA Sanctuary. We have scheduled tours each week and vehicle space is limited. We also have tours from Nuevo Vallarta. Contact Nicole Martin at nicole@cupocity.com to make a reservation. Get involved…rescue, adopt, foster, volunteer, donate or educate. Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com. You can learn more about the SPCA Puerto Vallarta by checking us out at www.spcapv.com/home or on Facebook.

Correction

wo weeks ago we published a great article about Casa Mizpah, a home for sale just south of Mismaloya, some of the details were supplied incorrectly. Casa Mizpah www.VillaMizpah.com For enquires contact Lisa Wallace 322-228-0128 / US 401-608-2600 Carraterra Barra de Navidad 4916, 12 KM, Mismaloya.

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Real estate A sAnCTUARY BY THe seA

March 26 - April 1, 2015 Free Issue 938

Wellness Latina Lemon vs Lime

Riviera nayarit APRiL evenTs Photo Courtesy of Liza Wallace

attempted to leave town last weekend. I thought a road trip to see the Colima volcano would be a good way to escape the crowds but it was not meant to be. Not one to just lie about in bed all weekend, I packed up the car and headed for the beach with a couple stops along the way. Maybe it was the early start or maybe it was because everyone was already in town, the roads were relatively clear heading to Bucerias and then La Cruz. Week after week, I read Cat Morgan’s column about all the going’s on in the north side of the bay but I rarely get out to explore them. We started in Bucerias which has had a few changes since I lived there three years ago. New restaurants, new condo towers and some fun new (to me) businesses including Bici Bucerias, owed by Calgarian Joel Goralski which offers tours, bike rentals and more related to mountain biking and street riding. They are also sponsors of the Gran Fondo which will be 150 km in length doing a loop from Nuevo to Sayulita and back to Bucerias before heading east towards Fortuna de Vallejo and finishing back in Bucerias on April 26th. More information on their website. A quick stroll along the beach and we decided to carry on to Destiladeros Beach (sometimes called Nahui after the development being promoted close by) which is just past La Cruz. This long straight swath of beach is great for a day of ocean splashing. The wind keeps the waves coming but it stays nice

Janice Gonzalez

editor@vallartatribune.com

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

Note

rations later and littering is essentially a thing of the past in Canada. More needs to be done locally in terms of having a place for the garbage to go. More garbage cans, recycling programs, refundable bottles would all help a great deal. It seems like the public outcry was louder this year, (according to my reliable Facebook feed) hopefully that will help to spur change, especially in this election year. Speaking of which, a PRI parade went by my house the other day. Mexicans sure enjoy their political rally. So much music and cheering, smiling faces and exuberance. Fascinating considering Canadians (and Americans) can hardly bother to vote, let alone participate. I’m sure we’ll see more of these rally’s as the campaigns heat up in time for the June elections. Have a great weekend. Lots of non-promoted events going on around the bay. Get out and explore, you may just find yourself at an oyster festival.

Editor’s

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

FR EE

news

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Rotary Club distributes water filters

ight members from the Rotary Club of Vancouver and six spouses recently traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to distribute and help assemble water filter systems to families in need of clean water. The group assembled 150 water filter kits in total. The Vancouver Rotary Foundation and Rotary District 5100 of Oregon and Southwest Washington gave funds that contributed toward a $64,000 grant for the water filters from Rotary International. The rotary clubs of Vancouver and Puerto Vallarta Sur are sister clubs. Original: www.columbian.com

Aeromexico Adds 2 New Routes Between Mexico City and California Photo: Wendy Kelley, left, of Camas and other members of the Rotary Club of Vancouver traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to distribute water filter systems in February.

Mexican Government Plans to Cut Spending by 4.3% in 2016

eromexico said it was adding new direct flights from Mexico City to Ontario and Sacramento, California, starting on April 5 and April 6, respectively. Four flights per week will be offered to Ontario and three flights to Sacramento, Mexico’s largest carrier said in a statement. Aeromexico will provide service on the routes with Boeing 737s that can carry up to 124 passengers.

A total of 29 routes will now be served between Mexico and the United States, “consolidating us as an airline with more and better options for traveling to North America,” Grupo Aeromexico executive director of revenue Anko van der Werff said. Aeromexico offers more than 600 daily flights and has a presence in more than 80 cities, the majority of them in Latin America. Original:Lath.com

Fixed Investment Climbs 8.4% in Mexico

he government plans additional spending cuts totaling 135 billion pesos ($8.84 billion), or 4.3 percent of the federal budget, in 2016, the Mexican Finance and Public Credit Secretariat said. The proposed cuts are included in a preliminary budget report submitted to Congress by the secretariat that bases next year’s revenues on an oil price of $55 per barrel, down $24 from the price used to set the 2015 federal budget. The cuts will be “around half of

what would have been necessary had spending not been reduced starting in early 2015,” the secretariat said. “It is also estimated that the adjustment will be lower by 360 billion pesos ($23.59 billion) than what would have been necessary if the 2013 finance reforms had not been approved,” the secretariat said. Officials began working in January to “re-engineer public spending from a zero-based budgeting perspective,” the secretariat

said. The goal is to contain the spending growth that occurred in previous years, when oil prices were high, the secretariat said, adding that outlays rose at an average annual rate of 5.2 percent between 2000 and 2013, surging from 10.9 percent to 15.2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Mexico’s economy grew by 2.1 percent in 2014, up from the 1.4 percent rate registered in the prior year but well below the official target of 3.9 percent. Original: LAHT.com

ross investment in equipment and construction in Mexico increased 8.4 percent in January over the same month in 2014, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography said Wednesday. Investment in machinery and equipment grew 16.8 percent, while spending on business construction rose 4 percent. Seasonally adjusted data show a 1.5 percent increase in gross fixed capital formation from December to January, thanks to 6.4 percent growth in spending on equipment. Gross fixed investment in 2014

was 2.3 percent higher than the previous year as a result of a 5.5 percent increase in the category of machinery and equipment and a 0.5 percent advance in business-related construction. Mexico’s economy grew by 2.1 percent in 2014, an improvement from 1.4 percent growth in 2013, but far short of the government’s forecast, which called for a 3.9 percent expansion. The Mexican government projects gross domestic product will grow this year by between 3.2 and 4.2 percent. Original: LAHT.com

news

New National Network of Community Digital Training and Education Centers across Mexico

n the last week of March President Enrique Peña Nieto inaugurated the National Network of Community Training Centers and Digital Education, “Connected Mexico Points,” to promote access to new technologies across the country to narrow the digital gap through digital skills training. The network consists of a Center for Digital Education and Training in each state. The president said that the launch of the National Network, “Fulfills a commitment, but more importantly, through different mechanisms, we are achieving digital inclusion, so that Mexico is not left behind, its population is incorporated into this new era and will be able to use all these tools to improve their quality of life.” “That’s what we seek through the implementation of the reforms,” he said. President Peña Nieto said that Telecommunications Reform makes it possible to have these Digital Education and Training Centers are taken, and today, the country has 65,000 public spaces connected to broadband Internet. “We will reach the goal enshrined in the Constitution,” so that by the end of the administration, there will be 250,000 points connected to the Internet, he said. “This will undoubtedly change the lives of our population and provide better tools to achieve the most important goal: better quality of life,” he added. The president declared that the commitment met today with the inauguration of the National Network of Community Digital Training and Education Centers, “Is to contribute to and serve the goal we have set for greater digital inclusion.” He said that education reform is designed to achieve quality education in the 21st century. He recalled that the great challenge of Mexico in the 20th century was to make the population literate. “It was a country with 16 or 17 million people, and only a quarter of the population was literate. The educational challenge at the time was to ensure that all Mexicans could be literate and better educated,” he said. To this end, he added, “There was an enormous effort to provide

more educational infrastructure, more schools, and more teachers trained to educate. Today we have a new challenge, which is the digital inclusion, which is practically equivalent to digital literacy.” President Peña Nieto said that Education Reform puts particular emphasis on the quality of education, “And part of this effort is the delivery of tablets, nearly a million of which have been delivered in the various states in the country.” The president reported that this year, in the new school year, “Another million tablets will be delivered, bringing the total to nearly two million, which will enable children from an early age, in fifth and sixth grade, to join the digital age, access the Internet and learn how to use the various programs and mechanisms that can be used through a tablet.” He noted that in this effort, “We cannot leave behind the generations who did not have the opportunity to have these tools during their schooling.” He welcomed the fact that adults are accessing the Centers for Digital Education and Training, so that they can, “Have more knowledge on the use of information technologies and computers; from how to turn them on to how to connect to the Internet, what programs exist, how they can use them, and how they can be used in their everyday lives.” Before the event, President Peña Nieto toured the facilities of Connected Mexico Point Tlaxcala, where he received a explanation of the activities organized there. He spoke to children and young people, who gave demonstrations of the various robotics, mechanical, technological innovation, and technology projects applied to safety in the home. He also toured the digital inclusion area, where adults have the opportunity to use digital technologies and apply their knowledge in their everyday daily activities. THE CONNECTED MEXICO POINTS ARE THE RESULT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS REFORM, WHICH WILL MODERNIZE THE COUNTRY: GERARDO RUIZ ESPARZA Secretary of Communications and Transport Gerardo Ruiz Esparza said that the Telecommunications Reform promoted

by President Enrique Peña Nieto, considered by international organizations to be one of the most innovative in the world, “Are making Mexico an example of modernity in telecommunications.” He stressed that very concrete results have been achieved, such as reducing the costs of long distance calls and expanding broadband in the country. In addition, “Now we have these digital connectivity sites that are enabling our young people so use the latest technology.” He said that as part of the president’s commitment, they were installed in the 32 states and “Really teach young people, adults and the elderly to be connected to the wonders of digital technology.” DIGITAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING ENCOURAGES ALL MEXICANS TO HAVE THE SAME CHIP: HÉCTOR NIETO OLIVARES The digital training and education projects promoted by the government encourage, “All Mexicans to have the same chip,” said Hector Nieto Olivares, the teenager who won second place in the NASA International Air and Space Program event. He said that these programs help people who years ago did not have the resources or the opportunity to use technology, which is fundamental to society today. “I am very happy to witness this great project, because lots of people can have access to new technologies and learn different things that had not been seen before,” he said. IF WE WANT TO MOVE MEXICO, TOGETHER WE MUST ACHIEVE EXPONENTIAL RESULTS: LETICIA JÁUREGUI “If we want to move to Mexico, and ensure that new technologies reach everyone, such as broadband Internet, we must combine the efforts of the government, the private sector and the public in order to have exponential results,” said Leticia Jáuregui Casanueva, a young Mexican social entrepreneur. He stressed that in Mexico, technology should be seen as a facilitator rather than an end in itself. “Technology makes our lives easier; it allows us to learn more and faster, to have more successful businesses and improve our standard of living.”

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Independent candidates to participate for the first time

THE NEWS

he political campaigns of candidates participating in the 2015 federal electoral process officially began Sunday. The campaigns will determine 500 federal deputies under a new electoral law, one year after the transformation of the Federal Electoral Institute into the National Electoral Institute (INE). Political parties and independent candidates also kicked off election activities for concurrent governor, local deputy and mayoral elections in the states of Baja California Sur, Querétaro and Michoacán. Local elections in the states of Sonora, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, reforms, the upcoming campaigns will Campeche, Guerrero and Colima began last month. Elections in the State of Mexico, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatán and Morelos will begin at later dates. In Mexico City, candidates for borough president and local deputy will officially launch their campaigns April 20. For the first time, independent candidates can participate in the federal and local elections and half of candidates will be women, as defined by the new legislation. According to the 2014 electoral reforms, the upcoming campaigns will be the most rigorously standardized, in terms of spending, in history. Candidates are obliged to end their bids by June 3 at the latest. The elections on June 7 will fill more than 2,000 local and federal positions. An expected 82.5 million Mexicans will head to the polls on election day. The INE will install more than 152,000 voting booths around the country; 9,000 more than in 2012. In states with local elections, more than 92,000 booths will be set up and 60,000 more will be erected in states where only federal voting will occur.

local

My Life

in Vallarta By Lois Ellison loell87@yahoo.com

Semana Santa

y the time you read this, Semana Santa and Easter week will be almost over. But as I write, it is Good Friday, just two days before Easter and the culmination of Semana Santa (Holy Week). As you no doubt have heard, many nationals from the interior cities flock to the beaches to relax and celebrate Semana Santa and Easter week. Puerto Vallarta is a favorite destination. Many expats and tourists choose to leave town, having heard horror stories of crowds and noise. While there is some truth to that, if you are here, you may find that if you adjust your plans, lay low and go with the flow; it can be quite an experience. There’s no denying that traffic is a major problem. It starts building the weekend of Palm Sunday. On Thursday, after an “emergency” trip to Costco, we parked our car in the garage where it shall remain for about a week. It’s not just the volume of cars; it’s that the out-of-town drivers haven’t a clue about our streets. Their erratic driving encourages our normally semi-aggressive drivers to go into full-on kamikaze mode. During my five block walk to yoga the other day, as I crossed at various corners, one bus, two cars and a motorcycle took turns trying to send me to oblivion. Of course they weren’t really trying; it was just a case of too many vehicles trying to go nowhere fast. As the week progresses there are signs of this “invasion” everywhere. Gone are the peaceful morning walks on the Malecon, as we dodge our way through groups of late night revelers heading for some much needed sleep. Squadrons of city workers sweep furiously as they bag up the trash that overflows the normally adequate receptacles. But today is Good Friday. Whether or not you are Catholic, if you are ever in town on Good Friday you owe it to yourself to experience La Via de La Cruz (the Stations of the Cross). There are

always a few to be found around town, each one ending at one of the churches. These processions depict the sufferings of Jesus on the way to the crucifixion. Roman guards, Mary Magdalene and penitent figures are just some of what you will witness. Costumes and special effects add to the realism. When it’s over, you won’t see a dry eye anywhere. Around mid-day we generally head to the pier by Los Muertos Beach. To me, this is the heart of Semana Santa for the nationals. While religion is a key element of their lives, family is everything. When you work six days a week, spending time with your family is a precious commodity. All along Olas Altas, cars and truck double park while families get out and unload mountains of gear for their day at the beach. Chairs, coolers, umbrellas, floaties and who knows what. How can one person carry so much? Time is of the essence so piling it up helps minimize the number of trips needed before the fun begins. Standing on the pier gives you a bird’s eye view: in any direction all you can see are umbrellas of every possible color, so close together that they overlap. Multiple generations of each family crowd under the umbrellas. Clearly Mexicans, unlike their neighbors to the north, are not hung up about personal space. In Mexico, the beaches belong to the people and today they are reveling in that. A gentle breeze carries the children’s laughter along the soft shoreline as they cover themselves with sand and then plunge into the water. They may not be wearing the latest fashions or have the newest toys, but they are deliriously happy. It is a joy to watch them. Next year if you find yourself in town for Semana Santa, don’t hide in your hotel room or condo. Take a walk by the beach and experience the fun of families celebrating their time together. You’ll be glad you did.

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

news

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Paradise

Wellness

and Parenting

Latina

By Marcella Castellanos info@wellnesslatina.com My mission as a bilingual Certified Holistic Health Coach is to empower you to spice up your vitality with health and wellness workshops and programs by incorporating whole, sustainable, plant-based foods and natural healthcare with essential oils. For my blog or a list of my upcoming programs and workshops, and for your free natural healthcare e-book visit www.wellnesslatina.com.

1) Drink water. • Most people are chronically dehydrated. Before you go to caffeine or sugar, enjoy a glass of water , wait a few minutes and notice how you feel. Remember to add a bit of lemon or lime to the glass for added benefit. • Caution: Soft drinks are a main source of added sugar.

4) Move your body. • Start with simple activities, like walking or yoga , even 10 minutes a day, then increase. 5) Get more sleep and relaxation. • When you are tired or stressed, your body won't work optimally and will want energy. • This is a result of being sleep-deprived, going to bed late, and waking up early for months and years on end.

Sayulita Holiday

10 Ways You Can Increase Your Energy

2) Eat your greens. • Green is associated with spring, the time of renewal and refreshing, and vital energy. • They are full of vitamins and nutrients and great for improving circulation, lifting the spirit, purifying the blood, and strengthening the immune system. • Broccoli, kale , collards, bok choy, mustard greens, broccoli rabe, arugula, are some of the many greens to choose from. 3) Choose your sweets wisely • Avoid sugar and chemical artificial sweeteners. • Use gentle sweeteners like maple syrup, raw honey, brown rice syrup, dates and stevia. • Eat sweet vegetables such as beets, yams, and carrots.

Leza Warkentin mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

6) Evaluate the amount of animal food you consume. • Eating too much meat, dairy, chicken, and eggs can lead to low energy and possible health problems. Experiment and choose high quality options. Respect your body’s individuality. Remember the majority or all of your plate should contain life-affirming plant sources. 7) Take time for yourself. • Find activities that restore your energy, such as a walk on the beach or the streets, a bath, a museum, a movie, a show at the local theatre, time with loved ones, or whatever you enjoy and schedule a weekly date with yourself to do these things! 8) Get in touch with your spirituality. • We are spiritual beings in a physical world.

• Find ways to get in touch with your spiritual side. It can be meditating, yoga, singing, dancing, scuba diving, drawing, being in nature, or going to church. 9) Get rid of energy vampires. • People can drain you of your energy. They are necessarily bad, but it is good to notice who zaps your energy and why. • See if you can transform those relationships by communicating and setting boundaries or end the relationship. 10) Incorporate essential oils in your life. • Essential oils are nature’s pure, natural solutions at your fingertips. • Use them to lift your mood, relax, invigorate, detoxify the house, boost your immunity.

ur family has been going to Sayulita ever since the children were babies. We love to stay in places where we pay for the air conditioning up front and then use it irresponsibly. At least once during every trip my husband will come into the bedroom of the condo and find me under all the blankets, clad in my coziest sweater, smiling to myself. This is what I do for amusement when it’s 38 degrees in the shade. I enjoy researching all the hotels and condos on sayulitalife.com and then contacting as many as I can in order to get the best price and the coldest air conditioning. As a result, we have stayed in exactly eleven different locations in Sayulita, and nearly every last one has been amazing. This time, our family (grandparents and all) stayed on the quiet north end in a two bedroom condo called Casa Maraica. It’s in a serene, beachfront, gated neighborhood with a pool. The air conditioning is in every room and it is first class chilly. Not only that, the condo has its own rooftop terrace where you can sit and listen to the waves and see the stars. After every visit to Sayulita I promise myself to slow down just a bit and check out the night sky more often. I step out onto my front lawn the very next evening and look up, waiting for that same peaceful feeling to start seeping in. What seeps in instead are about five mosquitoes that somehow find the inch of available flesh. What also seep in are the children’s voices, calling me from inside the house: “Mom. I still don’t know how to use the toaster.” “Mom. I am in the shower and I forgot to bring my towel like I have forgotten to do for the last ten years of my life.” Sigh. It’s not the same. Let’s

agree that it’s just not the same. The relaxation and the renewed enthusiasm for life in general and stars in particular are great benefits to going to Sayulita on a short holiday. But the greatest part of going to the same vacation spot every year is that I am able to see how the children have changed over the years. For example: - We don’t have to go in the pool with them anymore. I can sit on a deck chair and maybe even READ A BOOK! Yes, friends, I read a very long book on a vacation with my children, and nobody drowned once. Those swimming lesson? Best investment EVER. - My kids eat Real People Food now (mostly). I don’t have to pack one and a half car loads of the only food items that they will eat and are definitely not available in Sayulita. No more horror upon opening the cooler and realizing that we left behind the special organic chocolate milk drink boxes. No more turning toward my tearful child with a fake, bright “Daddy’s going to go back to Vallarta to get your chocolate milk, it’ll just be a SEC!” - Naps are a thing of the past (or, for the sake of clarity, naps for the KIDS are a thing of the past). Gone are the days of spending fifty-two minutes packing a beach bag full of teething cookies and squeezable applesauce tubes and then returning to our condo in forty-seven minutes so the kids can have their midday siestas. And to all of you who are saying “why didn’t you just skip the naps for once?” I would like to ask why you would want to spend your holidays with dangerously unstable people in a rented home on which you’ve placed a large damage deposit. I’m excited to see what changes I’ll see in them in our holidays of the future. I think the goal for next year will include independent toaster use.

Download 200,000+ brand logos in vector format for free http://www.logoeps.com/

By Erin Staley

Old Town Farmers Marke New Discoveries at t Old Town Farmers Marke

f you’re ready to discover something new and exciting this Saturday, then come down to the Old Town Farmers’ Market in Zona Romantica. We have live music, warm weather, a cool downtown vibe and over 90 vendor stands with exceptional “make it, bake it, grow it” products and services! While you're here, be sure to visit this season's newest vendors. They have all sorts of goodies to discover, so get 'em while you can as the market's season will be drawing a close on April 25.

• Art meets function with Rafael Adolfo Montufar's handwoven baskets and containers. Made from palms found along the Banderas Bay, each piece makes a special gift for your loved ones back home. rafitiz_k2(at)hotmail.com or 322-129-3054 • Francisco Javier Salcedo Zepeda of Milagro del Arte creates decorative wooden crosses and hearts with milagros (religious folk charms). milagroarte(at)bereda.com or 322-188-8351 • Amp up your breads, pastas, meats and salads with Jan's Specialty Condiments. You'll go gaga over producer Jan Saridakis' locally made jams, jellies, chutneys and sauces. jansaridakis(at)hotmail.com or 322-222-0462 • Hungry for homemade sausages? Your mouth will water for Perros Locos Hot Dogs Gourmet made by Juan Sebastian Palafox Briones. Load 'em up and taste the amazing goodness that will leave you hungry for more! palafoto73(at)hotmail.com or 322-222-2868 • Italian Liquors, pasta sauces and infused oils. Your weekly menu never had it so good! Don't miss La Dolceria Produzione Italiana by Marcela Duque Torres. Every product is handmade with blow-your-mind Italian quality and local ingredients. Facebook, marceladuque_84(at) hotmail.com or 322-164-1990

• Veronica Martinez Bautista creates fun and flirty dresses and blouses for girls as well as sharp short sets for boys. Fit your favorite youngster (up to size 8) with bright, colorful and original styles made right here in Mexico. veluja13(at)hotmail.com or 322-299-4631 • Love all things live and ready-to-plant? Let Maria Elena Avalos Valdivia fill your home or garden with abundant, native plants from Plantas Regionales Puerto Vallarta. She uses seeds grown in her nursery to delight market fans with everything from fruit trees to ornamental plants. avalosv(at)gmail.com or 322-116-3905

Sweets & Eats

When you're ready to take a break from shopping, head on over to our International Food Court (under the shaded pergolas on the eastern side of Lazaro Cárdenas Park). We're serving up tasty Thai, Indian, traditional Mexican favorites and vegan entrées (hamburgers, al pastor, falafels and sticky buns). Then satisfy your sweet tooth with cakes, cookies, chocolate-dipped bananas and candied nuts!

Get to Know the OTFM

Ours is a festive “make it, bake it, grow it” North American

60 style market that celebrates the tradition and culture of Mexico’s outdoor tianguis markets. We are a registered non-profit/association civil organization that focuses on the “buy local” movement as well as entrepreneurial and community development.

You're Invited!

Join us this Saturday from 9:30-2 in Lazaro Cárdenas Park, Old Town. The market is open every Saturday from November 1 through April 25. For updates, visit www. oldtownfm.com and “like” us on Facebook.

et - Tianguis Cultural the OTFM-TC et-Tianguis Cultural

Find us at Parque Lázaro Cárdenas Romantic Zone Saturdays 9:30 - 2:00 pm

Artisan Bakery Artisan Bakery

Artisan Bakery

…where bread is an art. Na tu rally leave ne d sou rd ou g h s pe cialt y b r ead s …where bread is ba ke d in ou r ow n ma so nry ov e n.

an art.

Na tu rally leave ne d sou rd ou g h s pe cialt y b r ead s ba ke d in ou r ow n ma so nry ov e n.

…where bread is an art. Na tu rally leave ne d sou rd ou g h s pe cialt y b r ead s ba ke d in ou r ow n ma so nry ov e n.

Swimwear and beachwear made to order! Heriberto Saucedo Pérez Artista Diseñador Cel. 3222.190 56 32 Fb: Heriko Joyeria herikojoyeria@hotmail.com Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Teresa Moreno Fb: TYBikinisYMas

Tel. 322-13-04-77 ty-bikinis-y-mas@hotmail.com Federalismo #1383 Colonia Lomas del Coapinole Pitillal, Jal

entertainment

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Act II Stages Entertainment Does Not End When the Snow Melts FOREVER PLAID EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND. FOREVER PLAID BREAKS ALL BOX OFFICE RECORDS WITH SOLD OUT SHOWS AND EXTENDS RUN WITH 3 MORE DATES. orever Plaid, The heavenly Musical Hit has taken Vallarta by storm. What happens when you take four of the most handsome, talented men who sing like angels and put them on a stage? Forever Plaid happens. If you think you have seen Forever Plaid before, You have never seen it like this. For the first time on this or any other planet FOREVER PLAID is being performed in Mexico. You’ll be humming along with the great nostalgic pop hits of the 1950's and rollin’ in the aisles from the delightful patter of the original clean-cut boy band – The Plaids. Featuring such hits as Sixteen Tons, Chain Gang, Three Coins in the Fountain, Perfidia, Cry, Catch a Falling Star, Day-O, Gotta Be This or That, Matilda, and Heart and Soul. The Plaids get a chance to look back at their lives, and they discover that they didn't just have wonderful lives; their lives were wonderful, because they lived them together. Together they can achieve the unimaginable, the unexplainable. Forever plaid performs at 7:00 PM in The Main Stage Theater at Act II on April 9, 14 and 21 at 7:00 pm THE VOICE OF VALLARTA GRAND FINAL - BOMBSHELL/ SMASH CONCERT After 18 weeks of competition The voice of Vallarta comes to an end. Join us on the last show of the season as the top two along with past contestants do a tribute to Marylyn Monroe and sing songs from BOMBSHELL the Marylyn Monroe Musical made famous in the hit TV show SMASH. Fighting it out for the TOP spot and a recording contact are Ana Adame and Daniela Vargas. The closing show will be more of a concert with one score at the end. many past contestants, judges and the host Juan Pablo Hernandez will take the stage in song for this iconic closing concert. One thing is sure The Voice of Vallarta is hotter than ever! The Voice is down to the top two and who takes home the contract nobody knows Join us this last Sunday April 12th

Perception of Art by Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

for Vallart´s favorite show THE VOICE OF VALLARTA - 8:00 PM ELVIZ MARTINEZ - OPENS IN THE RED ROOM WITH A SOLD OUT HOUSE Local performer and co star of the smash hit FOREVER PLAID, Elviz Martinez opens his new show ¨ A Evening with Elviz Martinez, Come fly away¨ in the Red Room cabaret for three days only. With Musical Director Bob Bruneau at the Piano. Last year Elvis debuted his first concert at Act II to sold out standing room only shows so get your tickets fast! Elviz will be performing April 1, 10 and 17 at 7:30 pm PAUL FRACASSI A NEW VALLARTA LEGEND OPENS HIS LEGENDS OF THE 50´S AND 60´S SHOW IN THE MAIN STAGE APRIL 11TH AT 8:00 PM Paul Fracassi Canadian Idol Finalist has made himself famous in Vallarta doing his WALK LIKE A MAN show will open in the main stage theater with a all new show. For a 3 shows only Paul will curl his lip and flip his collar once again to relive the 50's and 60's through the Music of Elvis, Frankie Valli, Frank Sinatra, Davy Jones, Buddy Holly, Bobby Darin and MORE!! WALK LIKE A MAN WILL BE PERFORMED IN THE RED ROOM APRIL 2, 4 AND 8 his LEGENDS OF THE 50´S AND 60´S show will Open April 11th in the Main Stage Theater with two added shows on April 15 & 18. JOAN HOUSTON BRINGS

THE HOUSTON FAMILY MUSICAL DYNASTY TO THE RED ROOM IN ALL THAT JAZZ. APRIL 11, 18 25 AT 7:30 Joan Houston is a native of Seattle, Washington. And has traveled to all parts of the world performing her music and in true family style captivates her audiences. She has lived in Puerto Vallarta for nearly 4 years. Joan.

o many goodbyes with convoluted passages like Andrea and Luis, Bohemia Viva from Argentina: with their season done in Mexico and they are heading back to Italy. Kim Kuzma: her tenth season finished in Vallarta, is returning home to British Colombia while her heart goes back to Serbia. Miss Conception saying adios to the Red Room audiences and to Cashetta who last played there; tears flowed and the last show went on. Even Greater Tuna is heading out of town to San Miguel de Allende for a two-week run! I loved seeing performers from the Palm checking out their friends’ and colleagues’ shows at Act II and Danny Mininni listening to Juan Pablo doing Belle in Desperate Princesses in English at the Palm. Cross-Entertaining is exactly what Vallarta needs. This season has sped by leaving us memories of brilliance with Equus, enduring sweetness continuing with Forever Plaid, and the second edition of Voice of Vallarta will be put to bed after one last show coming up April

12. Come early to see who prevails: Ana Adame or Daniela Vargas. The latter won her very own Cabaret show to be produced by Act II Entertainment…coming soon. Roberto Duran was the epitome of graciousness accepting his elimination from the contest during the semi-final. He continues to delight audiences co-starring in Forever Plaid with only three shows left on the calendar. Really, do not miss this lovingly played and sung musical, April 9, 14 and 21. The irresistible Paul Fracassi has created a new show opening April 11 on the Main Stage. Paul will pay homage to the great voices of the 50’s and 60’s. He gave us a taste of Frankie Valli during the Voice of Vallarta semi-finals. Find out what he can do with the likes of Sinatra and Presley. So, don’t miss Forever Plaid, Paul Fracassi and the grand finale of Voice of Vallarta. See everybody at Act II and a million thank you’s go to the entertainers that made us laugh and cry and dance that are now scattered around the world. Come back soon!

VALLARTA TRIBUNE 829 Feb 25 - March 3, 2013

The Natural Beauty of OUR Mountain

Plants

2000

Mammals

Birds

300

Amphibians and Reptiles

Butterflies

500

50% of these species are endemic to MĂŠxico. We propose the area to be designated a

Natural Preserve Because for Vallarta,

Without the Mountain...

There is no future

real estate

10 Secrets to Getting a Great Deal on a Property in Puerto Vallarta Fabien Madesclaire fabien@g3mex.com

G3MEX is currently looking for talented agents to become part of our team. If you love sales, and want to work in a welcoming and fun environment, contact Fabien Madesclaire at Fabien@g3mex.om.

hurt to make an offer at $200,000 to see how the seller will respond. Especially if your agent tells you that the property has been on the market for a long time at the same price and the owner is anxious to sell. 4. Be Patient: You may not get the counter-offer that you want. Well, be patient, and keep an eye on the property. Too, have your agent look into the history of the property. Puerto Vallarta is a small town, so ask your agent to do a little checking around to see when the seller purchased, and why they might be selling. 5. Knowledge is Power: Have your agent clearly lay out the closing costs, so that there are no expensive surprises. 6. New Listings: Ask your agent to keep you updated regarding any new listings, that way you can do some comparison shopping, and get a broader feel for the market.

1. Look Everywhere: Sure, you love a specific area here in Puerto Vallarta, and have decided that this is the best spot for you, though the pricing may be a little steep. Well, there are other neighborhoods with some great deals that you might not have even considered. Be open to looking at something that is a little more off the beaten path, and maybe less expat focused. Some interesting local areas include: Colonia Cinco de Diciembre, Colonia Emiliano Zapata, Fluvial and Las Gaviotas.

2. Your Real Estate Agent Should Work for You: Are they offering you a wide variety of properties, including those that are not listed by their company? Also, if you’ve identified development that you like, have your agent look around for a “sale-byowner” situation, which may help you find good deals that are not on the Multi-List. 3. Make an Offer: Maybe $250,000 USD is out of your current budget. Well, it doesn’t

7. Shop in the Winter, Buy in the Summer: Spend your winter holiday looking around at properties and educating yourself, and be prepared to purchase during the hot summer months. Prices can drop substantially after the high-season. Sellers become more anxious, and don’t want to let their property to become a “stale” listing. 8. Pre-Construction Discounts: New developments will normally offer pre-construction discounts, which can turn into a real savings on the final purchase price. 9. Factor in Extra Costs: At the very least, you'll have to cover taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities. The seller can provide you with their monthly electric and gas bills, to give you a better idea of what goes into the regular expenses. 10. Have Fun! Your vacation or retirement property is for fun, so have fun when looking around. Make sure, above all, that this is a house or condo that you, your family and your friends will enjoy for years to come. For assistance with your vacation or retirement purchase, the G3MEX staff is always available to answer your questions and concerns. Contact us at 322-2090832 or at info@g3mex.com

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Retirees living well in Mexico By Rafael Romo

t's the life Sara Wise always dreamed of: a place with unbeatable weather, sunny beaches, good medical care and an active social life -- and all at very affordable prices. The former manager of retail businesses didn't find what she wanted in her native U.S., but rather just south of the border in Mexico. For the last six years, the 63-year-old Minnesotan and her 70-year-old husband Mike Wise, both retired, have been enjoying the warm weather and friendly beaches of Puerto Vallarta. They have a very active social life and say they have more friends in Mexico than they ever did in the United States, mainly because Puerto Vallarta is full of people just like them. According to local government estimates, there are around 35,000 U.S. and Canadian citizens living in Puerto Vallarta, many of them retired like Mike and Sara. "We get together and we have happy hours, we have wine and appetizers, we have coffees in different neighborhoods and we get together at different restaurants," Sara Wise says. Medical care is another factor they considered when they decided to move here. To their surprise, they found more options for quality health care and at much more affordable prices than in the United States, including procedures like surgeries and advanced dental care. "The accessibility to the doctors is something that we never experienced in the United States and from what we understand it's getting more difficult, not less," Mike Wise says. "And the cost is somewhere between a quarter to a half of what things cost in the U.S." Puerto Vallarta has adapted to this relatively new, foreign clientele. Around town, doctors and dentists put out signs in English, and often have English-speaking employees.

Kimberly Altman, 63, a retiree from California who has been living in Puerto Vallarta for three-and-ahalf years, says a doctor's visit is usually $40. "No matter what they do, $40 per visit and you can get to see them the very same day you need them. It's very convenient in a lot of ways," Altman says. Mike Altman, 68, Kimberly's husband, says affordability goes well beyond just medical care. For him, part of the beauty of living in Puerto Vallarta is how far dollars go when it comes to real estate. "We have an ocean view, 3,000-square-foot condominium that I can afford on my Social Security. How's that? We have 24-hour security and indoor parking," Altman says. According to the U.S. Department of State, 1 million American citizens of all ages live in Mexico, and 20.3 million visited as tourists -- making it the No. 1 destination for U.S. travelers. The number of expats living in Mexico has continued to grow, local officials say, despite safety concerns from the drug violence which has made headlines around the world. But many expats insist their little corner of paradise has largely remained untouched by the drug violence. "I feel very safe here. I go for walks with my dog at midnight. I go alone and I don't worry about it. When we lived in northern Minnesota, I'd wake up every morning and hear how many people were killed in Minneapolis overnight. We don't have that down here," Sara Wise says. With plenty of food options, water sports like sailing and diving and American stores like Costco and Home Depot, retirees say they can enjoy the best of Mexico while still having access to many American products. "We're here for good," Sara Wise says with a chuckle. "They'll probably take us out in a jar of ashes." Original: http://edition.cnn.com/

real estate

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

You can afford to own your dream home – Investing with Casa Iguana

hen you stand on the Malecon and look up the hill, you see the architecture that Puerto Vallarta is famous for; the white stucco houses with the red clay roofs. Some are clearly vacation homes that dreams are made of and others hide their secrets behind walls and facades with few windows. Usually they house courtyards with gardens and rooftops with spectacular views. Behind Ley’s overlooking the old Teatro Vallarta is Casa Iguana. The originality of naming vacation homes leaves something to be desired. I’m pretty sure we can find a dozen Casa Iguanas in Puerto Vallarta alone. But what does make this property unique its potential investment. It’s a two apartment building each with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It has a full rooftop perfect for converting into a deck space with its 360 degree views and a really cute patio garden that, while in need of a little tender care (or a very strong man to wrestle the overgrown Bougainvillea) there is space for an outdoor BBQ area and the perfect tree for hanging tin stars and twinkling lights. The basement is a two car garage and huge storage area along with shared laundry. The bedrooms are dark and thus, cool. The living area is

mainly comprised of sliding glass doors, opening the inside to the outside, and some simple decorating tweaks would extend your living space comfortably out to the garden area giving you a huge amount of space to call home. A beautiful handcrafted lounge chair is nestled in a corner of the garden and is the perfect spot for reading the Tribune. While essentially turn-key, the property has been cared for but usually by the cheapest means possible. New Mexican style tiles, updated lighting and a fresh coat of paint would go a long way to making this a Mexican gem. A couple or young family could comfortably live in the main floor apartment and use the garden for extra living space while renting the top floor (and its priceless views) out to quiet snowbirds to help offset the cost. The neighbourhood is classic Puerto Vallarta with a mix of old and new, fancy and …not so fancy. Next door neighbours are families and sun-seekers. The cute little store across the street offers the basics along with plenty of cold beer and snacks in case you should find yourself entertaining in your garden or roof-top. Not unlike last week’s Casa Corona, this house is straight up 263 stairs, allowing you to be a connoisseur of the churros that

conveniently set up each night at the bottom of the hill. Here you will be immersed in the everyday life of Mexico with the bread seller, the tamale seller and the gas trucks with their song. Birds greet you all through the day, lizards bask in the hot sun and in the evening the sun set casts a warm glow into your place, encouraging you to step outside for one last look. From Casa Iguana you are just a few blocks from Ley’s, the Malecon, that new Starbucks, the fish market, and the Stadium. With the two car garage you could safely house your vehicles but truth be told, they’re not necessary in this neighbourhood. During the day, it’s a short hike down (and much longer one back up) to Playa Cameron where you will find complimentary lounge chairs at Mango’s Beach Club or the always excellent Barracudas restaurant. In the evenings the almost nightly fireworks from the Pirate ship will explode between 9:30-10:00 just off the southern end of your patio. During holidays and special events you will have a near unencumbered view of all the firework displays around the bay which would make you very popular with your friends. This property is a private sale and is available for rent. For more information, contact editor@vallartatribune.com

Are you selling your home? How do you stand out from the rest?

feature article in the Vallarta Tribune will increase exposure by as much as 20,000 readers in the first month. Each featured article is republished online for readers around the globe. Selling your home is about price and exposure. In a sea of listings, stand out with the Vallarta Tribune. Contact: Editor@vallartatribune.com for more information

Vallarta Shopping Directory and events www.puertovallartadining-shopping.com

Gardens in your future?

hree world class gardens, the April 30-May 2 Bugambilia Festival, and the annual election of officers are the subjects of the Vallarta Garden Club meeting, Thursday, April 16. Member Bonnie Mott has just returned from a two month trip visiting South Africa and Morocco and will share gardens she saw there. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa. Called the most beautiful garden in Africa. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. It was established in 1913 to promote, conserve and display the extraordinarily rich and diverse flora of southern Africa, and was the first botanic garden in the world to be devoted to a country's indigenous flora. A vast display of fynbos, the unique plant life of the Cape Flora area, along with the indigenous agapanthus bloom profusely over its 36 hectares (86 acres). Vergelegen Estates, a winery near Cape Town with seven-

teen gardens. “Not to be missed” Vergelegen has been nominated as a serial World Heritage Site and reflects an authentic depiction of Cape Cultural Heritage. In addition, Vergelegen boasts seventeen formal gardens that are intricately interwoven in the Cape Cultural existence. It is in a beautiful setting, with views over the surrounding mountains. Simple with bold and formal gardens combined with the informality of grasses and woodlands, its philosophy is to reflect the best from all of the historical periods in the past 300 years. Started in 1700s, the gardens today are spectacular (as is the wine produced in the Vergelegen vineyards). An Octagonal theme is used throughout the Gardens with urns, giant trees and herbaceous borders. There is a White Garden with ponds, bulbs, herbs and a lavender walk. The garden also includes a Wetland Garden, Rose Garden and Yellowood Walk. The Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech one of the most visited sites in Morocco. The garden was made in the 1920s by the French painter

The meeting will be held at No Way Jose! Thursday, April 16 at 11:00 a.m. Jacques Majorelle, with marble pools, raised pathways, banana trees, groves of bamboo, coconut palms, and bougainvillea. Perhaps unsurprisingly as the garden was designed by a painter, the garden is composed and colored like a painting. Many of the built features were painted in a dark blue ('Majorelle Blue'). Water is an important feature of the garden there are channels, lily-filled ponds and fountains. Majorelle was an avid plant collector. After years of neglect, the garden was then taken over and restored by the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge. No Way Jose! is located in Zona Romantica, 5 de Febrero 260. The Club is also holding its annual election of officers at the meeting also. Please consider nominating someone including yourself. Please contact current chair Bonnie Mott bonmott@hotmail.com or Suzanne Kirkpatrick former chair suzkirk@ gmail.com if you would like to know more. Details of the Bugambilia Festival will also be presented.

Explore Banderas Bay

uerto Vallarta is located in the middle of Banderas Bay, one of the largest bays in Mexico at nearly 100km in length. It is bounded in the north by Punta de Mita and in the south by Cabo Corrientes. It straddles the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, divided along the Ameca River. The bay is home to many wonderful communities and an abundance of natural wonders. In the winter and spring seasons you can witness the awe inspiring beauty of the humpback whales as they calve in the warm waters of the bay, in the summer you can experience the majesty of the sea turtles hatching and returning to their watery world. The fall brings renewed vigour to the mountains and rivers with the fresh rains and revived vegetation. No matter when you visit, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit will share their wonders with you. Here is a selection of some of the many things you can do while visiting us.

Walking Tours Take a tour through Puerto Vallarta’s Historic Downtown to learn about this city’s rich history, famous

people, architecture, and cultural and ecological heritage; all this on an easy to moderate two-hour stroll led by a certified guide. Tours leave from the Municipal Tourism Office every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m and Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. Shopping in the Zona Romantica – this charming neighbourhood is also called Old Town and is a popular residential area for expats and Mexican families. Along the main streets you will find shops galore, filled with wonderful authentic crafts, clothing, jewelry, excellent restaurants, spas, theaters and more. Vibrant and friendly, this area offers an excellent day or two (or more!) of exploring. Close to Los Muertos beach, consider ending your day with a sunset margarita at any of the many beachfront restaurants. Sunsets on the Malecon - Sitting on the edge of the Pacific Ocean never fails to give us a sunset each night. Grab a seat at any of the number of excellent bars and restaurants along the malecon, order your favourite cocktail and let it all slip

Kathleen Carrillo Galleries

athleen Carrillo Galleries, Calle Constitution 325, half a block from Basilio Badillo, is in the old Puerco Azul space, next door to the Banderas Bay Trading Company. The Gallery is now showing the newest paintings from her Friends and Divas Collection. Kathleen has been creating images of women since her college days. Over the years they have reflected the experiences of her personal journey as a woman. Women dealing with many issues, being out of balance, learning to heal from abuse, divorce, working mothers, psychological,

spiritual and physical healing. In her Masters Thesis “Pathfinders”, she depicted woman of all shapes and sizes in Celebration of growth through these life accidents. The next series of works were reflections of a search for her spiritual truths. Studies of the Goddess became her muse. Many of the images were empowered woman inspired by her studies of the Archetypical Greek Goddesses. Each painting reflected strengths and weaknesses of Diana, Persephone, Athena, Artemis, Demeter, and Hestia. Most recently Kathleen is exploring her personal connection with nature and

it’s healing powers. She is living in the jungle just outside of town on the Rio Cuale at the base of the Sierra Madres in the little magical Colonia of Paso Del Guayabo. One of the most popular Collections to date is her Jungle Magic Collection which include women who are relearning the healing energies of being in touch with nature through message from animals. Finally, as Kathleen softens and matures into the balance of her own masculine and feminine balance she has begun exploring her newest paintings, “Friends and Divas Collec-

“Parasols” from The Friends and Divas Collection

tion”. These paintings are a reminder that we are amazing women no matter what shape, size or age we are. It is a reminder that we all need

MEN AND WOMEN’S JEWELRY AND ACCESORIES. CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY 223 9734 BASILIO BADILLO 276 OLD TOWN OPEN DAILY

to embrace are own personal Divas! To contact Kathleen: Mex. 044 322 141 8867, US 941 932 8543. www. KathleenCarrilloGalleries.com

by Shanti Gilbert

tourists. A fine example of this is the many small businesses that you can find in ‘Centro’ including galleries, restaurants, clothing stores, spas and more. Venture off the malecon to find the perfect souvenir.

away. Once the sun has set, the malecon comes alive with families out for a stroll, plenty of live entertainment and later in the night, the nightclubs beckon. Sayulita – A short 45 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Sayulita is the surfers mecca of Riviera Nayarit. A funky town with a wonderful protected beach, this laid-back town has a hippie vibe with the organic cafes and the yoga studios to prove it. Visit the Huichol Cultural Centre for some wonderful hand-made beaded jewelry or grab a surf lesson from one of the many vendors on the beach.

are along the side streets that run through Centro. Stop at the Tourism Office in the Main Plaza for a map or take advantage of their free walking tour. Many galleries carry high quality local crafts, established Mexican and international artists and more. Volunteer - There are many wonderful organizations across the Bay that can use your help. Both time or money will be appreciated. On Sundays, the Brigada de Basura does a morning clean-up with the local children and then they all head to Que Pasa restaurant for breakfast, activities and friendship.

Cooking Classes – Recognized as one of the world’s leading cuisines, there are a number of great schools in the Puerto Vallarta area that will teach you how to master tortilla soup, enchiladas, salsas and more. Fresh seafood, abundant fruit and veggies and a sophisticated community make Vallarta a foodies dream destination. Look for a school that will take you to the markets or introduce you to the farmers and fishermen for a truly cultural experience. Don’t want to cook? Try one of the Food Tours available. Eat like a local and for three hours you will enjoy everything from Tacos to Pozole.

Ride the bus - Buses in Puerto Vallarta are an experience all their own. You can tell the general destination of the bus by what is written on the window. Costco, Sheraton, Centro, Mismaloya you can go just about anywhere in this city on the bus. Only seven and a half pesos (per bus - there are no transfers) this is a great way to explore the neighbourhoods. Head south on the bus and get a front row seat on some spectacular scenery on your way to the Vallarta Zoo. Or hop the Bucerias bus in front of Walmart and 30 minutes later you are exploring a charming beachside town. Tip: Sit on the non-sunny side of the bus. Trust me. It gets hot.

Art Galleries – It is said more galleries per capita Vallarta than any other Mexico. Many of these

Support Local Business - One of the most popular reasons visitors love Puerto Vallarta is because it’s a thriving city not just geared towards

there are in Puerto place in galleries

Conchas Chinas The south of Puerto Vallarta is a thick jungle full of adventure and excitement. Head south along the 200 highway and you will find the architecturally inspiring community of Conchas Chinas. The beach cove here is excellent for snorkeling. Nogalito The first town South is that of Nogalito. Set back in the jungle it is a charming Mexican village that also is home to one of the most popular day tours - the Canopy Mundo Nogalito Tour with the only tunnel zip-line in town. If you’re feeling the heat, stop at the Punta Negra bridge and take a drip in the river. Lovely fresh water, lots of little pools to splash in and rocks to dry off on. If you’re lucky, a vendor will come by with snacks and drinks - otherwise pack your own. Mismaloya 15 minutes further is Mismaloya, a small town set back from the water along a river that leads to the ocean and a number of beach restaurants. This bay looks onto Los Arcos and is a great place to grab a panga boat for a tour of the impressive rocks. If you have time, book a snorkel or dive trip. This is one of the deepest ocean valleys in the world and home to turtles, whales, dolphins and the blue-footed Booby. Back behind the town, check out the Vallarta Zoo where you can play with baby monkeys, tigers and lions. Boca de Tomatlan Boca de Tomatlan is the last town along the ocean and the place to grab a boat to the small beach communities of Quimixto, Las Animas and the very popular Yelapa. Looking for romance - book a table at the nearby Le Kliff for spectacular views and sunsets.

Events Calendar Would you like to promote your event across Banderas Bay to over 6,000 weekly readers? Non-profit and charity events receive complimentary listings. Maximum 50 words. Contact Editor@ vallartatribune.com deadline is Tuesday noon.

EACH WEEK Puerto Vallarta Tourism offers free tours in Downtown Puerto Vallarta Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:00AM and 12:00PM Saturdays 9:00AM. The local tourism office offers a free sightseeing tour of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Staff will take you off on a fabulous walking tour of the streets and legendary locations in the center area of Puerto Vallarta Tours start at the Tourism Office at City Hall. For more information call 222-0923. ArtWalk in Puerto Vallarta’s Centro Wednesdays from 6PM to 10PM A self-guided tour of downtown galleries, art lovers can explore the streets of Centro stopping into select galleries for cocktail exhibitions every Wednesday evening from 6-10pm through May 27, 2015. You can often meet the artists, gallery owners and other creative people. www.vallartaartwalk.com Gentle Yoga on Saturday mornings at IFC 9:30 - 10:30, every Saturday through June (subject to further change or extension) Instructor: Adriana Bedolla Donation (minimum $50 pesos) supports charity Sunday April 12 IFC End of Season Brunch Casa Fantasia, Pino Suarez 203, at 10:00 am. Tickets $250 pesos - available at the IFC office M-F 9 - 2, or online at IFCvallarta.com under Special Events. 322-222-5466 for more information. April 15 Becas Vallarta Breakfast at Coco’s Kitchen at 9:30 am Great breakfast, prizes and a change to say good bye to friends as they head north. Reservations are a must. Contact Polly Vicars at 223-1371 or phvicars@gmail.com April 23-26 Salsa & Mambo Festival For the third year in a row the Salsa & Mambo Fest comes to Riviera Nayarit. The all-star lineups of international and national artists dance over to Marival Resort & Suites for the four day festival. SalsaMamboFest.com April 30-May 3 V Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic The 5th annual Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic combines golf with gourmet meals and cooking courses taught by distinguished chefs at the most luxurious resorts in Riviera Nayarit. The “Punta Mita Cup” is a two day golf tournament played on the signature Jack Nicklaus’ courses, Bahia and Pacifico. PuntaMitaGourmetGolf.com

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Fun on the Riviera Nayarit By Cat Morgan

www.rivieranayaritfun.com

For any questions, comments or information about tours, rentals, restaurant and entertainment please contact me at Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com or Cat@NewEnergyConsciousness.com

ola a todos! As we head into the last week of Spring Break the crowds are starting to thin out a bit. As the thousands of Nationals came to celebrate their holiday on the beaches leave, they also leave an amazing amount of trash behind every day. Some beaches are worse than others. I am not exactly sure why people do not have the common sense to pick up their trash. This trash gets washed into our oceans with plastics that pollute and endanger the ocean life, such as turtles getting plastic wrapped around them, and fish eating plastics and other trash. It’s common sense, not rocket science! If you’re a beach walker, grab a trash bag for your walk, and you will want to wear at least one glove for health reasons. Check the RiveraNayaritFun facebook page (and give us a LIKE too) for updates on group trash clean up days and other events and news. Thanks!

Non Profit Seasonal Revenue Update The John Ozzello Memorial Food Bank is a non-profit group in Bucerias that focuses on feeding the hungry. While all fundraising that helps others is important, at the end of the day, what can be more important than feeding hungry folks, or feeding people that are in the middle of a crisis? Lack of nutrition can lead to physical disease and mental illness. With all the money on this planet, the food that is thrown away, the money in sports alone, (don’t get me started! the list is long!), no one should have to go hungry anywhere. It really does take a village, and that means a lot of folks volunteering for the fundraisers, purchasing the food, delivering the food and folks like me that help to spread the word. Without this support, the food bank would not be as successful as it is. Sandi and Randy Nystrom are

at the helm of The John Ozzello Memorial Food Bank, a 100% non-profit organization that was founded by John Ozzello in 2009. Sandi heads up the fundraisers, planning and organizing, all of the updating and letting us know who has been assisted. Sandi’s husband Randy takes care of all the book keeping (a crazy job!) so we can all know what came in, and what went out, and exactly how much was received from each and every fundraiser. Sandi and Randy give their thanks to EVERYONE who helped in any way. Here are some of the project highlights from this season. Locations for the fundraisers are vital for a successful fundraiser. YOYO MO”S PIZZA AND SPORTS BAR is their number one supporter for six years in a row. To quote Sandi, “Glenn and Tanya go above and beyond anything we could have possibly hoped for. We

are so happy that we are all part of the food bank team and hope this continues for many years to come. We could never thank them enough for all that they do.” They also donate all of the tequila that is raffled off! The Second Annual “Elves at YoYo Mo’s” for Christmas day was a huge success. They managed to bake and package enough cookies for all 300 despensas that are handed out in December. With the help of the baking volunteer’s, it only took one hour! Sandi’s comment, “Extra special thanks goes to Gail for everything she does to make this project go smoothly. You rock! Thanks to everyone who also donated cookies for this project. It is awesome to live in a community that will help out the less fortunate.” All of the fundraisers have raffles. Gary is their “Raffle King” being ready and willing for every

fundraiser. This season Emalee and Gary were the “dream team” as they broke records during the Super Bowl Party at YoYo Mo’s. This season was also the first “Chili Cook-Off” fundraiser held at A Broken Art in the Art Walk Plaza. Big thanks to Christy Beguesse, (owner of A Broken Art). There was a despensa packaging day for Guaymuchil at the Drunken Duck (also owned by Glen and Tanya). Everything always needs to be packaged up to be given out. 100 despensas was completed in a little over ½ hour. There was also another new event this season; a Beatles Tribute which was performed by “Que Tai” and held at the Drunken Duck. Big thanks go out to Gary and Maureen for the help with the raffles held during the event. Sandi said, “I personally LOVED it and, I really hope we can do it

riviera nayarit

again next year!!” The 4th Annual Whale Watching fundraiser this season had a new terrific and larger boat chartered and have already booked the same boat for next season that will take place on Monday, February 1st. Whale photo thanks to Mandy Freeman.. Nice Shot! Kudos goes out to JD tours, Jordan and Xavier for everything they did to make the trip happen, and who also donated all of their commission to the food bank for this event. Way to go! The John Ozzello Memorial Food Bank number’s raised for this season: YoYo Mo’s Pizza and Sports Bar: $94, 820 Whale watching fund raiser: $68, 850 Beatles Tribute: $44, 500 Chili Cook-off: $18, 740 Westjet flight and condo stay auction: $17, 600 Private donations: $5, 000 GRAND TOTAL: $249, 510…. YIPPEEE! This total is twice more than what was raised two seasons ago! Due to that fact, they were able to provide help outside of their regular depensas for the people in the hills that were affected by the Rio Ameca flood in Nayarit. Gail drove the depensas up and Todd

need. It really does take a village! Thanks to the village of the caring Bucerias volunteers and beyond who are making a difference in so many people’s lives. To contact The John Ozzello Memorial Food Bank please email Sandi Nystrom at rsnystrom@ hotmail.com . Sandi states, “Once again, thanks so much to all of the people who volunteer, support, and encourage the food bank. It makes all the difference in the world to us! With the help of our community, we hope to continue providing food to the needy in Bucerias and the North Bay for many years to come. Have a wonderful day and we will see you all next season!” Writing this post brought tears to my eyes. I know what it is like to be hungry and without food in my earlier years. I am grateful I don’t know what it’s like to be “starving”! We do have so much to be grateful for, don’t we? As we come and visit the beauty of the Banderas Bay, and reside in the beautiful resort towns we don’t really see the “poorest of the poor” that live only minutes away from the bay. This is okay, as we all need vacations! However, there are a lot of ways to help other than monies. The way I help volunteer is to ‘spread the word’. If you have a non-profit organization on the Riviera Nayarit / North Bay area that helps people live better lives and if you can show absolute transparency in your financial numbers, I would be happy to spread your word too! If you have any questions, or would like to know how you can help please email me at Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com and I would be honored to send you information. Many Blessings of loving kindness.

went as their translator. The food bank also added on 50 dispensas to Vida Reavivda which is a home for abused women and their children. Here is a note from Sandi on this, “After living here for over six years and being quite involved in providing food to the needy in Bucerias, I must say that yesterday...I was very overwhelmed! I thought that I'd seen much of the poor people here. I had my eyes opened very wide. Thank you, Cesar and Dhalia, for taking me to where you did. You two really do know where to go. Without your help, I wouldn't have known where to start. I can't put into words how seeing the poorest of the poor yesterday made me feel. I think that this is something that we could do each month as it is needed. Therefore, we are also going to be delivering 50 dispensas each month to random people in Bucerias. Cesar and Dhalia took me to places that I never knew existed. It was heart wrenching to see but, now we know there is more need in our town and will try to fill that gap.” This brings their total dispensas provided each month to 345 except for December when they provide more depending on the

Apr 9 - 15, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Making plans for April? Plenty going on in Riviera Nayarit Guayafest (April 18-19) The Plaza de Rincón de Guayabitos is transformed into a playground for hundreds of Volkswagens from all over Mexico, many traditional bugs and combies which have been jazzed up to show off and strut their stuff in this expo for lovers of these classic cars. For more event information, visit www. facebook.com/fbtpcbugs

III Salsa Mambo Fest (April 23-26) Are you ready to party to the Latin rhythms of the Salsa Mambo Fest 2015? A series of presentations and dance classes with the experts, as well as a fabulous concert and plenty of fun. The event takes place at the Marival Resorts & Suites in Nuevo Vallarta. Reserve your spot at SalsaMamboFest.com.

5th Annual Open Water Competition 3-5K (April 25) The Annual Open Water Competition is turning into a tradition in the waters of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Hundreds of swimmers from around Mexico meet to compete, from the littlest ones to the most tested veterans. Categories include Child, Youth, Master, Special Needs and Professional. More details at NadoSeguro.com.

Gran Fondo Riviera Nayarit Tour (April 26) This bicycle race is divided into two competitions: 150km for the Gran Fondo and 75km for the Medio Fondo. The tour begins in Nuevo Vallarta, continuing on through Sayulita, along the coasts of Punta de Mita and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, through the incredible landscapes of Fortuna de Vallejo ending in Bucerías. More info: BiciBucerias.com.

V Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic 2015 (April 30 – May 3) Punta Mita, Mexico's most exclusive development offers three days of extraordinary culinary experiences along with a two-day golf tournament on the Pacífico and Bahía golf courses. The event was created to pair the best wines and local and international dishes with the best golfers and chefs. Find all the details here: PuntaMitaGour-

metGolf.com.

Low season?I don’t think so!

May 2015 – Riviera Nayarit The Fifth American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic 2015 (April 30 – May 3) Punta Mita, Mexico’s most exclusive tourism development located on the Riviera Nayarit’s Glamour Peninsula, offers three days of extraordinary culinary experiences along with a two-day golf tournament on the exquisite Pacífico and Bahía golf courses. The event was created to pair the best wines and local and international dishes with the best golfers and chefs. Find all the details here: puntamitagourmetgolf.com May 1, 2 & 3, 2015: Puerto Vallarta Bugambilia Festival 2015 Free event with many events in support of the beautifying of Puerto Vallarta and Zona Romantica in particular. Folklore, fashion, cultural events, floral exhibitions. www.bugambiliafestival.com Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (May 3) May 3rd, the Feast of the Cross, brings to a close an entire week of Patron Saint Festivities in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. During this time, the community celebrates cultural, sports, artistic and religious events. ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship (May 10-17) The ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship is set to take place in Mexico for the very first time in 2015, and Sayulita—Mexico’s SUP Mecca and the Riviera Nayarit’s Surf Capital—is the place to be. Mexico’s SUP Team has already participated in three previous championships and is mostly comprised of paddlers and surfers hailing from the Riviera Nayarit.http://www.isasurf. org/events/isa-world-supand-paddleboard-championship-wsuppc/ Restaurant Week (May 15- 31) This culinary celebration is a community event where over 30 restaurants from the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta come together to create a specially approved prix fixe menu during the entire two weeks in order to extend the region’s high season and promote its many amazing gastronomical delights. Find the menus at vallartatribune.com

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Boats, Battles, Bananas and Birds, San Blas, Nayarit

ahía de Matanchén is the type of destination that is perfect for a weekend getaway with family and friends. A scenic two hour drive north from Puerto Vallarta, San Blas and the surrounding area are a rich eco-system with beaches, mangroves, orchards and tiny towns along winding roads. Along the bay’s seven kilometers (four miles) of fine sand beaches you can enjoy impromptu soccer games, languid walks along the shore or the thrill of riding the waves on a surf board. Joining the impressive palm trees and green

hills that border the crystal-clear waters are Las Islitas, one of the icons of the bay. This formation of cliffs near the shore is a popular place for adventurous visitors seeking that perfect memory photo. All along this beach you will find thatched-roof restaurants serving up a variety of delicious dishes such as fresh-prepared fish and seafood from the region. Seafood, mangos and Bananas seem to rule the cuisine here, as they should as they are abundant. Depending on the time of year, fresh oysters are only $100 pesos for a platter of 24. The shrimp

empanadas are bursting with shrimp and the banana bread is dense and moist just like grandma used to make it. “What say the Bells of San Blas/ To the ships that southward pass/ From the harbor of Mazatlan?/ To them it is nothing more,” recites José Nicolás Quirarte while he contemplates the scenery of the port of San Blas. He speaks the verses of this famous poem in Spanish and English from the hill atop which we find the Contaduría, one of the many buildings located in this important port where history conti-

nues to live on and flourish despite the passing of the years. “Here, we have a lot of stories,” affirms José, a proud 78- year old San Blas resident that has dedicated his life to sharing the history of San Blas with the many people who visit the port every day. Visiting San Blas is like stepping back in time, to a time when things moved slower. As you explore the streets you will relive the events of years past that have marked the history not only of the state of Nayarit but of the entire country of Mexico. This is, of course, complemented by the impressive natural wonders that abound in San Blas: the navigable canals surrounded by mangroves, the small islands, and the annual arrival of more than 300 migratory birds, which make this destination a must-see, unforgettable retreat. The origins of San Blas date back to the late seventeenth century, a time when the port was constructed as a shipyard and point of departure for the colonization expeditions of the Spanish Crown. This town was founded by Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán in 1530, although King Charles III of Spain did not recognize it as a deep sea port until 1768, the same year that Franciscan friars led by Friar Junípero Serra headed out of San Blas towards the Nuestra Señora de Loreto Mission on a quest to colonize the Californias. In San Blas, the first maritime customs house on the Pacific was established, and the town became the most important of the region during the Colonial period. Be sure to visit the historic buildings of the port to learn the history of San Blas first hand through the stories of its chroniclers, people and architecture, silent witnesses to the events

of the past. Your tour can begin in the Contaduría, a stronghold constructed in 1770 atop the San Basilio Hill and where the accounting offices of the colonial hacienda were established. Just a few steps down the hill are the ruins of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Temple, constructed in 1769. Here, you will feel as if you have stepped into a scene from a period film as you begin to imagine how life must have been for the first faithful followers who lived the splendor of San Blas in the early centuries. The building, near the pier, where the Culture House currently stands was once the Former Maritime Customs House, erected in the nineteenth century to control the traffic of merchandise that came through the port.San Blas also played an important role in the war for Mexico’s Independence. The port’s essential involvement can be seen in a sculpture located high up in the Contaduría of priest don José María Mercado, an insurgent that fought to defend the freedoms of Mexicans, a fight that would eventually take his life. Also earning a place in history is the Battalion of San Blas, which honorably defended the capital of Mexico in 1897 from North American invasion. A visit to this historic gem on the Pacific wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its beaches. El Borrego, whose fine golden sands stretch for three kilometers (two miles), is one of the most frequented destinations among lovers of big waves. And after a quick boat ride, you can explore the wonders of Isla del Rey, a paradise of natural beauty where you can not only bask in the ocean and relax on the sand but also

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Birding in San Blas F

sample some of San Blas’s culinary delights. Also essential is a visit to the Piedra Blanca, a small rock formation off the coast where the image of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Virgin —also known as La Marinera— is found. This virgin is the patron saint of sailors, and San Blas residents pay homage to her every year on October 7. The Piedra Blanca is also an important ceremonial center for the Huichol people. Other natural wonders of the port are the tropical marsh that includes the El Pozo estuary and the San Cristóbal River and, of course, the La Tovara National Park —located two kilometers (1.2 miles) from San Blas—, one of the region’s most impressive natural attractions. Here, you will have the opportunity to explore by boat and appreciate a beautiful variety of mangroves, home to birds such as boat-billed and white herons,

and turtles. You can also appreciate first hand the floating wood homes, occupied by some of the first settlers. These houses were recreated for the filming of the movie Cabeza de Vaca. Farther down river is a community crocodile sanctuary where you can admire reptiles and a variety of animal species as well as take part in important wildlife research and protection efforts. To round out this unforgettable experience, head over to Isla Isabel —located 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the port—, a natural rock formation of volcanic origins and home to a wide variety of birds. Another great option is to visit the Cora community of Singayta — located two kilometers (1.2 miles) from San Blas— and delve into this interesting culture. Your trip to San Blas, just like the essence of this port, will be remarkable. w w w. r i v i e r a n a y a r i t . c o m / san_blas_nayarit

ew places on earth offer the opportunity to see 30 country endemics within a half-hour’s drive of a scenic coastal town. San Blas, situated on the north-western coastline of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit is one such place. Here birding is combined with breathtaking natural beauty, a rich and vibrant local cultural scene and tantalizing gastronomical delights. World-class surfing, fishing and birding may not seem to go together but in Riviera Nayarit the three pastimes are what draws throngs of visitors every year. From a birding perspective, the best time to visit is between late October and late March when the resident bird population is supplemented by a massive influx of neotropical migrants from the north. The San Blas Christmas Bird Count is a popular event amongst international birders and close to 300 species have been recorded during a single day. The variety of habitat within a tiny area is what makes San Blas one of the best birding locations in the Americas. The beaches and coves provide sanctuary to a nice variety of seabirds. Inland are the the San Cristóbal and El Pozo mangrove estuaries, two of the most biologically important estuaries in all of Mexico and home to a wide variety of wading birds, parrots, and endemic birds like Rufous-bellied Chachalacas. Sustainable coffee plantations, fringed by primary forest, are common and provide excellent habitat for many species, including a high number of regional endemics. Two highlights of a visit to San Blas are undoubtably the highly

Adorable Dog In The Spotlight... BOSCO

osco is a gorgeous rust colored young Weimaraner, just nine months old and weighing 48 pounds. He would be the perfect companion for a physically active family. Bosco is very energetic and just loves to go running or for long hikes. And, of course, he just loves to play. Bosco is good with other dogs, but not so much with cats. He has been neutered and is current on all his vaccinations. Bosco has a lovely temperament and would make a great addition to any family. Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com if you are interested.

popular guided boat excursions. The first is an early morning trip that begins in a narrow mangrove estuary and ends in the eerie mist of Zoquipan, home to an impressive array of wading birds and a nesting colony of about 250 Wood Storks at eye-level. An evening boat trip winds its way through the

mangroves ending at the crystal clear waters of La Tovara and is famous for roosting Boat-billed Herons and for Northern Potoos, which come out to hawk for insects at dusk. Along the way keep an eye out for the ever-present American Crocodiles. 10000birds.com

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Sanctuary by the Sea

home for sale

3 level oceanfront home just south of Mismaloya Waiting the final touches to become your dream home Contact Lisa Wallace www.VillaMizpah.com

Havre No.111 Col. Versalles Fluent English Spoken

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Emergency Phone Numbers The police station or the fire department is 060. For Non-Emergency calls, dial (322) 290-0507 for the Police Dep & (322) 224-7701 for the Fire Department.

Ambulance Services Red Cross Ambulance: 222-1533 Global Ambulance: 226-1014

Hospitals Ameri-Med Hospital: 226-2080 Cornerstone Hospital: 224-9400 San Javier Hospital: 226-1010 Medasist Hospital: 223-0444 C.M.Q. Hospital: 223-1919 I.M.S.S. Hospital: 224-3838 Regional Hospital: 224-4000

Other Important Phone Numbers American Consulate: (322)222-0069 or 01-333-268-2145 Canadian Consulate: (322) 293-0098 Motor Vehicle Dept: 224-8484 Consumer Protection (PROFECO): 225-0000 Immigration Office: 221-1380 National Telegraph: 224-7970 Electric Company (CFE): 071 Water Company (SEAPAL): 223-1516 Municipal Services: 223-2500 Tourist Protection: 223-2500 Ministerio Publico: 222-1762 Animal Protection: 221-0078 Wake-Up Service: 031

Emergency Phone for Sayulita Dial 066 from any standard land line. Dial 080 from Mexican cell phones. To report suspicious activity in Sayulita, please dial 045-322-141-5994.

Local: 322-228-0128 US: 401-608-2600

Tianguis and Farmer´s Markets

All the towns have some type of weekly market. In Banderas Bay and Riviera Nayarit we are blessed with many excellent farmer’s, artisan and co-op markets. Most are open from 9am – 2pm unless stated. Bucerias Tianguis - Year-round Sundays In the arroyo La Cruz Sunday Mercado Sundays At the La Cruz Marina Bucerias Market - Monday Artwalk Plaza Guayabitos – Mondays yearround In the main plaza Nuevo Vallarta Farmers Market –Tuesdays San Pancho Market / Tuesday in Main Plaza La Cruz Tianguis Year-round Wednesday Below the glorietta La Penita Tianguis – Thursday year-round In the main plaza Marina Vallarta Market – Thursdays In the main plaza Marsol Market to the pier - Friday Sayulita’s Farmer’s Market downtown Friday Tres gallinas y un gallo - Saturdays 466 Venustiano Carranza Old Town Farmers Market – Saturdays Lazaro Cardenas Park Lo de Marcos Tianguis – Saturdays In the main plaza

Emergency Numbers for Bucerias & La Cruz Numbers for the Police Department in case of emergency are 291-0049 and 291-0666. Emergency number: 066 Police, Bucerias & La Cruz: 298-1020 Civil Protection (Fire, Ambulance): 291-0295 Ambulance, Santa Rosa Clinic: 298-0157

PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE TRIBUNE AT PUERTO VALLARTA TOURISM OFFICES OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET A PAGE IN THE SUN - ZONA ROMANTICA FREDY TUCAN´S - ZONA ROMANTICA NUEVO VALLARTA RESORTS CONSULATE OFFICES

DECAMERON RESORT - BUCERIAS BREAKER´S BEACH BAR - BUCERIAS YO-YO MO´S - BUCERIAS MARINA RIVIERA NAYARIT - LA CRUZ LA CRUZ FARMERS MARKET OSO RESTAURANT - LA CRUZ

SUDOKU Challenge your brain! Sudoku is easy to play and the rules are simple. Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain only one of each of the numbers 1 through 9.

easy

medium

hard

brain teasers

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