The group is scheduled to visit Puerto Vallarta this weekend and play in the main square of the city, offering a concert with the most popular of their repertoire.

The International Violins of the Brothers Aguascalientes, is an exciting event for all violin and music lovers to enjoy! The concert will be held, Sunday February 17th, at 8 pm in the front hallway of the municipal presidency in Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town.

To enjoy the day, (Sunday afternoon), the Department of Culture of Puerto Vallarta, has prepared a program of music and dance for the whole family. At 6pm, the traditional Municipal Band begins at the same time the traditional dance group begins its display. At 7 dancing continues with the sounds of tropical music, so that the atmosphere will be set for the beginning of the violin concert.

The brothers Aguascalientes are made up of Daniel and Jose Luis on violin (composers), on the guitar Gregory, Mario on the keyboards and Daniel Jr. They originate in San Miguel de Allende, Gto. All of them are graduates of the Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramirez “Nigromante” of the National Institute of Fine Arts. Daniel and Jose Luis for six years were part of the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Guanajuato, the Chamber Orchestra of the same University and the State Band.

They subsequently participated in the orchestra accompanying the organist Juan Torres and his melodic body. In late 1977 they decided to form along with the rest of their brothers the group we know today.

They have participated in many festivals around the country and internationally, have travelled to around twenty countries to play, in addition to representing Mexico in the tribute that will take place in Cuba for one of the best musicians ever, Benny More.

Through this long history they have recorded twelve albums, containing the best of international music to the rhythm of violin and will be made available to Vallartenses this coming weekend.

Come get down this weekend to the musical soundings of 
Boo – Funk

With a fresh sound, this entertaining and dynamic group comes to Puerto Vallarta as part of the events scheduled for this month by the Department of Arts and Culture. The youth group Boo – Funk, will play their own compositions and arrangements, co-written by all members of the band, their style goes from pop to Latin, to rock and funk.

This group was formed in Mexico D.F. In November 2005. Its members are from several states of the Mexican Republic and are between 18 and 22 years. All of them are students of the Academy of Music Fermatta and are currently studying music professionally.

The strong friendship that unites the members of the group is the main engine that ignites this musical project which seeks to provide the public with a different concept, seeking a new sound and hallmark.

Boo’s style – funk is absolutely integral, as they believe that music and art do not (or should not) have boundaries set by space, time or economic position. They are concerned with creating songs with themes for a variety of audiences, ages, socio-economic levels and tastes in particular.

Despite being young and its recent formation, the group has been very well accepted by the public. Their music is novel and has found a consistent image, which has crept into the youths taste, they also already have a recording titled “Our history has no end…”, which contains 11 tracks and was recorded in 2007 and is already on sale. In addition to that they currently are preparing material for what will be their second album.

The members of this young funk group are all graduates of the best musical academies in Mexico!

The group Boo – Funk will be playing this coming Saturday, February 16th, at the Arches on the Malecon at 8 pm.

Since pre-Columbian times Mexicans regard friendship very highly, considering it a precious gift of life. Nowadays in Mexico, as in the rest of the world, we celebrate on February 14 El Día de San Valentín popularly named El Día del Amor y la Amistad- the day of love and friendship.

All over town there are balloon vendors offering their colorful  heart shaped declarations of love, for most of them  have written on them “Te Amo” -I love you- “Para mi amor”-for my love, or “Felicidades” -congratulations.  Delicious chocolates, as well as flowers, especially red roses, and greeting cards are also sold in every store.

If in Mexico, don’t even try to go to a restaurant with out a reservation made weeks before.  Couples of all ages go out for dinner on this special date.

As you can see, El Día del Amor y la Amistad is commemorated in Mexico in a way very similar to the manner in which the rest of the world celebrates, but surely, friendship and marriage had different expressions in pre-Columbian times.

Valentines Glossary of terms
Amistad: Friendship
Amiga (o): Friend
Amor: Love
Argollas Matrimoniales: Wedding rings
Anillo de compromiso: Engagement ring
Boda: Wedding
Cupido: Cupid
Enamorado (a) : In love
Luna de Miel: Honeymoon
Matrimonio: Matrimony
Novia: Girlfriend or Bride
Novio: Boyfriend or Groom
Padrino: Best man
Dia de San Valentin: Valentine’s Day

From: Inside-mexico.com

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the 46th annual Becas Ball at the Westin Resort & Spa on Thursday, March 6th. The traditional free cocktail hour will again be offered to start the evening off on the right foot. Followed by a 4 course delicious dinner and live music for dancing.

The price of the tickets is $850 pesos (or $80 USD) per person. Proceeds from the event will help Becas Vallarta A.C. to continue its work in helping to ensure that hundreds more of the city’s bright but needy children will get the education they deserve – as they have been doing for forty-five years.

To mark this milestone, the committee is also appealing for extra support from those who can afford it and who agree that supporting children’s education in the poorer areas of the city is one of the best ways a person can contribute to the future welfare of our community.

A personal donation is also a way of honoring all the volunteers who have kept Becas Vallarta A.C. going strong over the past forty-five years. A box for receiving contributions will be available at the ball. (As a guide-line, the cost of supporting a student through the scholastic year ranges from $160 dollars to $600 dollars depending on the education level.)

Ball location: The Westin Resort and Spa Hotel
Date and time: Thursday March 6th. Cocktail hour from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Ticket cost: $850 pesos ($80 USD)

Reserved tables are available if six or more tickets are purchased. Tickets can be obtained from: Buri Gray, 221-5285 (Conchas Chinas and south); Mary Ellis, 222-1478 (Centro and Los Muertos); Margarita Mora, 221-3760 and Mariel Fregoso 221-0789 (Marina); The Book Store, Venustiano Carranza #334, 223-9437 (Centro) and Plaza Caracol inside Gigante 224-1872.

Vallarta Adventures has added a promotional code field to their online reservations!

If you book online (vallarta-adventures.com), you will get a 10% online discount on any adventure you choose, so the promotional code will probably go over the 10% already given online, and save you some extra money. Now it’s up to you to find these promotional codes online!

Cabo Adventures also has this new feature on their tour reservation system, so be sure to look out for any discount codes out there!

Besides Vallarta and Cabo Adventures, there are also many other ways to save at least 10% on food, lodging and activities. For example the yellow and white pages that are free in many places, have coupons with all kinds of discounts and promotions. Look out for any free magazines, they usually come with coupons too! And if you really have just too much time on your clock, you can get $300 usd if you qualify to share your time by sitting through a horrendous time share experience which can be worth the $300 usd or more some times!

$50 dollars or $50 pesos?

Another common thing where you can save money is to watch and talk correctly whenever you buy something. It has happened several times on my visit to Puerto Vallarta that I share a taxi with other tourists and they don’t ask how much the trip will cost until they arrive! THEN when the taxi driver answers $70, the tourist ask DOLLARS? And now guess what the taxi driver will answer? “YES”. You just payed 10 times what a normal taxi trip would cost because you tempted the taxi driver by asking a ridiculous question like “Dollars or Pesos”?

The majority of people that work down here in Vallarta make no more money than $5 usd a day! Some are lucky to get a lot of tips or to own a business, but when you dare to ask “dollars or pesos” they feel that you probably just have too much money if your logic can’t tell how much a product is or should be worth, so they will happily look into your eyes with a big fat smile and reply: “Dollars”.

Remember: Taxis, shouldn’t be more than $5 to $12 usd within the whole Puerto Vallarta area, which is from the airport down to Conchas Chinas, passing through Olas Altas (Los Muertos Beach)

Also, remember to ask how much $$$ it will cost you to go from A to B before you take a cab!

When prices are shown with a simple $ sign, many people get confused and don’t know if it’s dollars or pesos, so they ask. We encourage you to ask, but remember that asking might be a motivation for locals to cheat on you and take advantage. The best would be to just simply assume it is in pesos, since you ARE in México and there are more Mexicans down here in pv than tourists…

Anyways… good luck on saving some pesos here and there!!!

Leonardo DiCaprio and Bar Refaeli soaking up the sun yesterday, Monday the 5th, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Leonardo and Bar split up in October 2007 after more than a year together, but reunited around this years New Years Eve celebrations.  With the cool weather Las Angeles has been having, its no wonder they decided to get some R and R down south in sunny paradise!

Puerto Vallarta became famous for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s affair during the filming of Night of the Iguana and there is no doubt that the area is still a hot spot for celebrity vacations.

Its almost here again folks, Valentines Day is just two weeks away! On this international day of love, people around the globe will be showing how much they care for each other with chocolates, flowers, romantic dinners and sunset walks on the beach among many other things!

For those of us lucky enough to be spending this day of amor in the Puerto Vallarta area, most of our favorite restaurants, bars and hotels will be having special romantic menus guaranteeing us some truly fine dining and an excellent evening!

A great example of fine cuisine is the Valentines Day menu at Bruce’s Back Alley Bistro, home of the best steak in Puerto Vallarta’s romantic zone! Their menu is as follows: 
Amuse – Bouche, Wild smoked salmon “hugged” with citrus scented bok choy and a sesame glaze.
Salad -Roma tomatoes and mozzarella drizzled in a blueberry coulis with a white truffle “kiss”.
Appetizer- Bar harbor stuffed crab with a gentle “nudge” of citrus beurre blanc.
Main Course- Filet mignon and pomme frites with a velvety red wine bourdelaise sauce and fire roasted asparagus with samurai shrimp.
Desert is a surprise!

Special features for the evening include a draw for tickets to this seasons Becas Ball (valued at $1500 pesos!), to be held at the end of the evening and a meet and greet with this years stars of Puerto Vallarta! Reservations in advance are highly recommended.

Calling all ladies, for those of you who are single, once were single, wish you were single or would just like to party; Café Roma is having an all you can eat and drink special for $150 pesos! Included in this feast will be food from their regular menu as well as beer and most mixed drinks like Margaritas and Pina Coladas.

Yes you can bring a male partner, but they pay regular prices, no sharing. There will be live music from 5 to 8 pm and all tips go to the KIDS. Go early for a good seat as they are expecting to be jammed to the roof. Thursday, Feb 14th, Valentines day, from 5:00 pm to close at 10:00 pm at Cafe Roma.

And last but certainly not least join Xocodiva on February 14th, the day of love and friendship, in extending a helping hand to the local children’s shelter. With every donation your name will be automatically entered to win the special Valentine’s basket filled with champagne, chocolate-dipped champagne glasses, truffles, a 2 for 1 certificate for a couples’ massage from Body Time Spa, and Xocodiva chocolate massage oil.

All funds raised will go to the Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (R.I.S.E.) who are currently caring for 53 children that could use you help now and throughout the year. The lucky winner of the gift basket will be announced February 13th, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

A very important thing to keep in mind this Valentines Day no matter where you plan on spending it, is that reservations can be key to having the perfect evening!

For those of you who are not here in Puerto Vallarta, why not think out of the box this year, who wouldn’t love a whirlwind Valentines Day trip to Puerto Vallarta! Many travel companies are offering special romantic getaways to the Puerto Vallarta area.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton aren’t the only ones to ignite their love in Puerto Vallarta. “Love is in the Air” everyday at Casa Velas adults-only all-inclusive boutique hotel. A three-night package provides couples with a romantic stay in a Grand Class Suite with Bulgari amenities; a secluded, four-course dinner for two on the beach surrounded by tiki torches served by a private waiter; spa treatments and more.

With Casa Velas’ Love is in the Air package, guests can indulge themselves at the 6,500 square foot Spa Casa Velas with a daily spa credit of $35 per person to be used toward any massage, facial or body wrap and unlimited use of the Spa’s hydrotherapy facility.

The package also includes breakfast, lunch and dinner a la carte at the hotel’s restaurants; use of the oceanfront Beach Club featuring a pool, Jacuzzi, and private beach; and premium liquors at the Lobby bar and Aqua Bar. Shuttle service to and from airport and taxes and gratuities round out the package. The three-night Love is in the Air package is $1,770 per couple. For reservations or more information, visit www.hotelcasavelas.com

Saturday February 2nd, from 10 am to 1 pm, there will be workshops and presentations in the general area of the Presedencia. There will also be workshops for children in the bandstand and a marathon in Boca. This sounds likely a really ineteresting, informative event for both children and adults alike to learn something new about this beautiful planet we live on!

2 February each year is World Wetlands Day. It marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. WWD was celebrated for the first time in 1997 and made an encouraging beginning. Each year, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular.

From pvscene.com

 Today January 30, Consejo de Promoción Turistica (CPTM www.cptm.com.mx ) was filming a promotional video on the malecón where the sculpture of the Alien Ladder is located.

The weather was playing games and decided to interrupt the filming by sending a few clouds in every here and then.

It was very windy too, so the model would have to adjust her hair all the time while the crew was telling her to leave her hair play with the wind

As if the crowds with cameras and video cams weren’t enough, people would take pictures from their balcony and cars!

While waiting for the weather to play the same game so the filming could continue, the model would pose a little for the crowds.

We don’t know how well the filming went, but we hope everything went ok and that we’ll see some great promotional videos of Vallarta soon!

Other:

The Gauntlet III
Get Out! Celebrities filming Vallarta Adventures
Puerto Vallarta Film Festival

THE father of a 19-year-old Selkirk man who died in mysterious circumstances in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last week said he’s not optimistic that information will emerge about the nature of his son’s fatality at the popular vacation destination.

Josh Iwasiuk was a guest at the Getaway Resort in the western Mexican city when he allegedly fell from the 10th floor of a resort building, according to reports given by hotel staff to Iwasiuk’s older brother, who was also in Mexico.

A spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada said Tuesday they’re liaising with Mexican authorities about the investigation into the young man’s death. However, Jerry Iwasiuk expressed doubt it will explain the tragedy, adding the information released to the family has been extremely limited so far.

“We made some phone calls and I’ve been talking to (Foreign Affairs Canada) but you don’t get much out of them. All they say is the investigation is ongoing. But you don’t get any answers,” said the grieving father.

Twenty-eight-year-old Jerry Iwasiuk Jr. — Josh’s older brother — was also a guest at the resort and had last seen his sibling Saturday afternoon when the two were drinking at a hotel bar. Iwasiuk Jr. said that was before a hotel security member took him to a room he was sharing with his brother, where he fell asleep, intoxicated.

The next morning, after Iwasiuk Jr. awoke, hotel staff told him his brother was found dead on the ground 10 floors beneath their room’s balcony. It’s a claim Iwasiuk Jr. said he found dubious due to the chest-level height of the resort’s balconies and information relayed to the family by the Canadian consulate in Mexico that Josh’s only serious injury was trauma to the back of his head.

“I don’t think he fell by accident. The height of the railing on the balcony? I don’t see it. If somebody stumbled into it, you’d fall down, but you’d have to jump to get over it,” Iwasiuk Jr. told the Free Press Monday.

Iwasiuk Sr. said his son’s body will arrive back in Canada this Sunday and the family is considering having an independent autopsy done. A funeral is planned for next Tuesday.

“All the information we’ve got is very vague,” said Iwasiuk Sr. “I’m hoping his body comes back the way we said we want it to come back, and that it isn’t cremated.”

Christiane Theberge, president of the Association of Canadian Travel Agents, said the Iwasiuk family should be able to pressure the Canadian government into pressing the investigation forward on foreign soil. She said the country receives almost one million Canadian tourists per year, making it Canadians’ second-most popular foreign destination.

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca

I have read alot of comments lately about the drummers on Los Muertos beach. The following is one letter in particular that really shows how strongly many people feel about this issue.

I spent the last week on the Los Muertos beach with visiting family and everyone I noticed around me was appalled by the beach drumming. Not only are these drummers not musicians, what they seem to be doing is better thought of as noise pollution. I also witnessed many people getting up and leaving when the drummers showed up, myself and family included at times when we just couldn’t handle listening to their noise.

The drumming is really very loud; any conversation trying to be had is cut out by the noise they are creating. The drummers play in one spot and then move just a few feet down the beach and do it all over again, as a result the drumming isn’t a simple 5 minute performance it lasts for up to and hour in one area! Because it is so loud you can hear them start up down the beach, they will pass a location and continue to be heard well after they move away from it. 

It doesn’t seem to matter to them if the businesses on the beach have music going of their own, the drummers just play over top of it. I didn’t see them collect much of any money after their “performance”, more likely they were being paid to go away. Do they have/need a license to be playing on the beach and asking money for it???

There is usually from 8 to 10 younger guys making “music”, and it definitely isn’t the same people everyday, more like a rotating group of  dirty looking drifters to lazy to get a real job. Sometimes the drummers bring with them “dancing girls” ie. their girl friends, also to lazy to get real jobs, this dancing isn’t good, its not special and its not like these girls have got any special training to do this, more likely they  “practice” at night in the bars spending their “hard” earned money! Not only do their girlfriends dance but they also go around trying to sell their “jewelry” which looks like they just collected stuff off the beach and strung it together, I know they don’t have a license to be selling their crafts. All the vendors on the beach need to have a license to be down there selling their wares and they all pay good money for that license, how come these so called musicians and their girlfriends are not included in that licensing program and policing of it?

I know this letter sounds a bit harsh but many people find the allowance of these so called musicians to perform on Los Muertos extremely irritating, me among them. I was just so put off spending time with my family who are paying good money to be on vacation on the most popular beach in Vallarta, having to put up with such an annoyance of loud, non musical, lazy people disrupting their quite leisure time and trying to get money from them for nothing. By the way, they like to call their “music” African Mexican sound, I heard many people saying what??? It is just a bunch of drums banging away; just because you can play a drum beat doesn’t make it music!!

Need a Bathroom?

At Los Mangos Library (Near Versalles and Soriana) 
26 and 27 of January
from 9:00 to 16:00

Entrance fee $20 pesos

Vallarta is a love place. If you can’t find your love here, I don’t think you’ll find it anywhere else. Love Dramas have taken place here since the Night of the Iguana was filmed here and now… love repeats.

Here’s what we found on mtvrealityworld.com
— 

“I want to thank MTV for introducing me to Jillian,” Frank said playfully in an interview with MTV Reality World (that’s us!).

The pair hit it off right away as filming for The Gauntlet III began in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. “And it’s not like it was slim pickings,” Jillian added, referring to the group of attractive male castmembers. “Frank made me laugh. With all of the stress, it was nice to have comic relief.”

But Frank wasn’t the only one who had his sights on Jillian. “On the first day, one of the other girls went up to Jillian and said that Brad thought she was cute and was interested in her,” he recalled. “It’s basically like high school crammed into thirty days.”

MTV’s Real World/Road Rules Challenges have been booze and drama-filled for as long as they’ve been on the air, fueling hook-ups and brawls between castmembers. But this season is already being billed as one of the craziest and most eventful yet.

Read the rest of this entry »

Click play to listen to the live Vallarta Radio Stream 

Update:
To suggest a song, contact us at vallartablog@hotmail.com
or add us to msn

Believe it or not, but this blog was entirely created by the guy in the picture. We thank you! He said his name was Guebmaster and that he would do us a little favor by creating this site if we gave him some food. We can recomend him to you if you are ready to give away 20 liters of coffee, 1Kg of chocolate and he really likes brownies!

He’s a mellow guy, and aslong as you keep the coffee and chocolate coming he will code on your keyboard until it melts!

February 26 to the 3rd of March 2008 are the dates for the 2nd Vallarta Wine Fest. The Festival organizing committee said the first fest (2007) was such a success there was no doubts in holding a 2nd. 17 wine aficionados held courses and lectures concerning wine, Mexican wine and that of many different countries.

This year there were 14 hotels and restaurants that participated in the event and every one of them stated that the attendance was fantastic, encouraging them to put their names on the list for a 2nd Wine Fest.

“An exciting option for tourists that not only want sunshine and sand , the Fest offers cultural interest for people vacationing here on those days and for the citizens of Vallarta”, stated the organizer Nacho Cadena.

For the 2nd wine festival, a guest country will be adding their help to bring more culture to the interesting and diverse schedule. Not only about wine, the outside influence of another country will add flavor to complementary entertainment, Vallarta’s Department of culture will oversee a few short films having to do with the main theme.

With wine being a year round interest for many, the committee is putting together a series of events to be held at different times in the year, the first of which was a wine seminar scheduled August 29th through 31st. 3 hours per day of curricular value, featured wine testing and theory available to anyone who holds an interest in learning more about wine.

Info at:
VallartaWineFest.com

 From the New York Times
By BONNIE TSUI

BEYOND the sunbathers, cervezas and spring break debauchery so conspicuously on display in Cancún and Cozumel, Mexico offers a lesser-known adventure experience — the kind that is found deep in the jungle or near small fishing villages and offshore reefs.

The same country that possesses one of the world’s most polluted capital cities also ranks as one of the richest in species diversity. Twenty-two biosphere reserves and nearly 50 national parks offer hiking and wildlife-watching opportunities; mountain chains and interior canyons are chockfull of biking trails; fertile warm-water upwellings attract pods of whales and glittering fish.

Adventurous tourists — particularly those focused on a specific outdoor sport or activity — have much to discover along the coast and on the country’s ruggedly varied interior terrain.

Almost by definition, some of these unexplored gems are in remote areas, so travelers will need to be vigilant about safety. That’s where knowledgeable outfitters are key — they can take you to little-touristed places where you’ll feel comfortable exploring the backcountry forests and secluded beaches that you might not visit alone. Regions like Chiapas and Oaxaca, while still extricating their reputations from recent political unrest, have become more stable. Before you book, consult the United States State Department (www.travel.state.gov) for travel advisories.

SURFING SAYULITA
Surfers have been crossing the border to ride waves along Mexico’s Pacific coast for decades, and this small coastal fishing village 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta has lately achieved the perfect mix of lively beachfront bars, surf camps and terra-cotta architectural charm — all, most importantly, with easy access to numerous breaks ideal for beginners and for intermediates looking to sharpen their technique. Advanced riders might head south to the body-wrecking barrels at Puerto Escondido, but the rest of us mere mortals will be content to spend a week or two skimming the waves there.

An easy right break on Sayulita’s bay, just off a curving white-sand stretch of town beach, is where longboarders spend most of their time; if those waves get too big, beginners can always move down the beach and find smaller ones. A faster left break caters to speedy shortboarders. In 2006, the Access Trips adventure travel company started a small-group surf itinerary to Sayulita and its surrounding breaks, joining the pioneering Las Olas Surf Safaris (www.surflasolas.com), which runs surf camps for women, and several others. The special flavor of the village, says Alain Chuard, co-owner of Access Trips, comes from its friendly and eclectic population (local fishermen, hippies, expatriates) and the town’s careful control over development (there are no big hotels or big chain stores here, whereas Wal-Mart has landed in Puerto Vallarta).

Most everything in Sayulita is within walking distance, from the beach to the grocery stores and cafes in the village center to the surrounding jungle. The village might not be a secret anymore, but it’s far from being overrun by tourists. Beaches are rarely crowded, a one-bedroom villa at Villa Amor, the luxury hotel in town, starts at $90 a night, and foreign travelers tend to be in their 20s and 30s.

Access Trips’ seven-day surf safaris are led by a local surfer, Javier Chavez, and a core team of instructors. The student-to-teacher ratio is capped at an intimate 4 to 1, and all trip leaders are locals. Days are spent surfing the bay and visiting other secluded surf spots north and south of Sayulita that are accessible only by boat. In the winter, humpback whales cruising by the bay are a bonus. Surfers stay in newly built bungalows with ocean views just up the hill from town, and morning yoga sessions in a private studio help ease the muscle pain left by consecutive pop-ups on the surfboard. Lunch might be grilled shrimp on the beach, and there are plenty of other outdoor activities, including guided jungle treks, mountain biking and trips to hot springs.

 Access Trips, (650) 492-4778); www.accesstrips.com; seven-day surf adventures from $1,885, including lodging, instruction, all breakfasts, a lunch and two dinners, yoga and transportation, including airport transfers; November through May.

How many of you are seeing huge increases in your electric bill. Ours has more than doubled, as have those of friends that we’ve chatted with. We have had the dubious distinction of being placed in the DAC tariff category.

CFE, the Mexican Electric Company calls this the Domésticas de Alto Consumo. I call it the Domestico Alto de una Cueva, or Living Higher than in a cave.

We are pretty conscientious about turning off our lights, cook with gas, heat our water with gas, and we don’t use air-conditioning much at all since the rates were so high.

We do use our computer, and watch occasional TV, and, yes, we are guilty of converting from and ice chest to a refrigerator. (I did give up my electric razor though.) Oh, yea, we even use those energy-efficient light bulbs.

What does CFE expect from us? I’m thinking about buying hillside property. Perhaps remote enough, I can even get it cheap enough with a view of the city lights, a nice place to build our cave and enjoy looking at the skyscrapers lights go out one by one.

When the basic expenses of living become so high here, will the peso suffer another hit for inflation? In the meantime, I’m investing in hillside property.

source: Dan Russel

Vallarta Adventures’ Blog (vallarta-adventures.com/blog) posts say that the 8th season of the popular  HDNET show Get Out! (getoutshow.com) will be entirely filmed in Mexico.

Vallarta Adventures will film two episodes with the Get Out! Show on its Outdoor Adventures, Las Caletas, Jungle Survival, Americas Cup Sailing and many more tours.

Lindsay (Get Out! Host) and the owner of the HD Republic production company said that they were very impressed by Vallarta Adventures professionalism and its capacitated guides. Both of them have enjoyed several different tours and adventures around the world and they said that Vallarta Adventures’ guides are the best they have ever seen.

Vallarta Adventures has been the most popular tour company in Mexico and it’s no surprise that more and more TV shows want to participate and enjoy the services of Vallarta Adventures. Vallarta Adventures has appeared in several public News and Shows like: National Geographic, Hello!, MTV, Televisa, Travel Channel, Frommer’s’, BBC, Discovery Channel, CNN, ESPN, E! Entertainment Television, NBC, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many more.

If you are a television or media related program, Vallarta Adventures welcomes you to experience the best adventure you have ever imagined. Vallarta Adventures will take great care of you!

Contact  marketing@vallarta-adventures.com

Waiting at the Marina

Our adventure was about to start with our arrival at the Marina. There wasn’t any cruise ships in sight which made the Marina look a little bit smaller than usual when it’s filled with two or three enormous cruise ships.

There is some pleasant entertainment after you check into the waiting area from where you are then led to the Vallarta Adventures boats. There is a mime/clown for some healthy laughs and guacamayas (parrots) to take pictures of.

Trip to Caletas

The boats can carry between 50 and 100 passengers and we were lucky to get the smaller boat with less than 50 passengers which makes it more comfortable to walk, see and enjoy the boat.

Our trip started at 6:30pm, right in time for the sunset and a beautiful photographic ocean-view.

On the way, there is a free bar and party music entertaining the passengers.

The ambient is happy and everywhere you look you see people talking, dancing and laughing together with the willing boat crew.

Arrival at Las Caletas

20 minutes before arrival at Las Caletas, there is a funny show starring the crew in a “almost” real strip dance. The sun is completely gone and left is only the black sky with little bright dots that become clearer with every wave we approach to the beach. As we get closer to the beach the torches seem brighter, illuminating every path at Las Caletas.

We go pair wise along the paths passing a few scenarios where we can see actors dressed as Indians performing mystical ceremonies and rituals.

The sound of drums and other instruments gets louder the deeper we walk into the jungle. It is amazing how wonderfully nice structured and decorated the place is.

The Scenery could be described as if it was a mixture of an untouched natural world with the architectural work of mankind.

Also impressive is that almost everything besides the food and people is made out of stones, ropes and wood. After a few meters walk, the line of visitors is split in two, one to go to the buffet and the other to go view the show.

We managed to sneak into the buffet line, since we wouldn’t want to see the show with an empty tummy.

Buffet

Everybody gets a unique table spot and there are special ones extra for couples located along the beach. Some are only a few inches distance from the water.

Drinks are served immediately from waiters keeping an eye on our needs and wishes. The buffet is nicely illuminated with candles that are sitting aside every food plate. It is a little hard to recognize everything on the buffet but don’t worry, there is no way to choose wrong because all the food is deliciously prepared by excellent gourmet cooks.

These are the moments you wish for more space in your tummy and lets you turn over in your bed, thinking about every single plate of food you didn’t try. One of Vallarta Adventures’ staff went through every table asking for feedback and making sure everything was fine.

You can see people that have fallen under the magical Caletas spell chitchatting with the crew and other staff members about how wonderful Caletas is. After a few glasses of wine and a full plate of exquisite food, we were advised to go to the show located deeper inside the area.

Show

The show starts by seating everybody on benches up a hill like if it was a theatre play just before all lights go of and the crowd is surrounded by total darkness. Now we become aware of the benefits of an open-air show.

The stars are as bright as stars can get and the hidden speakers start playing drum rhythms. Then color starts appearing on stage. First red, then green and violet playing synchronized with the actors and music.

Fire, smoke and drum beats stimulate all our senses, pushing our heart beat faster. The show takes about 20-30 minutes being perfect timing for our bum sitting on the wooden benches. After the show finalizes with an impressive act, everybody is getting ready to go back to the boat and head back to Puerto Vallarta.

Way Home

On our way to the boat you can hear people say things like “I want to stay here”, and staff people replying “Stay here, we’ll come and pick you up tomorrow”.

Everybody is back on the boat and believe it or not but with all the different kinds of alcoholic drinks we had, the boat didn’t seem to move more at all.

Here and there you can see people getting very tired, embracing each other or leaning on some body’s shoulder for a nap.

There isn’t as much party on the way back, which is good because it let’s you enjoy the rest of the night and some people can continue fantasizing about all that food and drinks they didn’t try.

By the way, if you are going to drink more than one cup of any alcoholic drink on the boat, you should stick to the beer. All our drinks were prepared and served in front of us at the bar, and you can see the rum is poured out of a Bacardi bottle, which we now know wasn’t Bacardi.

Just thinking about the different drinks we tried makes everything spin again and the truth is that we have never drank that little and gotten so drunk. 24 hours later our heads still hurt like hell, but it still was a five star experience that we would repeat any time (but only beers).

Last Words

Rhythms of the Night is a MUST SEE. There is no arguing, anybody coming to Vallarta with a good taste in food and scenery, will love this tour. We haven’t tried out many other tours offered by Vallarta Adventures, but we believe that this is probably the best one.

You won’t read about it in any English language papers or websites. It’s bad for business. Our English-language “news”papers cover the news that’s really important: what restaurants have opened, what events are happening this weekend. Pet picnic? check. Art walk? Check. Dead divers? Lo siento, no puedo escribir en ingles!

Uzueta Diving, a new company here in Puerto Vallarta took out a large group of divers for an advanced diving course, deep diving. There were 20 divers in groups of five and they were diving in the Devil’s Canyon, a spot at Los Arcos for beautiful wall diving. It drops to 6,500 feet and is like looking into outer space. They dropped anchor nearby (illegal in Los Arcos, btw, but everyone does it) and used a line to keep the divers together. Four divers got separated.

One diver was found and taken to the hyperbaric chamber for decompression sickness and three others were lost until their bodies were found (and photos posted in the local Spanish papers). It’s thought that they lost their line in the current and then began to feel the effects of nitrogen narcosis. Reports have them going anywhere from 150-250 feet down and most likely either suffering from oxygen toxicity or running out of air.

Anyway, that’s what I’ve gathered from reading the local Spanish papers and talking to some of the local divers. It’s very, very sad.

source: divebunny.org

Here is a link to the spanish speaking UNIVERSAL News writing about the incident.
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/464868.html

—

UPDATE:

Here some links to the issue:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/212062-3-missing-deep-dive-incident-mexico.html

On another issue in Cancun, Mexico:

Tourist missing after dive in Mexico

January 02, 2008
Authorities were searching yesterday for a Japanese tourist who went missing on Sunday when she was scuba diving off the Mexican resort island of Cozumel.

The Fine Dining Experience… just at Café des Artistes. Visit their Website here at www.cafedesartistes.com 

Vallarta is growing so fast, that the artistc scene grows with it and there can be found art just everywhere the eye reaches… even the sand is formed into beautiful sculptures, like this Pyramid and Iguana.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Send us your New Year Pictures or Videos in Vallarta and win a dinner for 2 plus a 15% discount on any Vallarta tour.

How about a Vallarta Christmas Adventure? If you are ready for some holiday adventure in Mexico, Vallarta Adventures offers all types of activities and tours.

Located at the Pacific side of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta has everything a vacation can ask for. Whale watching tours, swim with dolphins, Canopy, Americas Cup Sailing and beautiful beaches are just the tip of the mountain when it comes to the services offered by Vallarta Adventures.

If you are interested, you can visit their site at vallarta-adventures.com and choose a tour!

 Merry Christmas from Vallarta!

Puerto Vallarta, December 7 .- Two subjects armed with assault rifles AK-47, shot over 40 bullets at a business called Eclipzus, situated at the luxury division called Fluvial Vallarta, leaving three people injured.

One of the injured was an employee of the brewery Modelo identified as Samuel Castro Rojas of 35 years of age, who presented bullet wounds in the left leg and one on the other side.

The other injured persons were Victor Jerome Amado Cardenas and Jessica Sataray González, who were taken to different hospitals, which are heavily guarded on the in- and outside by police officers in order to secure the lives of every one of them, since it’s feared to happen again.

Expertise in the Office of Justice of this area collected about 40 bullet shells of different calibers at the scene, including 9 mm and AK –47 weapons, which were scattered over the interior and exterior of the shop selling curtains.

According to police reports, the shooting started around 1:45pm, when the assailants arrived on board a gray Jetta with tinted windows at the store with number 195, on avenue Río Amazonas in Fluvial Vallarta, two armed subjects stepped out of the vehicle and began firing against the woman and another subject that was having a conversation with the employee of the brewery.

Witnesses said that “it is rare that a business selling curtains, where normally only women go shopping and sometimes they might be accompanied by a man, but in this business there are almost only men going in and out, which is “very weird”. They also commented that the owners do own luxury vehicles such as Mercedes Benz and porting Corvette.

Since Jessica Sataray González is related to Fernando González Corona and the senator, Eva Contreras Sandoval, authorities do not dismiss any personal vengeance or drug trafficking relations.

Spanish Version—> Read the rest of this entry »

The harvest of watermelons has begun, and with it also of tomatoes and chiles habaneros, as reported by the Board of Health of Plants in Mezcales.

This season brings three different crop types: Corn, Watermelon and Beans. Also in less quantity there are tomatoes and chilies habaneros. Over 1500 hectares were sown with commercial corn, which will be harvested in April with another thousand of different corn.

January will be harvest for a lot of Beans, especially the Marcela variety and the azufrado and peruano beans.

Nevertheless the biggest harvest has and will be the watermelon, which has been sawn to 1500 hectares by 300 different producers. The estimate harvest this year will be around 5,000 tons of watermelons!

The biggest part (without seed) is then exported to the USA and the striped one is meant to stay in México, “since we Mexicans don’t mind the seeds”.

It will definitively be a great year for farmers, since the seasons have been perfect for the watermelon production. With 2 pesos a kilo, the producers will be more than covered and the buyers will also benefit from the lower watermelon price.

Spanish Version—>
Read the rest of this entry »

From 5th Dec to 9th Dec, 2007 

Featuring the very best independent films from North and Latin America, this popular Vallarta Festival is dedicated to fiction shorts, feature films and documentaries. As well as a packed programme of screenings, there are also plenty of other non-film events including a lavish gala dance and dinner, art expo, music concerts and culinary events.

The Vallarta festival this year will focus on environmental films, Latin American films, new images from Canada, American Independent cinema and Hollywood studio films.

A full programme is available from the Vallarta Film Festival website prior to the event:

VallartaFilmFestival.com
Puerto Vallarta Film Festival
Avenida Cocoteros 85 Sur
Segundo Piso, Local L-6
Paradise Plaza
Nuevo Vallarta
Nayarit
Nuevo Vallarta
CP 63735
Mexico
Tel +52 (322) 297 1605

– Additional Info –
(source: VirtualVallarta.com)

Vallarta Film Festival

Over thirty movies and the visit of Academy Award winning actress Helen Hunt will spotlight the Vallarta Film Festival fourth edition planned to be held December 5-9 at Cinemark.

A behind the scenes documentary about The Night of the Iguana film that includes John Huston commentaries, as well as a screening of the full-length feature “Then She Found Me” featuring Hunt, are part of the program.

Aside from her, there is a large list of special guests such as actor John Leguizamo, presenting “Life in the Time of Cholera,” and Mexican actors like Andres García, Sylvia Pasquel, Itati Cantoral, and Rodrigo Murray. Latin American movies, independent films and short films made by university students will also be participating. Among the new features this year is free screening of environmental films, the principal brand of this Film Festival since its inception.

Pictures / Photos of the
Botanical Gardens in Vallarta

Brand New Garden Paradise

Located between Puerto Vallarta and El Tuito, pasing Don Crispin’s Agaves factory.

Over 11,000 plants can be viewed at the Botanical Gardens in Vallarta

Countless Butterflies can be seen everywhere in the area.

Guacamayas are also all over the place

Only thing missing was a frog…

Palm Gardens, Rose Garden, Tree Fern Grotto, Orchid House, Jungle Trails, Tropical Bird Watching, Agave Gardens, displays of Mexican Wildflowers and the Carnivorous Plant Collection.

Police found a huge crocodile vacationing on the Playa Jitomates (north of Vallarta) and brought the animal south to find a new home for it. The Vallarta Zoo could be an option but officers said that before they bring it anywhere they would let it march on the streets today 20th of November where Mexico’s revolution is celebrated.

This IS a Croc!

The crocodile fills up the entire Police car not counting the tail!

It’s huge!!!

Tons of strength hidden in that tail!

Enjoy

Here some photos we took from Puerto Vallarta’s streets…

Need a trip to San Sebastian?

Growing, growing Vallarta.

Hungry?

Vallarta’s Trademark

Circus Time!

Enjoy

Home Depot has been advertising strongly in Vallarta.

Here some Pictures:

Enjoy

 
Liverpool 

Little by little, more stores are opening in the new mall, Galerias Vallarta. Hang Ten, Scappino, and The Athlete’s Foot opened this past week. The restaurant in Liverpool has a fantastic view overlooking the cruise ship terminal. We didn’t try the restaurant because we didn’t feel like waiting but the prices are fair and we will give it a try some other time.

Based on the amount of people in Liverpool it looks like the mall is going to be a huge hit. When I am in the mall I don’t feel as though I am in Vallarta. It feels more like I am in Guadalajara or Mexico City.

Galerias Vallarta

After nearly a year’s wait, Galerias Vallarta and its anchor store Liverpool have opened for business. Vallarta now has an upscale shopping center that will rival any shopping center in Mexico. Shops that are currently open are: Liverpool, an upscale department store, United Colors of Benetton, and the handbag store Tous. The remaining 70 plus stores are scheduled to open over the next two months just in time for the holiday season.

Text from: VallartaBlog.com

—— Below the Fold ——

Do they hide something? If yes, what is it?

We shot a picture of this security guy taking a nap right in the entrance of Galerias Vallarta Parking Entrance. Just after that, another guy standing 50 meters from him, tried to wake him up by yelling something at him, then while we were passing by and taking pictures, he woke up and started walking towards us. He said that we could not take pictures of the building or anything on their territory.

WHAT!? Yes, we had to leave with our tail between our legs in the hope that maybe another day when they aren’t so aggressive we can go and shoot some nicer pictures.

Anyways, here are the pictures and if you have any idea WHY it isn’t allowed to take pictures… PLEASE comment!

Naping

Waking up!

Censoring from Security of Galerias Vallarta / Liverpool

The low season is over and anywhere you look now there are white tourists getting ready to enjoy the sun and water that this little paradise has to offer. The beach vendors have multiplied faster than rabbits and the atmosphere has changed from a tranquil town to a party nightlife city.

Nevertheless there are still enough spots where to go and escape the crowds. We found a nice spot to relax and enjoy the sun nearby some rocks that go into the ocean from the hotels. If you already know what those rocks really are, good for you and if you don’t, just be advised that there are “better” places to go for a swim than here.

Lets get to the pictures…

That’s it for today… We hope you enjoyed

The International Gourmet Festival celebrates 13 years this November!

From the 8th to the 18th, twenty-four of Vallarta’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels will open their kitchens to renowned chefs from all over the world. With select dishes that contain every kind of cultural influence, this event most definitely will be on the top of every foodies list of things to look forward to here in Vallarta, I know I sure am!

With delectable dishes to tantalize your taste buds, one thing is for sure; the guest chefs have a passion for food and they aren’t the only ones!

 Organizers of the International Gourmet festival put a tremendous amount of time and energy into the event, making sure that it expands and progresses each and every year. This year a main focus will not only be the quality of ingredients but also the freshness, allowing every dish to be composed with the utmost care and served with grand detail!

For those of you who have experienced Gourmet festival Vallarta before, not to worry; the events calendar remains the same. To launch the week off there will be a cocktail hour introduction of the visiting chefs, a sensational Sunday brunch complimented with authentic mariachi music and the grand finale event including a majestic fireworks display.

The main events for the week include learning about wine pairing, testing out new wines and tequilas and experiencing all the delicacies the chefs have to offer at the participating restaurants and hotels. Each restaurant and hotel will feature a different chef, making for a full week of extravagant eats to arouse, excite and satisfy all the senses!

International Gourmet Festival Vallarta 2007 will be another unforgettable experience of culture, class and most importantly the finest food you may ever indulge in. So, book the week in your calendars now so you won’t be sorry you missed it!

For a full list of participating hotels and restaurants and more information on the event, contact:  info@festivalgourmet.com
Ph. + 52 (322) 225 0109

The F1 Roadshow was presented in front of over 200 thousand spectators, organized by Giancarlo Fisichella and Nelson Piquet Jr. After 15 years without F1, they rolled once again on the streets of the capital city of Mexico. The event was performed this weekend 13th and 14th of October on the Reforma Street.

In only 12 minutes the Italian Giancarlo Fisichella and the Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr drove the F1 vehicles in front of more than 200 thousand spectators.

The scene was packed with people and most of them could only get a peak of what was going on. Improvising with chairs, boxes, bikes and trees, some lucky ones were able to oversee the crowds and enjoy the event.

Piquet Jr drove the first car at 1:50pm with a deafening sound coming from the machine that cruised around the Reforma Avenue of 2km length, inbetween the Statue of Diana the Hunter and the Palma Glorieta.

With his Renault helmet and suit, the southamerican drove around the street saluting the spectators that where waiting with patience for the event since 8:00 am

After Piquet Jr. it was Giancarlo Fisichella’s turn to drive his car on the capital’s main Avenue with hydraulic asphalt like the one used by Big Racings in F1. Just before the end of his drive, he burned some wheel in a great maneuver, leaving black prints in circles on the Reforma Street under the Angel of Independence which resulted in loud applause by the fanatics.

When the rounds were over, both drivers walked along the Avenue to thank and wave the applauds of the Mexican spectators that have been waiting for a date since F1 Gran Premio in 1992 in the Autodromo Hermano Rodriguez.

To finalize the event, the Mexican driver Mario Dominguez drove a last round in a convertible carrying the Mexican Flag.

By Robert Perea

For most visitors, a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico means days on the beach, and nights club-hopping.

Not so for the Carson High School boys and girls soccer teams. For them, it was a low stress way to prepare for the demanding Sierra League season.

Both teams went 3-0 in a tournament hosted by Colegio Americano, with the boys team winning the championship and the girls losing the final match, both on penalty kicks, after a torrential downpour forced the cancellation of the championship matches.

As the Sierra League favorites, the trip gave the Senator girls team a chance to work out some kinks against good competition in a relaxed atmosphere.

“It was more of a friendly thing for us,” said coach Randy Roser. “It helped us quite a bit. We didn’t feel pressure like we would playing league games.”

Roser said the tournament format allowed the teams to work on things that needed improvement.

“When you play in tournaments, what you see you’re weak on, you can work on in the next game,” he said.

Off the field, the teams took a three-hour cruise around the port on their second night of the trip, and the third night they attended a pool party and banquet.

“It was a great experience,” said Roser. “Most of the kids learned more Spanish than in four years of school.”

International partnership

The trip was part of a partnership

between the Carson City School District and the Colegio Americano. Next year the Colegio Americano will send a team to Carson City, while Carson will return the trip again in 2009, and they will rotate after that.

“From our perspective, our hope is if you play soccer at Carson, at least once you will play internationally in Puerto Vallarta,” said Roser.

Unfortunately, the Senator girls didn’t get much down time after returning from the trip on Sept. 13. They opened Sierra League play two days later with a 3-1 loss to South Tahoe.

Carson rebounded to beat North Tahoe, Wooster and Hug, and despite the loss to the Lakers, look ready to stand up to their role as Sierra League favorites.

The Senators have won the Sierra League in three of the last four years, and feature a deep and talented, yet still young, squad.

“We’re very strong,” Roser said. “We have 20 players and we’re 20 deep. Everyone is a pretty good player. They’re very fast, and we move the ball well.”

Returning talent

The Senators return six seniors — Kristin Rush, Becca Kane, Belle Fleming, Brandy Cantley, Amanda Osborne and Kayla Sanchez — who have been on the varsity team for three years. They’re joined by four juniors and 10 sophomores, three of whom are returning varsity players.

The goalkeeper is sophomore Jennifer Johnson, who Roser said is “getting better every match.”

The juniors returning from last season are Alli Collier, Helaine Berris, Lauren Schulz and Brandi Vega, who is getting recruiting attention from everyone on the west coast, including UCLA, Washington State and San Francisco.

Johnson is one of three returning sophomores, along with Taylor Musselman and Brenda Luquin.

“These girls are strong and they know how to win, the seniors especially,” said Roser. “We’re fast everywhere, back, midfield and front, and so far, I don’t see any team that will be able to pass on us a lot.”

With that kind of speed all over the field, Roser said the key to success for the Senators will be to play patiently, since opposing teams will likely try to neutralize that speed.

“If we can just keep our game simple, with our skills on the ball we don’t have to work hard,” Roser said. “Just let the ball do the work and do what we do. Be patient, and make better decisions.”

Although they’ve won the league title three of the last four years, Roser said that’s not the Senators’ goal.

“The goal is always to make the playoffs,” he said. “The first time around the league is a lot of training — working on the basics and on certain tactics and getting them ingrained in the players.

“The second time around is to make sure we get into zone, and to make sure the technical and tactical things are peaking,” Roser added. “Winning will take care of itself if we train properly.”

There are always constructions and repairs going on in Vallarta, especially now that Vallarta is growing amazingly fast. Since Vallarta is one of the most important tourist locations in Mexico, the government spends millions of pesos in maintaining certain cultural symbols, like the church, the Malecon, sculptures, some of its parks and most impressively its cobblestone streets which are doomed to damage every year by the rainy season.

Nevertheless Puerto Vallarta understands the importance of historical culture and the reason why it attracts millions of visitors each year. Unsure about why there isn’t a more organized and logical traffic system, you might still be surprised how everything works out well enough to get from A to B in the ever growing city of Puerto Vallarta. People have been visiting Puerto Vallarta in all kinds of vehicles, boats and airplanes which has forced Vallarta to expand its Marina Peer for private boats and immense cruise ships.

Believe it or not, but there was a time where the main Marina Peer was not able to fit more than one smaller cruise ship, where now we can be proud to see three international cruise ships each of the size of an entire hotel building.

Motorcyclists can’t miss to visit Vallarta when cruising through Mexico. We have many biker clubs and shops down here that will provide any biker with everything from imported parts, amazing graffiti art to even planning tour rides through the beautiful surroundings that would probably be missed if traveling all by yourself.

Once arrived in Puerto Vallarta, it depends on what time of the year it is, you might find yourself in a twilight situation where you can decide to stay inside of your car/bus for hours, waiting for the traffic to move ahead for 5 seconds and then stand still for 30 sec. to a minute OR you can leave your car if you find a place to park it. Then walk to your destination in the burning summer heat, defeating all kinds of dangers, like time share vendors that believe you can still hang out with them, listen to one of their funny jokes trying not to disappoint them too much by telling them that you might consider to buy something from them some other day when its less hot. If the heat gets you hard, you might start buying anything just to get into an air-conditioned office, store or restaurant.

Surprisingly now at beginnings of October, where everything is empty and there are no tourists in sight, the traffic jam has become almost as bad as in high season. The main reason is that there are several street constructions going on in some areas where the space for cars, buses, constructions and people isn’t big enough, so what happens is the known bottleneck effect.

Let’s hope that this sweaty sacrifice (until a better solution is found) will maintain the famous Vallarta cobblestone streets as they where many many years ago. The last thing we want to happen is what happened to the Parks in Vallarta, when the former municipal president destroyed the public and historical parks to turn them into private, moneymaking parking lots that now are causing the immense damage of the overfilling streets in Puerto Vallarta. The big trees were also destroyed, leaving no shadow for anybody fleeing the intense heat in the summer, which increases the city heat with every new concrete buildings, streets and plastic decorative palm trees.

Oh, and by the way if you are wondering why only one of four construction workers is actually working or why another is just checking out every girl that passes, be reminded that in Mexico and especially in Vallarta, the heat and the low salaries are a big factor why things still work different but still work in a seemingly chaotic paradise.

The fabulous Bahia de Banderas is around 20 miles across, boasting over 40 miles of pristine coast with everything from white sand beaches to rocky cliffs that jut out over the ocean.  Thought to be the deepest bay in the world with a depth of more then two miles in many areas, Banderas Bay is one of the best places for snorkelling and scuba diving in Mexico.

The Sierra Madre Mountains protect the bay from allot of bad weather and its west facing location provides extra shelter from seasonal ocean storms. This part of the Pacific Ocean is comparable to more tropical locations, with warm clear aquamarine waters year round it is a ocean lovers paradise.

Within the depth of the oceans surface, a large variety of plants and sea life flourish,  rainbow coloured fish and dangerous looking anemones are just a couple of things that will be  seen when snorkelling or scuba diving in the area. With many different options for day tours, it is not hard to find a professional company to fit your experience level and budget.

Bahia de Banderas is home to 2 underwater marine parks, and many various beaches and natural reefs perfect for exploring ocean life. The more popular of the 2 marine parks is called Los Arcos, given this name because of a group of rock formations shaped into arches by the moving surf. Three small rocks grouped together form this beautiful natural wonder, an underwater tunnel that can be seen through and swam through.

The diversity of this underwater ecosystem is the perfect shelter for a wide range of sea life, like angelfish, moray eels, blowfish, parrotfish, lobster and even manta and stingrays. The ever impressive variety of marine life never fails to awe and intrigue visitors, both adult and children alike. A steep underwater cliff that goes from 20ft on one side to 2000ft on the other, in combination with the warm Pacific swells, force plankton to the oceans surface producing a rich feeding ground that attracts tremendous amounts and varieties of tropical fish.

Tres Marietas is a group of three small islands that mark the entrance to the Banderas bay, around 20 miles off of Puerto Vallarta’s coast, they are the peaks of a small underwater mountain range. Because they are situated in the mouth of the bay, the pacific current reaches them first before anywhere else in the bay, therefore the sea life is larger and more like what you would view on nature television programs.

Just recently named as a protected marine reserve, Tres Marietas is a sanctuary for many different fish and marine mammals. Dolphins, whales, giant manta rays, tropical fish and ancient sea turtles all can be seen in their natural habitat, circling the always beautiful coral reefs which take many years to form.

Jacque Cousteau once did a documentary on the Banderas bay and its amazing ecosystem, documenting and studying the humpback whales that migrate to the area every year. A constant source of interest in the marine biology world, this area is a favourite for snorkellers, scuba divers and underwater enthusiasts.

Visit Puerto Vallarta and discover all the adventure and sea life this tropical paradise holds. With warm water and crystal waves, the Bahia de Banderas holds vacation fun for all ages.
 

September is the slowest month of the year here in Puerto Vallarta. With tourism at is lowest, many businesses close their doors and take a vacation. Why not, with so few visitors in the city, it is the best month to take some time off.

Although many bussinesses are closed, there are still dozens of places to choose from that do stay open and people do still come here on vacation during this slow time. The fact that tourism is at its slowest right now allows for a much less crowded view of this beautiful city. For example, the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, especially the most popular in the Olas Altas area are virtually empty in comparison to the usual hordes of people that line the soft sand in sunbathing bliss.

Many art galleries, restaurants and shops lower there prices to encourage sales during this slow time, meaning discounts and opportunities to experience tours that might not be within your budget during the high season. Resorts, hotels and spas feature special packages and it is easy to find deals that would be double the price during the more popular time of year.

With a lot of the bigger more popular restaurants closed for yearly renovations it is the perfect opportunity to try out some of the smaller less known places. Who knows, you might just find a new favorite taco stand or a better steak then you would have imagined in one of the small local eateries.

This time of year is referred to as the “rainy season” but this doesn’t mean it rains all the time, in fact it usually only rains in the evenings for a few hours, allowing for daytime sunshine and all the activities that require this. When it does rain it is very refreshing as it cools down the hot city and takes away the scorching humidity.

The ocean this time of year is at is very warmest here in the Bahia de Banderas making it hard to resist. Not only is it warm but also very calm much of the time, making great visibility for snorkeling and scuba diving and perfect for kayaking and jet skis.

With the ocean so warm and calm, the fishing season is going off right now here in P.V., local fisherman and touring companies are hauling in some record catch, not to mention spending a day on the open ocean can be an exciting experience for everyone.

This month the city of Puerto Vallarta is doing some promotion to stir up a little extra business, featuring September as Tourism Month there are special cultural and sporting events scheduled as well as the “Festival of Vallartan Regional Cuisine” running from September 23rd to 30th at ten participating restaurants.

So you see, although it is “low season” and “rainy season” this can be the best time of year to vacation here in paradise. Lower prices and less crowds can mean the vacation of a lifetime for  all those who choose to visit this tropical city, that is closer to the sleepy little fishing village of its past during this slow time.

Puerto Vallarta’s Independence Day celebrations went off with a big bang Saturday night on the Malecon. People of all ages lined the street, in commemoration of 190 years of   Independence from Spain.

There were so many people at the arches and outdoor amphitheater area of the Malecon, it was virtually impossible to pass through the crowd. With a giant fireworks display and live music on every corner, the authentic Mexican fiesta was exciting and busy.

Everywhere you looked, Mexican flags were waving and red white and green was the theme for the evening. Many people wore traditional Mexican clothing, beautiful expensive sombreros and colorful woven garments, small children dressed up in their finest, armed with noisemakers and treats.

In the vendor area you could have your choice of everything from fruit to crepes, candy, juices, elotes, popcorn and tacos, all lined up for snacking pleasure and visual satisfaction. The usual men and women selling jewelry and small toys joined by vendors with flashing light toys, sombreros, party favors, kids toys and even more flags.

The fireworks display lasted at least half an hour, starting off with a stationary show that spun with colorful sparks and ended with dozens of majestic bursts exploding above the Malecon. When the fireworks ended the crowd moved slowly along the road, an ocean of people going in all directions.

Many bars and clubs had special events for the evening, especially the ones located on the Malecon. Packed to capacity, people partied on into the wee hours of the morning dancing and having an all around good time. All the restaurants in that area were full on what I am sure was the busiest night of the month for local businesses.

September being the slowest month of the year here in Puerto Vallarta, the Independence Day celebration was a nice break to the mellow atmosphere as of lately. Although it did rain earlier in the evening, the weather was perfect for an outdoor fiesta and a lot of fun was had by all who attended the events in the central part of town.

Protected by the Sierra Madre Mountains, Puerto Vallarta is one of the few places in Mexico that has low to no worries about hurricanes, earthquakes and other major nature threats.

In the last years, the weather has changed dramatically, messing up any pattern established for the local weather each year. It doesn’t rain when it should and then it rains for days when at least expected. This is a new phenomenon that Mexico and the world will have to confront with innovative ideas, because farmers are losing their crops, flights are being delayed too many times and worst of all, people might want to relocate their homes on the beach to safer places if they want to be spared from dangerous storms, hurricanes or earthquakes.

No matter what weather conditions are forecast for Vallarta, the local people will celebrate this day as if there was no tomorrow. It’s called “The Fiesta” of the year, because there is no other holiday like this where almost everything is allowed.

Many people might have an umbrella ready for the stormy weather, but it wont do any good against the kids spraying everybody full with foam, water and eggs… Cars wrapped in toilette paper accompanied by masses of happy celebrating Mexicans shouting “Viva Mexico!!!” could be the start of a day with no limits, no matter what storm, hurricane, or earthquake might approach.

The only thing we can predict is that today, the 15^th of September 2007 will be a loud, exciting day with a lot of Mexican energy on the streets. If you are on vacation and don’t mind some crazy happy party, come to the Malecón downtown, to experience the unique Mexican fiesta atmosphere.

Expect everything else than a boring day today!

(And don’t forget your umbrella!)

Be prepared to celebrate here in Puerto Vallarta and all over Mexico this weekend. In Spanish September is known as “El Mes de la Patria”, “The Month of the Mother country”.

This year Mexico celebrates 190 years of independence from Spain; in a culture rich with tradition this is the most important event every year. Throughout Mexico people celebrate their patriotism with parades, parties and most importantly the Mexican flag and national colors. Red, green and white can be seen everywhere, from decorative banners and ribbons, to traditional clothes and piñatas.

Mexican Independence day weekend is not only a party, but a celebration to commemorate the most important part of Mexico’s history an event which moulded past, present and future generations of Mexicans forever. Not unlike the fourth of July or Canada day; country wide independence day festivities take place every year in Mexico on the 15th and 16th of September.

Here in Puerto Vallarta there will be a parade on the Malecon and festive events throughout town. Restaurants have special menus with dishes of red, green and white; traditional Mole Poblano, Chiles en Nogada, Guacamole and chips and salsa Mexicana.

Live mariachi bands will be playing in the plaza and vendors will be selling treats like Mexican candies and ponche; a punch made from seasonal fruits such as guayabas and sugarcane. Most businesses and homes will have flags and decorations and everyone is charged with a festive energy. Bars will have live music and special drinks, everywhere you go it will be a fiesta!

Forget Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence day is “the” party here in Vallarta and all over Mexico. So if you want to experience a real Mexican fiesta and want to understand more of the authentic culture of this beautiful country, come visit Puerto Vallarta for this, once a year celebration of Mexican history and patriotism.

Moderate earthquake rattles residents of Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta; no injuries reported.

A lot of newspapers online are reporting on the 5.2 earthquake on wednesday night, I cant say that I actually felt it here in Puerto Vallarta, in fact I for sure didnt feel it. I havent heard anything about it locally and no one else seems to have felt it????

On an off note, notice this article first states that preliminary measurement of the earthquake was 4.9 then goes on to say the preliminary measurement was 5.2, which one was it?? .3 definately isnt much to be finicky about, more so I am wondering; how come nobody who lives here felt it?

HHHmmmmmmmm……also there is absolutely no local coverage on this earthquake and no local coverage of anyone “in the street” because of it.

MEXICO CITY– A moderate earthquake rattled a long stretch of Mexico’s Pacific coast late Wednesday, sending panicked residents into the streets. There were no immediate reports of damages or injuries.

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 4.9, happened at 10:42 p.m. local time and was centered offshore 50 miles west of Manzanillo, a city on the coast of the state of Colima, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. It struck about 6 miles beneath the ocean floor.

Mexican officials measured the preliminary magnitude at 5.2. It was felt as far north as the Pacific resort city of Puerto Vallarta, about 170 miles north of Manzanillo.

“It was felt strongly, but fortunately there is no damage, just a bit of alarm in the community,” said Nicolas Mendoza, an official with the civil protection department for the state of Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located.

The Bahia de Banderas (Bay of Flags), home to Puerto Vallarta Mexico, is the second largest bay in the world and has some of the most amazingly beautiful beaches in North America.

With around 25 miles of protected coast the variety of settings are diverse and even surreal at times. Choose from powdery white sand shorelines to tropical jungle paradise. Everything from natural reefs that provide awesome snorkelling and scuba areas to secret surfs spots, this is most definitely a tropical paradise.

No wonder so many people love to vacation in the Puerto Vallarta area, many of which return year after year. The aquamarine Pacific Ocean is more then bearable in the winter and comparable to a warm bath in the summer, providing fresh relief on those hot humid days. Great for taking a quiet morning stroll along the pristine coast or relax in front of the picture perfect sunset, how could you not love Puerto Vallarta Mexico!

With such a large span of area that meets the ocean, these beaches are an ocean lover’s wonderland. Even if you don’t love getting in the ocean, there are many other sports and adventures to choose from!

Learn more about the ancient mammals who still swim the earth, migrating back to these warm waters through the months of October-march. You can go on a private whale watching tour for a day or swim with the dolphins in their natural environment.

Go scuba diving with one of the bays many professional companies that offer lessons and dives for every level of experience including certification courses. Snorkel with the fishes and discover the amazing underwater world and all the beauty it holds, everything from underwater marine parks and estuaries to reefs and the open ocean. There are a huge selection of tour companies to choose from, pick the one that is right for your budget and interests. A great family experience that is sure to excite and enthral people of any age group!

Try out your kayaking skills and skim along the sea top as smooth as a dolphin, great for building arm strength and visiting quiet secluded places. Offered on allot of day tours and by several different companies many of which provide food and drinks along with outside entertainment.

Hook up with one of the fishing tours and try your hand at catching your dinner! Many of these tours will also clean and prepare your catch for you; can’t get much fresher then that!

For those speed demons out there, rent a Jet Ski and cruise around the bay. Available from most resorts and on many of the beaches in Puerto Vallarta, ask your concierge or the events coordinator at the place you are staying. State of the art machines that can be for one two or three people.

For the daredevil in us all, try out parasailing. Available on almost every beach in Puerto Vallarta and at many hotels and resorts. The people who offer parasailing are professional and very well practiced at what they do so no need to be afraid!

And for all those soul searchers, the bay has some of the best Surfing and windsurfing in Mexico. Surfboard rentals and lessons are available throughout the bay in the best surf locations, again ask your concierge or simply just go to Punta de Mita, one of the hottest surf spots in the bay.

So whether you want to take it easy or are out for some adventure and exercise, there is something for everyone on the beaches of Bahia de Banderas and the Puerto Vallarta area, most definately a recommeneded family vacation location.
 

Responding to numerous requests Puerto Vallarta-based MexLend, an industry-leading mortgage broker in Mexico, is thrilled to announce two new mortgage programs for Canadian Citizens allowing them to purchase their dream home, villa or condo in Mexico.

“We are ecstatic with the introduction of yet another fund option available for Mexican properties,” stated David Schwendeman, co-founder and COO of MexLend. “Our Canadian clients have been asking for programs geared for them and we are thrilled to be able to deliver.”

MexLend has secured the following loan options for Canadian Citizens. One program offers 80% financing (20% down) for qualified borrowers with a starting Interest Rate 9.25 %. The other program offers 60% financing (40% down) for qualified borrowers with a starting Interest Rate 7.50 %. “Our goal at MexLend is to keep adding new loan and fund options for our customers. By offering the most lenders and more options in Mexico than our competitors, we are able to offer our clients programs that better match their needs and financial situation,” added Terence Reilly, CEO of Mexlend.

As recently as three years ago, your options to purchase a home in Mexico were limited to paying cash or to mortgages with extremely high interest rates. Within the past year, many lending options have opened up to foreigners seeking a mortgage, but only one Mortgage Broker – MexLend – has been singled out for customer service. In recently announced results based upon post-closing client interviews conducted by Mexico’s largest US lender, MexLend won the #1 mark of distinction for both client satisfaction and fastest closings for the second straight cycle. Time and time again, Mexlend was praised for their attention to detail, ease of process and timeliness. Forging partnerships with banks, private lenders, title insurance agencies and attorneys has afforded MexLend the unique ability to streamline the mortgage process in Mexico. Many brokers will make a claim of their ranking and closings; make sure they have the back up to support their claims.

MexLend is not limited to mortgages for Puerto Vallarta, as they can offer their award-winning services and multiple loan options for purchasing property in any city, town or resort area throughout Mexico – in US Dollars or Pesos – to refinance a current loan or simply cash out on existing equity. For additional information, log onto www.mexlend.com

Article copied from VirtualVallarta.com

Tomorrow, September third at Plaza Caracol the St.Florians Boy’s Choir will be performing for the citizens of Puerto Vallarta.

A world renowned show, this tradition laden chorus is currently on a international tour, attendance here in Vallarta is expected to be in the thousands for this special event.

Tickets are being sold for $300 pesos each and include free parking in the plaza. Organizers of this event include the Puerto Vallarta Rotary Club, Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) and the Puerto Vallarta Department of Culture.

The St.Florian Boys Choir dates back to 1071, thought to have been started by the monks of Augustiner Chorherren a monastery in Dürnstein, area of Wachau, Lower Austria. Many musicians have come from the ranks of the SFSK, the most famous being the composer Anton Bruckner, whose name is forever connected with St.Florian.

The director since 1983, Franz Farnberger studied music at Vienna University and continued on to be musical director of the Vienna Boys Choir form 1976-1983. While under his direction the St.Florians Choir has gone on many world tours, recorded cd’s and even been on television. Internationally acclaimed they travel and sing in many different places including music festivals and famous opera houses.

Until very recently the Boys Choir’s sole duties were providing music for the church and convent. Today the choir has many different responsibilities although church music is still the main focus for the group. On high Holidays they join with another choir and an orchestra and under the direction of Augustinus Franz Kropfreiter sing mass.

All the proceeds of the event are to be donated to DIF and they want to put the money towards one of their many projects, a care facility for seniors which will include medical personal. The first of its kind here in Puerto Vallarta, the hope is that it will become a positive model for other cities in Mexico. So, not only will this be a spectacular event but it will also be benefiting people who need help the most. Please come, spend the evening, enjoy and help to provide care for seniors who need it.

Details:
Exhibition Area – Plaza Caracol
Plaza Caracol, Hotel Zone
September 3rd, 9:00pm
Cost: $300 pesos (General Admission)
Ticket Sales: Department of Culture, DIF municipal,
Inside Plaza Caracol and the Office of Municipal Tourism

For more information, please call DIF at 225-9936 or Puerto Vallarta’s Culture Center