Concha del Mar - never again

Why that place is popular with gringos I'll never know ..... except the 8 peso Sol and Bingo. I don't even like Sol but they do have Dos XX's

The same lousy service I got last year. Of 4 beers, I had to go to the bar to get 2 while waiters stood around. I ordered burritos because someone said they were good .... my food never came. We were unsure of the beer prices and asked how much for Dos XX's and they said 20 pesos while Sol was 8 pesos. It turns out 'other beers' are 20 pesos but are two for one from 2-6pm (happy hour). You'd think they would mention that.

At least they do have a nice view of the locals fishing around sunset but so do a number of other restaurants in the area. Unable to get fed we headed for Taco Row and good food for 1/3 the price

Afrodisaicos

Afrodisaicos
¡Música Sabrosa Para Paladares Exigentes!

This excellent band plays African rhythms, Jazz and Latin music – don’t miss them coming soon at Restaurant Maya, Rey Momo and Casa Martin!

Restaurant Maya, Melaque: 17 December / Diciembre
Rey Momo, Barra de Navidad: 18 December / Diciembre
Casa Martin, La Manzanilla: 19 December / Diciembre

Laguna de Tules full of Lirio

We just got back from a 5 day visit to Melaque to visit friends and see how the tourist season was coming along this year. It rained for 3 days just before we got there so was very humid but since it's December, still cool at night. Tourist season is slow with lots of rentals available and trailer parks are not full.

I took an early morning walk along the lagoon and this is the first time in over 5 years I have seen it totally covered with vegetation all the way out to the ocean. Supposedly this is due to not having opened the lagoon during the rainy season - not enough rain !! No wonder I tought it was so hot this year.

Hurricane Rick waves in Melaque

Vern sent me a link to the video he took yesterday - check it out

Hurricane Rick generated some unusual waves that made it necessary to keep the small boats of the local fishing fleet safe on shore. There are some pipe lines, waves battering the rock that a restaurant sits on and some brave soles attempting skim-boarding. The videos were taken about 10:00AM on 10/18/2009. Another event of the Mother Nature type: A magnitude 4.2 earthquake hit Melaque at 8:35 AM. The epicenter was in the center of the bay where I took the videos the same morning. There were two tremors, and our house shook, but no damage as far as I know.

New beach palapa?

No I don't think so. This is along the northshore of Lake Chapala. There's a string of about 20 of them all overlooking the growing lirio. Friends enjoy these from time to time but say the fish is not as fresh as on the coast in Melaque

Gonna rain

Every 2-3 days we get a weather buildup against the mountains that reaches the beach. Lots of rolling thunder and sheet lightning. Almost no wind and it's starting to sprinkle. It might last for an hour or so or into the evening. Humid but cooler because almost no sun all day. Another day at the beach in Mexico

Rainy early morning in Melaque

Playa Cuastecomatita closed totally

This used to be a nice little hike to a quiet beach past the Mirador on the west end of the bay. It looks like the whole area has development plans or maybe someone just needs privacy. Security now is walls, strong gates, barbed wire, razor wire and large guard dogs

New gate on the road

View towards the bay

Beach foto from 4-5 years ago

Two new restaurants in town

Well at least Doña Agueda is new to me. Can't remember if they enlarged it or if used to be something else. At least new paint and patio in front. I guess the only reason I mention it is I think they make a good pizza. Good pizza will not be agreed upon between the local grumpy gringos ... but I definitely put this up with the best in town. Just ask for thin crust and NO hotdog (salchicha)

Fuku is a new Chinese and Japanese restaurant a block off the plaza on the next street toward the highway from Taco Row. I've only had their Teriyaki but I heard the Tempura is good. The hours are 11-7pm which is two hours longer than the Japanese place on the highway which closes at 5pm (no time for dinner). Fuku also does home delivery.

Fuku - Comida China y Japonesa


Doña Agueda - a couple of doors up from the old Bigotes

Melaque restaurants

30% chance of rain

Sunday
Chance of Rain. Scattered Clouds. High: 28 °C . Wind SSW 18 km/h .
Chance of precipitation 30% (water equivalent of 0.43 mm). Heat Index: 31 °C .

The Weather Underground - Manzanillo Airport

Usually with as little as 30% chance we just don't get it ... but this is the first sign of rain since fall. The Chapala area had thunder, lightning and rain last night so the season is starting. The highlands often get more rain than we do here on the coast

First rain of the season in Melaque?

Tsunami warning system to be ready by May 31

Tsunami warning system to be ready by May 31
Written by GR Staff
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Guadalajara Reporter

JALISCO - Governor Emilio Gonzalez this week checked out progress on the the first tsunami alert and detection system in Latin America, which is due to be phased in along the Jalisco coastline in time for the tropical cyclone season.

The project is centered in Cihuatlan and aims to alert coastal populations of any threat of a tsunami.

Gonzalez observed the workings of the network and its 27 detection units that will be installed along 290 kilometers of coastline, taking in Puerto Vallarta, Tomatlan and Cabo Corrientes. Each unit is located in a place where a rapid warning can be given to the local population, and especially fishermen.

After detecting an alert, the machines will emit the following recorded message: “This is a message from the State Civil Protection System. A seismic shock has been recorded that may cause a tsunami. We ask you to locate evacuation routes and remain alert to further messages.” The announcements will also be transmitted via radio stations and cell phones.

“The major reason for deaths caused by tsunamis is the lack of knowledge and capacity to respond,” commented German Pinto Aceves, Director of Evaluation and Monitoring for the State Civil Protection Department.

Pinto Aceves indicated that once an alert is sent out, the population and his officers will have a minimum of six minutes and a maximum of 14 minutes to respond.

The 27 warning systems will be installed on May 31, in time for the cyclone season.

Semana Santa 2009

Semana Santa 'Easter' runs from about the fifth thru the eighteenth, or fifteen days. Semana Santa is the second busiest holiday after Christmas and usually all the winter vacationing gringos are gone. They leave because the weather is getting warmer and to avoid the massive crowds of Mexicans on this very busy holiday.

I've seen the beach busier during this time but still a lot of people .... and it's only Friday.

From the west end

From centro

Typical street end near centro

St Patrick's Day Castillo fireworks Melaque

San Patricio Melaque - Mexico

Whales in the Bay

By the time I got my camera they were headed out but were closer in awhile before. Not very active today but a week ago there was some breaching and fin slapping. I was at the other end of the beach then but people said it was a mother and her calf and rolling over was how she fed.

A little bit of the water spout

Just the dorsal

Melaque Skim Contest ‘09

Today is the final of the competition, practice was Friday and yesterday eliminations. Being held in front of Bungalows Laguna de Tules. Sponsored by Red Bull, Victoria Skim Boards and Squalo Surf Company. Lots of fun

Programa de actividades

Viernes 27 de febrero: de 2 p.m. a 6:30 p.m. cierre de inscripciones sesión libre de skim
8:00 p.m. Junta informativa (lugar por confirmar).

Sábado 28 de febrero: eliminatorias a partir de las 9 a.m.

Domingo 1 de marzo: finales a partir de las 9 a.m. premiaciones 8:30 el lugar todavía no está decidido el M.C. lo dará a conocer durante la competencia.

Dependiendo del estado del viento y la marejada, será el acomodo de los horarios de competencia.

Playa de Coco is alternate if no surf here

x3m Website notice

West end of the bay

Lots of sailboats in lately, a very slow weekend along the beach and a not often seen sailboarder out on the bay. Lots of pelicans which mean the sardinas are along the shore. I will be taking the lids to the beach in a few hours.

One of 10-12 sailboats anchored out on the west end

Sailboard in front of Melaque

Tecomate Fruit

I was out in Ranchito the other day getting a trailer hitch made and this fruit tree was in the front yard. I asked what it was and he said, Cuastecomate. Now I learn that Cuastecomate means coastal Tecomate trees ... not much difference either way.

The fruit is not to eat but rather is medicinal. When it turns brown the top is cut like a bowl and alcohol is inserted. After sitting a few weeks the brew is supposed to be good for asthma and other breathing problems

Tecomate fruit about the size of a large grapefruit

New watersport option for Melaque

There's a new shop on the west end that rents and gives lessons on Laser Sailing and Sailboards. They say they rent Hobie Cats but I've not seen them yet. Prices are still in Dollars indicating that they are new here and not yet part of the community (we use pesos here) ... but maybe they will catch on after awhile. Their web site also needs a lot of work to be user friendly. Vamos a ver!

Port Tack Options Web Site
Web site could use some work .... but!