Colima, Colima, Mexico 1

Colima, Mexico

      Church bells from all around us are ringing with their metalic sounds. The cathedral which has the loudest ring of all has been built several times due to earthquake damage. Its origin dates back to Spanish construction in 1527.  The Central Plaza sits so stately and solidly in the heart of all with its beautiful white painted seating surrounded by palms, orange trees, yellow cannas, and people enjoying the quiet beauty of the surroundings. I have fallen in love with charming Colima located an hour inland from the Pacific Coast between the states of Jalisco and Michoacan. Colima is the name of the smallest state of Mexico as well as the name of its capitol city. Everywhere we go, someone greets us which make us feel at home.

Colima Cathedral

      Our base here is Hotel Ceballo, an absolutely beautiful colonial structure on the north side of the Plaza.  If you want to stay in a grand hotel with elegant Mexican architecture and furnishings, come to Colima and the Hotel Cabellos. The reception is so helpful and kind, the marble floors, granite spacious stairways, halls with open arched patios, and large plants in beautiful regional pottery.   The walls are covered with paintings by Mexican artists, 
vases adorning the broad hallways represent the pottery style of various Mexican regions, and the leather and wood furniture is exquisitely made and does provide comfort. Roof top views of this colonial town are lovely and the small swim pool and quiet areas are a retreat for reading and relaxing. ast day there. 

Hotel Ceballos

Founder of Hotel, Don Enrique Ceballos

      If you want to stay in a grand hotel with elegant Mexican architecture and furnishings, come to Colima and the Hotel Cabellos. The reception is so helpful and kind, the marble floors, granite spacious stairways, halls with open arched patios, large plants in beautiful regional pottery, and walls covered with paintings by Mexican artists. 

Hallways of Hotel Ceballo

Mexican Dancer, Choreographer, Artist

Raphael Zamarripa

     I loved our dinner setting on the sidewalk in front of our hotel watching life go by in the central square. Temperature was perfect, the margaritas refreshing, and the milanesa with vegetables was satisfying. 


     The visit to the Palacio de Gobierno brought back memories of the government buildings in Mexico City and Morelia. The magnificent murals of Jorge Chavez Carrillo showing the struggle of the Mexican people to free themselves from the Spanish overlord are magnificent along the stairway. There Hidalgo, the priest from Colima, Morelos, the Mexican fighter, the natives of Mexico, and the Spanish overlords struggling to dominate this land. The power expressed in the paintings is impressive

Palace of the Governor

Father Hidalgo, Father of Independence

     Also, housed in this building is a collection of pottery from the earliest civilizations of the region. From about 1500 BC to 1500 AD these people created a remarkable civilization that has left us graceful pottery, jewelry, and many figures of their mystial dogs, called Xoloitzcuintles.

      What a treat to visit this city of about 130,000 in the dry season. When the rains start for three to four months in July, I'm sure it is another experience.

Adios, Bucerias, Mexico

Adios Bucerias

      It is hard to say good-bye to the wonderful stay at Casa Bella Maria, our B&B in Bucerias. Nadine and Kasey Valkenburg are fabulous hosts and think of every detail to make their guests comfortable and feel at home. They met us at the airport, welcomed us to their home with with a refreshing Margarita and nachos, provided a banquet of a breakfast, left a bottle of wine with wine glasses in our bedroom, and provided us with local transportation when necessary. There were always snack items and fruits available during our stay. Our room was most comfortable and was furnished with much storage and hooks to hand beach towels and other items.

Our Neighborhood in Bucerias

   
   Most fun was the birthday party for one of the guests on our last day there. Sharon's husband had asked Nadine and Kasey to prepare her favorite breakfast of blueberry pancakes in the morning. Then all of us visited a neighboring port of La Cruz de Huanacaztle for their Sunday market. When we returned our hosts had a wonderful birthday dinner of grilled shrimp, pilaf, caesar salad, strawberries with chocolate. I don't think that I have ever been treated with such consideration and care in any other B&B. Nadine and Kasey really go out of their way for their guests. And, what a fabulous day we all had. I was sad to say good-bye to them when they left us at the bus station in Puerto Vallarta for our next destination. We will always remember our stay and return some day. FYI -Casa Bella Maria in Bucerias on 13 Constituyentes casabellamariamexico@yahoo.ca See you soon in Colima.

B&B

Another Beach View

Casa Manana 

Nadine and Kasey

MEXICAN SUN 2012 --Bucerias, Mexico

BUCERIAS, MEXICO

Beach Views

     The warmth of the sun is so delicious after the freezing days and nights of the north. How unbelievable to board a plane in Yakima's snowy and icy setting and be transported in a matter of hours to a land of palms and bougainvillea. Bucerias, a lovely beach town, lies along the Bay of Banderas, about 15 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. The name means the place of divers and seems to be a second home for many Canadians and some from our USA.


      It appears to be a relatively new resort town within the last ten to twenty years. There is everyting one would need here: bakeries, great variety of restaurants, clean beaches, clean air, lovely Mexican architecture, artesania, and very sweet local people as well as visitors. This is our second visit and it provides a wonderful gateway into Mexican life. Walking along the beach is always a joy as is the extensive walk along the main street called Lazaro Cardenas. Here you will find most of the fine restaurants, art galleries, night life, and lodging.

Bucerias Housing

Artesania Market

Residencial Wall Near Market

      Bucerias seems to be divided into two areas by the Calle Arroyo. Both sides have provisions for the many visitors but the west side seems to have more galleries, bakeries, and amenities for the visitors. The east side has great seafood restaurants on the beach front, the zocolo, the church, and beyond the commercial section is more upscale beach condominium development. We are always exploring the commercial side of the housing market here. It seems that at least 30% of the standing buildings are for sale. It is so tempting to think about having a lovely Spanish style hacienda on the beach here. Then reality strikes us: maintenance requirements in the humid beach climate, who would be there during the stormy summer months, and how much time would we want to be in this one setting....

Our  B&B  CASA BELLA MARIA

Near the Pool

Fabulous Innkeepers: Nadine and Kasey

      Our B&B here is Casa de Bella Maria, located on Calle Constituyente, Kasey and Nadine are the owners who only recently purchased and then developed the house into a B&B. They have had many tribulations and disappointments with the project but are beginning to take more pleasure from the business. They are extremely hospitable and helpful, and go beyond the basic requirements, such as picking us up at the airport. Their breakfasts are excellent and the bed is good and hard.

Eating at Sandrina's

      But, as we wander along the fascinating housing of Bucerias, we come across some fun restaurants. Some of the restaurants include: Ixta and Sandrina (great red decor and colorful plates and my dish of chicken curry salad was delicious) are located on Lazaro Cardenas. Karin's on the main beach area was much fun with nice portions of taco salad. La Lomita, located in a home patio was very ordinary and the price of wine was exorbitant. Mar y Sol on the beach front near the church was a delightful experience with fabulous margaritas and red snapper with their mar y sol specialty sauce.

Plate with Elegant Katarina

Shop Wall on Main Street

      A lovely dayof walking, browsing, and eating....then a dip in the pool and reading in the beach lounges....What a gift is this life. I never did imagine that we would be having so much fun a this point in our life. Tomorrow will be our last day here in Bucerias. We're going somewhere, not sure where. Will let you know.

Fred Redmon Bridge Quilt - A Group Project

Fred Redmon Bridge Quilt - A Group Project

My Akha Hat II