BUCERIAS

Bucerias, Jalisco, Mexico

Bucerias Beach

Kyaking With Grandpa

 Netfishing
Several Manta Rays Were in the Day's Catch

Watch Ou for the Puff Fish
JFitch Photo

Beach Caligraphy
Winona, Jackson, and McKenna

Katie Shopping at Mega in Puerto Vallarta
Jim Fitch photo

On to Bucerias to a family celebration of our 50 years of marriage with children and grandchildren.  We were somewhat anxious upon arrival because we had made all lodging arrangements online (6 months earlier).  We hoped the location and comfort would be suitable for all.

Located in the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta, Bucerias is a warm water beach location with time-share, condominium, and hotel haven for mostly Canadians, North Americans, and many Mexicans.  The beaches are lovely, the town area is filled with boutiques and art, the pace is leisurely, and the weather in December, January, February is marvelous.

Corner of Main Street Bucerias

Mexican Craft Market

Our time in Bucerias was spent enjoying family and beach activities at our incredible house right on the beach, Casa Coco.  It was incredible - a beautiful Mexican art filled home with 7 beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms to match, a lovely pool setting, and a a convenient kitchen.  Included were all the beach toys anyone needs: a kayak, surf boards, beach balls.....  

Beach View from Casa Coco

Patio Paradise
TFitch Photo

Another Place to Swim

Team Work in the Kitchen

Second Floor Library

Third Floor Game Room and Bar

Fernando, Our Muffin Man
Who Delivered Fresh Daily

The 5 children, ranging in age from  5 to 12 years were ecstatic with the warm water of the ocean and the pool.  We filled our days with swimming activities, kayaking, beach architecture, Old Maid, Loteria (Mexican Bingo), talent shows, and  lots of drama.  

Ted and Katie, Our Children

Grandchildren at Work

Kristen and Katie with Delila and Jackson
Playing Loteria

Getting Ready For Talent Night
TFitch photo

Ted and Kristen
JFitch Photo

Joe, Our Chef, Serving His Guacamole

Harrison

McKenna and Adoring Cousin
JFitch Photo

Jackson

Joe

Katie

Delila Observing Cousins
JFitch Photo

Winona

A major highlight was sailboating in the Bay of Banderas to the nearby Marieta Islands. En route we watched humpback whales breaching and playing around our boat.  Arriving at the Marietas, we put on snorkeling equipment and swam among many schools of fish, coral, colorful eels. Then we proceeded to swim through  a dark cave which opened onto a sandy beach area.  If that wasn't a great  adventure...for all of us. It was a fabulous day ending with a hearty lunch aboard the sailboat.

WOW.......
TFitch Photo

Crocodiles?  Impossible.....
T Fitch Photo

  Another highlight was to visit Puerto Vallarta and visit with Kristen's colleague, Shirley, who works at Virginia Mason Clinic and commutes via email.  Below are photos of Shirley, Kristen, and all of us at her lovely PV condo. 

Shirley and Kristen

Enjoying Puerto Vallarta life.....

 Meals were fabulous with Mexican creations by cooks, Lupita and Nacho. The ribs, sopes, and guacamole were memorable!  Nights were filled with games, storytelling, talent shows, and Olympic watching,. The week passed like a beautiful sunset.  We will always remember the sun and fun in Bucerias.

50 Years Together

Good-bye Bucerias

CHACALA, NAYARIT, MEXICO

A Beautiful Retreat

A Simple Life

OUR PRIVATE BEACH VILLAGE

Travel to Chacala via TAP bus company, is an eight hour journey through a diverse countryside of jungles, mountains and highlands with fields of sugarcane, mango and papaya trees, Brahma cattle, Joshua Tree cactus, marshlands, small charming villages and a great variety of beautiful flowering trees and plants. 

Located about 60 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, it sits pretty along a little cove backed by verdant geen slopes and edged by rugged black rock formations at either end.  With just one main, sandy thoroughfare and a few cobbbled side streets, it 's a lovely place to unwind and contemplate the horizon.

Arriving in out coastal fishing village of about 300, we note some improvements.  The extensive undeveloped beach property (in litigation for years) has been cleaned up significantly and the palm trees look regal.

Views of Chacala Beach

Chacala Life Week Days

Clean Soft Sandy Beach

   
Birds congregate along the beach too.  Herons, frigate birds, pelicans to name just a few of them.  The pelicans seem to take over the rugged rocks near the shore and are so much fun to watch.

 Chacala days are filled with long walks on the white beach sand, swimming in the warm waters, hiking in the jungle hillsides (snakes even come out to charm),  Whale viewing, fishing, surfing, and watching rich colorful sunsets every night.

Indigenous Petroglyphs froim the Pre-Hichol people

The Huichol people who make the lovely beaded jewelry and sculptures live in the mountains above Chacala.  The journey is well worth the effort.

A Touch of Paradise

Whale watching  was so exciting when a mother and baby whale started following our boat and showing off with their magnificent  breaching.  I think whales  enjoy us as much as we enjoy them!

A Mother and Baby Whale Follow Our Boat

What Could Be Better?

Our Casa de La Playa ( Beach House) is an artsy comfortable spacious abode directly on the beach and in the middle of the tiny town's activities.  Sitting under our palapas (beach umbrellas of palm fronds) on the beach we see  bands passing, itinerant Mexican Craft merchants, as well as flan, oyster, shrimp, bread, pie vendors.

What A Life!

Two Palapas (Beach Umbrellas) Provide Shade

Patio Area With View of Pacific

Decorated with Art of Mexico

 Number 10 Flan Sold on Beach

In Front of our Casa on Holiday

A special treat was to attend the ten day festival of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in the neighboring town of Las Varas.  We joined the villagers walking in the parade,  attending church service, and danced in the light of the moon.

Every night is a glorious sunset to behold....

Hope you enjoyed our Chacala.   Don't tell anyone about it!  nomadsally

 (For  articles about Chacala see Posts on 4/2, 2/12, and 2/27/12