Tennis in San Pancho – our court is great for the summer season
August 3, 2010
This court is made of astroturf and sand. It is great for the summer (rainy) season because it is ready for play 15 minutes after the rain stops. And no need to roll out the puddles!
This is a great court if you are a mature player, as it is easy on the joints. Also it plays like clay so it tends to even out the match if you are playing mixed doubles.
Look for our ad coming in the fall in Inside Tennis magazine.
Iris and Otto’s wedding
July 18, 2010
First dance at wedding reception
The wedding was quite an event. First there was the service at the church and then a gigantic party at a huge metal roofed palapa.
Of course Iris was gorgeous and Otto handsome in his suit. Everyone looked beautiful. The colors of the wedding were pink and a burnt sienna gold/brown. Very nice. All the family was color coordinated, Nidia wore a dress of pink and brown, Isabel wore a brown long gown and Roberto wore a pink shirt and tie with his suit. Yeyo and Otto both had pink ties. I felt bad for the men in suits. Too hot!
Both the church and the party decorations were very classy. Isabel is a great party organizer.
The bridesmaids ranged from around 20 down to about 4. The 4 year olds were definitely the cutest in their long ruffled gowns, pink with brown sashes. The older girls wore short dresses the same colors.
The singer at the church was very good, she had a lovely voice and sang romantic songs. There were 2 bands at the party plus taped music in between. The first band was a smaller group, with an accordion and guitars. The second group was Roberto’s and Otto’s banda (without Otto of course). They are a large group of brass instruments and drums.
I loved watching all the people dancing at the party, all the different styles of clothing and ways of dancing. With 600 people it was a lot to see!
Mexico in July
July 16, 2010
Every time I come to Casa Melissa in the summer I am pleasantly surprised.
Mexico is beautiful. Everything is so lush and green and the flowers are plentiful. So far the weather is fine, today feels very comfortable because there is a nice steady breeze. Last night was hot and still. We had a great dinner though at Cielo Rojo. This being the low season, and the fact that we went late, we were the only customers in the restaurant. The food was great and definitely made to order!
This morning we met with the contractor to finalize our remodel of the casita. Bruce will have to tear himself away from work to shop for tile and bathroom fixtures – his least favorite thing!
When the casita is done it will have a terrace with an ocean view and view of the tennis court.
Hiking to Las Lomas and other San Pancho hikes
June 24, 2010
CASA MELISSA – WANT TO HIKE AND SEE THE AREA?
On the road to Las Lomas
- Hike the jungle road: Head down the driveway and take a left at the road. You can go a total of 3 miles from town on a dirt road with scenic views and lots of birds, maybe even a tejon. When you get to the spot where there is a sign for Clavallina, (2 private driveways with signs) turn around and head back There are good sized hills so it’s a very good workout.
- The Buddha loop: Take the hike describe above. When you get to Clavallina there will be a dirt road going up hill from there. If you go up that hill (Buddha Road) you ill eventually (after passing the Buddha and yoga center construction) you will see a fork in the road. Take the right hand fork. Keep going and you will rejoin the jungle road at the end. This is an excellent (very hard) workout. But you can see how you feel when you get to Clavallina before taking on the hill.
- The Road to Las Lomas and Monterey Beach: Take the Buddha Loop hike (above) After you pass the Buddha and come to a fork in the road stay left. After you pass the large water cistern stay left. You can walk along the ridge on this road all the way to Las Lomas and Monterey Beach…you can turn back at any time. There is a restaurant/resort at Monterey Beach. When you get to the coast you can choose to go to Monterey or Las Lomas.There is a farm/nursery on the road – it is quite a surprising oasis! See photo above.This is the old road to Lo De Marco before they put in the highway. You might see a car sometime. This is a very strenuous hike and can be quite long if you like. Again, lots of birds and maybe some wildlife.If you want to make the hike more manageable just drive to Clavallina and park your car there. That will save you three hilly miles.
A Photographer’s Mexico Vacation
May 25, 2010
Noted photographer and artist Tim Fleming (www.timfleming.com) recently visited Casa Melissa with his family and friends. “It was an unforgettable experience,” Tim said. “The setting is spectacular. Exotic birds flying overhead, whales swimming offshore, the glittering blue ocean and sensational sunsets; it was truly a feast for the eyes! The staff was very attentive and accommodating, and we were completely charmed by the nearby small towns of San Pancho and Sayulita. I hope we can return again some time soon.”
Youtube video of panaramic views
March 7, 2010
Here is my second attempt at using the FlipVideo to record the views here at Casa Melissa.
I will keep trying since this one doesn’t really show everything I wanted to have you see.
But here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7adUYn9Io
Whales in March
March 5, 2010
The whales are beginning their journey north this month. The day we arrived (last Tuesday) we walked into the house and spied spouts in the ocean. What fun to watch a group of whales playing in the ocean across from the pool!!! A nice welcome for us.
Tennis or Spanish language instruction?
January 29, 2010
I recently returned from Casa Melissa and I studied Spanish while I was there. There is a great new language school in town. Very intensive and not a residential program. Lots of good techniques and materials. Only 3 hours a day, every other day. Of course if you stay at Casa Melissa to play tennis 3 hours a day - you may not have enough time!!!
Turtle video
January 16, 2010
check out this short video on YouTube that I took of the turtle babies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brWPOKpAo7k
Baby turtles
January 16, 2010
While walking on the beach the other day I saw Frank, the turtle guy. He had just picked up a newly hatched batch of Olive Ridley turtles from the beach nursery. He had them in a box in his dune buggy to take to a cool spot until after sunset, when he would release them on the beach. If you are down here you can meet him at the town beach and watch (in the dark) the babies start their journey to their life at sea.
You can always stop by Frank’s house to talk turtle and see the nurseries.
What a great organization here in San Pancho!