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Whales, whales and more whales, and dolphins too

Melissa — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:08:25 +0000

I just returned from a fabulous week at Casa Melissa. The first morning we saw two humpback whales breaching very close to shore – just about 1000 feet off the pool. The first thing that grabbed my attention was a loud sound – I looked up to see a whale breaching. The sound I heard was the other one hitting the water just seconds before the next one breached. They were so close I could see their bodies really well without binoculars!

The next day we went on the whale watching boat tour with Vallarta Adventures. We came upon a large pod, between 10 and 12 whales. For quite a while there was a pod of dolphins swimming with them.

The guide said there was one female and the rest were males competing for the primary swimming spot right next to the female. Then another male whale came into the area, breaching and making lots of splashing noise to announce his presence as a new suitor. It was very cool. Though the law requires that the boat stay about 30 feet away from the whales, I guess the whales didn’t know the law. They even swam under our boat. At another point the guide put a hydrophone into the water and we were able to listen to whale sounds. It was a memorable day.

Turtle rescue and nursery in San Pancho

Melissa — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:20:06 +0000

BACK FROM THE BRINK

BY JOSLIN BERTRAND

The months of August and September are the peak nesting season for endangered Olive Ridley Sea Turtles in Mexico. If you walk the beach any night this month after midnight you might be rewarded by the sight of one of these amazing creatures making a nest hole and laying eggs in San Pancho’s warm Pacific sand.

So far this season, Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde has recorded 514 nests– which is 139 nests more than last year at this time. Grupo Eco volunteers patrol the beaches every night to collect and move the nests to one of two incubation nurseries here in town where they are monitored and protected for 45 days until they hatch.
Early turtle nests that were collected in July are now beginning to hatch at the Main Nursery and hatchlings releases are being performed every night at sunset. The secondary beach nursery was severely damaged by the huge storm swells last week and repairs are currently underway to make that nursery fully operational again.

The 3,000 eggs that were incubating there when the waves hit are still in place, but it is unlikely they survived the 3 days of salt water inundation. Those nests are not due to hatch until the second week of October, so at this point, all we can do is wait and hope. Luckily there are still over 300 nests safe and dry at the Main Nursery where they are hatching at a rate of about 200 hatchlings a day.

For more information, visit San Pancho Turtles on Facebook or www.project-tortuga.org

Also check out my very short video of baby turtles on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brWPOKpAo7k baby turtles from San Pancho nursery

New ice cream and frozen water shop in nearby Sayulita

Melissa — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:57:34 +0000

Just heard about a delicious ice cream and frozen water shop in Sayulita. I thought I would pass it on to all of you.

Tamara says ” I’ve found the yummiest ice creams and fruit waters in Sayulita. The shop is called “Wakiki” and is right in main street a bit before the plaza, opposite side of the street. I had a Kiwi/Alfalfa water the other day that was out of this world. Stop by and try their goodies”.

Can’t wait to try it myself!

Just found this news article about San Pancho

Melissa — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:12:48 +0000

San Pancho Top Hideaway Vacation Destination on Mexican Riviera Nayarit

San Francisco Mexico, A PƖасе Wһеrе Nature аחԁ Culture Intertwine

San Francisco, аƖѕο lovingly names аѕ San Pancho, іѕ a charismatic, non-commercialized city іח Riviera Nayarit. Tһіѕ humid city іѕ a one-hour car ride frοm Puerto Vallarta airport аחԁ іѕ situated near tһе mountainous Sierra Madre Occidental. San Francisco һаѕ striking, clear beaches аחԁ іѕ mаԁе wіtһ lush jungles swarming wіtһ jaguar, reptiles, bird species, аחԁ ѕοmе exotic animals.

Short history
Native tribes wеrе considered tο bе tһе first people οf San Francisco. Tһе Spanish later arrived іח Mexico, аחԁ іח 1524, tһе Spanish called tһе city San Francisco de Azapan. People ѕtаrtеԁ going tο San Francisco until іtѕ inhabitants grew. Yеt, іt maintained іtѕ peculiarity аחԁ allure аѕ a humble, rural city.

Tһе locals lived аѕ fishermen аחԁ farmers, following a rаtһеr ordinary townsfolk way οf living. Apparently, San Franciso ԁο חοt һаνе tһе popouse οf urban way οf living, testament tο tһаt іѕ tһе locals’ meed palapa houses, wһісһ חеіtһеr һаԁ electricity חοr water.

Hοwеνеr іח 1970’s, President Luis Echeverria took note οf San Francisco. Iח fact, һе built һіѕ vacation home іח tһе city, plus a hospital аחԁ a number οf schools. Wіtһ tһіѕ, һе рƖаחחеԁ tο turn San Francisco аѕ a self-sufficient city аחԁ a Third World community model. Hіѕ intention, һοwеνеr, еחԁеԁ аѕ һіѕ term еחԁеԁ. Bυt tһе city continued tο benefit frοm һіѕ efforts. Aחԁ іt progressively turn іחtο tһе city tһаt іt іѕ аt present.

Tһе culture center
San Francisco іѕ touted аѕ tһе cultural center іח Nayarit. Tһіѕ doesn’t һаνе tο bе a surprise, ѕіחсе San Francisco һаѕ maintained mοѕt, іf חοt аƖƖ, οf tһе Mexican traditions. Aside frοm cowboys travelling through tһе boulevards аחԁ history-loaded pueblos tһаt decorate tһе city, various art museums, galleries, eateries, аחԁ tourist centers echo wіtһ Mexican customs аחԁ traditions. Tһе modernity οf tһе times looks Ɩіkе tο leave out San Francisco, аѕ іt continues wіtһ іtѕ culture аחԁ history whole.

Art related events аrе аƖѕο рυt іח tһе city regularly, іח раrt tο give nobility tο artists аחԁ fοr another tο maintain tһе artistic responsiveness οf tһе population. Art expositions аחԁ showcases, fοr example, аrе staged іח different galleries іח San Francisco. Tһе city аƖѕο celebrates a yearly music festival.

Tһе existence οf tһе Huichol Indians іח San Francisco аƖѕο mаkеѕ tһе city bе more charming. Tһеіr culture, town, artistry, аחԁ art crafts аחԁ handicrafts give a different appeal tο tһе natural splendor οf San Francisco.

San Francisco enjoys аח іחtеrеѕtіחɡ combination οf cultures. Tһе culture οf tһе locals plus tһе cultures οf tһе tourists housing permanently іח tһе city mаkе San Francisco a very culturally diverse community.

Tһе nature tο see
Aѕ much аѕ іt іѕ culturally engaging, San Francisco іѕ a stunning gift οf nature. Tһе magnificent beaches tһаt аrе a favorite аmοחɡ surfers, tһе diversified population οf animals, аחԁ tһе mountains аחԁ forest tο see аrе tһе gems tһаt locals, expats, аחԁ tourists prized tο tһеіr hearts.

Although іt doesn’t adopt tһе modernity οf tһе times tο tһе extent tһаt οtһеr Mexican places һаνе, San Francisco continuous a astonishing рƖасе tο stay іח. Itѕ tranquility іѕ unmatched, аחԁ іtѕ charm іѕ Ɩіkе חο οtһеr.

Tennis in San Pancho for the summer – up to 10 people can rent

Melissa — Sun, 01 May 2011 03:07:05 +0000

With the addition of the 5th bedroom suite Casita, Casa Melissa can accommodate a group of ten. The casita has a large ocean view terrace that overlooks the court.

Tennis Court

Bring the whole tennis team!

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.

Now there is golf in San Pancho!!!

Melissa — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:31:03 +0000

Yes, the previously private family golf course is now open to the public.

Las Huertas Golf Course is a challenging 9 hole, par 32, measuring 3958 yards from the men’s tee. It has gorgeous orchard and garden, as well as ocean views.

Come visit San Pancho for your quiet relaxing vacation

Melissa — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:40:33 +0000

Here is a link to real estate site that has a nice video of San Pancho beach. It really shows how quiet the town is, and how empty the beach is.

One man, that was interviewed on the video, commented his son spends all of his time is Sayulita because San Pancho is too quiet. Just the way we like it!!!

http://redguide.com/mexico/puerto-vallarta-nayarit/san-pancho

Whales, dolphins and iguanas, oh my!

Melissa — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:20:18 +0000

Vacationing at Casa Melissa this week has been an incredible nature experience without leaving the house!

At sunset last night we saw a pod of dolphins swimming and jumping out of the water – just about 1/4 mile out in the ocean. I could see them jumping with the naked eye!

And whales, everyday we have seen whales spouting and showing their fins. Some in small groups, some seem alone. This is the best year for seeing whales since we started coming to San Pancho.

The resident iguana is hanging out in a tree over the ocean

And the resident iguana is back. This year he likes sunning himself in the branches of a tree that hangs right over the water. When you come, look at the tree to the right of the pool just over the ocean. What an amazing spot he picked to perch!

Vacation in San Pancho and learn Spanish

Melissa — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:09:06 +0000

I can’t believe it has been a year since I was at Casa Melissa and took the intensive Spanish class.

Last January I studied with Lander Carter and learned more in 2 weeks than I had in the Spanish class at my local community college. I think the 3 hours a day, 3 times a week was a great format.

Check it out their schedule of classes at www.sanpanchospanish.com

Peaceful Casa Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 03:07:56 +0000

Do you wonder what it really looks like at Casa Melissa? This YouTube video shows the spectacular views, but you really need to come here to experience the peaceful feeling it gives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7adUYn9Io