Philo is Singing and Dancing with the angels now! R.I.P

From the Vallarta Daily

Philo of Philos Bar in La Cruz passes away over the weekend http://www.philosbar.com/

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of beloved musician, bar owner and friend Philo Hayward.  He passed on in his sleep from heart failure last evening.  Many know Philo from Philo’s Bar that he started in La Cruz(on the North shore) 15 years ago. Philo sponsored many fundraisers for the local community and was a lifeline to the expatriate community as well. Philo Hayward was a exceptionally good man, a fine musician and a friend to many.

http://www.vallartadaily.com/news/puerto-vallarta/philo-of-philos-bar-in-la-cruz-passes-away-over-the-weekend/

 
I never met Philo but I see that he touched many hearts with his kindness, generousity and music. It's obvious he had a deep love of life and lived it to the fullest. May you RIP and play music with the angels now. You are missed by many!


From Youtube:Uploaded on Oct 13, 2010
"Philo and the Mexican Shuffle Band. This one is called "I've been Dreaming About Mexico." A song that I wrote in Fiji when I was out sailing in the South Pacific. Friends, friends and more friends in this one. This is the video that I asked everyone to send me their favorite pics of themselves hanging out in Mexico. Some good stuff here folks. I hope you enjoy."

 --------------------------------------
 I was just looking through his channel. I started to listen to this song and it made me cry! He was obviously a very special person. I wish I had been his friend. Those that were, were very blessed.





My deepest condolensces to his sister, who from what I saw posted just lost her husband and now her brother. Sending love and light to you during this difficult time.



If you are feeling sad, listen to this, he definitely left a great message for all!!!
"Sing and Dance all night long!!"



I put a little clip from his last blog post which is from last year. Nov 14th.
http://philosblog.tumblr.com/
"Music every where, all kinds of things and events are happening right now.  We are in the height of the high season and although it sure is hectic it is also a lot of fun.  The Bucerius group Manos de Amore just had their annual “Rhythm and Ribs” concert and it was a huge success. 

 The benefit was for the orphanage in Bucerias.  

Lots of restaurants participated and Philo’s Music Studio, Restaurant, Bar, cooked the ribs and we ran out in the first hour.  

We started with 100 kilos and next year we will be prepared to do two or three times that much.  Luna Rumba provide the music and I heard nothing but awesome things about their show.  Congrats everyone.  Check out Manos de Amore’s web site about the Bucerias orphanage.  Click here.  http://www.manosdeamor.com/fund_raising_photos.htm

Here's a nice video of him!! So sweet!

Zipolite - Verde Ir-Er Sostenible-UNITE!

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2014
zipolita@gmail.com
http://zipolitazstudioz.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

Lo siento si esto no se traduce correctamente, por favor visite este enlace y alguien que lo haga correctamente. Gracias http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.ca/2014/02/zipolite-go-green-be-sustainable-unite.html

Hola, ha llegado a mi atención que hay que hablar del gobierno de Oaxaca o?? va a intentar cambiar la tierra en Zipolite del Ejido http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ejido a dejar a la gente tener hechos a sus tierras así lo pueden vender.

Sólo quiero asegurarme de que la gente de Zipolite comprende las ramificaciones de este completa. Bucerias es un buen ejemplo. Para 20 + visité Bucerias. En primer lugar es era sólo una pequeña ciudad con pequeños hoteles que podrías alquilar una habitación con una cocina para $12Cdn noche. Eso fue en 1988.

Desde entonces lo he visto cambiar enormemente. Me quedé allí en 2001 cuando estaba embarazada de mi hija. Vivía al otro lado de la carretera muy ruidosa con los mexicanos más pobres. Fue humillante por decir lo menos. Abajo en el paseo marítimo, un hombre de negocios astuto había construido hermosas casas de millones de dólares a lo largo de él y venderlas a adinerados americanos y canadienses.

Ahora no hay nada de alquiler menos de $50 una noche y te imaginas el costo de vida allí.

Esto sucederá a Zipolite. Los más pudientes de otros lugares, ciudad de Oaxaca, Mexico City, Canadá, Estados Unidos avancen y comprar todos los muelles. Las personas que viven allí se desplazará, o se mueva a otro lugar y se da cuenta del alto costo de vida o que sólo se moverán hacia atrás y hacer frente a los mayores costos de vida en su ciudad natal donde ellos nacidos y se criaron.

Esto es lo que sucede en Vancouver. Muchos hogares comienzan en $1 millón. Es el riduclous. Yo nací y me crié aquí en BC y hay una oportunidad nunca poseerá un hogar porque es imposible levantar esta cantidad de dinero en mi vida. La razón es Canadá - BC - o Vancouver en realidad no hizo cualquier política para asegurar que esto no podía suceder. Vancouver tiene una tasa muy alta de personas sin hogar. Muchos de ustedes no tienen ninguna idea sobre esto. Te enteraste cosas maravillosas. La pobreza infantil es mayor en BC. Es una locura que en un país tan rico piense que esto no existiría. MAL!!

Muchas de las casas que pertenecen aquí... los que cuestan $1.000.000 son propiedad de extranjeros, muchos de ellos de China/Hong Kong... ricos de otros países, aquí estos comprar casa y ni siquiera vivo en ellos. Los usan como casas de vacaciones y un lugar para guardar dinero allí.son inversiones. Pero esto sólo desplazados. No hay ninguna vivienda, alquileres comienzan en unos 900 dólares por un apartamento de un dormitorio. El gobierno tuvo que crear subsidios para los ancianos y los padres solteros porque no hay ninguna manera de ganar esa cantidad de dinero en los salarios disponibles y los alquileres son tan altos.

Esto sucedió en Nelson y muchos otros lugares. Esto sucederá en ZIPOLITE!!

Ahora lo que dices acerca de la gente de Zipolite, no merecen una vida agradable con todas las cosas materiales que cuenta con todos los demás. Los televisores, automóviles, piscinas... alimentos para sus familias, casas de gran lujo, no merecen eso.

La pregunta es-¿qué dará para arriba?

Ya vives en el paraíso!

¿Por qué crees que la gente viene aquí y ¿por qué crees que quieren comprar esa tierra.

Tengo algunas sugerencias. Uno es realmente pensar acerca de lo que más valoran. ¿Es tu familia? Porque eso es lo que he notado y gustaba de Zipolite es cuánto se aman y Cuánto aprecias familia. Muchos de ustedes son pobres pero tu sonriente y vas a tu vida de una manera sencilla. Estas formas sencillas son la pesca en el océano, construyendo casas de palapa elevar su propia comida como pollos, frutas, cocos, etc.. Sí, entiendo que es difícil, pero si te rindes y te vendes se verá forzado de su océano, y será una vida mucho más difícil y una vida mucho más materialista.

Y esta vida materialista es lo que está matando al mundo. Es que causan todas las tormentas malas y envenenamiento por los océanos, talando los bosques hermosos y exterminar a los animales y los pueblos indígenas que a la izquierda.

Mi sugerencia es que mantenga su tierra. QUÉDATE EJIDO. NUNCA TE RINDAS! PORQUE COMO UNA UNIDAD ES UNA FUERZA PODEROSA. PERMANECER UNIDOS!!

Y como la fuerza que unió a adaptar métodos que dará soporte a todos juntos. Mira en fuentes alternativas de apoyo. Mira por ejemplo

-solar y fuentes de energía del viento

-jardines de la cama elevada para alimentos - crean jardines de bosques comunitarios de alimentos donde tienes comida para todos en la comunidad.

-compostaje - allí son maneras mucho mejores de lo que hacen en Piña Palmera

-Casas cob. Construir estos - pueden soportar terremotos y huracanes

-popbottle verde casas - puedes empezar las semillas en ellos y esto ayudará en el crecimiento de los jardines.

Debe unirse en esto, o se desgarrará separados y sus hijos nunca será capaces de pagar una casa en Zipolite, digamos quién sabe dónde y que van a terminar trabajando para los dueños del hotel que ahora estará ubicado frente a la playa una vez tuviste. Ellos trabajarán para los salarios mínimos y su calidad de vida serán pobre porque no será capaz de pagar nada por el altísimo costo de vida. ¿Eres muy bendecidos. Usted puede unir con los medios sociales. Juntos tienes una voz fuerte. Esta oportunidad existe para ti. Agarran el momento porque una vez que se cambia la voluntad debe ser sin retorno!!

Aquí están algunos enlaces a ejemplos que estoy sugiriendo. Hay muchas personas que le ayudarán con esto. Debe unirse y actuar y pedir esta ayuda. Pedir que queda verde y comunidad.

http://www.Pinterest.com/zipolita/zipolita-z-Vision-Board/

http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.CA/2012/10/WWOOF-fruits-of-Garden-video.html

http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.CA/2013/06/Lets-Grow-Food-Forest-like-Seattle.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cob_%28material%29

http://www.cobworks.com/

Jardines de cama elevada

https://www.google.CA/search?q=raised+bed+Gardens&tbm=isch&TBO=u&Source=Univ&SA=X&eI=3SoIU72TONGFogT6nILwAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQsAQ&BIW=1352&BiH=605

Jardines comunitarios

https://www.google.CA/search?q=Community+Gardens&Source=lnms&tbm=isch&SA=X&eI=HSsIU5qMLMuDogSN94GAAg&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&BIW=1352&BiH=605

Energía solar para pequeñas comunidades

energía solar + https://www.google.CA/search?q=Solar+Energy&Source=lnms&tbm=isch&SA=X&eI=RysIU_aKEoGHogSVnYGwDA&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&BIW=1352&BiH=605#q= + para + pequeño + comunidades & tbm = isch

Cómo construir una lámpara Solar botella

http://www.instructables.com/ID/How-to-Build-a-solar-bottle-Bulb/

Popbottle invernaderos

https://www.google.CA/search?q=pop+bottle+Greenhouse&tbm=isch&TBO=u&Source=Univ&SA=X&eI=_ysIU9_PL8qHogSVrYGQAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQsAQ&BIW=1352&BiH=605

Cómo construir un vaso de Compost - esto es una muy buena idea mantener vuela lejos y girar las hojas, frutos y otros materiales a la rica tierra negra en 6 semanas. Tiene el clima perfecto para esto. Puedes hacer dinero vendiendo composta.

http://www.theinnovationdiaries.com/1775/How-to-make-a-compost-Tumbler/

Amo a Zipolite y sé que es muy difícil sobrevivir esperando al turista. Olvidar el turismo, se centran en ser verde y sostenible. Puede establecer un ejemplo para todo México.

En una nota lateral estoy intentando ayudar a... Estoy trabajando en una aplicación y será para el pequeño, no los grandes hoteles de lujo que van ahí en y carga $80 a $100 una noche. No mi aplicación será un listado de todos los pequeños lugares en la playa. Estoy trabajando en esto ahora, estoy en la escuela y espero que producir la primera versión antes de Semana Santa. Estoy haciendo mi mejor para ayudarle en todos los frentes.

Así que por favor si puedes imprimirlo y compartirlo y tener reuniones y crear una página de Facebook y hablar uno al otro. Haz Unido porque es la única manera... si no veo un futuro muy triste de Zipolite. De grandes grandes hoteles propiedad de personas de otros países y todas las cosas que nosotros conocemos y amamos de Zipolite se convertirá en una cosa del pasado. Historia. Ido... pero no olvidado. No dejes que esto suceda. Por favor!!!!

Zipolite - GO GREEN-BE SUSTAINABLE- UNITE!!!

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2014
zipolita@gmail.com
http://zipolitazstudioz.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+



Hola, It has come to my attention that there is talk of the government of Oaxaca or ?? is going to try to change the land in Zipolite from Ejido http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ejido  to letting the people have deeds to their land so they can sell it.

I just want to make sure the people of Zipolite understand the full ramifications of this. Bucerias is a good example. For 20+ I visited Bucerias. At first is was just a small town with little hotels that you could rent a room with a kitchen for $12Cdn a night. That was in 1988.

Since then I have watched it change immensely.  I stayed there in 2001 when I was pregnant with my daughter. I lived across the very noisy highway with all the poorer Mexicans. It was humbling to say the least. Down at the waterfront, a clever business man had built up beautiful million dollar homes all along it and sold them to wealthy Americans and Canadians.

Now there is nothing to rent less than $50 a night and you can imagine the cost of living there.

This will happen to Zipolite. Wealthy people from other places, Oaxaca City, Mexico City, Canada, United States will move in and buy up all the waterfront. The people that live there will be displaced, either they will move somewhere else and realize the high cost of living or they will just move to the back and be faced with the higher and higher costs of living in their home town where they were born and raised.

This is what is happening in Vancouver. Many homes start at $1 million. It's riduclous. I was born and raised here in BC and there is a chance I will never own a home because it is just impossible to raise this kind of money in my lifetime. The reason is that Canada- BC- or Vancouver for that matter did not make any policies to ensure this could not happen. Vancouver has a very high homeless rate. Many of you have no idea about this. You hear wonderful things about it. Child poverty is highest in BC. It's crazy that in such a wealthy country you would think this would not exist. WRONG!!

Many of the homes that are owned here...the ones that cost $1,000,000 are owned by foreigners, many from China/Hong Kong...wealthy people from other countries, come here buy these home and don't even live in them. They use them as vacation homes and a place to keep there money..they are investments. But this just displaced people. There is no affordable housing, rents start at about $900 for a one bedroom apartment. The government had to create subsidies for the older people and single parents because there is just no way to earn that kind of money on the wages available and because the rents are so high.

This happened in Nelson and many other places. This WILL HAPPEN IN ZIPOLITE!!

Now you will say what about the people of Zipolite, don't they deserve a nice life with all the material things that everyone else has. The televisions, cars, swimming pools...food for their families, big fancy houses, don't they deserve that.

The question is -What will you give up?

You ALREADY LIVE IN PARADISE!!

Why do you think people come there and why do you think they want to buy that land.

I have some suggestions.  One is to really think about what you value most. Is it your family? Because that is what I have noticed and loved about Zipolite is how much you love each other and how much you value family. Many of you are poor but your smiling and you go about your life in a simple way. These simple ways are fishing in the ocean, building palapa homes, raising your own food such as chickens, fruit, coconuts etc. Yes I understand it is hard, but if you give in and you sell you will be forced away from your ocean, and it will be a much harder life and a much more materialistic life.

And this materialistic life is what is killing the world. It's causing all the bad storms and poisoning the oceans, cutting down the beautiful forests and exterminating the animals and indigenous people that a left.

My suggestion is to :

KEEP YOUR LAND. STAY EJIDO.

 NEVER GIVE THAT UP!

BECAUSE AS A UNIT YOU ARE A MIGHTY FORCE.

STAY UNITED!!

And as that united force adapt methods that will support everyone together. Look into alternative sources of support. For example look at
-solar and wind power sources
-raised bed gardens for food- create food forests-community gardens where you raise food for everyone in the community.
 -composting- there are much better ways than what they do at Pina Palmera
-Cob houses. Build these - they can withstand earthquakes and hurricanes
-popbottle green houses - you can start the seeds in them and this will aid in the growing the gardens.

You must unite on this, or you will be torn apart and your children will never be able to afford a home in Zipolite, let alone who knows where and they will end up working for people who own the hotel that will now be located on the beachfront you once owned. They will work for minimum wages and their quality of life will be poor because will not be able to afford anything due to the very high cost of living.  You are so very very blessed. You can unite with social media. Together you can have a strong voice. This opportunity exists for you. You must sieze the moment because once it changes there will be NO RETURN!!

Here are some links to examples I am suggesting. There are many people who will help you with this. You must unite and take action and ask for this help. Ask to stay green and stay community.
http://www.pinterest.com/zipolita/zipolita-z-vision-board/

http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2012/10/wwoof-fruits-of-garden-video.html
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2013/06/lets-grow-food-forest-like-seattle.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cob_%28material%29
http://www.cobworks.com/
Raised Bed Gardens
https://www.google.ca/search?q=raised+bed+gardens&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3SoIU72TONGFogT6nILwAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQsAQ&biw=1352&bih=605

Community Gardens
https://www.google.ca/search?q=community+gardens&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=HSsIU5qMLMuDogSN94GAAg&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1352&bih=605

Solar Energy for small communities
https://www.google.ca/search?q=solar+energy&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=RysIU_aKEoGHogSVnYGwDA&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1352&bih=605#q=solar+energy+for+small+communities&tbm=isch

How to Build a Solar Bottle Bulb
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-SOLAR-BOTTLE-BULB/

Popbottle Greenhouses
https://www.google.ca/search?q=pop+bottle+greenhouse&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=_ysIU9_PL8qHogSVrYGQAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQsAQ&biw=1352&bih=605

How to build a Compost Tumbler- this is a very good idea and will keep flies away and turn the leaves, fruit and other materials to rich black earth in 6 weeks. You have the perfect climate for this. You could make money selling compost. 
http://www.theinnovationdiaries.com/1775/how-to-make-a-compost-tumbler/


I love Zipolite and I know it is very hard to survive waiting for the tourist. Forget the tourism, focus on becoming green and sustainable. You could set an example for all of Mexico.

On a side note I am trying to help... I am working on an app and it will be for the little guy, not the big fancy hotels that are going in there and charge $80 to $100 a night. No my app will be a listing of all the little places on the beach. I am working on this now, I am in school and I hope to produce the first version before Semana Santa. So I am doing my best to help you on all fronts.

So please if you can print this and share it and have meetings and create a Facebook page and talk to each other. Get united because it is the only way...otherwise I see a very sad future of Zipolite. Of great big hotels owned by people from other countries and all the things that we know and love about Zipolite will become a thing of the past. History. Gone...but not forgotten. Don't let this happen. Please!!

Marietas Islands- Why I LOVE Mexico

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2014
zipolita@gmail.com
http://zipolitazstudioz.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+


Many years ago, I believe 1988 I took my first trip to Mexico. I was going to visit a Canadian friend, who had married another Canadian but they got married there and they were working in a bar.

They were in Bucerias. Now this was my party stage. I was working at a good paying job(a really gross job actually, - Lilydale) but I was making up for with the partying and buying nice things and truthfully I was very naive and admittedly shallow.

But Mexico OPENED my eyes on that trip. The thanks really goes to the Marietas Islands...but we called it the Tres Marietas back then.

Photograph via vallarta-adventures.com

I had been in Bucerias partying my face off for like two weeks with about 10 other friends...that had all come down together to celebrate our friends's marriage. During this time I met Jose(not his real name). His dad owned the Costa Dorada and we hung out at the bar there alot.

My friend started to date Jose and on the last day he wanted to take us all on a special treat...to the Tres Marietas.  That day I saw the real Mexico. It wasn't about the cheap booze and partying by the poolside or the prawns(which were delicious), it was about nature and the landscape and the ocean.

On that trip I saw whales and flying fish, dolphins, a mantra ray went right under our boat, and I got scared because I thought the wing tip was a shark...(silly) ...we saw turtles and on the island we saw blue footed boobies...imagine that!!

And so I was hooked. We all piled into a pongo and went. This video says to go on a sailboat..it's up to you...the sad part seeing this is how many people are there now...so touristy...it was a super special trip when I went...it was just us...14 of us but just us..and no one else.

On the way back we actually ran out of gas, but another ponga came and gave us some...I remember them laughing and teasing...calling us tomato faces as some of us were burnt...so go on a ponga with a canopy.

I went there a few times on my visits back but I haven't been since 1998?  I really wanted to take Angel when we were there in 2010 but it didn't happen for us because I was short on funds.

All my photos on are in storage, but I have some beautiful panoramas I will show you one day.

And so that is the reason I fell in LOVE WITH MEXICO.  It was the Marietas Islands, we never got inside like this though.

Go Away Jova!!

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Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2011
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
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To all our friends in Bucerias and anyone in the way of this, we are sending prayers for you and your homes and loved one to all be safe and I've included a Special Prayer, see below. Go Away Jova!!

Hurricane Jova

National Hurricane Center

Hurricane Jova slows off Mexico's Pacific coast

By Miguel Angel Gutierrez and Mica Rosenberg

MEXICO CITY | Mon Oct 10, 2011 11:44pm EDT

(Reuters) - Hurricane Jova weakened slightly on Monday night as it headed for one of Mexico's busiest cargo ports and popular tourist resorts along the country's Pacific coast.
The storm, with top winds reaching 120 miles per hour, was about 155 miles southwest of the port city of Manzanillo late on Monday, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said.
Jova is expected to make landfall on Tuesday afternoon northwest of Manzanillo near the resort towns of Melaque and Barra de Navidad, on a stretch of coast dotted with fine beaches. Read More

We were given this book, it's about angels-  BOOK OF ANGELS by Francis Melville.
  http://www.amazon.com/Book-Angels-Guidance-Comfort-Inspiration/dp/0764154036

I swear the angels have really listened and helped so many times, with little miracles and big. I took that book to Mexico and back and it holds a very special place in my life and heart.

There is a special prayer for hurricanes.

I hope it's okay with you Francis. I really think we need them right now. And the more people to share this prayer the better.  So please share, it can not hurt, it can only bring us closer together. Positive energy is what we need.

For Hurricanes
In the name of the all- powerful Creator
I invoke you, great Angel Zamiel,
As the Angel of Hurricanes,
To calm the fury of this terrible storm.
May you divert it from it's path from the most vulnerable places
to blow itself out where few can come to harm
I honor and thank you for hearing my prayer
In the name of the Almighty.

He also states "Your invocation should be addressed to the four winds, starting in the east and working clockwise". Any number of candles may be burned. Visualize the calm of the storm and imagine drawing in the winds spiraling around it, calming them until all is still and peaceful.
* Be VERY CAREFUL WITH CANDLES! Never leave them unattended. Watch out for kids and pets.

My Mexican Blankets- Viva Mexico!

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Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2011
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

So for Sept 16 Mexico's Independence Day and I wanted to do some Special. I wanted something new to post about and I was like think, think think.


Then finally I got it, what about show you my Mexican Blankets. 

I would be interesting to see how many Mexican Blankets in households around the world. Maybe we could do a project and get people to tell a story about their blankets. 


I have collected blankets from many of my trips and most are very good quality so they have lasted 10-15 years. I love my blankets, I even have a few more, one is similar to the first one here but it's peach tones and it was the first blanket I ever bought. It was in Bucerias in 1988.


I can't remember exactly where I got them all, but I'll try.

2008/9

I got this one on our last trip, I bought it in Zipolite on the beach, I think I paid $250 pesos.

It's quite good quality and I love the colours. This photo doesn't show the true colour.

1990

 I just can not remember where I got this one, I think it was in Bucerias?

1996- Might have been Puerto Vallarta

This is the Fire God I think, it's based on Aztec. I may have got it in Vallarta but I don't remember exactly.

I think I got this in Zihuatengo 1996?

I think I got this in Zihuatengo, on another Cruiseship, while working as a Photographer.

I bought this while in Cozumel, while working on the Cruise Ship 1995 as a Photographer and I paid like $50 US.  It's the most I ever paid for a blanket, but it is really beautiful quality.

Elizabeth Taylor & Mexico- Bucerias

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Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2011

http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com 

So a long time ago back in 1989/90 I was visiting Mexico. I went about 3x in about a year and half and I liked to stay in a little town called Bucerias. It's a little town 20 minutes North of the Puerto Vallarta airport.

Now there was something Special and Magical about this place. It's obvious because now it's totally built up but when I was there it was small.

The first time I visited we went with friends to discover Puerto Vallarta. and of course we went out to where Night of the Iguana was filmed. Richard Burton had filmed it here and here is where Elizabeth Taylor had openly showed their love for one another and bought property.  I was told they also owned the Fred's Trailer Park in Bucerias. I don't know for sure if that's true but that's the story I heard.

I hadn't thought about that until I read that Liz passed away yesterday. I can imagine how she must have loved it there. They say that it was just a tiny fishing village then and that 1/2 the people had never heard of her.

Anyways, I just wanted to share that with you. At the year of our first winter Angel and I went back to Bucerias- I call it my Mexican Roots as that's where I first went and fell in love with Mexico.

Here's a video.


Here's an interesting article about it by By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith

http://www.hollywoodnews.com/2011/03/23/elizabeth-taylor-looking-back-at-an-adventure/

It is understandable that both he and Miss Taylor should have fallen so in love with this tropical village. For here they have been able to act much like honeymooners blissfully in love.

Local cab drivers point out to tourists “Casa Kimberley,” the luxurious villa nestled high on a rocky hillside where the famous couple live together

Each morning a candy-striped jeep, boldly inscribed on its side with the words “Casa Kimberley” calls for Burton at the entranceway of the house.

The actor jumps in beside the driver and, as the jeep makes its perilous way down the cobblestone streets, narrowly avoiding pigs, burros, and half-naked children, Burton will turn to wave a last goodbye to Elizabeth, standing smiling down at him from the balcony of their home.

Around noon, the jeep will return for Miss Taylor and drive her to the beach where she will board their boat, “The Taffy,” to make the 67 mile trip down coast to Mismaloya, the location site of Burton’s film, “Night of the Iguana.”

After spending the afternoon with him, on the set, they will board the boat together shortly before dusk to return to Casa Kimberley.

During the evenings, the couple will dine alone at home or will join friends in one of the six restaurant-bars in town.

Even to one spending just a few days in Puerto Vallarta, it becomes obvious that the charm of this tropical land has had its magical effect on Liz and Burton. Where they tried deliberately not to be seen in public in both Rome and London, here in Mexico they make almost a show out of publicly acting like a couple in love. Their attitude seems to say: “We adore each other and are proud of it. We want the whole world to know how we feel.” There is not a soul in Puerto Vallarta who could remain oblivious to that fact.

Here's a good Website on Puerto Vallarta- The Banderas News
http://www.banderasnews.com/vallarta-photos/north-coast-bucerias.htm

Sorry I had a map here but it's really slowing down my blog, just google Bucerias and click maps.

We have some excellent amigos that live and work in Bucerias at the Costa Dorada. I made this website(they've changed it a bit) just before Angel was conceived.

Suites Costa Dorada - Bucerias Mexico

Spanish Version- there's a good video on the Spanish Version.
http://scostadorada.com/ 

English Version
http://scostadorada.com/eng/ehome.htm

Karen's Place- Bucerias- Suites Costa Dorada

Piedra Blancas

This photo was taken way back in 1989 or 1990, and this was at Piedra Blancas before it was developed. It's near Bucerias. Was just going thru a bunch of old photos so I thought I'd post it.

Puerto Vallarta & Bucerias

Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias were the first places I ever visited in Mexico. I was very naive the first time I went in 1988 and I thought it was all about partying. I had no understanding of the culture.

I will alway cherish the most wonderful gift my friend Martin (Suites Costa Dorada in Bucerias) gave me and about 14 others of us. He took us on a ponga to the Tres Marietas...or I believe it was. On that boat ride we saw the most incredible things. We saw whales, manta rays, dolphins, flying fish, it was just so incredible. I remember the mantra ray went under the boat and just the wing tip was showing...I was scared, I thought it was a shark, but everyone assured me it was a manta ray.

I don't think people see that anymore...that was many years ago and there are so many many tourists. Bucerias was such a small little town, Mark's Bar & Grill, Omg! If I told you stories, about hanging out there and about him coming back and cleaning and fixing it. Now it's this incredibly successful restaurant with a super expensive menu catering to all these wealthy Americans and Canadians that built these million dollar homes all along the beach.

Progress happens...what can I say or do. My friends at the Costa Dorada have been there the whole time, thru all the changes and they have been so wonderful and kind to me and to Angel.

Do we love the pool. YES!
Did we love the super comfy king size bed we got to sleep in! Did we feel like Pampered little princesses after the 16 hour bus ride! You betcha!
Was everyone one super wonderful and helpful and friendly! Totally!
Do we recommend it! Definitely!
Is it green, no, not in many ways, but in some yes! It's semi small, compared to some of those mega huge hotels in Vallarta. It's been there a long time, and to me it's family and family oriented. So it wins my praises for that.

There are other small lovely accomodations in Bucerias, but you will have to hunt...we found one, with a pool and stove and everything we needed. I used to be called the Las Vegas years ago...it doesn't really have a name.

Do I still love Bucerias, Yes and No! It's hard when things change, but nothing stays the same...and the first part of my pregnancy, after leaving Zipolite was spent here, and that was a tough but magical wonderful time full of hope and dreams.

At that time I lived across the highway in a small incredibly noisy room for just $80 a month, that my friend at the Costa Dorada help me furnish with a bed, fridge and stove. That was a humbling experience and I shall never forget it, as it impacted me for life.

The people that rented it to me were up at dawn making juice for all the workers as they left for there jobs. I lived next door to triplets, they were just babies, an incredible site...little miracles themselves.

Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias are very special and I recommend people visit to get accustomed to the culture slowly...it's a good place to visit first, before going on a grander more extensive journey. It's a good place to get your bearings. It's also more suited to elderly people I believe as your so close to medical help in Vallarta, and the airport is close, lots of reasons.