The Last Post

The blog was prepared by Robert and Susan.  Once they get home, they will use it to make a hardcover memory book.

Mexico got a lot of bad publicity and when our friend asked us to come to Bucerias Mexico 5 years ago and stay with her for a month, we asked her if it was safe because the word on the street was that Mexico was dangerous.  We are risk takers so we went.  It is now 5 years later.  We've stayed in Bucerias and San Pancho which are two communities no more than 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on the west coast of Mexico.  Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor had a house there.  We are returning to Ontario Canada tomorrow so we thought we would make a list of what we will miss about this place and the last 2 months.

•  the giant parrot tree
•  the sound of the ocean
•  fresh and delicious papaya, mango, grapes, avocado
•  finding tiles and glass on the beach
•  fresh bread and cinnamon buns from Paninos
•  Todd and Lolita's homemade carrot cake
•  warm beautiful weather
•  the open air tree house apartment
•  the million dollar view from our rooftop penthouse
•  sweeping the leaves that fall off the parrot tree
•  the cinnamon hummingbird feeding her babies
•  the Flamingo Sports Club giant swimming pool
•  the vibrant colourful sunsets and sunrises
•  flowers such as the bougainvillea, mandevilla, flower of the desert, aloe vera, agave, orchids
•  friendly people like Luis, Francisco, Bernie, Brenda
•  tea under the stars
•  yellow crowned night herons
•  birdwatching in the mountains near San Sebastian
•  crocodiles
•  great restaurants like Toscana Mia,  Mi Lola, Chin Gon Tai on Cardenas St.
•  La Cruz gringo market and the Sunday Mexican market in Bucerias
•  walks to Mega along Cardenas St.
•  feeding the coatimundi
•  all the wonderful kind people of Ana Ruth's
•  making bread with Wayne
•  Casey dog
•  the kindness of Kathy and Bill
•  spending quality time with Jack
•  watching Jack as King for a Day at his school
•  riding the buses
•  visiting San Pancho
•  Destillideras and el Borro long white beaches
•  all the vendors like the man with the fresh fruit and veggies
•  new friends like Ed and Jane
•  yoga class
•  the food and staff of the restaurant (Los Pericos) at street level in our hotel

A Special Place

Filmed in and around Entre Amigos community centre ...



Robert and Sue have lived in San Pancho in the past during the winter months and they loved it.  It has a special place in their hearts.  Luis Moralis is educating as many people as possible about the importance of "birds".  Eric is working on saving the "jaguars".  Frank has a great "Olive Ridley Sea Turtle" programme in place.  Nicole has done wonders with her community centre, "EntreAmigos".  Congratulations to them all.

Check out this website ... http://birdingsanpancho.org/about_us/


This community understands the importance of the environment and the arts in our world today, which are two important things for Rob and Sue.

Before returning to the cold north of Canada, they paid San Pancho a visit.

Luis Moralis with the hat standing in front of one of his great new ideas!

You must visit San Pancho Mexico just north of Puerto Vallarta.  

The Press

Foxy Yoga in Mexico

Foxy Yoga

Robert held a wellness class on his rooftop apartment every Friday morning at 10 a.m.  He advertised it as yoga since yoga is very popular in this area.  However, Robert's yoga was a combination of weight resistance, mobility, meditation, and Qigong exercises.

Every week, the group included a Buddhist group of Qigong movements called, "The Golden 8 Energy Balancing" exercises.

Here is the link to a great site that explains them well ... https://www.hashimotoshealing.com/index.php?wlmfile=Golden-8.pdf

It is recommended that you perform these 8 exercises every day very early in the morning.

a) Warm Up ... Tapping

b) Golden 8 Exercises

1.  Reach for Happiness (lungs)

2.  The Archer (circulation)

3.  Between Heaven and Earth (coordinates the internal organs)

4.  Look Back and Let Go (stress)

5.  Twist and Release (circulation) Sometimes known as "Head and Tail"



6.  Bending for Health (kidneys)

7.  Energy Punch (central nervous system)

8.  Energy Jump (skeletal system)

c)  Cool Down or Completion

COMPLETION
Set your mind to finish. Gradually slow down your movements in preparation to stop.
Rub your hands together until you feel heat between them. This gathers all excess energy into the hands in preparation to perform the following massages.

Parts of the face may be related to the different internal organs. Massaging the face can quickly and effectively send energy to these organs as well as functioning as a facial rejuvenation practice to help smoothe or prevent formation of wrinkles.

1. Wash your face – wipe the face with both hands, starting from the chin, moving up the middle of the face to the forehead, then down the sides of the face. 9 times. This increases the blood circulation to enhance facial beauty and decrease effects of aging.
   
2. Massage the sides of the nose with the outer edges of the index fingers – up and down. 9 times. Stimulates the respiratory system.
   
3. Use the tips of your index finger to massage the LI20 in a circular motion 9 times one way than the other way.
   
4. Place your thumbs on your temples. Using the joints of the index finger massage in arches above the eyes then below the eyes from the centre of the face outwards. 9 times. Helpful for any eye problems and for wrinkles around the eyes.
   
5. Massage UB1 in a circles, one direction then the other, using the tip of the index finger. 9 times. Helpful for sinus problems and eye problems.
   
6. Massage the depression in the cheeks directly below the eyes using the joint of the thumbs. 9 times. Helpful for smoothing all facial wrinkles and strengthening the spleen and stomach.
   
7. Massage REN 24 and DU 26 in circles, one direction then the other, using the tip of the index finger. 9 times.
   
8. Comb the hair – using your separated finger tips comb through your hair from front to back. Stimulates the brain and the channels running through the head. 9 times. Increases circulation to the scalp thereby preventing hair loss and premature greying.
   

9. Beating the heavenly drum – Place palm over ears with finger spread over back of head. Overlap and snap the index and middle fingers over each other. 9 times. Stimulates the brain, prevents stroke, improves memory.
   
10. Pop the cork – Place the tips of index fingers in your ears, twist and pull out. 9 times. Helpful for tinnitus, deafness and any other ear problems.
    
11. Monkey face – Place the right arm over your head with fingers on top half of left ear and pull upwards. Simultaneously place the left arm under your chin with fingers on the bottom half of right ear and pull downward. 9 times. Repeat switching hands. The ears are a microsystem and can access the whole body. Increases longevity.
    
12. Shaving – Take the heel of the right hand all the way through to the finger tips along jaw and chin from one ear lobe to the other. Alternate with the left hand. 9 times. Related to the health of the pelvic area. This area of the face also represents your health late in life therefore massaging this area can help to improve health in later life.
    
13. Neck massage – Tilt the chin up. Place hand under chin and stroke downwards to your chest, alternating hands. 9 times. Helps to balance the thyroid. Smoothes and balances the energy between the head and neck.
    
14. Abdomen massage – Women place right hand down first and left hand on top on lower dan tien. Men left hand down first and right hand on top. Massage 9 circles from small to large, clockwise, then from large to small, anti-clockwise. Generates energy in the dan tien. Also aids elimination process. 
    

Special Feature Presentation: The Lone Ranger

Once upon a time, there was a little boy of almost 5 years.  He lived with his nana and papa in Mexico.  He loved video games, swimming with dolphins, flying kites, finding treasures on the beach, reading and listening to stories, pretending to be "King for a Day", and riding horses.  He had such a good heart that everyone loved him.  He was out to save the world and fight all the outlaws.  He could often be seen with his sidekick, who lived near the 6 Nations Indian Reserve in Ontario Canada.

As the two "rangers" grew, they traveled the world doing good deeds wherever they went.  They recycled, helped saved the whales and dolphins, and they protected all the trees of the forest.  This young superhero became known worldwide as, "The Lone Ranger", and his sidekick was called, "Kemo Sabe" or trusty friend.

He might look like this when he grows up!

Hopefully they will be close by when you need help!

Giving the gift of coumarin

Before it got too hot, at around 8 a.m., Sue and Rob walked to the Flamingo Sports Club located behind the Mega grocery store, for their last swim in the olympic pool.  As usual, the fitness facility was pretty much vacant of people, and the pool was perfect as usual.  The people who work there are very friendly, and the club is immaculately kept.  As they swam their 50 lengths, a black vulture sat high on the light post and watched.  This new world vulture can only detect prey with his eyes, unlike the common old world turkey vulture that has sharp eyes but also a great sense of smell.

The turkey vulture's range is from Canada to the bottom of South America, while this black vulture has a range from the south USA to Chile.  The black vulture has no syrinx or vocal box like other birds so it can only grunt and hiss.  It raises 2 chicks a year.  It is a scavenger so it probably thought that Sue and Rob's scrawny boney bodies would make a great lunch.

Many of the old "gringos" from Canada are preparing for their departure from Mexico.  The migration usually happens at the end of March.  The weather here in Bucerias begins to heat up so that the afternoons are unbearably hot.  Easter Week is coming (Pascua Semana) and many Mexicans head for the oceanside.  It gets very crowded here so it is time for us to return to the spring weather of Canada.  But what special gifts will we take to our friends back home?  I know!

Something to think about first ...

Mexican vanilla is cheap, tasty, and versatile.  It would make a great gift.  Rob and Sue are on the hunt for vanilla this afternoon.  It is sold in every store here.  This should be easy to find.  You might find the story about coumarin below interesting, and check the label on your vanilla bottles.

Mexican vanilla is a gourmet cook's dream spice. Its rich, smooth taste is unrivaled, which makes it the perfect ingredient to add pizzazz to ordinary recipes. 

History of Mexican Vanilla

Vanilla is made from the orchid plant and grows naturally in the southern coastal regions of Mexico. The Totonacs of Veracruz, Mexico are credited as its first cultivators. In the early 1400s the Totonacs considered vanilla a sacred herb and used it in ritual offerings and for medicine, but rarely as a flavoring. It wasn't until nearly a century later that the Aztecs combined vanilla with chocolate to create the drink chocolatl. In the years since, the fragrant bean has become one of the most desirable spices in the world and is embraced by both professional chefs and home cooks.

Vanilla Facts

Mexican vanilla is highly valued for its flavor, which is described by top chefs as "spicy and delicate." Authentic vanilla is produced in much smaller quantities than ordinary vanilla, due to the extensive labor required to grow the pods.

The Mexican vanilla bean is a thicker and darker bean than its traditional cousin, and has a smooth, strong, rich fragrance and flavor. Some cooks regard Mexican vanilla as the best of its kind, and use it in everything from stews to beverages. However, because of its extra spiciness Mexican vanilla beans, pure vanilla extract and other vanilla products, tend to be used most commonly found in dessert dishes as it marries well with sweet treats that rely heavily on baking spices for flavoring.

Important Warning About Mexican Vanilla

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a stern warning about the use of some vanilla products. Some manufacturers of vanilla products in Mexico add coumarin, which is a toxic substance banned by the FDA, because it can cause liver and kidney damage.

Coumarin is derived from the Brazilian Tonka bean and can be used to make flavoring, which is very similar to vanilla. The potentially deadly substance is used extensively in synthetic vanillas manufactured in Mexico. In the 1950s the United States banned imports of coumarin products; however, the products still make their way across the border from time to time.

Things to Avoid When Shopping for Vanilla

Prior to purchasing vanilla products make sure they are clearly labeled "coumarin free" or "pure vanilla." In addition, always buy vanilla products from reputable suppliers. Often tourists visiting Mexico are tempted to buy bargain priced vanilla. The cheap price is usually an indicator that the vanilla is laced with coumarin. Pure Mexican vanilla is expensive. The synthetic version may smell and taste like vanilla, but it is not pure vanilla and should be avoided. Authentic vanilla is amber colored while synthetics tend to be dark and murky due to the coal tar from which they are produced or from caramel and red food colorings. To ensure you are getting pure vanilla from Mexico check the label, the price, and avoid large bargain-sized bottles found south of the border.

At 5 p.m., all the old beach bums met for a picnic.

Mary Lynne/Steve/Bill/Kathy/Milla

Robert and Jack talked about sand crabs.

Jack went riding on "Silver".

fishermen were preparing their nets

Betty shared her Hors d'oeuvres

The evening ended will another fabulous sunset ...

A Room with a View

Kathy, the planner of our group, thought it would be a good idea to go to a restaurant with a view of the ocean, so Milla, Betty, Kathy, Bill, Sue and Rob went to the La Cruz marina, one of the largest on the Mexican Pacific coast.  This restaurant has "a room with a view".  The view from the top of the yacht club was spectacular, and certainly worth the 'higher' cost of the meal.  i.e.) Mexican shrimp taco 15 pesos / shrimp taco 69 pesos.
In spite of our insistence on separate bills, (which confused the food waiter / drink waiter), the service was cordial and prompt.  We all enjoyed the experience and dreamed of sailing off into the sunset.

4 very contented females from Canada are ready

this 10 million $ yacht was ready

We had our Mexican lunch in this room with a view ...

This life will soon be over and back to Canada next week ...

So much of the economy depends on tourism in this part of Mexico, that we asked the waiter what happens to business, when all the gringos leave.  His response was that the more "well- to- do" Mexicans (of which there are many), from places like Guadalajara, and other interior cities, spend their holidays here at the Pacific coast beaches.  As soon as the gringos fly off, the Mexicans move in by the thousands, and the holidays begin with Semana Santa or Holy Week, leading up to their most important holiday for them -  Easter.

Now folks ... listen up ... the hot sauce doesn't burn your throat until you swallow.  I will show everyone how I eat my deep fried diablo shrimp.

Where is the food?  We haven't eaten in an hour.

shrimp taco @ 69 pesos or $5

"mahi mahi was the catch of the day" @ 190 pesos or $16

La Cruz marina in the foreground and Bucerias in the background.

It is now 6 p.m. and Rob, Sue, and Betty are eating ... freshly baked mahi fish done in the largest oven in the Ana Ruth's hotel, freshly shredded coleslaw with Robert's mother's famous thousand island dressing, freshly dug mini potatoes baked to perfection by Betty, steamed broccoli which is one of the top ten healthiest foods on the planet, hot out of the oven turnovers from a new Bucerias bakery just steps away, homemade cauliflower soup with crema fresh, and chilled Chilean wine - of course Reserved.

Milla was invited but went back to La Cruz to some "rock 'n roll" show with friends.

At the Hickey hacienda across town, Bill was barbequing steak to perfection for his special guests ... Mary Lynne and Steve.  Jack is providing the entertainment and Kathy is the "hostess with the mostest".

(stay tuned for a photo shoot for this party)

Happy 31st Anniversary to Kathy and Bill Hickey

March 24 is a big day for the Hickey's!!
Kathy's mother, Dorothy, died 12 years ago today.
Gracie, their pug dog, is 8 today.
Kathy's niece, Nicki, turns 31 today, and this is Kathy and Bill's 31 wedding anniversary.


Sue, Rob, and Betty were invited to the Hickey haienda to babysit Jack while Kathy and Bill went for dinner at Sandbar gastronomic elemental in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

Congratulations Kathy and Bill - Your friends and family wish you many more happy years ...
click here ... http://youtu.be/_6kHRTYThao

           Has it really been 31 years?


                              Kathy feeds Gracie her special ice cream treat in her birthday cup.

           

The real party started when Kathy and Bill left.

Jack loves to swim and he is good at it.

Jack ate all his pizza.

Betty teaches Jack how to fly his kite...   http://youtu.be/uEwVvcf1Ta8

Robert and Jack played hide and seek in the water.

Jack loves to paint with Robert.  They even had time to read, "Mortimer" by Robert Munsch.

Robert gave Jack a "limbo stick" and Betty was determined that she was going to teach everyone how to do the limbo rock.  Way back when she was just a young teenager living in Galt Ontario, she was quite the dancer.  Anyway, Robert, Jack, Sue, and Betty did the "limbo" and had a rocking' time.  There was nobody available to take photos of this or to make a video.  You will just have to imagine it.

Bill and Kathy returned from the Sandzibar gastronomic elemental restaurant in La Cruz just as the "babysitters and the baby" were winding down.  Bill and Kathy raved about the food and the ambiance of the place.  The rack of lamb and the caesar salad and the fresh Greek/Mexican veggies were cooked to perfection.

Happy Anniversary from all your friends and family.

Thanks for the ice cream and I wish you many more years of happiness!