Standup paddle board down the Arroyo

Dave Collins First descent of Arroyo Las Joyas on his standup paddle board

SUPlaneta Productions: First descent of Arroyo Las Joyas, La Manzanilla, Jalisco, Mexico, on a standup paddle board... El primer desenco del Arroyo Las Joyas sobre una tabla de "standup".

Tropical storm Douglas

Tropical storm Douglas
La Manzanilla, Costalegre, Jalisco

A warning about the La Manzanilla crocodiles

From La Manzanilla message board :

I am still very upset about what happened Monday 19th when I came to your little tranquil village to see how it was after an absence of 3 years visiting there. On a previous visit I saw the crocodiles and was shocked at how close they lived to the village. But that shock turned to horror this visit. I would like to tell what happened as a warning to anyone who has been there or anywhere that crocodiles live and are in contact with humans.

As I strolled about the village a lovely large white/ beige short haired dog came up to me, obviously very friendly. As I walked up the beach he seemed to want to follow along and his quiet friendly company was appreciated. After strolling around the beach , decided to go check out the croc population and see if it had changed. I was very surprised to see how many more there were and their sizes. It was very impressive and I was in awe that the local people seem to have accepted these animals in their village.

There is a nature trail suggested so thought since I had several hours before the bus was returning to take me back to my hotel in Barra, I would explore. The dog was still with me and as we rounded the bend to start on a trail I noticed that the bridge previously there was broken in the middle, unable to pass.

So I came off the bridge and noticing a lagoon at the end of the river and a big croc swimming in there.... not more than 20 feet away from me....... just a few feet from beach umbrellas and the ocean shore. As I stood there puzzling about this the dog went down to the edge of the lagoon to drink, about 6 feet from where I was standing. I saw the croc start to swim towards the shore and glanced at the dog who was still drinking. It flashed in my mind that the croc was coming towards us and I called to the dog to come to me but before I could get him to move the croc had covered the distance of 20 feet and lunged and grabbed the dog by the neck and drug it back in.

The whole thing happened in about 15 seconds. I was shocked and sickened that this happened. The speed of that croc was unbelievable. I had heard that they were fast but never imagined how fast. I am sick at heart because of what happened to that poor dog. I understand that it is the way of nature and the croc was only doing what is natural for him.

But I must tell anyone who is in areas were crocs are to be extremely careful. From this witness I can tell you crocodiles can move with lightning speed and he knows exactly what to do. The poor dog did not have a chance and I shutter to think if I could have been a victim myself. I am certain that small children would be in great danger there. These crocodiles are fast and deadly. Please everyone BE CAREFUL.

Costalegre Jalisco Mexico

Powered paragliding La Manzanilla Bay, Mexico

La Manzanilla, Jalisco, Mexico, Costalegre, paragliding

Conservation of Wetlands

On February 2, 2008, La Manzanilla was chosen as 1 of 7 estuaries / wetlands to be protected by the RAMSAR project. Please see http://www.ramsar.org/ whose mission statement is: "Conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national action and international cooperation as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world."

What this means is, La Manzanilla has been chosen to make plans to save our estuary, our water supply and our natural flora and fauna. It includes re-forestation which can create an atmosphere where the rain water will no longer run off the hills in erosion, but soak into the water aquafer through the tree roots. This also means we, as members of this community, may find ourselves volunteering to plant tree seedlings in the hills, or atleast supporting the efforts of those who do. MSc Francisco Silva, Chief of Department of Studies for Sustainable Development of Coastal Zones of the University of Guadalajara (Melaque) was responsible for the elaboration of the technical and scientific proposal given to the RAMSAR Convention. He and authorities of Jalisco State and municipality will visit La Manzanilla in order to meet with our community and establish a work plan. Please stay tuned for further developments.

Dalmation crapping on beach at sunset

Tongue in cheek comedy

To the gringa woman who has a problem with my Mexican Dalmation shitting on the beach and not liking it, piss right the phuk off. You came to Lora Lokas and had a word with Pancho, and, yes, you grabbed his arm so you could show him what the crap looks like, well guess what shit for brains, he knows what it looks like, so I suggest if you don't like the way things are here go HOME!!! You are lucky you did not get clocked, as he is a GENTLEMAN. If it were me I would have kicked your ass to Puerto Vallarta so you can get a head start to were you came from!!!! GO HOME you don't belong here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dogs have been shitting on beaches since the beginning of time, and it ain't gonna stop. I am SO TIRED OF PEOPLE TRYING TO CHANGE THINGS so they can live as they do at "home". Stay home if you don't ike it, or go to another place that meets your standards. I hope to hell she reads this. Gringa, if you have a question, just ask where I am,not hard to find. Just a pissed off resident..

La Manzanilla, Jalisco, Costalegre

La Catalina Foundation - Winter Newsletter

Just an example of what a Costalegre community group can do - and how to communicate !!!
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Issue 8 – Winter 2007 La Manzanilla, Jalisco, México

MIDDLE SCHOOL WINS GRANT FOR COMPUTERS & INTERNET SERVICE!!!

Working with our local middle school, La Catalina Educational Foundation assisted with completing a grant application to receive 10 new computers. Out of 20 schools in the State of Jalisco that applied, La Manzanilla middle school was proud to be one of three schools that won the grant. Our seventy middle school students and their teachers are eagerly awaiting the delivery and installation of these new computers along with the 5 year free high-speed internet access that was awarded as part of the grant. Thank you to foundation board member and middle school principal, Valentín Chavez Castro and our intern Dean Klompas for their great efforts!

SURVEYING THE COMMUNITY’S EDUCATION NEEDS

As we are in the process of planning for the construction of a community educational center, we have been surveying the Mexican community of La Manzanilla to see what kind of educational services and facilities they would like to see for their children and grandchildren. Our first community survey was conducted to 29 Ejiditarians. This survey is also being administered to the teachers and school administrators, the “Padres de las Familias”, the middle school students, and other groups of Mexican residents in the community.

The following are the results from three of the primary questions from our first batch of surveys administered to the Ejiditarians in October 2007.

[To view tables with survey results, please visit the website at the link below]:

Website and survey results

Tropical Storm Henriette

El arroyito de la Manzanilla


La Manzanilla Ocean September 03, 2007

Some pictures of Boca de Iguanas

Here are some pictures of the results of Tropical Storm Henriette in Melaque

Flooding the second year in a row for Melaque even with the new bridge and channel for the river. A very bad engineering job that probably won't be resolved any time soon.

Boca de Iguanas - Hotel - Beach Club - Spa - Community

And here's what you can pay $350,000 to $500,000us (only guessing - prices not yet posted) and pretend you are anywhere other than Mexico.

Their Web Page
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Life at Boca de Iguanas revolves around a dynamic community center inspired by the traditional pueblito at the heart of Mexico’s colonial heritage. First-class resort living mixes colorful, old-world architecture with contemporary Mexican design in a refreshing natural haven that features a boutique hotel, beach club and a holistic spa all situated around a rare mangrove ecosystem.

Located 40 minutes north of Manzanillo International Airport, Boca de Iguanas offers single-family ocean view homes and condos nestled in the jungle, gentle waves lapping a cream sand beach, fresh organic meals served under the stars and exceptional service.

Stand-alone “green” homes designed in a traditional Mexican pueblo theme will be set against ponds and mangroves surrounded by primordial jungle. The result is a pristine setting that allows residents and vacationers to experience the stunning natural beauty of the area while indulging in first-class amenities.

Boca de Iguanas will offer an unparalleled 21st century vacation/lifestyle experience in a pristine, ecologically-progressive gated community, with 24 hour security, alternative clean energy sources and underground utilities.

The development will revolve around a dynamic community center inspired by the traditional pueblito, with dining and shopping, open plazas and old stone fountains reminiscent of Mexico’s colonial heritage. Building in this style will also allow for more densely organized houising, maximizing land usage while offering an intimate, community-oriented feel found in Old World Mexican pueblos. Homeowners will have access to a beach club with an infinity edge pool, hammocks and lounges on the beach. Spectacular views, fresh organic meals and exceptional service will be offered from the al fresco beachside restaurant and bar.
Natural surroundings are kept in a largely untouched state, juxtaposing the striking ocean and tranquil beach with a mangrove ecosystem that will also provide a backdrop to many of the development’s eco-focused lifestyle. Cars will not be allowed : a covered parking area located at the entrance of the development will be available to the owners. Walking paths will encourage a healthy lifestyle, and electric golf carts will deliver owners right to their front doors.

To maximize on the “greenness” of the community, each house will have its own solar power array for electricity as well as solar hot water, and plumbing will connect to community gray water recycling system, and sewage treatment plant.

The Boca de Iguanas is for couples and families seeking wellness of being, physical activities, cultural encounters, and luxurious surroundings packaged in a complete high-end vacation experience.

La Manzanilla Rodeo 2006

This is my first visit to the Rodeo in La Manzanilla and one of the few that starts early enough to get some pictures. Friends went to one in Cihuatlan a month ago thinking it started at six and they waited until 8:30 while listening to 70,000 watts of music and an out of control disk jockey. The Fiesta going on right now in Villa Obregon (Ejido Villa Obregon Candelaria Celebration) seems to only have events in the evening ... but it goes through Monday so we'll see.

Villa Obregon Candelaria Fiesta

The La Manzanilla rodeo started with the Band marching up the hill and up to the "bandstand". The riders are introduced one at a time and then they say their prayers and hello to the crowd. After that a rider comes out every 20-30 minutes depending on how much time it takes to get the previous bull out of the ring. After the rider is off three guys on horses lasso the bull and can control his direction back to the exit gate. In between, lots of people watching, dancing, eating and beer drinking.

Comment from La Manzanilla Message board announcing ...
It’s time to rev things up for Gringo Day again, the first of La Manzanilla’s four rodeo days. This year it is Friday, Feb. 3 and, WOW!, this is the 25th Annual Gringo Day! As a review, and for those of you new to the concept, Gringo Day is when the gringos of our fair community sponsor all the rodeo action for our warmhearted Mexican neighbors as a thank you for this wonderful village we know and love so well.

More fotos of the Rodeo

Band coming up the hill

Coming out of the chute

This bull knows what to do

Kids enjoying the show

Time for dancing and beer

La Manzanilla, Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico