Sunday, December 30, 2007

Christmas and New Years beach crowds

Not as many people as Semana Santa holidays but it has been crowded on Santiago Bay. The old road along the beach north of Santiago up to Maeva has re-opened and is newly paved. I don't know if this means the development behind has been put on hold ... but that would be fine with me.




Santiago Bay, Manzanillo, Colima Mexico

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Manzanillo WalMart

Not the most exciting thing to report on but Manzanillo can use the extra shopping options. Completion date is set for sometime in November and looks like they will be on schedule. Also a VIP's which reminds me of a Denny's from up north. This store is located on the beach between Comercial Mexicana and Sorianas.

Another few stores are going in across the street in front of the IMSS Hospital but don't know what they are yet. A new Burger King and CinePlex were finished a few months ago on the grounds of the Soriana store


Thursday, June 28, 2007

Santiago - the town


A complete little beach town on the north end of Manzanillo


Santiago, once a separate town has been annexed by the City of Manzanillo - so is now a Colonia. However it still has the flavor and feel of a small Mexican town complete with a market and a Bull Ring. About eight blocks into town is the Mercado and adjoining craft and flower markets. The 'Plaza de Toros' is about eight blocks futher into town beyond the market.


Lots of beach activity including fishing and surfing. A number of restaurants throughout town, along the hyway and on the beaches to the north and south. The Scuba Shack can probably line you up with any outdoor activity you have in mind - or at least re-direct you. The Hollywood and Vine foto below is a favorite afternoon hangout for local gringos in need of a beer and conversation.



Front of the Central Market



Flower and Craft Market



Santiago Plaza



Tacos Julio



Even some good surf at times



Link to Web Page with more Fotos

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

The Santiago Peninsula

Taking a drive out on the Santiago Peninsula is an interesting trip. From the entrance and beach side the size (length) of the peninsula is deceptive but the narrow road winds over the crest of the hills way beyond Las Hadas resort. I didn't go all the way out due to traffic and it seemed the road got narrower and narrower. Just far enough to look down on Playa Audiencia, Las Hadas and back at resorts overlooking one of a few golf courses.



From the crest of the hill toward Playa Audiencia



Looking down on Playa Audiencia



The boat harbor at Playa Audiencia



Las Hadas Resort



Looking towards Salahua over the Golf Courses

Sunday, February 25, 2007

The Salt Museum of Cuyutlán

Even though I've been to Cuyutlan 5 or 6 times, I've never run into the museum. I've only found the old salt sheds that are along the railroad tracks north of the station. If I'd read this article by Don Adams I would have had a better idea where to look. El Muséo de Sal by Don Adams


Cuyutlan is about 20 kilometers south of Manzanillo and probably best to either rent a car or go on a tour that may combine with a visit to the turtle sanctuary south of town. You can access Cuyutlan from either the toll highway (right at the toll booth) or from highway 200 that runs through the country aways from the coast. There are buses but it would be a slow trip.



Excerpt from Dons article

On the plaza, face the school building and walk toward it. When you reach the street, turn right, heading toward the railroad station, and walk to the end of the next block. The museum is on the corner to your left.

The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. every day. Admission is by donation. Be as generous as you’re able. Clean restrooms are at the back of the main room.

Pride in Cuyutlán’s contribution to the history of Mexico is evident in the simple displays housed in this well-maintained recently re-modeled museum. It serves as a tribute to both the 16th Century salt harvesters and the modern salt producers, the salineros, who work from March to June in the salt flats of the 35 kilometer Laguna de Cuyutlán, the Cuyután Lagoon.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Playa Santiago's older Hotels

Playa Santiago was one of the first beaches developed north of downtown Manzanillo and Playa Las Brisas. The north side of the peninsula is the most protected on Santiago Bay and thats where many hotels were built in the 40's and 50's. Construction on the peninsula didn't start until much later. With the exception of Playa Audiencia - there are no beaches on the peninsula. You will definately find bargains along this beach if you don't mind simple and plain.

Perry Christenson from the Seattle area sent me the bottom family picture of the Hotel Anita in 1954.



The protected beach of Playa Santiago



Hotel Playa Santiago



Hotel Marlyn



Hotel Anita



Playa Santiago looking at Santiago



Santiago Beach and Hotel Anita - 1954


Thursday, February 01, 2007

Manzanillo - The Port and the Waterfront

We went down to Manzanillo yesterday to re-new my FM3 at immigration which is located at the Port Offices. A few of these fotos are taken from there with the public beach nearby. The re-newal process took so little time we decided to head downtown, look around and find Bar Social. Bar Social is left over from the 1940's and has not changed much since then. A very simple place that the locals hang out at for Beer and Botanas in the afternoon. The botanas don't start being served until 1:30 and we got there at noon so just had a beer. We'll check it out later another day.



Cruise ship in port from downtown pier



Tug going out to get another ship



Downtown from the Port Offices



Street cafe near the waterfront Plaza



Bar Social doors from the inside



The bar at Bar Social

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Canadian Navy and FM3

Shoe and I drove down to Manzanillo from Melaque to renew his FM3 and what do we find but the Canadian Navy tied up to the pier downtown. The town was full of sailors. We probably wouldn't have gone all the way into town except he needed to have new pictures taken - only necessary when you change your Visa registration city.

While waiting the hour for fotos we had lunch at the Hotel Colonial just a block off the central waterfront. The immigration office is located at the Port Offices at the entrance to the harbor. Manzanillo must now be one of the easierst places to apply for Visas as this would have taken less than 2 hours if it had not been for the new pictures required. The Banjercito (government bank), where you can pay, is just a few blocks away and never busy.

On the way the way back we stopped in Santiago at a little Sport and Tackle shop for some fishing gear - and then at Playa Miramar for another beer.



Canadian Navy tied up on the pier



Hotel Colonial



Centro near where we had the pictures taken



Port Offices and Immigration - behind a new office



La Casa del Pescadore



Playa Miramar
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