As I came home from a muggy afternoon. I sit down and answer a phone call from my niece. I talk with her and look out the window to notice a group of people gathered around the protective fencing directly below. I rush down the elevator. “Great” I think, they must be hatching. “I’m anticipating getting to see them making a run for the water.” As I approach the beach it seems odd to me that I don’t see tracks or little turtles. I only and see children and adults standing inside the fenced area exactly where the eggs should be.
I tap a gentleman on the shoulder. “Sir, what’s going on? Are the turtles already gone?” It turns out its “Larry” who owns several properties I manage.
Larry proceeds to tell me that the turtle that laid her eggs here must have confused her location. Unfortunately it was too hot for the eggs to survive and when the Ocean Biologists checked on the eggs none the embryos had survived.
The little black bag that this child is holding is what is left of what our little city or Puerto Penasco held our breath for waiting for the Turtles to return to the sea.
Steve Schwab

By Richard Scott

Sea Side Reservations ofrece ahora servicios de Concierge, esto incluye servicios mas personalizados.
Puerto Peñasco es un lugar donde encuentras fácilmente lo que necesitas al mismo tiempo que te diviertes; aún así, organizar un evento especial es mejor si cuentas con la ayuda de alguien que conoce perfectamente el lugar y como hacerlo … ésta es la especialidad de Lidia Sandoval, quien ofrece servicios de concierge a nuestros huespedes que reservan un lugar con Sea Side Reservations Mexico.

Lidia nació en Puerto Peñasco y conoce a las personas y lugares de su Puerto muy bien, pero su habilidad y experiencia como concierge las adquirió en uno de los destinos turísticos más reconocidos del mundo: Puerto Vallarta.
“Donde yo trabaja antes, cada piso del hotel tiene su propio concierge !. En Puerto Peñasco yo ofrezco mi ayuda a todos los huéspedes que reservan con Sea Side Reservations, no importa si es en uno de nuestros desarrollos turísticos o en una residencia privada en Las Conchas” dice Lidia.

Que hace un concierge por tí? “Tenemos 347 reservaciones este fin de semana, a todos ellos les envié un correo electrónico dándoles la bienvenida y haciéndoles saber que estamos aquí para ayudarlos y qué es lo que podemos hacer para que su visita a nuestro Puerto sea lo mas placentera posible” dijo con simpatía Lidia.
“Iniciamos con detalles como: encender el aire acondicionado del condominio una hora antes de que estén los huéspedes, surtimos la despensa de comestibles si así lo desean, hacemos reservaciones en los diferentes Restaurantes de la ciudad, reservamos paseos en barco para ver el atardecer o para pescar, etc; con estos servicios nuestros visitantes se sienten como si estuvieran en su casa mientras están en un condominio.
Una cena privada preparada por un chef personal, amenizada con música de saxofón en vivo, creando momentos románticos e inolvidables”.

Lidia Sandoval pertenece a la Asociación de Concierges de la Costa del Pacífico de Mexico, trae a su experiencia y entusiasmo a Sea Side Reservations y a su lugar de origen. “Estoy muy emocionada de aportar algo especial a el lugar que tanto amo”dijo.

Puedes contactar a Lidia en seasideconcierge@seasidemexico.com o al teléfono 638)383.0700, ext. 106

Sunday night saw the rise of the ‘Super Moon’. Brighter and larger because it passes closer to the earth than at any time in the past 20 years,  the moon made a great show for those spending time here in Rocky Point. Tides are high too, as the natural world responds to the moons magnetic pull.

Our beach is currently the home for a nest of Pacific Olive Ridley sea turtle eggs. Laid last month, the eggs are due to hatch between now and the end of August. Environmental specialists here to over see the nest are speculating that the unusual moon may work it’s magic and cause the little guys to break out of their shells and head for the waves. While no longer full, the next two nights will still have lots of  lunar ‘pull’.

A Lunada is a traditional Mexican beach party to accompany full moons. Maybe tonights the night to celebrate the beauty of nature, gaze at the stars, and maybe witness one of natures most awesome events.

 

By Richard Scott

From three blocks away, I could tell someone was cooking with chile, garlic, lemongrass, and ginger. I am used to the scent of grilled steak, or a warm smell of a bowl of tortilla soup. The exotic flavors of Thailand have come to Rocky Point with the brand new El Patio Thai Restaurant. With many years of cooking the cuisine of Asia, and also travelling to Thailand to learn first hand, the chef wanted to share her ‘street’ style Thai food in this new venture.

You enter El Patio Thai through a hallway that leads to an interior courtyard. So you are inside and outside. The kitchen is right in front of you, making for a nice, aromatic show while you wait for your food. The big blackboard lists the menu full of Thai classics, and that menu is always changing. “There are so many different things to make in Thai food, so we change. Plus, it’s boring to do the same thing all the time” the chef tells me. “Our first idea was to open a Chinese restaurant, but we looked around and saw that there where already a few. That’s when I decided the style of Thai food I had studied would offer something new here.”

Try the Red Curry, the classic Thai dish. A mix of chile, coconut milk, and lemmongrass, the combination of flavors makes a unique taste all it’s own. Pad Thai noodles, papaya salad, stir fries, and fish cakes with cucumber relish are all on the menu too. Is it hard to find the ingredients you need here? “Yes a little. We work with what we have. For example, there is basil here, but it is not exactly the same flavor I am used to. So probably we will start growing our own.”

On the Malecon near Beachbums, on a Friday night you can hear their house band playing salsa while you enjoy the flavors of Southeast Asia. Located near the intersection with Zaragosa, El Patio Thai is a nice adddition to this area of creative and interesting businesses.   by Richard Scott

*El Patio Thai is located on the Malecon by the Caldwell Banker Real Estate office,

*Open 7 days a week from 6:00pm to 11:00pm

* Phone 638 116 5136 for home delivery

 

A magical night begins with great food, soft music, and a spectaular sunset like the ones you can only find in Rocky Point. All of this waits for you up at the top of the hill when you visit The Lighthouse Restaurant.

Perched high near the town’s working lighthouse, The Light House Restaurant feels as if it is suspended over the sea and the city lights below. And what a view! A panorama of the entire town spreads out below as the sun melts slowly into the ocean. ‘Click’. Dinner usually comes to a stop here as everyone grabs their camera or cell phone, some discussing wheather there really is a green flash, and will we see one tonight?

The perfect time for relaxing, a live band on the patio sets the mood. Owner Armando Noriega, after a long career in Mexico City’s professional music scene, leads the group and plays seductive saxophone sounds. Suddenly the lights are dimmed. Someone has ordered flaming coffee! A waiter lights the alcohol floating on top of the coffee, then with great skill pours the burning liquid from cup to cup. Sugar sprinkled on the flames ignites, making a mini fire works show. And show it is. Weather your table ordered it or not, everyone in the house enjoys the dramatic little ritual of Mexican Coffee.

Lights up, and here comes your food. You have chosen the Mixed Fajita Platter. Good choice! Chicken, beef, and mushrooms served on a sizzling platter with homemade tortillas on the side. Really tasty stuff. The Chicken Cordon Blu, stuffed with white cheese and ham, and the Mango Shrimp are also popular and good choices. Steak Tampequino stands out as well. Normally made from strips of flank steak, the Lighthouse uses filet along with the rice, beans, and avocado of this traditional Mexican dish.

After dinner, head upstairs to The Lighthouse Lounge. Formerly known as the Crows Nest, the Lounge has the feel of your own personal hide away, and is a cool alternative to the bigger party places in town. Lots of personality and occasional live music on weekends.

*Located on Whale hill, turn off of Benito Juarez at the sign across from the harbor

*Open 7 days from 3:00pm to 10:00pm

*for reservations call 638 383 2389

This week, the city of Rocky Point opened a Visitors Information Center on the Malecon. Walk in for help in English or Spanish, and take a look at the material that is available from the hotels, tour companies, and others in business of appealing to vacationers. The Center is in the stone building across from Portofinos Restaurant at the start of the Malecon.

High powered viewing binoculars have been installed on the Malecon too, and you can see in detail everything out to the resorts on Sandy Beach. Is that our condo? Did we really leave the Mini Mouse beach towel hanging on the railing? Oh well.

While you are looking, see if you can spot where the sea turtle nest is. Earlier in July, a Pacific Olive Ridley sea turtle came ashore to lay a clutch of eggs, now buried on busy Sandy Beach. Look for the protective orange mesh that has been set up around the nest to shield them. An environmental official from the Mexican government is there monitoring the safety of this protected species.

Not a regular event like it is down south in the state of Nayarit, the nesting of a sea turtle happens once in a while around Rocky Point. In about twenty more days we should see the baby turtles make their mad dash into the surf. The question is, will they stop for a selfie first?

Art events are popping up around town in the form of movie nights, photography shows, and dance events. In the past week, the Plaza de la Madre has hosted two of these. Plaza de la Madre is the public park next to the baseball stadium, and is dedicated to mothers (there is a statue of a drowsy mom cradling one baby while reading to another child. Way nicer than a soldier on a horse or a politician).

On Sunday, the monthly Cultural Corredor brought together painters, photographers, and musicians by the old fashioned Kiosk at the center of the park. The Soundsets, piano, bass, sax, and vocals, played Jazz with a pop touch.

Wednesday night saw the second in an on-going series of events to be held here. Music from the duo of Vania and Heber (known to regulars of the Mare Blu restaurant) accompanied a show of low-rider customized bicycles. Ballet was performed by the Mariana Zatarain Dance troupe, and body painting was realized by Izreal Garcia with make up from Lourdes Rivera.

Watch the Seaside Reservations blog for more about the events and activities you can find when visiting Rocky Point.   by Richard Scott

 

 

One place that feels just like ‘the little restaurant down the block’ is Colin’s Cantina. Right inside the entrance to the popular Princessa de Penasco Resort on Sandy Beach, Colin’s is great for a casual breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Less than six months old, Colin’s Cantina likes to try new things. If the customers like it, it goes on the menu. That’s how the Bacon / Blueberry Pancakes came about. Taco baskets are a great choice if you are watching the game at the bar, or maybe a Hatch chili chicken burger. The kitchen is fast, and the service is friendly.

Soon, cozy Colin’s will be a bit bigger. The dining area will be expanding into an adjacent office space, so with almost zero downtime or construcion mess, the restaurant will become twice as big. There is currently patio seating as well. Look for the updated dining room when you visit later this Summer.

Easy to get to near the entrance to the Princesa Resort in Rocky Point, Colin’s Cantina is open to the public from 8:00am to 10:00pm, closed on Wednesdays.

Plan ahead now for one of Rocky Points’ best loved annual events. The Rocky Point Rally is coming this November 6th through 9th. Last year there were around 5000 registered, but many non-riders come to enjoy the over the top party atmosphere that descends on the city. Mardi-Gras and Spring Break rolled into one, the Rally brings bikers from as far away as Canada.

And it really is a non-stop show. The fun starts before even arriving in town with the Across the Border Poker Run. Last year, riders went out to tour the Pinacate Biosphere Reseve, and this time it will be offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Saturday Night will see the band Mogollon take the stage, as they have for the past few years. The Malecon sees lots of action all weekend. The street is perfect for cruising your bike past the crowd. The bars and restaurants over flow with revellers, and burn out contests rule the day.

Bikes flow back and forth between the Malecon and Calle13, which see just as much action. Here is where the Toy Parade starts as well, where bikers give out toys and toss candy to super happy local kids. Charity is a large part of the Rocky Point Rally. Last year more that $9000 dollars was raised for local organizations like La Montana School (helping children with special needs), The Red Cross, as well as for the the firefighters. No trip to Rocky Point would be complete without a sunset cruise, and there is one just for registered bikers on Saturday Night.

Just a few years old, the Rocky Point Rally is starting to gain some real notice throughout the world of cyclists. People are invariable blown away by the sights and sound of a Rally by the sea, and efforts to promote the event are getting tthe word out to more and more bike afficionados. Some of this years sponsors who are making the Rall a success include Sea Side Reservations, Playa Bonita Resort, Mexpro Insurance, and Law Tigers, Motorcycle Lawyers.

*The 2014 Rocky Point Rally will begin Thursday, November 6th, and run through Sunday, November 9th.

*To find out more about scheduled events, where to stay, and to keep up with the latest Rally news, check out RockyPointRally.com