26
Mar

Cold Beers, Leche Caliente and Smoking Volcanos – Colima & Comala, Mexico

Posted on March 26th, 2009 :: Posted in Alcoholic Beverage, Hike, Mexico, Music, Volcano

The wonderful village of Comala just 10 miles outside of Colima lies in the shadow of theactive Volcán de Colima.

The wonderful village of Comala, 10 miles outside of Colima, lies in the shadow of the active Volcán de Colima.

In the afternoon we sat around one of the bars around the town square in Comala noted for their endless tasty tapas with (pricey) drinks. There we met Raphael and his huge family who were from Washington, but were in town visiting family. They were also quite fond of Mariachi music. They adopted us and wouldn’t let us return to Colima and our hotel room because we HAD to experience Leche Caliente with them in the morning. it all sounded too good to pass up so we crashed on Mom’s floor.

In the afternoon we enjoyed one of the bars around the town square in Comala noted for their endless tasty tapas that come free with (pricey) drinks. There we met Raphael and his siblings who were visiting their hometown from the US where they now live. They insisted that we HAD to experience Leche Caliente with them early the following morning and it all sounded too good to pass up so we crashed on their mother's floor that night.

The next morning they took us for Leche Cliente as promised. At dawn we drove to a nearby farm with the necessary ingredients - alcohol (clearly only the most generic kind will o), and a mix of ground up chocolate & sugar. Only one thing was missing…

Early the next morning our new friends took us for Leche Caliente as promised. At dawn we drove to a small nearby dairy farm armed with the necessary ingredients: alcohol (clearly only the most generic kind will do), and a mix of ground up chocolate and sugar. Only one thing was missing…

… and the final ingedient, udderly fresh milk. Fist time we ever had (unpasturized) milk straight from the cow and it was great. Breakfast of champions.

… the final ingredient, udderly fresh milk. This was the first time we had ever had (unpasturized) milk straight from the cow (though it's common in Mexico) and it was great. Breakfast of champions!

We drove to Nevado de Colima National Park and climbed to over 12,200 feet to the top which afforded this view of the nearby, very active Volcan de Colima. From here we drove more than three hours down to the coast, descending over 12,000 feet which is the biggest one day drop in elevation we've ever had. Out of the ice chest and into the frying pan.

Iguanas & Alligators – Costalegre, Mexico

Posted on March 21st, 2009 :: Posted in Animals, Beach, Mexico, Resort

An interesting relative newcomer to the Costalegre resort scene is Boca de Iguanas just north of the village of Melaque. They may have some work to do to really qualify as an eco-resort, as they boast, however it is an interesting melding of homes, condos and charmingly designed hotel rooms, some with outdoor bathrooms, enormous upstairs terraces and delightful sunken bathtubs. And the location simply can’t be beat.

Located down a meandering dirt road, Boca de Iguanas is right on a fine white sand beach that arcs elegantly and has surf that’s gentle and swimable. For even gentler surf the resort has one of the most beautiful pools we’ve seen.

The gorgeous blue-tiled pool at Boca de Iguanas is a meandering, infinity-edge design that seems to wander right down the beach to the water's edge.

The place isn't called Boca de Iguanas for nothing.

The resort isn't called Boca de Iguanas for nothing.

The beach at Boca de Iguanas.

Warning signs!

Those warning signs aren't up simply because they're cute. This is just one of the crocodiles that live in the area.

Basic Beach Bliss- Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, Mexico

Posted on March 17th, 2009 :: Posted in Animals, Beach, Holiday, Mexico, Music

We spent a few wonderful days in the incredibly mellow beach town of Barra de Navidad at a house that belongs to our friend Iliana’s parents who generously offered it to us so we could all hang out over a long weekend which gave us time to play on the beach and enjoy some really wonderful fish and shrimp tacos from the cart on Michoacan Street. Don’t miss the fish tacos at Mexico Lindo either–cheap and delicious!

The Barra de Navidad,/San Patricio-Melaque beach.

A Mariachi band, in front of a metal bar.

A mariachi band in front of a heavy metal bar in Barra de Navidad. Of course.

The neigboring town of San Patricio-Melaque had a big fiesta for its patron saint on March 17th...San Patricio=St Patrick. No green though.

The neighboring town of San Patricio-Melaque had a big fiesta for its patron saint on March 17th (San Patricio=St. Patrick). Weirdly, the color green was not a big deal but fireworks certainly were.