Today we visit one of Vallarta’s nicest Mexican Restaurants, Casa Traditional Cocina Mexicana, Puerto Vallarta, and Visit with manager Nino Montes about food and Puerto Vallarta
Meet Deborah Donick and Anne Selby, They have a project called Sandee’s Project, Rescuing Dog Rescuers.
More on the planned Hydroelectric Dam on The Rio Horcones
Hello fellow travelers, welcome this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel show. I am your host Barry Kessler and I am just so happy to be introducing you to my favorite vacation destination, and maybe even yours, Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
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That music you were just listening to is performed by Alberto Perez, the owner of the La Palapa Group of Restaurants. Those are La Palapa, Puerto Vallarta’s Oldest Restaurant on the famous Los Muertos
Beach, and The El Dorado Restaurant and Beach Club right next door so you can enjoy that fantastic view of the Los Muertos Pier all lit up at night in beautiful colors, or during the day in its grand splendor for breakfast, lunch or dinner, seated with our toes in the sand right at the water’s edge. It’s so romantic, it’s so, Puerto Vallarta my friends.
This week we are going to have another two for. First we are going to be talking with a couple of ladies who are really passionate about dogs and they are Anne Selby and Deborah Donick, and they have a project called Sandee’s project, it involves helping dog rescuers, kind of rescuing them so to speak, then we will visit a special restaurant near the Inglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, Casa Traditional and we will visit with my buddy Nino Montes the manager there but before we get to Anne Deborah and Nino, let’s see what’s
happening this week in Puerto Vallarta the 7th of July 2019.
Puerto Vallarta Rations Water due to Drought Conditions
JR tells me that they finally dot some rain yesterday night. About 3” up in the Romantic Zone but it has been dry. Well there have been a few sprinkles and a quick storm or two, but the rainy season is still somewhere out there and maybe has finally arrived. SEAPAL, the water district had put out an advisory to conserve water till the rains come.
And speaking of SEAPAL, they got an award…. an article in Noticias AZ…
July 4 2019…
FOR 28 CONSECUTIVE YEARS, SEAPAL RECEIVES WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATE
By Daniela González
SEAPAL Vallarta received the 2019 revalidation of the Certification of the Sanitary Condition of the Water Supply and Sanitary Quality System for Human Use following the process carried out by the Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks of the State of Jalisco as an intermediary of the Federal Ministry of Health .
They are 28 consecutive years in Puerto Vallarta and eight in the delegation of Las Palmas, in which SEAPAL has obtained this badge, with which it complies with the Official Mexican Standards NOM-127-SSA1-1994, NOM-179-SSA1-1998 and NOM-230-SSA1-2002, so that the water that is distributed to the population and tourist strip, have physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics to be considered suitable for human consumption.
This achievement is a positive factor for the wellbeing of the population and the tourist offer of the destination, said the head of the Laboratory Department, QFB Soraya Topete Camacho, who has worked as a manager and coordinator of the internal processes for obtaining the certificate for 15 years.
“The population can rest assured that they are receiving quality water. At the national level, we are the only organization with 28 consecutive years fulfilling what Coprisjal is establishing in our case, at the national level Cofepris. He also gives a map to Puerto Vallarta, with the certainty that tourists can feel calm, you can open a key to fill your glass of water and drink it with confidence, “he said.
“The certification implies coordinated work of all the departments involved in the supply of drinking water to the population, from their extraction, systems of purification and chlorination, distribution, verification of the quality of the water delivered, as well as the supply of water in pipes to the marginalized areas that do not have the service on a regular basis, “he explained.
The departments linked to this continuous and permanent work, are Production of Drinkable Water, Distribution of Drinkable Water, Laboratory, Water Quality and Attention to Users.
Throughout these 28 years, the health sector and SEAPAL Vallarta have been growing this certification process, which is strengthened with certified external laboratories to give greater certainty to the results that guarantee the quality of the resource offered to the population.
It’s Hot, Summer Day Passes at Resorts and Pools around Puerto Vallarta
It’s really hot, and if you are staying at an Airbnb, or somewhere there isn’t a pool, it can be pretty brutal if you plan on being outside and not in your air-conditioned room. During the off season, some of the hotels, all inclusive, resorts, offer day passes to use their facilities.
The Vallarta Tribune puts out one of these lists which I have a link to in the show-notes, but just as an example of some of these offers, …….
- You can go to the Tropicana in Old Town, and pay 200 pesos for a day-pass which is about $10 US. For that you get the use of the pool, a lounge chair, a towel and you can credit the whole 200 pesos towards food or drink. It’s pretty much free.
- Then there’s the Hotel Buena Ventura, for about $50 US or 900 pesos, you get their all inclusive plan for the day by the pool.,
- Up at Casa Karma in Chonchas Chinas, for 380 pesos or about $25 US, you get their oceanfront infinity pool, access t their private beach, a towel and your first drink.
- The most expensive one is in Punte de Mita at the St Regis and for only $280 US, you get to bring two adults and two minors, you get %50 credit back for I don’t know, guacamole and chips?
There are now 30 properties listed, and that can change as the slow season wears on, so I will try to keep on top of that for you.
Link to Day Pass Guide 2019 From the Vallarta Tribune…
https://issuu.com/vallartatribune/docs/daypass
Rio Horcones Update
The Jalisco State legislature has gotten into the act regarding the planned hydroelectric dam on the Rio Horcones…From Vallarta Bahia online…..
Translated to English so it may sound funny….
Reject hydroelectric construction in Puerto Vallarta for environmental damage
July 3, 2019
Experts and academics reject the construction project of the Las Juntas hydroelectric dam on the Horcones river in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo Corrientes, as it does not have an environmental impact manifestation, although it would generate changes in the ecosystem, such as an increase in the temperature of the water that would affect flora and fauna, warns the deputy of Morena, Bruno Blancas.
“THE CURRENT POSITION, WITH THE INFORMATION WE HAVE, IS THAT THE HYDROELECTRIC SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT IN THAT AREA BY SOME ANOMALIES WE FOUND IN THE PERMITS, BECAUSE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WOULD BE A BOTH DEVASTATING AND ON THE OTHER SIDE, IT IS A TOURIST ZONE, MORE THAT ROOM OR OTHERS, THERE ARE NO FACTORIES, THERE IS NO NEED FOR ELECTRICITY, YOU SUPPLY ENOUGH “.
The deputy clarified that he is about to meet with the company Energía Verde Meyer, construction company of the hydroelectric plant, to also know his point of view and thus refine the position in front of a project that has been rejected by communities mainly from Cabo Corrientes, which They have manifested, blocked roads and gather signatures to stop the construction.
So, it’s interesting, it’s perhaps encouraging, but doesn’t mean squat until they put a fork in this project. But yes, a dam on the rio horcones makes no sense.
Also tomorrow July 9th there will be a demonstration at 9 in the morning, right at Boca and the 200. Here is the Facebook announcement…
PUERTO VALLARTA, JALISCO, MEXICO; 4 JULIO 2019 – Like a dying beast in its last convulsions of strength, the dam companies lead by José Ayala Michel are working around the clock in an unprecedented acceleration of activity in preparation for their would-be dam of the Los Horcones River. Mounting social and political pressure to halt their project is undoubtedly causing panic among their work crews and stakeholders.
Their current strategy appears to create as much damage as possible so there will soon not be much left to save. And these are the same companies that have been advertising themselves as environmentally friendly. Their continued environmental destruction includes widespread clear cutting of trees, blasting of the very bedrock along the shores of this river, and other preparation for a complex of infrastructure including a dam, kilometers of pipeline, and a power plant. All of this is intended to privatize and commercialize the public’s water, without any direct benefit to any local community.
In a pair of forums last week organized by state representative Bruno Blancas over the topic of water, nationally respected experts on the subjects of hydrology and biodiversity condemned the project on environmental and social grounds and called for it to be halted. In the Puerto Vallarta forum on Friday, June 28, attorney Alejandro López Aguayo stated that the best lawyers are those who are affected by an action. Not only do we in Boca de Tomatlán stand to lose our river and our livelihoods by this dam, everyone in Puerto Vallarta and throughout Mexico stands to suffer from irreversible damage to this river, a loss of our priceless natural heritage, and an eyesore that cheapens Mexico in the eyes of the world as an ecotourism destination. While legal deliberations continue, we call for you to stand with us in defense of the Los Horcones River.
I have a link to the Facebook article, I have it on my Facebook Puerto Vallarta Travel Show Page, like it if you haven’t. Go there and if you are in town, you might want to be involved.
Remember to sign the petition, I have a link to it, and yes…More next week on the damn dam.
Rechazan construcción de hidroeléctrica en Puerto Vallarta por daños ambientales
Guinness World Records Tequila
Guadalajara sets the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest tequila tasting.
Some time back we were on a roll about breaking Guinness world records in Mexico, and I had mentioned that the largest group of tequila tasters recorded by Guinness was Canadia, The Canadian record of 864 tequila tasters, earned the city of Toronto a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2013. Previously, the title belonged to the Mexican state of Guanajuato, with 341 participants in 2010. And I was protesting that the state of Jalisco hadn’t stepped up to the plate and so back in March, The head of the Ministry of Tourism of Jalisco, Germán Ralis Cumplido, said that, “In honor of the iconic drink that has become the country’s ‘ambassador par excellence,’ Tequila lovers and enthusiasts will gather together at Guadalajara’s Plaza Liberación at 5:00 pm on Sunday, March 24, for the world’s largest tequila tasting.”
Breaking this record will result in the world-wide promotion of the State of Jalisco, as the Guinness Book of World Records is the second most popular book on the planet, (after the Bible), with more than 3 million books in 22 languages sold in 100 countries.
“We are proud that the tequila represents not only Jalisco, but Mexico internationally, and therefore, as an extension to the celebrations of the National Day of Tequila, this Sunday we will send a message that transcends borders in the tourist promotion of our state,” the Tourism Secretary said.
And break the record they did. But not without a minor hitch….
From an online article in Angencia EFE this…
https://www.efe.com/efe/english/life/mexicans-raise-a-glass-to-breaking-world-record-for-largest-tequila-tasting/50000263-3934104
Almost 1,500 people toasted in unison and sipped on the alcoholic drink in Guadalajara.The participants sipped on the various samples of the distilled drink using fluted glasses.
No sooner had the party-goers finished a drink they all belted out a toast of “Salud” in unison.
As the party progressed people started breaking into song and together sand “Cielito lindo,” a popular 19th-century Mexican song, as Guadalajarans celebrated their achievement together.
“We did it! We did it!” people could be heard yelling jovially as they shook their neckerchiefs and raised their glasses. The party wrapped up with mariachi music, as Jalisco established itself as the cradle of tequila, for the time being at least.
Tequila is Jalisco’s gift to the world and this record represents Mexicanness, Francisco Javier Soltero vice-president of the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry said.
The huge tasting session took place in the city center with the 17th century Guadalajara cathedral and the Teatro Degollado as the backdrop to the event.
Participants flocked to the Plaza Liberación as the sun was setting on Sunday but organizers had to wait for the square to fill before launching the epic tasting.
And here’s where the hitch was….
The hour-long delay was to ensure they could beat the previous record which had been reached only the previous day, on Saturday, in Mexico’s easternmost state of Quintana Roo, a peninsula on both the Mexican Gulf and the Caribbean.
The tequila gathering in Quintana Roo brought together 1,448 people.
Once organizers in Guadalajara were confident, they had enough people to establish a new record, Jaime Villalobos, master tequila taster, guided the throng through a professional sampling of the agave-based beverage.
So how interesting, Quintana Roo was almost number 1. The article goes on,
The crowd learned about the three types of tequila: silver tequila, which is clear in color and has a short ageing process, gold tequila, also a young spirit but with a caramel shade, and rested tequila also known as “reposado,” meaning it has been aged in wooden vessels for anywhere between two months and three years, which has a deep golden hue.
Natalia Ramírez, a representative of Guinness World Records, said that although 60 people did not take part in the tasting the 1,486 strong gathering in the capital of the western state of Jalisco still secured the record.
“Tequila is considered Mexico’s ambassador to the world, along with Mariachi and Charrería; and Jalisco is the country’s main producer of tequila, above Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit and Tamaulipas, the only states within the Tequila Denomination of Origin,” he added.
Listener Emails
Catching up on listener emails I wanted get this one out there. It’s a common thread this time of year and I got this one from listener Alfredo and the first email reads…….
Hi Barry,
I have been a listener for the past 2 months. My family and I have booked a trip to PV which is coming up in the next couple of days. We have reservations via AIRBNB and are staying near the Marina. My question for you is what activities would you recommend based on the weather. It seems like it will be raining most of the time we are out there. Truly is disappointing but we will make it the best we can. Our trip is from 5/31-6/10/19. Thank you for your podcast, it has made planning a little easier.
Thank you
Alfredo
So I told him…
Hola Alfredo!
Not to worry my friend!
You are going to have a great time. First, the weather reports will say rain and thunderstorms, but rarely will you see rain all day. If any at all. The rain comes in the late afternoons, you will see it building up in the south, then lots of rain for an hour or two, and that’s it.
You will be arriving and leaving before the traditional start of the rainy season, which is June 15th, so you may not even see any rain at all.I was there last week, and the weather was perfect. It is a little warm and humid as Summer arrives, and remember the rains are warm too.
Make your plans for before 5 PM, and all should be fine if it does rain.
Use busses Uber’s and taxis to get out of the Marina area and come to downtown and Southside Vallarta.
Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
Have a great time, I actually doubt you will see any rain your whole trip.
Let me know if I’m right okay?
All the best!
Barry Kessler
Good morning Barry,
This email is long overdue. Puerto Vallarta was such a great choice for vacation. You were complete correct about the weather. We really enjoyed it, even though it was cloudy. The people are very friendly and listening to your podcast made traveling easier. I had a family member almost get hooked at the shark tank. Of course, I immediately jumped in and cleared things up.
We definitely want to plan another trip out to Puerto Vallarta. I have added the Airbnb place we stayed. Because it was a family trip, we completely enjoyed the placed. It has the right amount of security and the place is very family friendly. Since the place is residential, we didn’t see too many tourist at the facility, which we enjoyed since all of the amenities were available when we chose to use them. The only downfall is this place did not have after hour facilities – the restaurant closed at 5pm.
Thank you again for your podcast. If you have any recommenced for a specific time to travel to PV and save on airfare, please share.
Thank you!
Alfredo
So, I have a link to Alfredo’s Airbnb he stayed at and what a spread. The place was a palace!
Now we are going to have to get back to Alfredo and find out where he lives so we can get him the best airfare, but yes, the weather reports always say rain and thunderstorms during the summer rainy season, but in reality, just for a few hours in the evenings.
Okay let’s get to the interview shall we?
Sandee’s Project
When we first started coming to Puerto Vallarta in the early 80’s, my wife and I were kinda sad to see so many stray dogs around town. It seemed like they were pretty much everywhere, begging for food, following you along the beach.
And as time went on, we noticed fewer and fewer year by year thank goodness. Still, they are there, just not as many. Of course, the Cuale Island is a dumping ground for cats, and unfortunately, the sad reality is they get poisoned from time to time for population control.
Mexico isn’t alone with this problem. Bombay, Mumbai India has a terrible problem and the pet adoption, gene isn’t there in India. But back to Mexico… Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There are numerous animal rescues around the bay. Lucky for the dogs. We have met several over the last two and a half years. Deborah Donick has a Facebook group called PV Mexico, Adopt, Donate, Foster and Flight Angels and she and another Volunteer Anne Selby got together with a great idea. Let’s read from their About section in the Facebook….
Sandee’s Project: We are two volunteers that have come together to assist animals in need along with local animalists in the Puerto Vallarta area. Would you consider walking with us in our efforts to help these abandoned and abused animals. You can donate to Sandee’s Project. You can share the post’s, foster a animal, be a flight angel. So many opportunities to assist out there! Gracias Anne Selby & Deborah Donick.
So I asked Deborah and Anne if they would talk to us about Sandee’s Project. And what do you know, they said yes, and so we met at Mangos Beach Club, for breakfast, a beautiful spot right on Playa Camerones in the Cinco de Diciembre neighborhood, of Puerto Vallarta, and we had a talk about their project, Sandee’s Project ….
Listen to The Podcast
Great ideas right? They are having a special drawing for an Air Canada or WestJet
gift card for $700
Canadian Dollarettes, and an Alaska Airlines gift card for $500 US. Chances cost $25 US, $30 Canadian or 500 pesos, gets you into the running. The drawing will be held on Facebook Live July 15th at noon. So take a chance, and donate to Sandee’s Project and help Anne and Deborah, rescue some dog rescuers.
Contact Information For Sandee’s Project
Facebook: http://PV Mexico, Adopt, Donate, Foster and Flight Angels
Suggestions From Deborah and Anne
- Breakfast: El Patio Puerto Vallarta for Eggs Benedict
- Canuck Cafe, Puerto Vallarta
- Dinner: Casa Traditional, Puerto Vallarta
Day Trip
- El Tuito
3 Day Trip
- Mayto and stay at El Rinconcito
- San Pancho
Advice to first time visitor
- Get out of your resort
- Take the 10 peso Mystery tour on a bus
Word of Warning
- Use common sense and don’t do in Mexico what you wouldn’t do at home
- Be Respectful
Casa Traditional Comida Mexicana, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Our next interview takes us to a lovely restaurant across the street from the Inglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in Downtown Vallarta. It’s a colorful place with potted plants, colorfully painted exterior with a totally Mexican Flair.
Inside the restaurant you are treated with more of the same colorful Mexican surroundings. The food is so good, and the menu is big. The manager in charge is Nino Montes, and Nino has been around the food
scene in Vallarta for many years. Let’s hear the story about this restaurant, and Nino’s story shall we? Let’s go right now to Calle Zaragoza 245 Col. Centro Vallarta, and let’s meet Nino Montes, Manager of Casa Traditional Cocina Mexicana Puerto Vallarta!
Listen To The Podcast
Nino was a bit nervous, but he did great didn’t he? I really like that guy, and you really are going to like the
food at Casa Traditional. Don’t forget to ask for the guacamole on the house with your meal. Remember to tell him you heard about it on The Puerto Vallarta Travel Show all right? Of Course.
I have pictures of the place inside and out, and food pics too. Links and a map to get you to the front door of Casa Traditional.
Contact Information for Casa Traditional Puerto Vallarta
Address: Calle Zaragoza 245 Col. Centro Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48300
Phone: +52 322 222 1812
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CasaTradicionalCocinaMexicana/
Website: Casa Traditional Cocina Mexicana Puerto Vallarta Website
Okay that should do it for this week.
Next week, stay tuned for more on the ground reports from Puerto Vallarta Mexico, with travel tips, great restaurant and excursion ideas and more. Until then, remember, this is an interactive show where I
depend on your questions and suggestions about all things Puerto Vallarta. If you think of something I
should be talking about, please reach out to me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending us your message.
And remember, if you are considering booking any type of tour while you are in Puerto Vallarta, you must go to Vallartainfo.com, JR’s website and reserve your tour through him, right from his website.
Remember the value for value proposition. His experience and on the ground knowledge of everything Puerto Vallarta in exchange for your making a purchase of a tour that you would do anyway, you’re just doing it through him as a way of saying thank you. It costs no more than if you were to use someone else
so do it. Really. And when you do take one of these tours, email me about your experiences. Maybe you can come on-board and share with others what you liked or didn’t like about the tour. Again, contact me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending off a message. Don’t forget his maps, his DIY tours and his revitalized Happy Hour Board. I have links to all of those in the show notes.
And once again, if you like this podcast, please take the time and subscribe and give me a good review on
iTunes if you would. That way we can get the word out to more and more people about the magic of this place. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Remember I made it easy for you to do just that with each episode I
create. But if you haven’t been to my website, you really need to have a look there. I have the links to the places we talk about, interesting pictures and the more all right there in my blog-posts and show-notes
for each episode of the show so check them out for sure if you haven’t already all-right? All right.
Thanks to Deborah Donick and Anne Selby from Sandee’s Project. Give, join them and help them rescue other rescuers. I have links where you can do just that in the show-notes, and thanks to Nino Montes
from Casa Traditional, check out their wonderful food and get your free guacamole with a purchase of lunch or dinner. You won’t be disappointed. I have maps and links and pictures, come on out!
And thanks to all of you for listening all the way through this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel Show. This is Barry Kessler signing off with a wish for you all to slow down, be kind and live the Vallarta lifestyle. Nos Vemos amigos!
