Rocky Point Tides- News From Puerto Penasco

Wedding Bells In Peñasco!

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

I just read that the good people who brought Peñasco our super International Airport are now introducing ‘Vidanta Weddings’, allowing those tying the knot to do so in a ‘Private Club’ atmosphere right here at the Mayan Palace Puerto Peñasco (aka: “La Jolla De Cortes”).

Grupo Vidanta, with magnificent resorts throughout Mexico, is offering the ‘Vidanta Weddings’ program in seven Mexican States including the State of Sonora and on their new website they have a direct link to their resort here in Puerto Peñasco!

http://www.vidantaweddings.com/locaciones.html Read more »

BigD Took the Next Step in Rocky Point!

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

--by BigD

Well, I finally did it! After 4 years of staying in condos, hotels, and friends places -- I got my own place!

Found a really nice 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo 1 block from Sandy Beach! $2,500 pesos per month, only electric to pay for, which from what I was told is about $300 pesos per month.

For the gringos, at the current exchange rate 2,500 pesos is $198.00 dollars! It's a second floor with a very large balcony. I don't actually have a view of the beach, because there is a giant sand dune in the way, but 600 feet and I'm swimming! This condo is nicer than most non-gringo places. A/C, hot water, gas, cable -- all included. I just got really lucky. Plus my amigos in Rocky Point have helped me a lot. I can't say enough, how important it is to meet the locals and make some new friends.Read more »

Savory Yellow Rice

2012-01-23T20:32:00.000-08:00

I was surprised recently to learn how many people don't know how to make yellow rice from scratch. Not the kind with saffron (that's SOOO expensive) nor the kind using annato seeds (a staple in Caribbean, Cuban, Spanish and Mexican cuisines), but the kind that uses turmeric to give it its deep yellow color and earthy, slightly peppery flavor.

There are tons of recipes for yellow rice available online, so I've been taken aback lately when friends and acquaintances asked me how I made it. Be that as it may, here is one more online recipe for this simple and delicious dish. Really, it's embarrassingly easy.

I don't have a picture to share but what's to see? It's rice; it's yellow. :) Read more »

Los ‘Transfronterizos’ de Peñasco!

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

I’ll never forget years back when I hit the border at Sonoyta one bright and early morning and while getting gas on the AZ side in Lukeville at the Chevron I noticed scores of school children coming across the Mexico side of the ‘line’ and shortly thereafter Arizona school buses were there to pick ‘em up.

I remember thinking that those children must be from Sonoyta and found myself puzzled as to how they could live in one country but ‘cross’ to attend school, daily, in another nation but concluded, initially, it was some sort of Sonoyta sponsored school field trip…

As it turned out I was wrong. Spanning thousands of miles at all the border crossings from the Tijuana/San Diego border to Ciudad Juarez/El Paso these students, known as ‘Transfronterizos’, (including U.S. (student) Citizens living in Mexico) are crossing every school day of the year to get an education.Read more »

Beach Buzz: What's Happening in Rocky Point?

2012-01-19T01:14:00.000-08:00

A little more than half way through the first month of January 2012 there's quite a lot going on in Puerto Penasco.

First up, there's the issue of inflation and poverty to report. I don't know if you're familiar with it, but there's a phrase in Mexico: “la cuesta de enero” that you hear a lot after the first of every January. Cuesta means hill, or slope; enero, of course, means January.

What it refers to is the uphill struggle to get to the end of the month, most often meaning the financial struggle, after all that over-spending on food and presents during the Christmas holidays.

Lately, though, la cuesta de enero hasn't been ending with the advent of February. Due to the constant rise in prices of everything from tortillas to fuel prices (including gas), families are finding that uphill struggle continuing on throughout the year. There has been a significant rise in the poverty rate as a result, and families are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Locals are finding it very hard to afford such basics as a kilo of meat, a gallon of milk, tortillas or a kilo of beans, let alone afford to buy vegetables and other basic necessities. And keep in mind their wages also have to stretch for clothing, electrical energy costs and school expenses, too.

Times are hard, and the good people of Puerto Penasco can use your help. If you are able, choose a charity (or two) from this list and give/do what you can. A child's smile is a great reward...

Moving along: In the "Safety" category, earlier this month Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro had a photo op connected to the delivery of 8 brand new squad cars for Puerto Penasco's police force, made possible by a Public Safety grant of 3.4 million pesos. The keys were delivered in front of City Hall. This brings the number of patrol vehicles to 40, counting motorcycles. The city is also working hard to give its police officers better pay and training, which is all good.Read more »

Proposed Mexicali-Caborca Power Line Construction Project Reviewed

2012-01-14T07:18:00.000-08:00

By: Biol Hitandehui Tovar
Coastal Conservation Coordinator

On September 10, 2011 Sonoran residents were briefed on a project that could have significant impact on the region. That project, “LT 6 April-cucapah,” supported by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE,) intends to erect high-voltage line towers to connect Mexicali-Caborca to the national electrical grid.

If enacted, the project would place these high-voltage towers, approximately 60 meters in height, along the coastal road, passing by the Pinacate and Gran Desierto and the Upper Gulf and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserves, and the Adairs Bay Ramsar Site, all of which are federal “Natural Protected Areas,” and in the case of the Ramsar Site, have international protections as well. It is important to note that there is no plan to offer access to power to any town or customer along the proposed power-line route.Read more »

New Investors for Puerto Peñasco!

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

First the CAVEAT: Danger Will Robinson! Last year I announced we were going to get serious about promoting Peñasco and what you’re about to read is simply another baby step in that direction.

The following has nothing to do with ‘pumping & dumping’ real estate in Peñasco and will not appeal to anyone other than one, two or three very conservative-thinking property owners (homes/condo’s) who might be interested in exploring a possible/potential and modest ROI (return on investment).Read more »

The Official 2nd Language of Puerto Peñasco!

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

If there is any truth that ‘love makes the world go round’ then it should be no shock that the spoken word is the real ‘spinner’ as long as, naturally, all parties understand the meaning and definitions of the words/dialog being spoken.

I’ve read recently that here in the Mexican State of Sonora (including Peñasco) the 'English National Basic Education' and/or the 'National English in Basic English' (NEPBE) course being taught at many pre-and elementary grade schools has become quite successful and over the next two years the ‘Gov’ is going to have the program in all schools up to the 6th grade level.Read more »

¡Próspero y Feliz Año Nuevo Puerto Peñasco!

2011-12-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

In response to my “Cruise Ships Por Peñasco? Just Say No!” piece last week a reader posted a comment suggesting that El Gitano (aka: MOI) is less than positive about Peñasco. This person, “anonymous”, wrote: “…and the frequently grumpy and negative Gypsy…”

That comment was followed a few hours later by another “anonymous” person who apparently shared the same opinion, stating that: “I don't know why Gypsy is negative, which is why I don't like to look at this site anymore.”Read more »

A Great Alternative for Breakfast in Rocky Point

2011-12-26T09:57:00.000-08:00

--by BigD

I love it! The more time I spend in Rocky Point the more local friends I meet. The more little secrets I find.

Now I love Mexican food - real mexican food. Mom & Pop places. You've seen em. Maybe a stall, or back of a pickup truck, or just an outdoor eatery area. With maybe a couple of plastic chairs and tables set up.

My rule of thumb for eating in Rocky Point is no matter how small and dumpy the place looks, when you see it crowded with locals, it's usually a great cheap place to eat! But it also helps to make friends who know the town. Those little hidden gems you drive by or are tucked away and you'd never stop because as a Gringo, you just don't see them. You're gonna go for the fancy restaurants in the Malecon, Whale Hill, or out at the resorts. You have no idea that you're missing the best food in Rocky Point, by passing up all those little places!Read more »

An Apocalypse Clock por Peñasco!

2011-12-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

Okay Amigas y Amigos, let’s get ready as there is now a little less than a year before the Mayan prediction of the end of times hits next December. It seems other parts of Mexico are gearing up for a bang up tourist year and Mexico's tourism agency expects to draw over 50 Million travelers who will visit in 2012. Many communities are planning year-long fiestas celebrating the end of the world!

So, since this will be our very last Christmas and Holiday Season and our days are numbered I’d like to see what kind of wild and crazy ideas we can all come up with so that we thoroughly enjoy our remaining time here on planet Earth and in this wonderful nation of Mexico.Read more »

Feliz Navidad!

2011-12-22T10:44:00.000-08:00

I didn't create this video, it doesn't show me or anyone I know, but it's so cute I'm sharing it with you anyway.

Courtesy of and special thanks to thelongstay (whoever you are).

Read more »

Cruise Ships Por Peñasco? Just Say No!

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

If memory serves me correctly the political dialog and debate among business owners and the conversations at home or bar-side chats by citizens here in Peñasco supporting having cruise ships dock here or Peñasco becoming a ‘home-port’ (embarking and disembarking) goes back at least a decade.

And the idea, on the surface, sure does sound appealing! But I am one of those who believes that the community, specifically from an infrastructure perspective such as shopping, dining and activities available for those sea-faring tourists, is a tad on the short side and we are far off from being prepared for cruise ship ‘prime-time’ like the ports in Cabo, Vallarta, Mazatlan, etc.Read more »

Are Criminals Promoting Real Estate in Peñasco?

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

They may be and that is why this week I’m asking that all citizens and businesses in Puerto Peñasco that are advertising anything to stop using a particular U.S.-based company offering an online posting service that has, IMO, become a cesspool for depraved deviates, perverts, con artists and scammers, thieves and now even cold blooded murderers.

And what company is this you ask? It is Craig’s List (CL). And what could have been, IMO, one of the best ever online services for both businesses and individuals has become a breeding ground for virtually every crime imaginable.Read more »

Trip Report: BigD's Christmas Shakedown in Sonoyta

2011-12-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

--by BigD

Well it finally happened to me. I was on my way back from another trip to Rocky Point. I had to pay my Policia tax!

So there I was, just like pretty much every other driver, Mexican or Gringo, doing about 70mph between Rocky Point and Sonoyta. Then as I hit Sonoyta, about the 7 kilometer marker, most of you know the one-- the hill where the speed limit drops from 90kph to 40kph, and its all downhill. The perfect Mexican speed trap. Well I'm usually good at following the speed limits inside of Sonoyta and Rocky Point, as I'm never in any hurry to get anywhere, while I am in town. I am fairly sure I dropped my speed to under 50kph at the correct time. But of course going downhill and cruising along at 70mph, I might have been a bit off. Well I crested the hill, knowingly slowing down. I see off in the distance, at the bottom of the hill, the local Policia pickup truck and a few officers standing around.Read more »

Beach Buzz

2011-12-05T09:49:00.000-08:00

Here are just a couple of things you might want to know. Or not. :)

HEADS UP! If you're in town, Pinky's Dive Bar is having a Pearl Harbor Day Charity Night on Wednesday, December 7th to remember our fallen men and women of that catastrophic day. They will be having a blanket and ball drive to help the less fortunate. Blackjack tables with Pinky money to auction off prizes in the evening. Bring a blanket for the needy, or a ball for a child and receive 2500 Pinky dollars, and 5000 Pinky dollars can be purchased for $10. Plenty of food will be provided. Come and help us help the community while enjoying the company of like hearted friends!Read more »

No ‘Esmoking’ en Peñasco!

2011-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

I've always liked the former Plaza Las Glorias, which of course is now the Hotel Peñasco Del Sol. But something happened that sort of changed my opinion this week while I was on their website checking rates, etc. for some friends (and their friends) coming here all the way from Oklahoma for a two-week vacation.

First, considering the times, the market, etc. I thought the quoted rate was excessive. Then as I was preparing to call my Amigo and tell him the costs for the hotel I had recommended I noticed on the front page of the hotel website, in very small fonts: "The property is Non-Smoking".Read more »

Happy Dia de Gobble Peñasco!

2011-11-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

Was that filling or what? Yep, most of us are very well fed (and not just during the Holiday Season) and we all have much to be thankful for. This year, to kick off the season, we headed back to the ‘old-country’ to share the festivities with family and as usual, on T-Day, I failed to push away from the table when I should have!

Which brings me to this week’s thought. Like billions of others on planet Earth, having experienced all that life offers from the worst to the best of times, I can honestly say that regardless of how good or bad things can be the most incredible gift we have all been provided and that we should always be thankful for and dearly embrace is the wonderful and miraculous gift of life itself!Read more »

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

2011-11-24T07:07:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! May the spirit of Thanksgiving bring you love, laughter and a warm heart.

Here are a couple of cartoons to take care of the laughter part:

Read more »

Corruption in Peñasco?

2011-11-18T02:33:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

Sitting around a favorite watering hole recently I found myself first amused when I overheard some goofy Gringo from Phoenix complaining to another equally uninformed moron about how corrupt it is here and how upset he was that it took a whopping $30 mordida to have a local police officer give him a pass regarding his speeding in town.

As the discussion continued his amigo warned him that since they’re coming back for the upcoming Holidays that they need to carry a little extra cash because, “you know how it goes here. Cops are going to be out in full force bilking us all for extra Xmas spending money…”Read more »

A PR Czar Por Peñasco!

2011-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

I just read a news story in an online Texas-based news service for KVUE that starts with what seems to be a positive theme with their headline announcing “Americans still traveling to Mexico”. But from there it is downhill, with the bold font title ending with “despite warnings”.

The less than informative news piece was ultimately about Peñasco and consisted of about 250 words, including a favorable quote from Tucson, AZ resident Christine Shea (who owns a home here). But then the writer starts using words such as “afraid”, “drugs”, “violence”, “dangerous”, “government warned travelers”, “suspicious illegal checkpoints”, “gunman shot the police chief”, “local economy dying”.Read more »

Trip Report: BigD Does Halloween in Puerto Penasco

2011-11-06T09:24:00.000-08:00

--by BigD

I just got back from another perfect trip to Puerto Penasco. 5 night/6 day stay; Oct. 30,31 & Nov. 1,2,3.

I was amazed and amused by the Halloween parties in Mirador. The Icebox Bar by far had the largest and best Halloween party. I was very impressed at the local young Mexican crowd, everyone dressed up and having a great time. I figure there were over 500 people in the bar alone. Another 300 or so milling around outside and across the street at the empty lot next to Manny's. The party lasted until 5:00 am that Saturday night.

Just down the street it was all the local gringos at Pinky's Dive Bar. Free food, blackjack tables ("fun" cash only), music, and lots of dressed up partiers! Great crowds at both bars. Kind of different than the normal crickets chirping at all the restaurants and bars lately.Read more »

Gambas A La Peñasco!

2011-11-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

I still refuse to ‘cover’ some of the negative stuff the local/regional news sources are awash in so instead let’s talk food, specifically shrimp, and maybe how you like to prepare your favorite meal.

It seems that the State of Sonora, including our local commercial fishing folks, have been scooping up a lot of shrimp recently and beginning the first week of September and ending on the last day of October the region has experienced its best season in the past 15 years!

The Peñasco take seems to work out to about 1,113,333 lbs of the little critters over the 8-week period and that works out to, assuming a population of 40,000 residents, 27.83 lbs per every man, women and child. That equals a lot of good eats for those of us who love gorging on the crustaceans!Read more »

Dolphin Stampede in Rocky Point

2011-10-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a dolphin stampede? That's what it's called when anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dolphins form a "super" pod that seems intent on going somewhere specific and getting there fast.

I've never been fortunate enough to experience this myself, but lucky dovethree did when just such a pod surrounded their boat on Oct. 23, 2011 in Puerto Penasco. This is the video they shot.

Read more »

A Jobs Summit Por Peñasco!

2011-10-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

There is a lot in the news (again) that is affecting our region, including one story that appears to be part of the ongoing and misguided drug policies of Mexico, the USA and indeed much of the world and that includes more mayhem; but I'm refusing to discuss that particular topic this week.

I prefer instead to focus on some ideas about the meeting that just took place by local and regional authorities who are asking for input regarding the creation of new jobs for all of Sonora including, of course, Peñasco.Read more »