U.S. Open Tennis

We are tennis fans and love being here but are missing seeing the U.S. Open on TV. Does anyone know where we can watch it this week?

Yellowfin Tuna -- Extra!

We went out from Palmilla today towards Los Barilles and caught a 50-pound yellowfin tuna, along with an 8-foot blue marlin right near Palmilla! Another big tuna got away, we caught a shark and released a trigger fish. There was just enough cloud cover to protect us from too much sun! We grilled some of the tuna tonight and ate it with our friends out on the deck with a nice breeze. It was great but we have more than we can eat. If you're here at Alegranza and would like some, give us a call at extension 6303.

Chris and Toby

Homeowners' Insurance

The June 30, 2010 HOA minutes discussed some quotes for fire and liability insurance for individual unit owners, which had come in from ABA Seguros. We have had ABA insurance through an international insurance broker in Cabo, who represents various carriers, and it is coming up for renewal. Before we renew it, I'd like to make sure we have are getting competitive rate and coverage terms for the market. Anyone else have any input on the subject? Please feel free to email me privately if you'd like to compare notes with more specifics.

Thanks,
Chris

Share Your Best Beach Experiences?

In case some of you aren't aware, the Grand Mayan's management changed a few weeks back and implemented a different policy for Alegranza onwers and guests who wish to use the Mayan facilities. To get a day pass, each person now must spend a minimum of US$25 on food, drinks, spa services, etc. With this policy, there is still access, and when we have gone there, we've combined a day hanging out around the pool with brunch at the Mayan's breakfast buffet (very extensive for about US$16) and fantastic massages, so it wouldn't be an issue for us. But some prospective guests, especially larger groups, may find this less desirable than the previous access policy that Javier negotiated for Alegranza. He is working on some new possibilities, but in the meantime . . .

My question is: where do you especially like to go for beach days or beachside lounging? Please post your suggestions as comments or separate posts.

We like Palmilla Beach, off to the left where the palapas and pelicans are, for relaxation and safe swimming. We like Puerto Los Cabos Beach for long walks and feeling like you have a huge beach to yourself. We've enjoyed snorkeling off Manta, which stops at various beaches, and we swam ashore to lie a while on Chileno Beach. We've had fun watching the surfers while we were hanging out at Cabo Azul Beach. And, of course, we often go to the beach in front of the Mayan, the Presidente, and in between, especially to enjoy walks to the estuary and to take in the sunset and moonrise. Since beaches are publicly owned in Mexico, and there is parking and it's a nice walk there, we do that quite often. The last full moon there was absolutely gorgeous . . . and completely free and accessible.

McCrea's first Blog

This is my first use of a Blog but hought I should put in something.

We have a brand new american made queen size mattress Simmons Beuty Rest Classic for sale $ 700 US .
Also new queen size bedding $300 US
Anyone interested call
Dennis & Nancy McCrea E502
cell 624 116 0472

Bookings for 2011

I've been surprised at how far ahead people are booking rentals. We've already rented for not only next January and February, but yesterday even booked a family for the end of May 2011!

Are you all getting inquiries for 2011 now, too, or did we just get lucky? Of course, it's hard to know what market rates will be by then. Any guesses?

Staff Changes at Alegranza

I'm sure all the owners and residents join me in wishing Agustín Espinosa well in his new position managing and overseeing maintenance and repairs, and congratulating Barbara Sandoval as the new Head of Operations! And with Iban's notice announcing the staff changes, we have a better idea about the division of responsibilities -- so we'll know whom to contact about what.

Having night guards who speak English is a welcome improvement, too, especially now that we know that we and our renters can contact them when other staff members are not working and we need a tennis reservation or to get the heat turned up or the timers adjusted for the pools or jacuzzis.

New Shops in the Neighborhood

The new construction at the bottom of Paseo de las Misiones is completed and the Grand Opening took place over the past two weekends. The 25% occupied complex is neat and clean, and there's an attractive inner courtyard. The name of this commercial center, "Plaza Artesanos," gave me hope that I'd find there what we normally drive out to Artesanos in San Lucas to find: large accessories like baskets and centerpieces and flowers. Although there were colorful ceramic sinks for sale, and some Talavera and jewelry and one clothing store, most of the new tenants are selling the same souvenir wares you find throughout the downtown or at the Mercado Municipal.

It's a tough time for new ventures, though, and so we wish our neighbors -- the developers and the new shop owners -- all the best in their new location.

Post-HOA Meeting: Question re Website for Owners

Quite a lot of info we covered in our first Alegranza Homeowners' Association meeting last night! Congratulations to our new Board members, and good luck in the job that lies before you. Thank you for your willingness to serve all the homeowners in our wonderful resort community.

At the HOA meeting, I mentioned this blog as a place for owners to share information. As of now, the blog is open to the public to view but only to registered members to comment or post directly. I foresee changing that so that it becomes a place just for Alegranza owners -- not visible to the general public. Blogger is set up to have 100 members for this type of private blog, so that suggests we not keep it open to residents but limit it to owners.

To become a member, please send me an email at chris.reapasyousew@gmail.com and include your name and unit number. I can compare that to the owners' list we got in our HOA meeting package and authorize you to register you as a member with full posting privileges. Then you can both comment on existing posts and create new ones.

Of course, any other suggestions are welcome, too!
Chris

Classified Ad: Terrace Furniture Still for Sale

Our table is beautiful -- on display at Patio Design on the right side on your way to Mega. It is made of reclaimed pine, is 72" long, heavy enough not to get blown around, durable enough that our similar (longer) ones still look fabulous after 13 months on our terrace. The 6 chairs for sale are less exciting (not the ones pictured here--yellow cushions). We will sell the items separately or together and will consider offers. (See our post of January 2009!)

Extra TV Stations - Sky or Dish Network?

Does anyone have any experience with either of these television services providers? We are looking for more channels than those that come with the service Alegranza has, particularly for sports. We'd welcome recommendations or warnings. Thanks, Chris

Looking forward to HOA Meeting

We're looking forward to meeting many owners at the HOA meeting on Friday . . . and to escaping Northern California's wild storms to do so!

We saw that one of the items on the agenda is a suggestion for an owners' online communications tool. We definitely agree that we need one. Perhaps this one -- or something like it that someone else would prefer to administer -- could be used, but we could make it closed to the public so only registered owners could access it and post on it. Or maybe long-term residents, too, with, say, a minimum 90 day lease?

Chris & Toby Smith from the San Francisco Bay Area - Fragancia 302 & 303

Fun in the Sun

We're getting ready to head down to Alegranza this Friday. Most of our time there so far has been spent getting furnished and settled, so this time we're going to really try to do very little work, and instead, to kick back and enjoy ourselves. We know it's July, and it's hot, but we plan to be in the water a lot -- snorkeling, kayaking, etc. Anyone with recommended adventures or great spots to hang out, please let us know.

Sailing is a Treat Worth the Price

On February 13th, my dad turned 80. He and my mom were at Alegranza with Toby and me to celebrate. Since sailing is my father's passion, and he sold his boat when he moved south from Connecticut two years ago, we asked Javier if he knew how we could arrange a day of sailng. He directed us to his Argentinian friend Jorge, who charters out of the San Lucas marina a 45' classic sailboat named "Gentleman."

We had a glorious time, departing in the late morning, sailing past Lovers' Beach, Los Arcos, and endearing sea lions, for amazing photo opportunities, then heading out into open ocean where we saw jumping dolphins and the spouts of many a whale (though we were always too slow to actually see the whales ourselves). There was so much wind we had to keep the main reefed, and my mom and I wrapped ourselves for a while in the nice Mexican blankets they had on deck just in case. It was a great vantage point for observing all the water sports, other boats, and seeing Cabo differently.

The crew, Eric and Mercedes, served us snacks, drinks, and lunch. We saw and did all we'd hoped for. (We skipped the snorkeling because we were, after all, with eighty year olds who were not into that.) It was--as a San Francisco friend with exquisite taste has said to us often--"expensive but worth it." Check out the Gentleman's website, or ask Javier to help you book a reservation for a really great time.

I also must admit: being on a sailboat was a great way to force us to stop running around trying to accessorize our residence. We spent the time simply relaxing and enjoying a much deserved break!

Come to an Informal Happy Hour Wednesday Evening

Chris & Toby will be at their Fragancia residence the week of February 7 - 14, along with Chris' parents from Naples, Florida. We'd like to organize a gathering around the pool at the Fragancia end on Wednesday night, so those of us who own or live at Alegranza can have a chance to meet and chat. BYOB. We'll bring some hors d'oeuvres, chips and salsa.

HAPPY HOUR . . . . . WEDNESDAY, FEB 11 . . . . . 5:30-7

Post a comment here if you plan to come . . . or just show up. Please tell others about this to help spread the word. If by any chance, the weather isn't conducive, we'll post an update before the start and move indoors.

Progress in Construction

My husband Toby just returned from a short Alegranza visit and found that a lot of progress had been made on landscaping, and the third pool now has water in it. For those who haven't been there recently, here are some photos from the Fragancia end.

We've also posted some pictures of the beach at Puerto Los Cabos -- a beautiful, wide, beach, with a view across the estuary back to Alegranza.

Terrace Furniture for Sale

Here is a photo of a great terrace table we have for sale, currently wrapped and stored in an Alegranza garage. It is 72" x 36", made in Cholula, Mexico, with reclaimed pine. It is lovely, newly made, and not used (except that the top was made from beautiful old pine, treated for termites before importation and fabrication into this table). We just decided to get the same table in a larger size. At $999 (USD), we're asking less than it cost. We also have twelve of the pictured iron chairs for sale, with yellow Sunbrella seat cushions, at prices ranging from $200-$225 each, depending on how many are sold together. The iron of the chairs looks very nice with the band of trim around the table top.



The furniture is now on display at Patio Design Center, Paseo Malecon S/N Zona Hotelera, San Jose del Cabo, (624) 130-7202. Contact Melissa Gamboa, General Manager. Melissa speaks perfect English and is a real pleasure to work with, and her store is well worth a visit for not only patio furnishings, but also accessories. We got a great lamp from Guadalajara there. See www.patiodesigncenter.com.

Favorite San Jose del Cabo Restaurant at Reasonable Cost

Guacamayas was our family's favorite local spot for dinner. Not fancy, but very tasty, with a varied a la carte menu. Our family of five could overeat and take leftovers home for under $10 per person. It's off El Pescador, on the other side of the highway towards the airport (obviously, not the toll road).

Curtain suppliers

Any recommendations for a good supplier of room-darkening curtains? We want some effective darkening at a good price, and with hardware that is very durable, especially considering that renters will be using them.

Who Do You Suggest for Framing Art?

We have some art to be framed and would like to hear suggestions for framers--both for matting photos under glass and for stretching and framing paintings. Thanks for any advice.

Let's Form a Helpful Online Alegranza Community

We -- Chris and Toby, from the San Francisco area, plus our young adult daughters and 4-year-old grandson--just enjoyed our inaugural stay in our new Alegranza (Fragancia) residence over the holidays. Great town! Great weather! And so much to discover!

Alegranza residents and staff, as well as all the local people we met, went out of their way to welcome us and help us get oriented. We are delighted to be joining this very special resort community.

We could use lots of input--in English--from those of you who have been in Los Cabos for some time. And we'd like to share with those yet to arrive. We hope this blog can provide a searchable forum for all interested owners and residents to contribute ideas, resources, tips, etc. This might save us all some time and hassles.

This blog is open to comments, and if you are a resident or owner who would like to post, please contact me for approval to be added so you can post regularly. Let's keep it positive, as the forum is open to the public and is meant to be helpful and encouraging. It is not the homeowners' association or a forum for complaints. Those with more experience at blogging (almost everyone) are welcome to advise me on how to make this work better.

I'd like to suggest topics and labels in the following categories:

Introductions
Communications (local cellphones, where the best wireless spots are, etc.)
Resources (where to get what)
Transportation (best rental car deals, tips for driving down, etc.)
Restaurants
Culture (local customs, etc.)
Amusing Stories
Calendar (upcoming local events)
Recreation (ideas for local entertainment)
Posting (tips, etiquette, etc.)
Rentals (best ways to rent, what tenants want)
Classified (a sort of Craigslist for Alegranza)

So . . . welcome to this blog. We look forward to hearing from you and then seeing you around Alegranza soon.