JAVIER MARIN - FABULOUS, LARGER THAN LIFE, SCULPTURES

How facinating to see the rest of the displays of head sculptures in downtown Campeche.  These amazing resin and bronze sculptures are by the talented Javier Marin. They are located in five locations in the downtown area. 

Marin has displays around the world.   The Campeche State Government through the Ministry of Culture have kindly arranged for these displays.

Do make sure to visit these displays.  They are

truly amazing.



Connect with the artist on Facebook. Javier Marín, escultor | Facebook

www.facebook.com/pages/Javier-Mar%C3%ADn-escultor/20241...

http://www.comunicacampeche.com.mx/P .. php ..? id = 113506

PLAYA BONITA - AND IT IS A BEAUTIFUL BEACH

The other day we had the pleasure of snorkeling at lovely Playa Bonita.  My husband and I are not high adventure people but do like the see some fish while snorkeling in a protected spot.  We got to follow around some puffer fish, yellow and blue jacks and a variety of other fish I want to ID.  It was surprising how many fish we saw while we were snorkeling.
The water was wonderfully warm and we went early in the week so there weren't many bodies around.  Certainly was not difficult to stay in the water for the hour or so  as we did.
Its a nice family type beach with, maybe 30, well maintained beach huts or casetas for hammocks.  Everything was pristine for that matter.  Now doesn't laying in a shaded hammock after a relaxing swim while drinking your cold drink of choice sound positively delicious.  Gotta get his and hers hammocks.  They are much more portable than lawn chairs.

Only 5pesos per car to get in, about $.40Cdn.  That gets you lots of nice parking in a lot with a security guard, basketball and football (soccer) areas, restaurants, plenty of changing and washroom facilities.  You may have to pay a peso or $.08 to gain access to the washrooms.  Likely this person is not paid and this is their wages.  They keep the washrooms clean and are very helpful and so are more than worthy of this wee contribution.

They have some nice features like a number of sets of stairs to get into the water.  Also the sea wall that you can just see cresting the water is a bit of a protection too if you have kids.  The water is about a meter deep by it so they wont get out too far. 

Another nice feature are the open shower units located just as you are heading for the washroom or parking lot.  A nice touch to keep the sand at the beach and not in your car. 

Playa Bonita is located in Lerma about 15 minutes from downtown Campeche. We hope you get to visit. 

GET AHEAD IN CAMPECHE

Campeche has a wonderful cultural program of displaying amazing metal sculptures in various streets in the downtown.  They are there for a limited time and then the display disappears and another pops up elsewhere.



We made the mistake when we saw an earlier display of thinking we could get photos another day.  "And there they were - gone" the next time we came.

This time the moment was seized.  There is another sculpture, off to the side, in its protective cocoon waiting to be unveiled.



If you are visiting Campeche they are located by Principal Park downtown by the tourism office.

I'll endeavour to find out more details but do put them on your tour.  They are quite interesting and very impressive.

While you are visiting us also check out the permanent metal statues around town.  Mexico has fabulous metal artwork.

Have you seen some in another city?  Would love to see your pix.  Email to sunnnymex@gmail.com.

YOUR CAMPECHANO "HOME AWAY FROM HOME"

So you have decided to venture to beautiful Campeche City. Excellent choice!  Ah but where will you stay? Our experience has been that Terracota Corner Hotel is such a place to feel at home.  They have flower boxes full of the traditional Mananita.

Why Terracota Corner?  Rodolfo and Elba Garcia are just such fabulous hosts in true hospitable Campechano style.  They own and operate this newly constructed and recently opened 15 unit hotel. 
Their guest rooms feature:

• In room A/C.
• Comfy pillow top matress for a great night's sleep.

• Stay connected with wireless high speed internet.
• Have your morning coffee el fresco on the outdoor terrace.

• All within walking distance of supermarkets, farmer's markets, artisan shops, and the wide variety of interesting historic sites in downtown Campeche. 

• At the end of the day relax in front of a HD flat screen TV with a wide selection of SKY channels. Maybe after you have walked home from enjoying our beautiful sunsets on the waterfront. 

We live in one of their house keeping units with a full fridge and gas stove.  But with all the great, reasonable places to eat nearby, why would you cook?  Either way, for us, it feels like home.
So where will your next vacation getaway be?  Maybe you'll come and visit us here.

Here is a map to show you where its located.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215271193908197746089.0004c5603ef5b7fbdcd44&msa=0&ll=19.837859,-90.532631&spn=0.009184,0.019956

The Garcias' will graciously make your short or long term stay in Campeche a pleasant one.
Terracota Corner is located on Calle Costa Rica No. 116,
San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.
Contact Rodolfo or Elba Garcia at garciar35@hotmail.com
Tel.: 81-11467
        81-10373
Cell: 044-981-7500-516
         044-981-1332-266
NEXTEL ID. 92*918631*1

HEY SOUL SISTER - HALIFAX AND CAMPECHE

What a surprise when I first started doing research on my new home, Campeche, Mexico.   I found it was a sister city of my other home, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 
What is the criteria for a sister city of Halifax? The criteria used by the  Halifax Mexican Committee to determine which places in Mexico to visit was as follows: a capital of a state in Mexico, a city of similar size to Halifax on or near the coast having rich historical tradition. 
http://www.halifax.ca/council/Minutes/1998/c980113.pdf

Ever since Campeche became a sister city to Halifax in 1999, education and culture have distinguished themselves as the port city’s biggest export to, and import from, Nova Scotia. A number of students have travelled to Campeche to live with local families, who invite the students into their homes for one semester so they can experience life as Campechanos.

http://www.novascotiabusiness.com/site-nsbi/media/NovaScotiaBusinessInc/otw-winter2004.pdf
Has it accomplished its purpose?  I really can't comment but getting to know your neighbors, well that can't be a bad thing.  As the popular expression is here, "Mi casa es su casa." And we certainly have been made to feel welcome.
Here is a site that seemed to have a pretty good overview of Campeche and a listing of all of Campeche's sister cities.
http://en.db-city.com/Mexico/Campeche/Campeche
From my vantage point, I enjoy the water front of both cities and their different views of the Atlantic Ocean.  Both cities certainly do have some friendly folks. It's  great to have two homes where you can feel comfy.

Here is a photo of  the waterfront or Malecon in Campeche.  In the evening this is a breezy place for the fitness minded and the family oriented, to gather. 

Below is a view of some of Halifax Waterfront.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/macnutt_net/90522985/ This link deserves the credit for this photo.
The live webcams of Halifax provide real time viewing of  the waterfront.
http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/halifax/waterfront.html
From my experience both are great places to live and visit.  What are your thoughts?