Canada Geese are the only ones enjoying Britannia Beach in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Cancun, Mexico on November 1st.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Back in Valle de Bravo!

This is our fourth time visiting Valle de Bravo. We can't figure out why this beautiful spot isn't more on the radar of people visiting Mexico. We're only here for the weekend, but already we're saying we should have planned for longer.

Next time, it'll be for a couple of weeks!

Our friend Paco drove us to the Toluca bus terminal yesterday in time for the 10:50am bus. It cost 61 pesos ($5.30) each for the hour and a half ride.

This lady had sat on the bus in front of Ruth. When she got on, she turned around and shook Ruth's hand and started talking to her, all friendly and with a big smile. We love Mexico!

The first two times we were here, it was with our motorhome.The place we like to stay is not a campground, and there are no actual RV sites. It's an "embarcadero", or marina. But there are some RV's here, and it's actually the spot where we first met Paco and Oti. They are among a rare group of Mexicans who actually own a motorhome!

The third time we were here was in January o 2013, so almost two years ago. We had the little blue car with us, and we stayed in a small apartment that we rented from the owner of the marina. This time, the apartment was already occupied, and Paco suggested we ask our other friends Pepe and Maricruz if we could use their lake home that they built on this property over the last couple of years. (This is the dentist and his wife who we were out for dinner with the other night). They said "sure", and so here we are!

The picture window from the living room.

The last time we were here, I had written a piece about how low the water level was in the lake.


Well, how things can change! Mexico City and this area have had a lot of rain this past summer. So much, that Mexico City hasn't been drawing any water from the lake here and the water level is near an all time high! Of course it will begin to go down now that rainy season is over, but still...we are very surprised!

The last time we were here with the motorhome, in February of 2012.

Taken this morning! The water is almost up to the patio table!

See that little tree on the right, sitting in the water?

That's the same tree on the lower left in January of 2013!

Later yesterday afternoon, we took the collectivo taxi into the big Soriana grocery store and stocked up for the weekend. We don't plan on doing very much except for relaxing! It looks like a beautiful day, supposed to be a very comfortable high of 25C (77F)

Photo taken this morning.







21 comments:

  1. Great pictures as usual. Would love to see a report with pictures of what has happened at Hacienda Contreras.

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    1. We would also love to see the changes at Hacienda Contreras. We haven't yet decided if we're going to make it there this year, however it's unlikely.

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  2. What do you do about health insurance while you are out of Canada?

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    1. Depends on the situation Shirley. Right now, we are "self insured", although we can claim a portion of expenses back through our Canadian provincial insurance if we ever have any expenses that are worth trying to claim back.

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  3. That is a gorgeous place, it's definitely on our must visit list!

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    1. We highly recommend it, it is a beautiful area!

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  4. What a huge difference in the water level, amazing!

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    1. Every year we have visited here the water level has been lower than the time before. In January 2013 we couldn't believe how low the water was. We never dreamed it would ever raise again to the level that we are seeing it at today.

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  5. I want to thank Kevin and Ruth for responding to the comments. I always go back 2 or 3 days to see what has been added.

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    1. Thank you Carl! We feel if someone takes the time to leave a comment then we should take the time to respond, even if it is only a "thank you". We try to be timely with our responses but sometimes time and/or the internet get the better of us.

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  6. We do the same insurance thing. We only pay for medical insurance while transiting the US. You know where we will be for Christmas although I have heard that RV will be full. Lots of space at RV2.

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    1. If we do make it too Mazatlan for Christmas I am afraid that we won't be staying there. The prices are a little to high for us. Do any of the restaurants in the area have space to park a motorhome for a couple of nights?

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  7. Oops meant to say RV1 ( our park ) will be full front and back.

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  8. Cool picture window! Looks like a great place for an afternoon nap!

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    1. We they planned the building of this place, they put lots of thought into it by putting in the lovely big window in the main sitting area. It's such a beautiful view out the window.

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  9. A very nice spot to spend a couple of days, enjoy your time relaxing there.

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  10. Valle de Bravo is beautiful but ... read this:
    http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2014/08/what-is-happening-in-valle-de-bravo.html
    Lots of other places that are beautiful and a lot safer! Check out the Sierra Gorda.

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    1. Based on the number of people out and about in Valle de Bravo this weekend, you'd never guess that it's "unsafe". Glad we don't read borderland beat.

      Queretero is one of the 3 Mexican states that we have not yet visited. Yes, we would like to explore that area.

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  11. We plan to visit Valle de Bravo this winter in Feb or March after we leave the coast.

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    1. So glad to hear that. You are now the second person to tell us that they will be visiting Valle de Bravo this winter. It is definitely one of our favourite places to visit and there is a lot to do in that area.

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