I have been on the East coast visiting with Roly and Rosie. I am pleased to report that Rosie and I found a great deal at T.J. Max for sheets that will outfit the master and guest bedrooms in Huatulco.
I spent a lovely day on the beach in Biddeford Pool gazing out to the ocean and the gorgeous waves. I felt this is a preview for the year to come, and man, do we have a ton to be thankful for. Some skeeters started nibbling after 530pm, another preview that I hope will not be too bad down South.
The countdown is on and the roadtrip tunes are a downloading. Yay!
Sunday August 29, 2010
This is a birthday post for Bex...31 years young yesterday!!
Started this post last night and found out what happens when the internet goes down...blog allows you to keep typing but it does not save what you have written. Doph!!
Watching the Nationwide race from Montreal...will have to see if I need to stream it online or if the one and only sports bar in Huatulco will be carrying the races.
Not much going on right now. All about small details and catching up with buddies before we leave. Had dinner with the Lightbulb Terminator (Svenner) and then went on to see him win some good pesos at the casino. Last night went out with Melon Sr and Jr (Kent and his Dad) and saw the Lions lose a baaaad game!! I have never eaten a green hamburger patty before...
The car stereo is sweet!!! The sound is great and the ease of having 2000 songs accessible via the iPod is super. The alarm is just a precaution...but it gives peace of mind. The cab has it's alarm and immobilizer while the canopy has a glass sensor as well as an alarm on the tail gate. Our shorts and t shirts are all secure!!
With the canopy on, I have been able to figure out how many of the blue Rubbermaid bins will actually fit. We are down to 5 large ones and one small one. Lots of room between the bins for tool kit, stereo parts etc. Bex is the packing master...she will get it all in.
But as we realize how much room we really have, I keep adding small things. Huatulco is small and unless the product you are looking for is something the locals use, it is expensive. Sun tan lotion (made in Canada of course) is 140 pesos or around $11.30 Cdn while it is $6 at Superstore in NVan. So we buy some things here and bring them down. Once we are settled and have a better handle on the Spanish, we will make the road trip to bigger cities like Oaxaca City and buy our needs there.
Point of previous paragraph? Went to the tax free haven of Park Royal and picked up two pairs of Nikes. Great deal...buy one, one at 50%...no tax and got a $20 gc for a purchase over $100. Cha-ching.
Busy week coming up. Seattle to sign lease and drop off the rent cheques for the Huatulco condo, dinner with RC, Mariners game, pick up Bex at Seatac airport, Thursday we are off to Victoria to see M&D, eat lunch at Pags and Mom's famous lasagna (are you reading this Mom?) for dinner, our second to last breakfast at Joes on Friday, Bella pizza with Olen on Friday, dinner with Stu (a buddy for the past 27 years) on Saturday and then end the week with Nascar Sunday!!
But the to-do list is actually not so long!! Buy a shower curtain, pick up some travel pesos, cancel cell phone (effective Oct 1) and suss out this thing called the Magic Jack. It allows you to make calls via the internet for a one time fee of $40 US and then $20/year. The phone number we get is a local Vancouver number so peeps can call us in Mexico without International rates and we can call US or Canada from Mexico with no charge. Just not sure we need it as we do Skype and iChat way more then calling people...but it might be good in case someone needs to urgently get a hold of us.
Found out we actually do have some regular readers of this blog!! It will be spiced up after the 14th...thanks for hanging in there!!
Until next time.
Saludos
Wednesday August 25, 2010
Three weeks and counting!! Yikes. All is good...just making sure we have room in the truck for everything we want to take.
So the canopy is on the truck and looks great. Perfect match with the original paint. Not sure why it is was $200 cheaper in the States (after exchange etc) even though it is was manufactured in BC?
Had a good time in Seattle...a quick trip but still managed to pot $180 in 20 minutes playing black jack at Tulalip!!
The new seal for the stick shift was installed and knock wood...the truck is as mechanically ready as it will ever be. The new iPod stereo is being installed on Friday!! And today I managed to touch base with Gloria in El Paso and she set us up with our Mexican vehicle insurance. $420 US for the year...not bad!! And it includes $$ for legal fees because supposedly you almost always need a lawyer if you are in an accident in Mexico. Probably hire one of those lawyer/dentist types and get a cleaning at the same time. Gotta love Mexico!!
Typical media reports regarding Mexico. It is more interesting to report on the bad stuff vs the good. Our Huatulco main contact sent us an email and he feels our chosen route is a-ok. He just said treat it like any road trip in Canada or the US and use your brain.
Had a very quick Skype with the landlords and the main thing we talked about was our need for good internet. They will look into it before we arrive and see what is available and see if they need to authorize any work on their condo to ensure we have the best speed possible down there. Bex will rely heavily on the internet to send off the work she creates on her new Wacom tablet. Me? I need it for iChats and for streaming Nascar, the NFL and of course the Canucks.
Web page for viewing:
Bex's New Tablet!!
Bex's talent and this mac-daddy are going to make us rich!! And the tablet was $200 cheaper in the US as well!!
We have arranged with the agent for the condo to meet us on the 14th for a walk through and to return the damage deposit....details details details.
Wanted to thank my brother for allowing all of our mail to be directed to his house. If I could just get him to pay the bills that arrive....
Tomorrow I am having breakfast with an old friend that is not really old and then hope to hook up with the Lightbulb Terminator. Good to see some buds before we leave.
Until next time.
Saludos
So the canopy is on the truck and looks great. Perfect match with the original paint. Not sure why it is was $200 cheaper in the States (after exchange etc) even though it is was manufactured in BC?
Had a good time in Seattle...a quick trip but still managed to pot $180 in 20 minutes playing black jack at Tulalip!!
The new seal for the stick shift was installed and knock wood...the truck is as mechanically ready as it will ever be. The new iPod stereo is being installed on Friday!! And today I managed to touch base with Gloria in El Paso and she set us up with our Mexican vehicle insurance. $420 US for the year...not bad!! And it includes $$ for legal fees because supposedly you almost always need a lawyer if you are in an accident in Mexico. Probably hire one of those lawyer/dentist types and get a cleaning at the same time. Gotta love Mexico!!
Typical media reports regarding Mexico. It is more interesting to report on the bad stuff vs the good. Our Huatulco main contact sent us an email and he feels our chosen route is a-ok. He just said treat it like any road trip in Canada or the US and use your brain.
Had a very quick Skype with the landlords and the main thing we talked about was our need for good internet. They will look into it before we arrive and see what is available and see if they need to authorize any work on their condo to ensure we have the best speed possible down there. Bex will rely heavily on the internet to send off the work she creates on her new Wacom tablet. Me? I need it for iChats and for streaming Nascar, the NFL and of course the Canucks.
Web page for viewing:
Bex's New Tablet!!
Bex's talent and this mac-daddy are going to make us rich!! And the tablet was $200 cheaper in the US as well!!
We have arranged with the agent for the condo to meet us on the 14th for a walk through and to return the damage deposit....details details details.
Wanted to thank my brother for allowing all of our mail to be directed to his house. If I could just get him to pay the bills that arrive....
Tomorrow I am having breakfast with an old friend that is not really old and then hope to hook up with the Lightbulb Terminator. Good to see some buds before we leave.
Until next time.
Saludos
Saturday August 21, 2010
We didn't want anyone to think we were neglecting the blog. Hey, feel free to leave a comment or become a follower...we can have a cult following. lol
So nothing new, but here are the confirmed items on the agenda for countdown days 24-17:
-Skype with the Huatulco landlords
-road trip to Seattle to drop Bex off
-pick up the new Wacom tablet (so Bex can become more famous then she is and you can all say "I knew Bex when...")
-canopy will be installed
-finish getting Mexican truck insurance via Gloria in El Paso Texas
-back to Nissan to get a gasket/seal replaced on the stick shift (small leak)...$200...argh
-breakfast with some buddies from waaaay back Robson MS days
-some glasses of suds with the light bulb destroyer
-new stereo and alarm installed in the truck
Decided against a Garmin...we have great maps and the internet. Have been working on some Spanish phrases...just in case. Estamos perdidos is a phrase we should not need if the maps are correct!!
Safe link to...Bex and Bubba's Mexican Adventure theme song
Will update you all on Wednesday.
Oh yeah...for all of you who expressed concern...the elevator company came and retrieved my car key!!
Saludos,
So nothing new, but here are the confirmed items on the agenda for countdown days 24-17:
-Skype with the Huatulco landlords
-road trip to Seattle to drop Bex off
-pick up the new Wacom tablet (so Bex can become more famous then she is and you can all say "I knew Bex when...")
-canopy will be installed
-finish getting Mexican truck insurance via Gloria in El Paso Texas
-back to Nissan to get a gasket/seal replaced on the stick shift (small leak)...$200...argh
-breakfast with some buddies from waaaay back Robson MS days
-some glasses of suds with the light bulb destroyer
-new stereo and alarm installed in the truck
Decided against a Garmin...we have great maps and the internet. Have been working on some Spanish phrases...just in case. Estamos perdidos is a phrase we should not need if the maps are correct!!
Safe link to...Bex and Bubba's Mexican Adventure theme song
Will update you all on Wednesday.
Oh yeah...for all of you who expressed concern...the elevator company came and retrieved my car key!!
Saludos,
Tuesday August 17, 2010
Got the quote for the new iPod capable car stereo and decided to not only get an immobilizer on the truck, but to spend the extra $250 and get the canopy wired for a motion alarm as well. Not expecting any trouble, but better safe then sorry.
And then it was off to Canadian Tire to pick up some MORE odds and ends. The best item being the 12 volt dc/120 volt ac inverter. Using this for our travel cooler so we can not only plug it into the truck, but into any wall socket during the road trip. Cold beverages on the road!! Working on a porta-potty for the co-pilot...just kidding!!
Tomorrow will follow up with ETA on the canopy as we hope to pick it up on the way to Seattle next week when we drop Bex off at the airport as she heads off for her week in Maine.
Figuring out banking right now. We have a dormant Mexican account at Scotia bank in Huatulco, but will need pesos for most expenses once we cross into Mexico. To save ATM fees, will end up having some $$ wired from my Van bank to the Scotia account...once I figure out how to communicate that I lost my PIN and haven't used the account in over "dos anos".
Enjoying the last few weeks in Van. Seeing some friends and deciding who will get the Friends&Family rate once we open the Dos Conjeos (& Bono??) villas. lol
Saludos
And then it was off to Canadian Tire to pick up some MORE odds and ends. The best item being the 12 volt dc/120 volt ac inverter. Using this for our travel cooler so we can not only plug it into the truck, but into any wall socket during the road trip. Cold beverages on the road!! Working on a porta-potty for the co-pilot...just kidding!!
Tomorrow will follow up with ETA on the canopy as we hope to pick it up on the way to Seattle next week when we drop Bex off at the airport as she heads off for her week in Maine.
Figuring out banking right now. We have a dormant Mexican account at Scotia bank in Huatulco, but will need pesos for most expenses once we cross into Mexico. To save ATM fees, will end up having some $$ wired from my Van bank to the Scotia account...once I figure out how to communicate that I lost my PIN and haven't used the account in over "dos anos".
Enjoying the last few weeks in Van. Seeing some friends and deciding who will get the Friends&Family rate once we open the Dos Conjeos (& Bono??) villas. lol
Saludos
Monday August 16, 2010
So the plan is to update the blog only when we encounter Mexican Adventure activities, thus no update since Thursday. The hope is to have daily updates starting Sept 14.
Today was not really an eventful day, but one incident has led to another to-do being added to the list. Losing one of the car keys down the elevator shaft of the condo...doph.
Will add that to the rest of the week's list. Finding spices seems to be an area of opportunity in Huatulco, so we have stocked up on a few necessities already and other then the need for some small items, the only big ones left are the car stereo and the truck canopy which should be ready in a week. We pass through Acapulco on the way to Huatulco so we expect to find some bigger grocery stores there. Might not have any room in the truck on the way down...but always good to know where to shop.
Spent some time surfing the web and looking for accommodations during the 12 day trip. Won't book anything, but it looks like there are plenty of small motels along the way. We have one pit stop planned for Mazatlan and will stay in familiar digs there...Playa Mazatlan. "Una habitacion para una noche por favor" will hopefully get us a room for the night!!
Will order the Mexican truck insurance on line, and have different opinions on the need for an import permit. Some say get it, some say it will be attached to the FM3 immigration papers. Problem is that I don't think the FM3 exists anymore and it is now called a "forma de no immigrante", but that is all part of the adventure.
With the heat wave in Vancouver, we have been test driving our beach chairs...they work!! If the heat keeps up we might be testing our pool floatation devices next!!
Until next time.
Today was not really an eventful day, but one incident has led to another to-do being added to the list. Losing one of the car keys down the elevator shaft of the condo...doph.
Will add that to the rest of the week's list. Finding spices seems to be an area of opportunity in Huatulco, so we have stocked up on a few necessities already and other then the need for some small items, the only big ones left are the car stereo and the truck canopy which should be ready in a week. We pass through Acapulco on the way to Huatulco so we expect to find some bigger grocery stores there. Might not have any room in the truck on the way down...but always good to know where to shop.
Spent some time surfing the web and looking for accommodations during the 12 day trip. Won't book anything, but it looks like there are plenty of small motels along the way. We have one pit stop planned for Mazatlan and will stay in familiar digs there...Playa Mazatlan. "Una habitacion para una noche por favor" will hopefully get us a room for the night!!
Will order the Mexican truck insurance on line, and have different opinions on the need for an import permit. Some say get it, some say it will be attached to the FM3 immigration papers. Problem is that I don't think the FM3 exists anymore and it is now called a "forma de no immigrante", but that is all part of the adventure.
With the heat wave in Vancouver, we have been test driving our beach chairs...they work!! If the heat keeps up we might be testing our pool floatation devices next!!
Until next time.
Thursday August 12, 2010 #2
So yes, you need to go to the Consulate with a photo to apply for your visa, but they do not use it? They have a camera hidden in the wall and take your photo right then and there...thus the just released from prison look.
We will have 30 days once we cross the border to go to the Mexican Immigration and receive the "card" which will be good for 365 days. Our Consulate connection seemed to be as knowledgeable about the new process as we are. Thus she has asked us to email her once we have the "card" and tell her how it went getting it. I love Mexico!! Our sources tell us there is an immigration office in Santa Cruz.
Now that this uncertainty is dealt with, the next one is in regards to bringing our truck into Mexico. So far we are told we need Mexican insurance because it is a "at-fault" country in regards to accidents. You are guilty until proven innocent and USA/CDN insurance is not valid there. So we need insurance and once past the border, you register the truck? Hablo Ingles senor?
Truck tune up done, canopy ordered and next week we get a new iPod compatible car stereo and a car alarm/immobilizer installed.
Still looking at our list and ensuring we are bringing/buying items we may not get in the small town of Huatulco. Once settled in, I am sure we will make the trek to Oaxaca City and see what they have there.
Until our next post....saludos.
Thursday August 12th, 2010
We picked up our Mexican visas today only to discover that we did not need the photos we had taken at London Drugs. Instead, they used the pix that they took on the spot last week when we were at the consulate. The friendly lady Connie who assisted us gave us her card in order to send her an email upon our arrival to Huatulco to let her know what procedures we are to go through in getting our visas. It is interesting to see the difference between the governments of different countries and their visas/immigration policies.
Wednesday August 11, 2010
35 days to go and counting. Today's accomplishments include updating the OS on my Mac (Snow Leopard) as well as backing up all the files. Some funky couch pillows were picked up at IKEA (as well as some hot dogs and a cinnamon bun with extra goo) and a new knife to use on all my pollo and chorizo once we are in Huatulco!!
All 1800 songs have been loaded onto the new iPod and are ready for the 7400 km road trip.
Have been playing with the new camera and 70-250mm zoom lense...getting ready for the Grand Canyon.
Sold the footstool and have a nibble on the side table.
Big day coming up tomorrow...the Mexican Consulate.
All 1800 songs have been loaded onto the new iPod and are ready for the 7400 km road trip.
Have been playing with the new camera and 70-250mm zoom lense...getting ready for the Grand Canyon.
Sold the footstool and have a nibble on the side table.
Big day coming up tomorrow...the Mexican Consulate.
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