Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Huatulco Life: Cool Casas of Huatulco
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Cool Casas of Huatulco
The original post is by Resort Real Estate Services on December 28, 2011
No cool Mexican casa would be complete without the use of stone. Beautiful cantera flooring is found throughout the home and provides an authenticity and rustic elegance that is in keeping with the Spanish colonial-style architecture. Even the beautiful columns are made from cantera! Off-setting these neutral tones is the more textured stonework lining the stairway to the second level. This same stone work can be found gracing some of the exterior walls to the villa and marries up the design principals of bringing the outside in. Careful attention to detail abounds in this home. Large picture windows were added to the second level exterior wall so as to provide a view to the sea from two of the three bedrooms found on this floor.
Villa Escondida - La Bocana
This Cool Casa is located in La Bocana at the eastern end of the Bays of Huatulco and is home to one of the better surf beaches in the area. Flanked on the east by the Copalita River, Villa Escondida is a beachfront property on Playa La Bocana and, as the name suggests, it's a hidden oasis behind the beautiful wood and iron studded entryway.
Once you make your way through the gate you are greeted by beautiful foliage which adorns the walls of this villa. Nature is brought inside, creating a synergy with it's environment. And it gets even cooler from here...as you enter the main house a beautiful reflecting pool and "floating" walkway lead your eye to the ocean beyond. This dramatic feature is accented by an open air ceiling exposing the tropical skies above. What happens when it rains? Huatulco is very fortunate in that we receive virtually no rain during the winter months. But, occassionaly when the skies do open up in the summer months, the Spanish tile that frames the reflecting pool from above is designed to drain directly in the the pool area. It makes for a dramatic natural water feature during the summer.
No cool Mexican casa would be complete without the use of stone. Beautiful cantera flooring is found throughout the home and provides an authenticity and rustic elegance that is in keeping with the Spanish colonial-style architecture. Even the beautiful columns are made from cantera! Off-setting these neutral tones is the more textured stonework lining the stairway to the second level. This same stone work can be found gracing some of the exterior walls to the villa and marries up the design principals of bringing the outside in. Careful attention to detail abounds in this home. Large picture windows were added to the second level exterior wall so as to provide a view to the sea from two of the three bedrooms found on this floor.
As you pass into the main living area you are greeted with spectacular ocean views across the main terrace and an abundance of natural light in the living room, dining room, and bar area. The open plan encourages large gatherings with friends and family, and since the temperatures in Huatulco are predominately in the low 30's C, the beautifully crafted wooden doors can remain wide open to the natural elements.
No detail has gone unnoticed. The square dining table that seats up to 8 people encourages conversation while taking in the tranquil setting of the ocean as a backdrop. Right down to the selection of plates and cutlery, design synergy is always at the forefront, and the Spanish-Mexican influence is very present. Even the furnishings, both exterior and interior, reflect the designer's vision in harmonizing the carefully selected elements with the overall architecture. From the woven baskets, pillows, pottery, art, and embroidered beach towels, every detail seamlessly blends together.
And since the owners and guests spend a great deal of time outside, one of the coolest parts of this villa is the terrace and pool area. The cantera floor carries to the outside creating a transition from indoor living to outdoor living. And once you are outside you can choose between two terraces. For quick access from the outdoor sofa, two lounge chairs await on the main terrace. If more privacy is desired, you can always try out the secondary terrace that hangs out over the beach...a unique position indeed!
And since hanging out in the sun all day can really work up an appetite and thirst, one of the coolest features of Villa Escondida is the Escondida Bar. It is fully-stocked with a grill and has direct beach access so you're never that far from a cold one. Take a reprieve from the sun or sit on the beach at one of the tables, it's your choice! Oh, and let's not forget about the massage room. Your bones will be aching after a day of surfing so a relaxing massage is definitely in order.
As you can imagine, the four bedrooms at Villa Escondida are just as cool as the rest of the home. Three of the four bedrooms offer private terraces with sitting areas to enjoy that early evening glass of wine, or relax with a good book. Well-appointed, comfortable and complete with a mini fridge in each room, what more could you ask for!
Not surprisingly, the master suite is the showcase bedroom and features dramatic ocean views, an open double shower with pebbled floor, double onyx vessel sinks, even a secure lock-up storage area within the master closet. From the bed, the views run unobstructed as the bathroom area was intentionally sunken so the countertops would not impeded the views...how cool is that!
If you are not quite ready to retire to the sheets yet, then a trip to the expansive roof top terrace is a must. This is a fantastic location to watch the sun fade into the mountains, or catch the last light on the surf below. Don't forget that cold margarita! And if you happen to be a guest at Villa Escondida, a romantic dinner from this lookout and a nice bottle of wine is a great experience. Oh, and did I mention you should bring that unfinished bottle of wine to the hot tub after to watch the stars?
I could go on and on about this beautiful place but, to truly appreciate it, you will have to come and see if for yourself. The good news is that you can rent this villa for your next vacation! And once you have stayed here and fallen in love with Villa Escondida, you can now make it your own. It is listed for sale exclusively with Resort Real Estate Services...http://www.rrestateservices.com/prop_display_sales.php?id_prop=38
2011 Ends in Huatulco
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2011 Ends in Huatulco
Somebody help me. I’m going to get fat! I have lost count of how many times I have been invited to share a meal with someone since Donna left two weeks ago. I’m not complaining because I love the fellowship, but I am forgetting what hunger feels like. I really like the food, but full has become the new normal.
This past week seemed to just fly by. I had numerous “unplanned” opportunities to share the Gospel, answer questions, and otherwise engage people. I use a method I call “planned spontaneity.” I didn’t invent it, but I have found it to be a very effective way to work. Obviously, planning something and being spontaneous are opposites. The idea is to plan to be alert for opportunities to react spontaneously to open doors. I used to use it as a leadership tool. It is very effective. You just need to train yourself to be expectant and ready to react. This past week was very fruitful.
The past two weeks have seen the town be very busy with tourists. Mexicans seem to have different vacation customs. They vacation as an extended family. You will often see the grand parents, parents, children of all ages and sometimes aunts and uncles and cousins together. They travel in packs. Or should I say parades. (herds?) A typical group will be walking in town in the evening led by or followed by a very cranky looking dad. (Maybe because he’s paying). The women are talking and usually holding hands as the children run to and fro. The teenagers (if there is more than one) stay just far enough apart from the group so as not to seem to be associated with them. It is interesting to watch. I was too busy to set aside any beach time this week. I would not have enjoyed it anyway because they are beyond crowded.
I did discover why you are having warmer weather up there right now. One evening I met Jack Frost and his wife Jane. They are vacationing here for the holidays. He is looking forward to returning to work. He said something about having a lot of catching up to do. The weather is very nice here, but it is getting very chilly at night. It has been getting down into the 60’s. Jack?
I spend New Years Eve in church. I was supposed to preach and I had prepared a nice short message on thanksgiving which I was going to deliver without a translator. I haven’t done that yet. The focus of the evening was to be the meal and fellowship. A pastor friend of Pastor Solomón from the City of Oaxaca
Top Honeymoon Destinations - Huatulco, Mexico THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2011
Top Honeymoon Destinations - Huatulco, Mexico
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2011
Bahias de Huatulco, shortened to just "Huatulco" (wah-TOOL-co) is on the Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Oaxaca. An important historical location - it was a vantage point for Hernan Cortes and the Conquistadors - the area is now a pleasantly primitive resort area.
The area, which had previously been simply a coffee growing area, was selected for tourism development by the Mexican government in 1984 (a project similar to the one that "created" Cancun) and centers on nine bays. Three bays have been developed, Tangolunda where the upscale resorts are, around the town of La Crucecita with its Mexican ambience and the marina and Chahue, still embryonic. The quintessential ecotourism resort, Huatulco features underdeveloped stretches of golden sand beaches, isolated coves, spectacular waterfalls (in particular, "Cascadas Magicas de Copalitilla), emerald rainforests, whale watching and the ancient culture of the Zapotec people. Just to the north is tropical jungle where bananas, cashew nuts and coffee are grown.
Air access is still somewhat limited, but there are several terrific "all-inclusive" resorts in Huatulco including Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa, Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa (adults only), Barcelo Huatulco Beach Resort and Crown Pacific Huatulco - all near the main beach, Bahia de Santa Cruz. Activities such as bird watching, ziplining, rafting, horseback riding, marlin fishing and a bevy of water sports are offered.
With the beauty of nature by day and well appointed comfort by night, Huatulco is another excellent choice for your honeymoon destination.
For more information on Honeymoons and Destination Weddings, please visit www.allabouthoneymoons.com
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