Sep 15, 2011

Aurora Borealis

Last Friday evening, Sept.9th, the night after the winery event, I was in bed about 9:30PM. Colin was outside playing his guitar when a security guard came by and asked him to look back over his shoulder.  There it was, perhaps the first time ever here, a light show, the Northern Lights.  Colin woke me and we looked out the window, I could see them dancing across the sky but the colours eluded us. The neighbours outdoor lights were too bright so we hopped into the golf cart and drove off to the dog park which was dark.  They were gone.  We had missed them.  I was so disappointed as I have not seen them since moving away from Edmonton years ago.  At least I had a glimpse.  The mystery was in that how could we see them here, so far south.

Thanks to Croft and his research we have the answer.

“just before midnight we were treated to a beautiful aurora borealis show that covered the entire northern horizon! I have not seen a show like this since we lived up near the Alaska border. It was an amazing show and I just found out it is the result of a major geomagnetic storm on the sun and the resulting CME’s hitting the earth. We can expect more in the next couple of days.”

Mucho gracias mi amigo!

If you want to see this amazing spectacle online have a look.  This is a webcam set up by the Canadian Space agency, it takes a few moments to load.  You can click onto a live feed, at night of course! There is also a link to an information website on the Northern lights which has a few other links that may be of interest.  This is where I got the webcam link. Here is a tiny exert from the article.

Solar maximum coming
The AuroraMax project is being launched in time for scientists to observe the solar maximum, the period in which the northern lights are expected to be more frequent and active. Originally forecast to occur in 2012, the solar maximum is currently expected to take place in 2013.
To coincide with the launch of the AuroraMax website, Astronomy North has begun a notification system to advise aurora-watchers of the next big light show.

Solar maximum comingThe AuroraMax project is being launched in time for scientists to observe the solar maximum, the period in which the northern lights are expected to be more frequent and active. Originally forecast to occur in 2012, the solar maximum is currently expected to take place in 2013.
To coincide with the launch of the AuroraMax website, Astronomy North has begun a notification system to advise aurora-watchers of the next big light show.

So now you have a chance to become an observer of the aurora borealis no matter where you are in the world.  Enjoy!

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Sep 14, 2011

Mexico travel & pets!

Heads up folks!!  Change has come….not necessarily good but not the end of the world.   How you interpret the new information and how you react to it will determine how you handle it!

Before reading further please read this,

http://www.senasica.gob.mx/?Idioma=2&id=623

There has been quite a bit of discussion on RV.net, click here for the information.  If you read through to near the end you will see my comment on the subject.  Bottom line is that I believe that if you are a Canadian transiting the US en route to Mexico you only need the one International Certificate issued in Canada.  It makes no sense whatsoever to have to see a US vet for a second set of papers never mind the expense.

The moderator of the forum states that the rules are being tweaked and should be sorted out by the end of this month.  So check back the end of the month.

I suggest that you hold off on your annual pet check and paperwork with your vet to as close as possible to your departure date from Canada.  Having said that, if your pet is due for shots don’t wait till the last 2 or 3 days in case they have a negative reaction to the vaccine and become ill.

Here is a link to the proper form your vet should be using.  Bring a copy of it with you to your vet appointment.

Getting to the bottom of it all~

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Sep 13, 2011

What do you say…..

…when you get asked over and over again about travelling to Mexico?  We all have answers and these change from time to time depending on current events.  A fellow blogger, Croft, received an inquiry on his blog and chose to answer in a post.  With his permission I reprint his answer posted September 6, 2011.  Great basic common sense advice Croft.  Be sure to check the comments on his post as others have added some good advice also.

Dear Croft’s Mexico

Sandy and Darrel, a couple from BC wrote to ask my advice for their first RV trip to Mexico. I sent them answers to their specific questions and also offered some unsolicited advice. After thinking about it, I decided to reprint my letter in the Blog. It might be of interest to others contemplating their first trip South Of The Border. I am sure many others will argue with some of my statements but this has been our experience with this beautiful country.

Hi Sandy and Darrel,

First of all, thanks for following our adventures. You will love Mexico and you have the perfect rig for Mexican roads and RV parks.

Our medical insurance comes from our Desjardins Visa card company in Quebec. It is the only one we have used and are very happy with it. Norma broke her hip in Tucson several years ago and they flew us both home in a Lear Jet for repairs and then back to Tucson to pick up the motorhome.

Vehicle insurance comes from Mexico Bob’s San Xavier Mexico Insurance in Arizona. We have found them very reasonable and if you have been following the Blog, you know we have had three claims. They have paid everything. Also remember you can get a refund from ICBC for all the time you are in Mexico. Just keep all the receipts you can to prove you were out of their jurisdiction.

As far as border crossings, we always enter Mexico at Lukeville, AZ / Sonoita, MX. This is because we visit friends in Yuma on the way down and also get glasses in Algodones, just across the border from Yuma. Lukeville is an easy crossing and is a short days drive to Edgar and Anna’s Punta Vista RV Park in Santa Ana. Coming back, we have used Lukeville, Laredo, TX (Columbia Crossing) and El Paso, TX (wouldn’t cross here again – Juarez is scary). The same rules apply going in either direction. Cross as early in the morning as you can and do not spend the night on the MX side near the border. The best method heading north is to spend the night about 100 KM from the border in MX, wake up early and get to the crossing before 10:00 AM or so. We have never had a problem, this is just the recommended method and that is what we do.

Also, have several sources of cash available. We have three debit cards as well as four credit cards. We have had several cards compromised over the years while in Mexico as well as one ATM card swallowed by an ATM. None of this has cost us anything but just in case it happens again we carry lots of cards. Mexico is a cash economy so do not think you can depend on credit cards for day to day expenses. Buy pesos as soon as you cross and please do not try to use USA dollars.

The drug violence is just that – drug violence – and does not affect RVers. Having said that, we always use common sense, stay out of drug areas and late night bars, don’t drive around at night, don’t flash money around…. Pretty much the same as we do at home. “Situational Awareness” as my retired US Military friend Belgique calls it. There have been more RVers murdered in Canada (2) in the last few years than in Mexico (0). Do not believe everything you see on FOX News.

If there is anything else we can help with or explain further, just email! You also might want to join this Mexico RVing Forum.

The following is my response to a followup email:

In the USA we use T-Mobile pay as you go cell phone and in Mexico we have a Telcel pay as you go phone, both very cheap to buy and load with time but expensive if you have to use them to call Canada. Skype is our main method for calling home. Walmart in the USA sells another very cheap pay as you go cell plan. Unless you have an unlocked SIM type phone, you will have to buy phones for each country but they are cheap.

We also bought a Telcel Internet Broadband stick for Mexico. It offers 3 GB of data for about $300 pesos a month. Coverage is excellent! We also have a Virgin Broadband stick for the USA. They are all pay as you go.

WIFI coverage is fairly good in Mexico with most RV parks having WIFI of varying quality. Usually you have to take your computer to the office or some other designated area. There are Italian Coffee Company stores everywhere that have WIFI as well as many hotels and restaurants. We just got tired of carrying the laptop around and bought the Telcel Broadband plan. It worked everywhere.

Be sure to buy a copy of the Travelers Guide to Mexican Camping by Mike and Terri Church. You can order it from their website or get it from Amazon.ca. This book is indispensable for Mexican RVers. It gives directions to and descriptions of every RV park in Mexico. You will not be able to find most RV parks without it. Do not go without it, you cannot buy it in Mexico (unless you run into Mike and Terri as we have three times)!

Take lots of reading material, English books are very expensive and hard to find in MX. Take extra RV supplies (white hose, in line water filter, toilet chemicals, sewer hose) as they are not sold in MX. Be sure to have at least two 20 / 30 amp converters as 95% of RV park outlets will be the three prong household type. Be sure you can plug in. I also carry enough oil and a filter to be able to change the oil once in MX.  There are many roadside mechanicos who will do it for a few pesos if you have the parts. Multi grade oil is hard to find in MX and synthetic oil is impossible to get. Take a gallon of distilled water from the USA for your batteries. It is not available in MX.

Plan on using your generator much more than in Canada or the US as power is not as dependable in MX. For example, in Merida every three spots share one 20 amp breaker! If a park is crowded there is a good chance voltage will be as low as 99 volts. Get a cheap meter from Canadian Tire and learn how to use it.
Mexican butter does not taste anything like ours. I can get used to it but Norma hates it and stocks up the freezer with butter in the USA. Beer and Chilean wine is reasonable in MX but if you drink scotch, take it with you. Every city of any size has a Walmart Superstore and Mega is the other large grocery outlet. There are quite a few Sam’s Clubs.

Experiment with food. Do not be afraid to eat at street taco stands. If you have not traveled much you might get a intestinal infection. It is not a big deal and will not last long. We take Imodium with us but pharmacias are very good and carry almost everything we get at home although with a Spanish name. It is recommended to get a Hepatitis A (corrected – thanks Kathe) shot before you go and we did. Mexico is not “dirty”, in fact restaurants are usually spotless. Eat in the centros and squares. I love Mexican restaurants! They never rush you and you only get a bill when you ask for it, “La cuenta, por favor”. You can sit at a table on the square (“jardine”) for hours and watch the young people. It is a great way to spend an evening. In MX we dine out an average of once a day, maybe more. You can dine out cheaper than buying and preparing food in the RV.

We use taxis most of the time as streets are narrow and confusing and parking is difficult in the cities. It also lets you have that second (third?) glass of wine. Cabs are very cheap but establish the charge before you get in the cab as the (very) odd one will try to overcharge.

Like you say, our paths will likely cross. Mexico is a small country!
Croft

Added:Another thought I should share. To be clear, we have never had a problem with crime in Mexico. One attempted (failed) camera snatching in Guadalajara and one smooth talking con artist who “needed” to “borrow” $400 pesos to pay school fees in San Miguel de Allende (successful). But that could happen anywhere.
However, our friend Les was robbed at gunpoint in his motorhome in a gas station. Les is a retired British Bobby and had the good sense to have a “dummy” wallet. It is an old wallet with two or three hundred pesos plus an expired credit card and a few old business cards in it to make it look real. He carries it on the front consul. When the bad guy stuck his gun in the window and demanded money. Les grabbed the fake wallet, threw it out the window and when the robber bent over to pick it up, drove off. This is what I am going to do from now on, carry a fake wallet. T

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Sep 11, 2011

Nathalie Decoster @ Mission Hill

Anthony von Mandl, Proprietor of Mission Hill writes, “At Mission Hill Family Estate our goal is to achieve the extraordinary.  We are thrilled to showcase these magnificent sculptures alongside our wines surrounded by the natural beauty of the Okanagan Valley.”

We were the invited guests of Christa Frosch of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada.

From the first moment we arrived on the evening of September 8th, to our departure it was an exquisite event.  Words almost can’t describe the beauty of the evening, the marvellous sculptures, the quality wines of which there were so many,  the music from classical quartets to a great jazz group in the Chagall room with ice wines and coffees to the gift bags as we departed.

A 2.6 million dollar Bugatti greeted everyone on arrival. You can see two of the sculptures on the right.

This was Parisian sculptress Nathalie Decosters’ first exhibit in Canada.  It took almost nine years for Mission Hill to persuade her to come.  She arrived from her recent exhibition in Sao Paulo, Brazil with more than 50 monumental works of art.  “Through recycled bronze, aluminium, stainless steel, concrete and glass media, Decoster offers visions of time as opportunity.  She shows the futility of the fight against time imposed by modern life…………..her sculptures breathe a secret of life, an access code for serenity.”


I have to thank Colin Jewall Photo Studios Inc. for sharing photos with me.

Within seconds of arriving we were handed a light & crisp rose with a choice of appetizer.  It soon became apparent that we were on a tour of the winery as well as all its fine wines and gourmet appetizers, from a complex Viognier with a crab/ apricot appetizer to a robust pinot with the duck.  I’m sure I missed a few but the tour with wine in hand was not of just Mission Hill but also the sculptures strategically placed throughout.  Some where huge and yet others were tiny.

This one is end table size and entitled "HAVING TO WORK ON IT", the tittle in French below is "ca se merite" , 2003. I found I preferred the French titles as the English translation seemed to loose a little something. The bristle material is similar to an old wire brush which is where Nathalie likely recycled it from. This particular piece was selling for $9000.00. The prices ranged from $8,000.00 to $56,000.00.

After the tour and endless ‘sips’ of wine and appetizers it was time for a lovely dinner, lamb to lobster and all in between.  Needless to say the food was marvellous.

My dinner companion was the Mayor of Kelowna, Sharon Shepherd & across from her, one of our clients, developer Kathleen MacKenzie and her business partner Wendy.

The evening continued in the wine cellar where we were invited to stroll through the huge casks, each holding about 300 bottles of wine.  At one end a variety of cheeses, tea & coffee were served while at the far end we were treated to sculpted pastries and ice wine.

This is where I finally had a moment to converse with Nathalie. In French of course!

From here it was up to the Chagall Room, so called for the one of a kind tapestry by Marc Chagall hanging on the wall.  Another example of Anthony Mandls’ support of the arts.  Here we listened to the top Kelowna jazz group while feasting on a variety of chocolate treats,  specialty coffees, more wines and on and on.

The magical evening ended with an unexpected but so very special gift bag.  Inside we each received a  book called ‘Petit Manuel” filled with photos of  Natahlie’s art works as well as an individually numbered Limited Edition bottle of  Mission Hill Family Estate 2010 Rose to commemorate the occasion.  What more can I say………………….

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Sep 10, 2011

A quickie Que Pasa!!

What a week!!  I am worn out.  I napped part of Friday.

Thursday evening we attend a gala gala do, an epic event.  More on that soon.  It has been so amazing I still can’t digest it.

The fire is out!  Yeah!  But yesterday, Friday about 12:41PM, Vancouver Island experienced a 6.4 magnitude earthquake.  We have many friends in the area. I know they are safe but I’m sure it was a huge scare for everyone.  Even here in Kelowna some experienced the swaying.  We were just completing a showing of our home and felt nothing.  We have had our share of them though. One December in Pismo Beach, California, the 5th wheel next to us slide over to its side and the water sloshed out of the swimming pool coming down the road towards our RV.  I can’t remember the year but it was the earthquake near the Hearst Castle.  All the glasses & dishes were rattling.   We have experienced a few in Acapulco, the worst being about 2:00AM on a January 1st.  We had just finished all the New Years Eve celebrations and seriously wondered if it was us having indulged a wee bit or ???  We figured out it was an earthquake and said our goodbyes to each other in the event of a tsunami.  We are still here ;}

Interestingly enough there was an earthquake in Culiacan just this past Monday, the 5th.  This is where Colin goes every March to participate in the International Classical Guitar Festival. We hope the Heriberto & family were not affected.

Oh yes, the car has been fully repaired by Canadian Tire.  We just haven’t found the time to go pick it up.  Apparently they kept to their quote.  Good work Canadian TIre.

I received 2 emails this week from some US friends, one couple we came to know while RVing in Mexico and another who we became close to because of our doxies.  These were such specials emails as we have lost touch over the years.  So great to hear from them again.  Please stay in touch, glad to hear that my blog helps.  I do love it when you comment as I then know how you are doing!

Tengo un buen dia!

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