Mechapa

Hello All - The Season is upon us when things really start to heat up - weather-wise and business-wise. Our 2008 year was amazing, and with the road improvements continuing, we expect 2009 to be even better. This month brought a very special guest to our resort, Dennis, from Honduras (Canada, originally) and he introduced us to parasailing. What an amazing sight to see him catching some air at Estero Padre Ramos. The wind-god was not so kind at Punta Nata, but his reports were still very favorable. We don't know much about this sport, but if anyone has some experience, we'd be more than happy to pass on his contact information. He expects to be returning soon to give it another "go." Our volcano trips and kayaking excursions continue to expand. We are still very thrilled with our decision to move to this beautiful country and as always, welcome any inquiries! Since we are not parasailing or surfing or kayaking right now, we think we'll mix up some of our special fresh coconut blender drinks! Salud! Stacy and Mike (And this week, Mike's business partners, Rob and Linda)

The road construction continues on NIC 12, and it is working it's way toward the intersection at Cosiguiina - which means that a nice new group of tourists are venturing up this way. Lately, the surfers have moved North and are finding out that we really do have some killer waves here. We've just started, but it's nice to get out there and get beaten up by the Pacific every once and a while! The Millenium Challenge Corporation is still doing their magic distributing plants and helping businesses in the area. So far, it seems to be a good program, but we'll see in a couple years when the fruit trees start to produce. As usual, if you have any questions or need information - we are here!

I also own a lease in Machapa and yes there are big plans for that penninsula . It will be interesting to see how the estuary gets developed if at all . Very easy to see jet skis and parasailing going on there . We have a group of over 60 people planning our first beach party on our beachfront property .

Update on the construction of the road: They've done a great job completing the road all the way to El Congo - paved, with bus stops and plenty of signs to keep you on track (they went a little sign crazy, actually, you'll see.) Past El Congo, the paved road ends, but it very "passable" even with the construction because they have more area to work. We expect them to be at the Cosiguiina intersection soon, which will cut the travel time from Mechapa to Chinandega from over 2 hours (about a year ago) to a little over an hour. Nice!!!

I don't know whether it's the road improvements, the weather, astrology, moon cycle, or just plain curiosity, but our little village of Mechapa and secluded area of Venecia has gone a little nuts. Over the past month,we have had a daily stream of visitors from Chinandega, Leon and Managua, the States and Canada, Germany, Sweden and Denmark; coming to "check out the area." As if that wasn't exciting enough, just yesterday, we were at the Point at Estero Padre Ramos and talked to fishermen from Florida (on a spanky, real-life fishing boat) who seemed to have forgotten that being "nice" is always nice, and heckling our Harvard t-shirt wearing guest with Yale rantings won't earn one many points, or friends, no matter where you are or where you hail from. This, of course, leaves us with the dilemma: As this area increases in popularity....can we preserve it's natural beauty, cleanliness, safety and friendliness? I have much more to say. So if anyone wants to tell me to "suck it up, sister!" feel free. Others of similar mind-set welcome as well. Back to the question...Where am I? Montauk or Mechapa?! Stacy (and Mike, in absentia)

Mike and Stacy live in Mechapa, a small fishing village on the Pacific Ocean. It is located roughly 13 km North of Estero Padre Ramos and about 20 km Northwest of Volcan Cosiguina. We have lived here since October, 2006, and are pretty familiar with the area. There are many road improvements going on along NIC 12, and we have seen quite a lot of interest in the area. For a better look of our specific area, check out http://maps.google.com/maps?t=h&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=12.83605,-87.584386&spn... We have nine cabanas, a circular restaurant/bar, and our main house. The main road in Mechapa is to the right of the map. We love this area and welcome any inquiries!