Happy New Year to All!
It’s one of those phrases I never get tired of hearing or saying. The ultimate new beginning, a fresh start every 12 months, time again to re-enter the diet, the detox, all the great resolutions that we so resolutely give up on over the course of the next few months…the great human failing.
Lisa and I started our New Year off with a bang, literally. Fireworks on the beach at the St. Regis Hotel, plenty of champagne, of course, (a nod to my recipe of the month). Who can start a new year without champagne? (I’ve slipped a little Tequila into this month’s recipe. We ARE in Mexico, remember.)
We danced, we snuffled down our 12 grapes at midnight ( read more as to the origins of this tradition) and we wished one another “Prospero Año Nuevo”.
“Prospero” – what exactly does this mean in English? The dictionary says – prosperous, successful, thriving, happy.
I love this phrase “Prospero Año Nuevo” for it sums up all the things we are so lucky to have here in the Punta Mita area – the thriving jungle, abundant wildlife, happy people on vacation, others who are happy to live here, prosperous businesses, the gratitude I feel towards all my wonderful friends – old and new – who rented properties over this busy season. And, our thriving Mexican economy.
It’s a great phrase, it says so much more than just “happy”. We are all happy here. But, paradise does not come without its own set of issues. Here, we use another tongue-in-cheek-phrase, “Champagne Problems”. (See, I can always find a way of turning the subject to my passion of passions!)
Seriously though, isn’t this a terrific expression – “Champagne Problems”. Here in Punta Mita, these worries run the gamut of “What should I do today?” – a real problem when we have so many fantastic activities at hand. The easy solution could be whale watching, golfing, spear fishing, zip lining, a combo of several of these or other options too numerous to mention.
“Which Chef should I book?” is another major dilemma in the Punta Mita day. Really, we are spoilt for choice with a plethora of talented chefs and an abundance of exotic produce. A nice, fresh Tuna Nicoise Salad for lunch, maybe? Some Sashimi? Or, how about Cochinita Pibil – something traditionally Mexican offered up by a lovely lady who will press fresh tortillas in your home…umm?
Another potential huge headache, “Which restaurant should I go to?” Again, quite the dilemma. With Restaurant Row on our doorstep, world-class dining at both five-star hotels, funky, fun restaurants in teeming Sayulita and a short drive to dozens of gastronomic adventures around the bay… this really could be a big problem.
In fact, on the subject of food, (see, here I go again) I have decided to add a restaurant directory. Lisa and I think we might venture out once a month to bring you our views on how to solve this “champagne problem” before it happens to you!
In conclusion, I look forward to another wonderful year in this incredible place with all my friends, new and old, and hope to see many of you soon to cheer in a “sparkly” 2016.
Miguel C
Bon vivant, gastronome and all-around great guy – Miguel Neves de Carvalho brings you the best of what Punta Mita and the surrounding area have to offer. His passions include polo, horse riding, rugby, cigars and most recently … golf.
Miguel lives in Punta Mita with his youngest son, his fiancée, Lisa, and his two dogs “Tanqueray” and “Tonica”.
He started Punta Mita-Rentals in 2012.
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Photography by Kemi Vernon. See more of her work at www.kemivernonphotography.com