Mar 31, 2015
What will I miss the most?
Well certainly the constant sound of the surf. We always have trouble sleeping for the first few weeks when we leave, the nights sounds are so different. I will miss the ocean, yes I live on a lake but it is so calm as opposed to the energy of the ocean. The changing tides and look of the sand every day, the sound of Spanish being spoken, fruit, veggies, bread, water and fresh eggs being delivered to my door every morning, my weekly massage and the pure relaxation. But most of all I will miss my garden.
This RV site was a blank canvas when we moved here 4 years ago. Every bit of greenery has been planted by me with the help of Colin and of course wonderful Ishmael. He waters my gardens the entire time we are North and they look lovely when we return.
I purchased this plumeria tree 6 years ago and it lived in a pot the first 2 years. Can you imagine, I had over 35 pots and moved them all to someone’s home to care for them while we were away. Once we got this permanent ocean front site I planted everything into the ground and created my four garden areas.
My second plumeria. I think next year I am going to get a third, in yellow.
The plumeria flower has a very sweet smell. It is the most common flower next to jasmine which leis are made from in Hawaii. Before we RVed and before dogs, we went to Hawaii every year for several weeks. I have always loved the plumeria and was overjoyed to be able to actually have them in my very own garden. It has been a very slow growth process and for the first time this year they are flourishing 😆 I love my hibiscus but they are not fond of the wind and sea spray so I often have to replace them on an annual basis. Fortunately they are very inexpensive. I actually have 3 favorites and they are still with me year after year. I did plant several really nice new ones this past December and I hope they will be here when we return in November.
My bougainvillea all go back 6 years and continue to do well. Another favorite blossom.
Every RV site here in RV 1 had a palm tree except this site. Five winters ago when we knew this was going to be our very own site I asked the owner to plant me a palm.
He did but it did not grow. Year after year it stayed stunted. So 2 years ago we planted a small as in tiny palm just coming out of the actual coco shell. It seemed to stimulate the original palm and now this year our tree is growing. Here Ismael is removing the baby coco palm. It will be planted elsewhere in the park. Then we cut off 3 lower branches which he said are not needed.
Look at my palm now. I can hardly wait to see how much it grows while we are away.
Our yard looks so much larger with the gazebo put away but we really do love the shade. Now maybe once my palm grows to the size of the one on the left I won’t need a gazebo 🙂 That is part of my hibiscus hedge on the left. More photos in November.
I don’t know the true name of this palm but I call it a fan palm.
We planted this thing 4 years ago and it was tiny, certainly no higher than stems shown here and now it has more than doubled in height. I paid a mere 170 pesos for it, yes only $14.00CAD/$11.00USD. That was the year I also got my bird of paradise plants but they are still struggling. Maybe next year will be their turn. My plumeria trees sit just behind the fan palm, so once it gets even taller I will see them in all their glory.
It has been a great joy for me to watch this palm grow. The new leaf comes out of the side of the last leaf that had previously been ‘born’!
This one is the largest yet. Again I have to wait 7 months to see what happens next. Aren’t I lucky to have this garden to come back to?
What do I see from my garden? Some enterprising Isla local.
We saw him 2 years ago set up in the same location. I was worried that the tide was going to carry his palapa away.
But he was there Sunday morning selling his cocos.
Saw these fine fellows in uniform coming down the beach Sunday. They are here to serve and protect during this busy week of Semena Santa. The ones in the foreground are lifeguards and the fellows in the dark shirts and helmets are marines. I saw them stop at least 3 times on Monday at the coco stand I can see from from my garden and from inside the RV. I think my coco guy is going to have a good week.
Haven’t seen this on the beach before. The green sign reads “POW WOW PIZZA”. That should be interesting. There was a table but no chairs inside the teepee.
The sunsets have been so different of late.
<< Older Posts Home Newer Posts >>
Great post! And yes, you guys have a beautiful spot and it is very well-manicured. We loved it not to mention the great views. Remember though, November is not far off and before you know it you’ll be back. What a great life, six months in Kelowna and six months in Mazatlan. Who could ask for anything better?
Gracias mi amigo. I miss you being here so much. We did have fun did we not? I am ready to leave and get to my beach cottage. I know the Isla will be waiting for us in November just as our Kelowna home is calling our name at the moment.
I notice on your second picture of the pink pulmeria, there appears to a great big grub or catapiller, took to the right it looks like a branch, you can see its ” little face” by the pink petal.
I have certainly enjoyed you blog over this past winter
Safe trip home
Hola Barbara, so happy to have you share my winter with me. I see what you mean in that photo. It is not a grub but actually a part of the flower. Once the petal drops there is a bit left which is what you see between those 3 petals. What you think is a grub on the right is actually a new wee branch and bud which is sending out a new large bud for more flowers. Interesting plant.
The plumeria is one of my favorite fragrances as well, for the same reason…it gives me an instant flashback to Hawaii!
My former husband was big into tropicals. I believe what you have there is a “Travelers Palm.” How apropos, huh? haha! It could also be a WHITE bird of paradise, but I vote for the Travelers Palm. Don’t know how to tell for sure until they flower..
I would give anything for it to be a Travelers Palm but from the research I have done it does not seem to be the case. There is a stunning Travelers Palm at one of the homes open at Art Walk and this is similar but not the real thing, sadly.
You do have a beautiful spot to spend your winter season. Nicely done.
What a beautiful place you’ve made there – love all the landscaping ideas!
It is a lovely spot that you have and am sure you look forward to returning again, next fall.