After an overnight stay at Nogales, Arizona, we started our journey across the border into Sonora, Mexico. We traveled along highway 15 which runs through Hermosillo (the capital of Sonora), then took a bypass west toward the Sea of Cortez.
There were some interesting sights along the way including the irrigated fruit orchards and grape vineyards surrounding the market town of Miguel Aldeman (also known as Calli Docis). A total of 250 miles and seven hours later, we arrived at Bahia Kino Bay.The first town is the Mexican fishing village of Kino del Mar (Old Kino) where the sale of fresh fish and seafood is their livelihood.
As the road curves north to parallel the coastline it follows a high sand dune for about .6 mile and becomes one long street lined with whitewashed condos and businesses which block the view of the shoreline. But all beachfronts are public so once you step on the beach you are immediately mesmerized by golden sand and the shimmering waters of the Sea of Cortez.
Our first week was spent familiarizing ourselves with the resort and it's activities, taking long walks in the desert or on the beach to collect shells, and a day trip into New Kino Bay to enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant, Pargo Roho.(Red Snapper) The town is accessible only by driving the 12 mile, extremely bumpy, desert road surrounded by the Hasteecola Mountains)
The following five weeks were filled with a morning session of Chi Gong, which is a form of Thi Chai, followed by a daily dose of aerobics. We tried our hand at Texas Hold'em, clamming, (made some mighty fine chowder) line-dancing, and even entered the "Chili Cookoff" (didn't win but they ate the whole thing!) A variety of activities make it impossible to become bored. You can take part in everything and stay extremely busy, or do nothing at all and just "bum around" at the pool or read all day. It's entirely up to you! They even have desert golf! Each holiday is celebrated with a delicious meal and entertainment such as the Valentine party we attended. There are tag-alongs into Kino Bay for lunches and into Hermisillo to replenish supplies at the Walmart and Cosco stores. I call this place a "retreat/day spa."The weather is wonderful. Average temperatures are mid-70's, warming to 80's in the spring. While here we had just one rainy day, however one must learn to tolerate a sudden onset of gusty winds which can last for hours.
There was an opportunity to visit the Seri Indian reservation about 10 miles north of us along the coast. They live traditionally without modern conveniences. They are well known for crafting baskets and ironwood figures. Visitors to the reservation have been known to negotiate for a beautiful woven basket in return for such items as colorful clothing, pencils and pads, candy, toys, along with some pesos.
Kino Bay's history dates back to it's founder, Father Eusebio
Kino, an Italian priest who brought Christianity to the Native
American tribes in northern Sonora and southern Arizona. Traveling on horseback, he also discovered that Mexico's "island" was in fact a peninsula.
