Bosque Altozano, update

As promised from my previous post, here are some photos of two of what look to be challenging holes here. The first is a long dog-leg left, where you need to drive over the pond. I think this will be a par 5 hole. Photo taken 3/2008

This hole below is very scenic, appears to be a long par 4. Keep in mind that these photos were taken during the driest time of the year here. The first good rainstorm took place last Sunday. They will have 9 holes ready to play this year. What month? Let's just say I have heard conflicting reports.

The "Valle de Altozano" awakens

 

Over the past 3 years, this gated community, listed on Altozano's master plan as the Valle de Altozano, has laid silent. Walls were in place, cemented streets and services installed, but no housing....Photo taken in Sept 2005

 

Now, as seen in the photo below taken 3 weeks ago, a flurry of building has begun.

Ciudad Tres Marias - LPGA Tournament 2008

The annual LPGA golf tourname

 

 

The annual LPGA tournament was held last weekend here in Tres Marias. The #1 woman's golfer in the world and native born Tapatia, Lorena Ochoa, took home the first place trophy.

I took my daughter out on Saturday to fight the crowds. Not that she is a golf enthusiast, only that she is a teenager, and wants to be around the "in" crowd. It is funny, when you are in the bleachers or near the greens, most of the people don't have a clue what is going on. One lady politely asked me as we watched two Korean golfers approach the 18th green, "How do they know which ball is theirs?" It wasn't as if they both had landed in the trap next to one another. There was a good 40 meters seperating the two balls.

I was surprised to see many older Americans working as crowd silencers, I assume they are imported from the Lake Chapala rest home....err, retirement community. If they live in Morelia, I must be living a sheltered life here.

Admittedly, I have not spent a lot of time on Tres Marias. The photo above shows its present state (only much greener as it was taken in last summer during the rains). This slight is mainly due to the fact that I have the Altozano in my backyard. Personally, if I were to buy a place in Morelia in either of the two, my heart would go to Altozano.

My friend, David, a retired school teacher from California, has built a beautiful home there. However, there is much more greenery and beauty up there on Monarch Mountain, and you are immersed in what truly makes Mexico special, the people. Somehow I get the impression that Tres Marias is trying too hard to be an exclusive entity. I wish both projects well. The two are both competitors and lovers at the same time.

Paseo Morelia update

Technorati Tags: Paseo Morelia,La Nueva Morelia,Jesus del Monte,Morelia Mall,Altozano,Ciudad tres Marias

The above drawing will give you an idea of some of the companies that have signed on with Grupo GICSA that will form this large mall.

Most of the names you will recognize, Wal-Mart, Sears, Liverpool, Carl Jrs., Sanborn;s etc. Play City, Johnny Rockets, Italiannis Restaurant are some of the lesser known establishments. Any idea why it is Cinemex and not Cinepolis movie theaters here ? I have been told close to 70% of the major locales have been reserved.

Below is an outline of the stores layered over a recent photo of the construction site. As you can see, there is still a ways to go, but they are working on it 24/7. My teenage kids are more anxious than I regarding its completion, small town life is just too dull for them!