Building Blocks, Home Port

[InkaRoads]

This is all I have to say, Viva Peñasco!!! enjoy it for what it is or just leave it alone, there are miles and miles of shore line to be discover, not everything has to happen in Rocky Point!!! and PLEASE get out more into the neighborhoods and get to know the REAL people of Puerto Peñasco, el Malecon is just a tourist street, does not represent Peñasco for WHAT it really is!!!
Here in Mexico (I say here as I am home for a few more hours before I go back to the dark side, USA) if you fired an employee, government or not, better get ready to pay a lot!!!! IT IS THE LAW, if you don't then all you are doing is paying under the table, if that is the case then I DO agree with Jerry $10/hr should be perfect to give a good living for a mexican worker and family in Mexico.
AND for goodness sake El Mar de Cortes is the aquarium of the world!!!!!!!! stop throwing your garbage away and let it fill your home then I'll accept your opinion about nothing is wrong with bringing cruise ships to the sea of Cortes!!!!!!IMHO

I still have an accent in my typing so for that, I thank you!!!!!

 

[Alacrane]

This is all I have to say, Viva Peñasco!!! enjoy it for what it is or just leave it alone, there are miles and miles of shore line to be discover, not everything has to happen in Rocky Point!!! and PLEASE get out more into the neighborhoods and get to know the REAL people of Puerto Peñasco, el Malecon is just a tourist street, does not represent Peñasco for WHAT it really is!!!
Here in Mexico (I say here as I am home for a few more hours before I go back to the dark side, USA) if you fired an employee, government or not, better get ready to pay a lot!!!! IT IS THE LAW, if you don't then all you are doing is paying under the table, if that is the case then I DO agree with Jerry $10/hr should be perfect to give a good living for a mexican worker and family in Mexico.
AND for goodness sake El Mar de Cortes is the aquarium of the world!!!!!!!! stop throwing your garbage away and let it fill your home then I'll accept your opinion about nothing is wrong with bringing cruise ships to the sea of Cortes!!!!!!IMHO

I still have an accent in my typing so for that, I thank you!!!!!

I don't agree with Jerry and his 10 bucks an hour, you have to do most work with a bid, once its done they're gone. Like they say by the hour they paint with a brush and by the bid they paint with a roller.

 

[JWT]

PPRES

Most of us who hire Mexican folks on a regular basis agree many should be paid more. One problem is there is no licensing or accreditation/rating system, so the bad cleaning lady, or the bad contractor just off the top of the train from Tijuana , or whatever, often gets the same pay as those who are diligent, or who have their own tools or basic materials/supplies, etc, and do quality work. Referrals from other clients are highly recommended.

I see post 112 says it pays 10.00 per hour. While I agree some qualified workers are worth more than they are paid, anyone suggesting Mexicans have a concept of hourly pay is misleading foreigners about this aspect of real Mexico. It does not happen ! Plus, if 112 is indiscriminately paying 10.00 per hour it will out as a tourist, high on the list for the next robbery and "housecleaning" !

Latin America, South America ( except Chili ) and most of southern Europe has no concept of hourly pay. No worker, from the cleaning lady, to the painter, to the block layer, to the Attorney, to the Notary will ever respond if you ask how much per hour they charge. If they work for you over a lengthy period, they think of being paid every 5.5 days ending Saturday noon. If you have a contractor ( non employee ) doing a lengthy job he should have given an upfront price for labor for the entire job. He also will expect pay every Saturday noon. The contractor will never include materials in his quote, usually because it's too much work for him to figure it out. The Attorney or Notary will quote an all-in fee, including expenses. Even with the legal people, there is no concept of an hourly charge.

If you are hiring a house sitter, security guard, driver of your car, landscaper, etc, their expectations of pay are on a "per day " basis.

Prepare yourself for this: you ask the new cleaning lady, or landscaper, or other occasional worker the price for the job. They will usually just shrug, and tell you to pay whatever you think is best. Here comes the dilemma: if you pay too little, watch out for recriminations. If you pay too much, watch out for everyone they know at your door offering something. This is another example where asking for referrals is wise. GOOD.

If you take on a contractor for a big renovation, or a rebuild or new construction, there are a few other very important tax/social security/ Hacienda issues to consider. Some members of this forum, who actually call PP home, will be good sources for reliable info about these things. If your contractor does not pay these during the construction, you can expect a bill from the Feds up to 2 years later. BAD.

I hope this might assist aspiring new residents in settling here. It's a great place to hang out provided you adjust to new ways of doing things, and get good advice from people who actually know.

 

[mis2810]

(Thank Russ for the update; so glad to know they are letting the tide through the Pier. Now the Pier has a chance to survive.
Yes Home Pier; not sure why they keep calling it "Home Port" but everyone acts like it is a "Destination Port".

I think it will be destined to be a great pier; a nice walking pier with food kiosks at its sides; especially if they go out 500 yards. Great for fishing!
Great for embarking and disembarking day fishing trips, Bird Island trips and Great day trips to san Felipe!
Or three day trips around the sea of Cortez, especially the East side of Baja. Can not wait. (300-400) It will be a boom for San Felipe not RP.

In my opinion; a real Home port has to cater to many from far; Mid West; Canada; etc. Getting to Rocky Point is still not easy. The expense of flying in would double the cost and have to compete with the Cruises to the Cayman Islands,

Why would any one go through Phoenix and Drive 8X6 hours coming and going; to reach a home port. The expense and more important "TIME" involved in an excursion of the Sea of Cortez is a luxury that this location does not afford travelers. The expense of time 2 days reaching Sandy Beach and at least one going home makes it a very expensive trip that competing with Long Beach will be a huge obstacle. Goin on a Cruise you want to be on the Ship and start sipping and tasting ASAP. Walking through "El Malecon would not be a priority" Catering to the retired affluent is not a good business plan. Could you attract a Honeymooner from Chicago?

yes there will be locals (Americans) that see it as great outing but after one trip they are done. Been there done that.
Locals? Yes needs to focus on local travelers; but with travel, (Ship fair and extra's the fair is a loss leader; most money a ship income comes from Drinks; Gambling; extra trips and tips for service aboard, and most important; sales of things; memorabilia of the trip) is there enough Puerto Pengasqegnos, Hermosillenses, and Caborquingos that can afford this luxery? Needing 1500/trip every week is a lofty goal.

I for one was ready to reach home asap after 5-7 days of gorging and merriment; and staying at a home port was very low on things to do.
Getting home with in 4-6 hours is a must.

This is the best description/analysis of the situation that I have EVER read.

 

[Mexico Joe]

(Thank Russ for the update; so glad to know they are letting the tide through the Pier. Now the Pier has a chance to survive.
Yes Home Pier; not sure why they keep calling it "Home Port" but everyone acts like it is a "Destination Port".

I think it will be destined to be a great pier; a nice walking pier with food kiosks at its sides; especially if they go out 500 yards. Great for fishing!
Great for embarking and disembarking day fishing trips, Bird Island trips and Great day trips to san Felipe!
Or three day trips around the sea of Cortez, especially the East side of Baja. Can not wait. (300-400) It will be a boom for San Felipe not RP.

In my opinion; a real Home port has to cater to many from far; Mid West; Canada; etc. Getting to Rocky Point is still not easy. The expense of flying in would double the cost and have to compete with the Cruises to the Cayman Islands,

Why would any one go through Phoenix and Drive 8X6 hours coming and going; to reach a home port. The expense and more important "TIME" involved in an excursion of the Sea of Cortez is a luxury that this location does not afford travelers. The expense of time 2 days reaching Sandy Beach and at least one going home makes it a very expensive trip that competing with Long Beach will be a huge obstacle. Goin on a Cruise you want to be on the Ship and start sipping and tasting ASAP. Walking through "El Malecon would not be a priority" Catering to the retired affluent is not a good business plan. Could you attract a Honeymooner from Chicago?

yes there will be locals (Americans) that see it as great outing but after one trip they are done. Been there done that.
Locals? Yes needs to focus on local travelers; but with travel, (Ship fair and extra's the fair is a loss leader; most money a ship income comes from Drinks; Gambling; extra trips and tips for service aboard, and most important; sales of things; memorabilia of the trip) is there enough Puerto Pengasqegnos, Hermosillenses, and Caborquingos that can afford this luxury?

I for one was ready to reach home asap after 5-7 days of gorging and merriment; and staying at a home port was very low on things to do.
Getting home with in 4-6 hours is a must.

This is an example of critical thinking. Thank you.

 

[Roberto]

Think I said this before but here goes, again. I think the way it will be marketed in the US will be to retirees and middle class folk mainly in Phoenix and Tucson. The cruise will be wrapped in an all inclusive package, bus trip from AZ, off the bus onto the boat. Boat makes the trip and returns. People get off the boat directly onto the return bus back to AZ. Easy peasy fall off a log, take a cruise on the Sea of Cortes, no muss no fuss, no driving, no border worries, no air fare. The casinos in NJ picked up people withing a radius of a couple of hours drive to the casinos. Lots of retired people used it as a day trip.

 

[Kenny]

Think I said this before but here goes, again. I think the way it will be marketed in the US will be to retirees and middle class folk mainly in Phoenix and Tucson. The cruise will be wrapped in an all inclusive package, bus trip from AZ, off the bus onto the boat. Boat makes the trip and returns. People get off the boat directly onto the return bus back to AZ. Easy peasy fall off a log, take a cruise on the Sea of Cortes, no muss no fuss, no driving, no border worries, no air fare. The casinos in NJ picked up people withing a radius of a couple of hours drive to the casinos. Lots of retired people used it as a day trip.

Maybe, but we could have a long thread of the negative reactions of friends or acquaintances when we either ask them to go to Mexico with us or tell them we go ourselves... A bus trip to Laughlin or Vegas is one thing, but to get them to Mexico with the climate there today, well that's a whole new ball game.

 

[Roberto]

I think the group thing will help overcome fears of Mexico. Wouldn't you feel safer in a group of 50 fearless retirees armed with canes and crutches ??

 

[Kenny]

I think the group thing will help overcome fears of Mexico.

For myself I just tell them I shoot my way it and then I shoot my way out; no problem.

 

[JimMcG]

Let's be honest here, notwithstanding the obvious that we forum members are Mexico diehards. Before any significant investment climate can be re established, Mexico must clean up its act exponentially and convince people around the world that it a physically safe and legally protected environment in which to do business. It has a long way to go even after and if it decides to pursue this course.

 

[JWT]

Aside from Az tourists to whom Roberto refers, the Mexican govt long ago stated they are targeting middle class Mexicans as the core group to take a cruise from here. There are considerable hassles and expenses for them to acquire a visa to enter USA, just to get on a ship that heads back into their home waters. In my humble opinion, I think they have made a wise decision in building it here, especially when one considers the new airport and the nation's population of around 120 million. Sonora alone, with both Caborca and Hermosillo being relatively well-heeled cities, will likely constitute a good chunk of the passengers. Add in the city of Chihuahua with well over 1 million, a short flight over the mountains, and there are strong indications of success. Mexico is building this for Mexicans.

 

[MIRAMAR]

I'm surprised to see the number of middle class and upper middle class Mexicans at the Mayan Palace it's full in the warmers months so I agree about the cruise ships

 

[mis2810]

Yeah, just like all the Mexicans that were going to fly into the new airport.

 

[Alacrane]

Originally built by Grupo Vidanta in 2009, The Mar de Cortes International Airport -- the first privately built airport in all of Mexico -- has welcomed private flights since November of 2009. Its not like the feds built it, Mayan has been running pretty full lately, they just built cause they had the money.

 

[Roberto]

For the Senior Community in Phx;Tuc going to a Casino is also not comparable. You can arrive at "any time"; trip is $49; food is cheap and playing voucher are given to incite gaming. A cruise has a time table to keep so a morning Drive from AZ is not possible; you would have to stay overnight. Comparing Cruising to Casino trips also hard for me to bite.

I did not intent to compare cruising to gambling as an activity rather in the manner they can be 'packaged' for ease of sales and activity. No muss, no fuss, no driving, no waiting at the air port, no additional expenses. One price buys all makes a good selling point. The organizer could also pick folk up at their doorstep with van service to the bus. What could be easier? Sleep on the bus and arrive home relaxed. The prfect lazy american vacation.

Why would an overnight stay be necessary with the group bus arrival? The Boat does not have to leave early in the AM, rather it will be dictated by the tides prolly. It would be a matter of scheduling bus departure and arrival times with ship departure times. This would work great withe Mexian folk as well as bus travel here is very common.

 

[Mexico Joe]

I did not intent to compare cruising to gambling as an activity rather in the manner they can be 'packaged' for ease of sales and activity. No muss, no fuss, no driving, no waiting at the air port, no additional expenses. One price buys all makes a good selling point. The organizer could also pick folk up at their doorstep with van service to the bus. What could be easier? Sleep on the bus and arrive home relaxed. The prfect lazy american vacation.

Why would an overnight stay be necessary with the group bus arrival? The Boat does not have to leave early in the AM, rather it will be dictated by the tides prolly. It would be a matter of scheduling bus departure and arrival times with ship departure times. This would work great withe Mexian folk as well as bus travel here is very common.

Roberto, are we assuming that these buses or vans have special access through the border? I can't imagine someone waiting 2 hours to get back into AZ after a long exhausting cruise. I know the other van services used to get special permission to skip the line and head straight to the front which really used to piss me off. There's nothing like waiting in line for 3 hours and then watching a van full of people drive right by you and get an exemption, straight to the front.

 

[Roberto]

Roberto, are we assuming that these buses or vans have special access through the border? I can't imagine someone waiting 2 hours to get back into AZ after a long exhausting cruise. I know the other van services used to get special permission to skip the line and head straight to the front which really used to piss me off. There's nothing like waiting in line for 3 hours and then watching a van full of people drive right by you and get an exemption, straight to the front.

That's a good point. I had not given much thought to that. I wonder how they treat regular cross border bus service. I was told that the mex. vans they run do not cross the border but walk through and get on a different van on the US side. ?? That would add some aggravation to the trip but all in all still and easy process.

 

[Roberto]

Let's be honest here, notwithstanding the obvious that we forum members are Mexico diehards. Before any significant investment climate can be re established, Mexico must clean up its act exponentially and convince people around the world that it a physically safe and legally protected environment in which to do business. It has a long way to go even after and if it decides to pursue this course.

I know this is off subject but it' JimMcG's fault
I do not know if you are following it, but the Iguala killings have focussed a very intense light on the whole issue of Mex. Gov. complicity and inaction in the internationa press. There was nothing new about the killing, almost the exact same thing has happened in Iguala in the past. Through a convergence of current factors, social media being a big one, including the persistence and bravery of the families of the students demanding action, this has resulted in a generalized interest and reporting international. Other more recent shootings have gotten widespread coverage. although belatedly. The fossas, mass graves, of Gerrero near Iguala, are being excavated and hundreds of bodies have been uncovered. Families of the disappeared are finding their voices, crying for justice. Everything has been blamed on cartel to cartel killings and so to be ignored, not investigated, no convictions. There were many thousands of innocent victims.

For example, the recent assasination of a Catholic priest who, from his pulpit, denounced the cartel thought reponsible for the killings in Iguala, Rev. Gorostieta, resulted in over 200 news report hits on my news crawler the very next day. From all over the world. Literally hundreds of priests have been killed in Mexico over the years and thousands 'disappeared', without a whisper in the international press.

Also recentley declassified NSA docs have added to the fire. It's agood fire and hopefully will burn brightly and turn at least some of the corruption to ashes.
http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB445/

 

[Mexico Joe]

That's a good point. I had not given much thought to that. I wonder how they treat regular cross border bus service. I was told that the mex. vans they run do not cross the border but walk through and get on a different van on the US side. ?? That would add some aggravation to the trip but all in all still and easy process.

I meant the American services like Head Out to Rocky Point. I know they used to have a deal where they could skip the border wait and go directly to the front of the line which was always frustrating when you've been sitting there for 2 or 3 hours and you watch a van full of people go straight to the front because they used a shuttle service. Hard to rationalize lol. Although I can say that I know Mike and Lynelle personally so I do not hold any ill feelings towards them, they are both great people.

 

[Mexico Joe]

last time I was coming through there was a huge group leaving; all carrying their own golf bags unloading from a Buss in Mex. Walking and switching busses; they had come from a Mayan Golf event; that would be another stop in their journey to the Sea of Cortez. In and out?

Leaving in the afternoon (6PM); sound like a plan. 10Am would limit arrivals. (Walkers and Wheelchairs not welcoming)

I resent this comment! Haha I have to use both!