Thanks Sam and Elizabeth.  The date is coming up real fast!  Will keep you advised on how it goes... or how it went if I don't have internet while on the cruise!

Bob 

Hey, Sam, just noticed your hafa adai! How are things in Guam?

Aloha,

Bob 

Aloha Folks.

Back from the AMPI cruse down the Mexican Riviera and finally caught up enough to post a brief trip report.  The cruise was excellent and what a way to earn NAR education credits and learn about international real estate.  I also was able to add the TRC (Transnational Referral Certification) to my list of credentials, which will provide me with access to others in the international real estate arena with the assurance of positive referral fee arrangements.

While at sea, I was primarily occupied with classes and seminars, some in English and others in Spanish with simultaneous translation for the most part. Topics varied from use of the internet to property opportunities throughout Mexico to the specifics of buying and selling real estate in Mexico (including a primer on the restricted border and coastal zones), along with a complete TRC course for the certification.

We also had property tourse in Puerta Vallarta, Mazatlan and Los Cabos.  I found the older section of Puerta Vallarta, which has been mostly restored in the old town, to be of the greatest interest.  There was quite a bit of small scale development going on in this area (to the South of the harbor), but the surroundings were all mountains and jungle with an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and the bay, especially from the heights.  This is where "Predator" and Tennessee Williams vintage "Night of the Iquana" (1964-with Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr) were filmed.  Beautiful area with magnificent vistas.  Most of the AMPI participants were shuttled off to the newer, much larger, developments (mostly not yet completed) to the north of the harbor.  But here the terrain was much flatter and more desert or pampas-like, without many trees, but beautiful beaches and a magnificent view across the bay of the mountainous jungles of the Southern side!

I did not think too much of Mazatlan. This older city has not had much in the line of restoration done as yet, and what has been done is a bit on the hodge-podge side, with older architecture juxtiposed next to more modern structures.  The water was beautiful, however, and the people quite friendly.

Perhaps the jewel of the trip were Los Cabos.  Here development is in full swing and although the area is basically a desert, the developers are doing wonders with the construction.  Many of the participants  found this to be the best location for concentration as the properties were very upscale, with copious amenities.  The blue waters of the bay and along the eastern coast (Sea of Cortez - formerly Gulf of California)) were magnificent.  It was reported that Jacques Custeau had nicknamed the Sea of Cortez the largest salt water aquarium in the world, with its abundant sea life.

I would recommend this cruise and congratulate AMPI for providing a most successful symposium in this moving format. I must say, however, that I much prefer Carribbean Cruise Lines for food.  

Aloha,

Bob

Bob Farrell (RA) RSPS,  TRC, RECS, MS

Honolulu, Hawaii