Zona PVR No. 004

POLO: THE SPORT OF KINGS IS GROWING IN THE BAY No. 004

A look into one of the regions leading Equestrian clubs.

AUGUST 2022

PVR

ZONA

OUR Street 5 FAVORITES Tacos Edition CREATE A MAGNIFICENT LIFE

A world class wellness retreat in a nearby paradies.

TAXI 411

We get the scoop from a real local.

A Word from Memo, our Editor in Chief

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ugust is in full swing and the life in Puerto Vallarta is for beach time, outdoor activities and fun. The low season was anything but, everything is open, tourists are arriving and if you ask the locals, it's been a summer like none other. This proves that our city continues to grow and expand its worldwide popularity.

Finally, our major stories are about being active in so many senses. Spiritual, physical and economic well being are the special focus of a world class retreat being held less than an hour from our city center. Create A Magnificent Life is more than a luxurious retreat, it’s a chance to change your life for the better. Our cover story, which stars Tommy Elliot, the Polo Pro (and heart-throb) at San Pancho’s LA Patrona equestrian and polo club, takes you into the wonderful world of polo ponies, matches, brunches and so much more.

I hope this issue inspires you to take advantage of every season in Puerto Vallarta where we are in paradise 365 days a year.

I’d like to once again thank all of our advertisers, our supporters and friends for helping us make this magazine a reality. I also invite you to reach out to me with any questions or comments you may have. Again, Thank you!

Your Friend,

In this issue Paul Henning shares with us some of his favorite shots of our beautiful city and inspires us to stop and enjoy the beauty around us, reminding us that in today’s modern day we can capture moments like never before. In our new section “Our 5 Favorites” our team recommends their favorite spots, restaurants, activities or anything else we cancoe up with or you can suggest, this time it’s Street Tacos so venture out of your comfort zone because you won’t regret it!

We also have excellent recommendations from in our Pro Trainer section for stretching as well as a look at a Mexican wine region, Queretaro, in our Wine 101 section. Alfonzo, a local taxi driver and a true lover and promoter of this city talks to Todd Calongne about the city, tourists and even uber.

Memo Huerta.

Editor in Chief Memo Huerta Online EditorTodd Calongne Contributors: Mihajlo Paras, Paul Henning, Todd Calongne, Megan Stetzel, Luis Huerta, CFO Lorenza Mendoza Contact Us info@zonapvr.com www.zonapvr.com

Contents P. 6

PHOTOGRAPHIC EYE Paul Henning shows us how he views Puerto Vallarta through his lens.

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5 OF OUR FAVORITE This new section explores some of our local recommendations, this issue its Street Tacos.

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PRO TRAINER Our resident trainer, Mihajlo, explains the importance of stretching.

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TAXI 411 Our online editor, Todd Calongne, gets to the bottom of some of our questions, straight from one of the best sources, our local taxi drivers.

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WINE 101 Our local wine expert, Megan Stetzel, tells us all about a Mexican wine region Queretaro, and its wines.

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CREATE A MAGNIFICENT LIFE A world class retreat that mixes yoga, meditation and Napoleon Hill teachings to help you build a magnificent life, all in a picture perfect anvironment near Puerto Vallarta.

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POLO: A GROWING TRADITION IN THE BAY We take a dive into the wonderful world of polo lessons and brunches. Just an hour away from our port.

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Photographic Eye

Paul Henning is an avid sailor and photographer. Both activities have been a major part of his life since he was eight years old. Formerly from Annapolis, MD USA and being recently retired he is enjoying being able to have so much more time for his two favorite passions. .

Paul visited Puerto Vallarta for the first time in 2015 to celebrate his 20th anniversary. That special visit to the magical city of Puerto Vallarta opened his eyes to all the beauty and to the wonderful people here. Puerto Vallarta and its wonders energized Paul’s creative talents and has him carrying his camera everywhere to capture and share the beauty with others. His many new experiences created the unexpected & wonderful pathway to his becoming a Mexican permanent resident in Puerto Vallarta in 2021.

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5 of our favorite

STREET TACOS

by ZONA PVR STAFF

One of the best things about our beautiful country are our tacos and you should know that the best tacos are STREET TACOS! People congregate around these stands and enjoy an inexpensive, hearty meal with family, friends, colleagues and strangers. Don't miss out on these taco stands that we recommend!

El Moreno, Madero & Constitucion

Memo Grill, Aguacate & Basilio Badillo

Taqueria Jaime, Guatemala & Ecuador

Aside from it's central location this busy taco stand is a hub for locals and visitors in the know.

Their tortillas are thick and delicious goodness, ask for a quesadilla and see what we mean. Their specialty is Birria in any presentation. We think you should try it in a torta that will fill you up and leave you wanting to come back soon.

This taco stand may have the best asada tacos, its simplicity, and of course hand made tortillas, make for a perfect hearty quick meal. Their sauces are amazing! The best thing to get here is a VOLCAN, which is a tortilla made into a tostada with melted cheese and asada on top, you'll loveit!

La Hormiga, Lazaro Cardenas

El Chulo, Aguacate, next to the churro guy

The Asada is fantastic. This is the only taco stand I have ever willingly waited for a while for my order during a busy dinner rush. The locals swarm the smokey stand drawn in by the aroma of the grilled carne asada.

Be sure to also get a tripa (intestine) taco, theýre known for them, ask for it crispy (doradito) and make sure to eat that taco first as it tastes better warm.An interesting dynamic of this truck is there is another truck across the street. It’s consistently completely empty while people will wait for 10-15 mins for an order at Jaime’s. It’s a real testimonial for the food.

The idea of amazing pastor meats in a taco, quesadilla and even torta makes the idea of a visit to Hormiga’s orange colored food truck a quick reality. The sauces are home made recipes that locals swear are the best.

One beautiful work of art is the torta al pastor. They start with lime mayo to coat the bread and grill it before adding the pastor meat and pineapple goodness.

Try their Horchata as well. It has a nice cinnamon taste.

This taco stand might not be for the faint of heart, Tacos de Cabeza are just that, meats that come from the cows head.

Things such as cheek, eyes, brains and lips. Trust us and try it! You'll see so many locals there that it's impossible not to be drawn in. The soft, steamed meat will melt in your mouth and melt your heart. and for dessert walk over to the corner to the churro guy! Perfect dinner!

These recommendations are based on our team's personal favorite places, we hope you enjoy them!

Let us know what you think by tagging us un your post, because if you're a foodie & a taco lover, you will upload your taco pics!

OUR FAVORITE TACOS

PRO TRAINER

THE IMPORTANCE OF STRETCHING

BY MIHAJLO PARAS

From professional athletes to beginners, there is one pre- and post-workout activity that every Sportsman has in common stretching. For many experts this form of exercise is considered a critical component of any intensive Physical regimen. Why is stretching so important and how does it work?

There are 3 main types of stretching we can do.

The human body has over 600 muscles that are attached to muscle fibers. During stretching some of these fibers lengthen while others remain at rest. When you stretch you're improving your body's flexibility, and as a result you become more flexible. Improved flexibility means you also strengthen your mobility, posture and muscle coordination all while reducing the risk of injuries.

Dynamic stretching is a form of active stretching that is performed by engaging the desired muscle's antagonist through the joint's range of motion, only holding the stretch for 2-3 seconds.

While stretching has long been associated with working out, doing it daily or even just a few times a week as its own activity can boost muscle and joint health.

Stretching is key to a happy long life and can be easily incorporated into our daily routine.

Static stretching is what typically comes to mind when talking about this activity. It's a form of holding one position for about 30-60 seconds, allowing the muscles and their connective tissues and fascia to lengthen.

Ballistic stretching is the most controversial form of stretching. Unlike dynamic, ballistic stretching utilizes muscle activation through quick, jerky movements.

So, what are you waiting for?

BENEFITS OF STRETCHING Increasing flexibility to prevent injury Reducing inflammation Improving strength Freedom of movement Relaxation and mental wellbeing

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ASK A TAXI DRIVER with Alfonzo

Have you ever heard anyone say, "If you need to know anything about a city ask a Taxi Driver?" I have and we did.

Alfonzo Aguilar Torres was born and raised in Vallarta and still lives in his grandparents home in Emiliano Zapata.

His grandfather bought the land for the casa in 1939 for 60 pesos. He knows the city like the palm of his hand and I´ve got questions.

“ Ta k e m e s o m e w h e r e c o o l . ” Where do you love to take people?

I love taking people on a day trip to San Sebastian.

It’s about 10 degrees cooler there and a nice respite from the city. I love to show them the charm of the town and take them to the local bakery to try the local Delicacies.

I also like bringing people to Tehuamixtle to eat sarandeado fish and to visit the natural habitat of the crocodiles.

It’s also fun to visit local bakeries and to try real Mexican breakfast home cooking stye in a ranch.

The distilleries where they make mezcal and tequila are nice and better than the gallery tastings in town.

What is the best taco stand?

EL MORENO at the corner of Calle Constitución & Calle Madero in the Romantic Zone. Their birria burritos are worth a try.

Ta x i s , D i D i , i n D r i v e r . W h a t ’ s the deal?

Taxis are local drivers who know the area and have flat rates. They do not need a GPS to travel around the find the best route. There are big numbers that identify the car and you can feel safe. InDriver is said to not be legal in the state and from what people tell me, Uber has a reputation for taking a long time to arrive. Didi is newer on the scene and has fewer cars.

What beaches do you take people to visit?

Palmares, Conchas Chinas are nice as well as Boca de Tomatlan. They are all out of the way and different than the main tourist areas.

W h a t i s Te r r i b l e t o u r i s t etiquette. What’s the worst thing visitors do?

The worst is when people forget things in the back seat of the car. When they try to get it back, sometimes the driver is already on another ride and they don’t look in the back seat to see what was left. It’s time-consuming and frustrating to figure out where to bring the items. It’s rarely worth the time but we will do it because we are good guys.

Do you tip a driver? How much?

The driver always expects a tip like a waiter, 1020%. Like any tip, it’s not obligatory just custom and nice. Taxi drivers pay for their cars, fuel, and the right to drive a licensed taxi. Some even pay for the maintenance of the vehicles. The tip really helps make the job a livable wedge.

What do you think are the must buys i n Va l l a r t a ?

Arts, crafts, candy and jewelry. These are sold everywhere, even on the beach.

If you would like to have a taxi adventure and book a drive with Alfonso he is available on WhatsApp at +52 322 889 6544 and speaks English fluently.

Todd Calongne is a Hypnotherapist and Career Coach living in both Puerto Vallarta and the United States. @toddthecoach

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Wine 101 e Wonderful Wines of Queretaro One of my favorite wine regions in Mexico, you’ll be surprised to find out, isn’t Valle de Guadalupe, it’s Queretaro. I’ve really grown to love the wines coming out of this region and keep reading to find out why!

Queretaro is located just a 4 hour drive north of Mexico City, smack dab in the middle of the country.

It’s a tiny region compared to Valle de Guadalupe, but it’s making a name for itself on the world stage of wine, so run to visit this region before it gets too popular!

In the winemaking world, it’s virtually unheard of to find good wines not being made between the 30-50 latitudes north and south of the equator. What makes Queretaro especially unique is that it falls on the 20th latitude and yet, it’s still making award winning wines. What allows this region to still produce great wines? It has an incredibly unique microclimate that bridges the climates of Mexico’s northern drier regions and it’s southern lush, rainforests in the south.

Grapes don’t love a ton of rain and Queretaro gets very rainy summers.Therefore, most of the vineyards are actually found 5000-6500 feet above sea level on slopes which allow for the water to easily drain off and even better, chilly nights which make for very deliciously happy grapes!

Another bonus of higher altitude vineyards is that the grapes are closer to the sun which gives them, quite literally, thicker skin which gives wine makers more room to wiggle around and be creative with their crops.

What wines should you look for from Queretaro?

Classic international grapes like Chardonnay, Bordeaux varietals and Syrahs. On the flip side, Cava grapes are also killing it in this region - Macabeo, Zarel-lo and Paralleda. But, they lack that extra sour lingering after taste like a spanish Cava, which, if you’re like me, you’ll enjoy a lot! Most recently, some really rich Temrpanillos are making their names known. It’ll be exciting to see which varietals pop out as the prominant ones of the region in the years to come.

Now, what to drink!?

Cava 57 offers some of the best sparklign wines in the entire country, try the Palomas Brut!

Tierra de Pena offers some of the country’s best natural wines and best wines in general! If you can get your hands on a bottle of the La Buena Vida Cabernet, do it! You won’t regret it!

Above all else, enjoy exploring Queretaro wines! They are rapidly growing and changing and I’m truly excited to see where this wine region is going to go in the years to come!

Megan Stetzel Owner, Vivero Wine Bar

M e g a n i s f r o m U p s t a t e N Y, a n d h a s b e e n i n t h e wine world for nearly 15 years. She’s a Level 3 WSET Master of Wine, and loves exploring and getting to know Mexican wines. She’s traveled and lived around the world for the past 10 years working in digital marketing and social media.

S h e’s t h e ow n e r o f Vi v e ro Wi n e B a r, a n e x c i t i n g new wine bar with a VIEW in 5 de diciembre, a perfect spot to come taste some new and exciting wines! @megstetz

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... Create A Therés no doubt that we are all striving for one mostly common goal… happiness. That can have a lot of different meanings and can look a lot of different ways but it is basically a well balanced life lived in the pursuit of that which excites, thrills and challenges us. Todaýs post pandemic world is rapidly changing and expanding its horizons. The change in office life and a fresh take on what work and life balance looks like has left many of us wondering if we truly are happy, or even chasing it in the right direction… or at all.

Tackling these challenges many are looking for a more healthy approach to life and the way they live their days and make their decisions. The idea is to connect to your inner self so that your life does not go by in a blur. As we deepen this connection our thinking becomes clearer, great ideas emerge, we jump start our creativity and our potential multiplies. But how does one go about finding this balance?

This jumpstart to a new, better you? Some have found it closer than yoúd think.

Nestled between the lushness of the tropical forest up on a hillside facing the pacific ocean, a golden sunset drapes down on Haramara. South of Sayulita and just out of its bay and far enough from the party and hustle and bustle lies this small yet magnificent hotel sitting on 12 private acres of land.

But what exactly is taking place here?

Magnificent Life T

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Once a year, around September, a retreat takes place in this mountain side oasis. An event that combines yoga sessions with international coaches that are experts on personal finance and personal development. These experts and the attendees they are coaching fly in from all corners of the world to live this catalytic experience. Six days and five nights in paradise sound like just the ticket.

Days filled with early morning yoga, plunges in the stunning infinity pool or the private beach and workshops that inspire and transform. Every day you are served fresh and organic meals, meant to keep the mind focused and the body charged and ready for the activities of the day.

The idea behind this retreat is to help you start a positive change for yourself. The retreat gives you the tools needed, from meditations and yoga to finance and well-being. Before this retreat was offered you'd likely have to catch a plane to Pune, a tech hub city in western India where Osho’s meditation resort is located, just to be able to experience meditations like kundalini and dynamic morning meditation. The value in all of this is getting all these internationally located experiences all in one place.

Native and untouched tropical vegetation surrounds and embraces each and every one of the structures which have been carefully designed to subtly merge the internal and external environments while meeting strict ecological standards with as little disturbance to the flora and fauna as possible.

Imagine waking up to the sound of exotic birds chirping as the first rays of light penetrate the tropical forest and slowly start to creep into your cabana. As you make your way through the winding trails, your feet touch the still cool ground and you breathe in that fresh ocean breeze. You make your way to the main shala for your fist meditation, then a warm drink and breakfast. Similarly after a full day of activities and a friendly and chatty dinner, you retire down the same natural halls down to your cabana and take in the colorful night sky. You lay in your comfortable bed, under the stars and take a deep breath as you fall deep into sleep with the sound of the waves crashing not too far away.

Another night in paradise, another day of working hard yourself, for yourself.

on

For more information on their retreat plase visit www.createamagnificentlife.com or contact them at 33-3333-3333

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Yappy Hour Specials Daily

LEASHLESS SOCIAL CLUB

The only social club in Puerto Vallarta where both you and your dog are H o o m a n s a r e a l l W e l c o m e invited to let loose.

No Dog Required for Fun

Vi s i t o u r w e b s i t e & learn about our memberships.

MENU Homestyle Southern Cuisine with a twist of the Mexican culture.

Our menu is packed full of uniquely custom specialty dishes that you’ll only find here at Ruffys.

On the Cuale Island

Piano Instructor BENEFITS - Improved coordination -Increased Auditive Capacity - Easier Language Capabilities

Polo & Riding Lessons

No riding experience require.

Tuesday - Sunday 10 00 am a 12 00 pm / 4 00 pm. a 6 00 p. m.

Book your Polo lesson: Tommy Elliot +52 322 100 0099

Prof. Rodrigo Suárez +52 55 2299 3764 ABRSM ACCREDITED (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)

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POLO in the bay area Polo is called the sport of kings and for centuries its drawn royalty to its ranks. In the minds of many, the game has always belonged to the rich, the famous, and the privileged few. But there's more to the sport than the glamorous world that surrounds it.

When I think of polo I automatically get a mental image of champagne, green grass, a brown dress with white pok-a-dots and the main chorus of “pretty woman” playing in the background. I dont think im the only one this happens to because it’s movies like that where we’ve seen the sport. Why is that? Probably because the fact that it's known as the sport of kings means it isn't readily available to everyone, until now that is.

I discovered La Patrona Equestrian and Polo Club years ago through some friends from Guadalajara. Since I’ve moved to Puerto Vallarta I’ve been able to attend a few of their Saturday sunset grill events as well as their Sunday brunches. I love the atmosphere at these exhibition polo matches and taking friends there is always fun because I can see the excitement in their faces. Not only is the experience unbelievable but the club’s grounds are an architectural jewel. You’re surrounded by beauty, whether it be the horses, the greenery or the buildings, you will be wow'd.

The last time I visited was for my birthday, my friends and I were enjoying the match after which we got to meet one of the players. Tommy is the polo pro at La Patrona, and is an ex pro polo player. He embodies the persona of what you’d think a polo player would be like.

He walked up to our group with a firm walk, a charming smile and an Argentine accent (Even though he explained to us that he is Mexican, with Argentenian parents).

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As welcoming as could be he took time to talk to all of us and give us a few fun facts about the property. Before walking away, in what seemed to be in slow motion, he invited me to come back with a couple of friends for a polo lesson so I could live the experience, learn more about the club and their mission and of course, share it with you, our readers.

A few weeks later, it was time to conquer the polo world. My friends Peter and Jarek from Melbourne, Australia were the brave friends who decided to join me on this adventure.

We hurried on a Thursday morning out of Zona Romantica and on to San Pancho, just 15 minutes past the hustle and bustle of Sayulita.

Once in this beautiful little town we drove off the beaten path through a jungle like dirt road til we finally reached our destination. As soon as you enter the property you realize that this is not your average ranch. Water features, large buildings and enormous polo fields serve as the background for this impressive entrance. Once we were let in by the gracious security staff we drove past all these marvels and made it to the horse stables. We met up with Tommy once again at the small little bar between the rows of stables. Tommy asked my friend Peter if he was impressed because his eyes were wide open with wonder, to which my bud just nodded with a huge smile. No matter what part of the world you are from you will undoubtedly be amazed by the artful way this place was designed. These horses are living like

royalty on these premises. After a small tour we were sent to put on our jeans and get ready (by the way, the polo players locker rooms are also a 5 star experience).

Once we were ready, we got on our horses and set off to explore the grounds.

Tommy shared with us that there are another two polo clubs in the area, one a few miles away to the north, and the other a couple hours down south the coast, which his son is the polo pro at.

The difference for me is that La Patrona, as grand and magnificent as it is, it’s actually a very laid back club. They understand that when people are visiting our beautiful port they might not always have the right attire for polo classes or events.

Far from the Pretty Woman schematics, La Patrona welcomes all visitors, come as they may. Their goal is to grow the sport in this area and to get people excited about it. Polo has been around in this area for 32 years with La Patrona’s new grounds for 8 years and hosting polo exhibitions in San Pancho at their smaller field in town for 16 years now. Another fun fact is that when polo was an olympic sport Mexico won the silver medal and that’s the kind of excitement they want to renew in the area.

We were taken to the field, off our horses in order to get a feel for hitting the ball with our mallets, learning how to count steps and and get an idea of the size of the polo field.

This story continues online...

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TODD CALONGNE CAREER COACHING & HYPNOTHERAPY

We transform clients into self-aware and authentic people which are imperative for success through coaching and hypnotherapy.

For more information and a free consultation please visit

www.toddcalongne.com

GHM

PERSONAL IMAGE CONSULTING

FOR MEN OVER 40

Styling Concierge Social Interacting and more...

Jump start your new life in Puerto Vallarta with a boost in confidence and a new, better you.

For more info (by appointment only)

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