CHAC-LAN



VIEW OF MONTE COXALA FROM RESTAURANT

      Today we watched as seven men lifted a 2 ton (ok I exagerate - Pete says it was one-half ton - whatever) ancient grinding wheel on to a platform where they will use it as part of a new water feature in the Hotel Nueva Posada. 
     There is a lot of construction going on here in the hotel upgrading the dining rooms and meeting rooms etc.  I have noticed a lot of construction in town also where they are redoing from top to bottom some of the very old homes.  That kind of work whether in Ajijic or Seattle is always good for the city and neighborhoods not to mention the workforce.
     We decided to take the car out and only a couple of times had to fold the mirrors in so that they wouldn't be hit by either a car or a post.  Riding on cobble stones, it is desirable to go slow.  Our car may have a lot more rattles when we get back.  Another challenge to driving in town, other than the narrow cobble stone streets, is that all streets are one way only don't really have a sign - you look up the street and if most of the cars are parked one way you figure it out.  Of course, in a pinch, you can go the wrong way if nobody is coming or if they move over. After all you are a gringo.  
     We drove to a beautiful spa, hotel and restaurant up in the hills called Monte Coxala (Coshala).  It is most amazing.  It sits up on the side of a very tall hill (little mountain) high up above a residential area called the Raquet Club.  The streets are named for tennis stars - Jimmy Connors/Rod Laver, por ejemplo.  There are two secured gates to get to it and when you finally wind your way up the mountainous cobble stone streets it is designed in the style of a Mayan Ruin.  Absolutely pristine and manicured gardens, stone stellas, terraced gardens - just breath taking - many natural hot pools situated over the property along with buildings in the style of Mayan temples.  We see couples in robes walking either to or from their massages or mud baths or whatever sybaritic treatment they have chosen.
     We drove up to the restaurant - Chac -Lan - and the young man gave us a number and took the car.  The restaurant building is a very very large palapa.  Huge palm roofed house with two floors, circular and open air with 360 views of the lake far below and the mountains up above.  We arrived at about 3 pm and left about 6:30.  A long, leisurely comida.  It would have been great to stay for the sunset but these old gringos wanted to get back down that winding cobble stone road and back to more familiar narrow streets before it got dark. 

     What a wonderful experience and the food and service were superb.