April 8 2008 Page 2 Jaltemba Features

Importing Used Vehicles to Mexico PVNN from the Banderas News Many of our readers have written to us asking how to legally import used vehicles into Mexico, so we've done a little research to find the answers. According to the official website for Mexican Customs (Aduana): In order to legalize a US/Canadian vehicle in Mexico it is required that the importer/exporter processes a definitive import permit with the Mexican Customs Agency (Aduana.) All persons can import two vehicles per 12 month period without being officially recognized as an importer, and registering with the Mexican Secretary of Economy. After importing a vehicle to Mexico it must be registered with the Secretary of Transport in the city where the importer intends to reside. After registering the vehicle local licence plates will be issued. What vehicles qualify for importation: • All vehicles must be at least 10 years old. • All vehicles must be in a reasonable working condition and deemed safe for regular use. • Passengers vehicles cannot provide seating for more than 15 passengers. • Pick-ups must weigh less than 3200 kilos (7,056 pounds) with a full load. • Trucks cannot have a load capacity of more than 4,536 kilos (10,001.9 pounds.) • The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) must correspond to a vehicle manufactured or assembled in Canada, the United States, or Mexico. What vehicles do not qualify for importation: Any vehicle intended for parts, destruction, junk, crush, scrap, salvage, or in a non-repairable state cannot be imported. Also vehicles that are not eligible for highway use, or that are not considered street legal cannot be imported. Also, Dually 6 wheel pick-ups do not qualify for importation. The Process Documents Needed In order to process an import permit (Pedimento de Importación,) the importer must provide the following documents to the Mexican Customs Agency (Aduana): 1. An official sales receipt from the manufacturer or authorized distributor that outlines the vehicle make, model, importers name, and value of the vehicle. 2. Registration documents. 3. A certificate of origin from the manufacturer or authorized distributer. This document is only required for vehicles that are entering Mexico under the NAFTA agreement. Vehicles manufactured outside of Canada, Mexico, or the United States pay an additional 50% customs duty. 4. An import permit (Certificado de cupo) from the Secretary of Economy. This document is only required for vehicles that are entering Mexico under the NAFTA agreement. 5. Passport, and a photocopy of the importers passport. 6. A electric, water, or telephone bill less than three months old that displays the importers name and address. Costs All importers are subject to general import and value added tax. This amount will depend on the make, model, and value of the car. This amount can be estimated between $2000 to $4000.

The Fort at San Blas, Nayarit Mexico Photography by Bill and Dot Bell

In the city of San Blas there are many cultural, historical and religious remains that are well worth visiting, like the Fort of San Basilio also known as Fuerte de la Contaduria, an old building that served mainly as a bastion for defending the goods brought from the exotic lands on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. This fort was also the starting point for many expeditions towards the north of the American continent, as Spain continued to try and increase its territories.

For more pictures on The Fort at San Blas Click Here to view

A week of parties as another fabulous season of sun, fun and great times winds down. Below Thursday blow out beach party at Val and Chris's

Two view a lot more of Val and Chris's party and Mateja's customer Appreciation Day pics please click here

Playa Las Tortugas photographs by Bill Bell

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Puerto Vallarta Hospital Basics Pamela Thompson - PVNN   For more information, please contact Pamela Thompson at (322) 222-9638, 044-322-107-7007, Nextel 145-6912 or send an email to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com.   I hope that you don't ever need to be admitted to a hospital here in Puerto Vallarta, but it happens all the time to locals and tourists alike, so it's best if you are prepared and know the basics "up front," rather than waiting until you are quite ill and in the Emergency Room. If there is time, the first thing to do is to contact your personal physician (everyone should have one!) so that he or she can direct you to the hospital of their choice and advise the hospital of your arrival. I recommend that in your purse or wallet, you carry 1) List of your medications, 2) Name of your private physician, 3) List of any allergies. Give these to the receptionist at the hospital. You could even carry two copies, so that you can just give one to the hospital to keep upon your admission. That way, it will be on your record. If you have contacted your personal physician (or if you want him/her contacted) it is important to tell the hospital staff at this time. Upon arrival and admission, you (or a family member) will be required to fill out hospital forms (some will be in English and some will be in Spanish.) These will need to be as complete as possible, including an emergency contact with phone number. If you do not wish to receive blood or blood products, this needs to be signed and noted at the time of admission. If you have insurance, please provide your insurance card. Note that this does not automatically mean the hospital and/or physicians will accept your insurance! The process to accept the insurance normally takes up to 24 hours and a guarantee of payment must be received by the hospital in order for them to accept insurance. You will be responsible for any deductibles or co-payments. A deposit will be required for all admissions. The amount varies from (normally) $10,000 pesos up to $50,000 pesos. "Regular admissions" would be a minimum of $10,000 pesos. A surgery would be $15,000 to $20,000 pesos and an admission to the Intensive Care Unit would be $50,000 pesos in most cases. These deposits may be paid with a credit card (all major credit cards are accepted except Discovery Cards.) If this is an emergency admission, you will be evaluated in the Emergency Room of the hospital. The physicians in the private hospitals here in Puerto Vallarta speak English. It is important to be as clear with them as possible as to your illness, chief complaints. You will be changed from your street clothes to the infamous and very fashionable hospital gown. Any personal items such as jewelry, purse, clothing, etc. should be given to a family member to take home. Your consulate (either American or Canadian) should be contacted by the hospital admissions department to advise them you are there. Once this is done, you will receive a phone call from the consulate's office to see if you need any type of assistance in contacting friends or family at "home" or answer any questions you might have. Next, you will be transferred to a patient room (all rooms at private hospitals in Puerto Vallarta are private rooms.) You will need to sign for a remote control for the T.V. (all have satellite TV with channels in English) and sometimes for the air conditioner remote. In the rooms, there are sofas, or large chairs, where one family member can stay with you 24 hours if you wish. The nursing staff will show you where the "call button" is and place it in a close, convenient place for you. All of the hospital rooms have telephones but remember, there is a charge to make any outgoing phone calls. You may use your own cell phone if you wish. The majority of the nurses in the area do not speak much English. A good idea is a small pocket dictionary and some hand signs! The private hospitals here are not too strict with visiting hours (although I think they should be!) so best if your visitors are kept to a minimum and have them visit between 10 am and 8 pm (general visiting.) Intensive Care Units are very strict with their rules and they are normally only a set time (about 1 hour) in the mornings and again in the afternoons. Pamela Thompson is a registered nurse who has lived in Puerto Vallarta for over 17 years, 10 of them in health care. Pamela now leads HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a local healthcare resource network. Her years of experience and expertise are available to you by emailing your questions to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com or by visiting HealthCareResourcesPV.com. Click HERE to learn more about the health and well-being services offered by HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta.

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Petra Huerta: Riviera Nayarit Jewel     

                                 By Tara Spears

While most visitors seek out this part of the Mexican coast for its physical beauty and relaxing lifestyle, they still want top quality dining. The Bavarian Garden restaurant, serving authentic German cuisine, is an excellent change of pace from spicy Mexican fare.  For the outgoing and vivacious owner, Petra Huerta, it is an opportunity to showcase her 20 plus years of professional cooking experience,  honor the family culinary traditions, and to have a good time.  “I enjoy talking with the customers,” she says, “So many have become good friends.”  Petra explained that her grandmother and mother, Eva, passed on their love of cooking to her.  “I chose family style meals and add a romantic, formal presentation to make dining a relaxed pleasure. “  Bavarian Garden’s exotic hillside location, lace tablecloths, and open air ambiance is reminiscent of European beer gardens.

Even more impressive than the restaurant is its dynamic proprietress. Petra is a true diamond among the many jewels in the community.  Independent, intelligent, and with a heart of gold, Petra gives her all to her business, family, friends and those in need.  She prefers to avoid the lime light yet is often first to take up a charitable cause- she works tirelessly to make the community a good place to live.

This astute, self-taught businesswoman is fluent in German, Spanish, English  “and I’m trying to learn French!”  Her genuine smile and twinkling eyes mirror the beautiful attitude within.  A talented singer and song writer, “I sing to my soups every day” she quips.  Her tiny stature and high energy level is impressive for a grandmother: “My daughter, Sabrina (24) is happily married and living in Greece with baby, Philipe,” Petra says proudly.   It is Petra’s love of music that prompted the scheduling of live entertainment three nights a week at Bavarian.  “I choose the local talent that offers romantic, danceable music.”  One popular local musician, Enrique Preciado, who plays exclusively at Bavarian on Wednesdays, is noted for his danceable repertoire of Spanish ballads and English oldies.  “Many customers like to celebrate weddings and anniversaries with dinner and slow dancing to Enrique,” said Petra.  Enrique plays six different musical instruments besides having a soulful singing voice.

Musician Enrique Preciado

From its initial opening in 2005, Bavarian Garden was a success and soon hailed as the area’s top restaurant.   In addition to appetizers and a variety of salads, Petra works magic with her hearty soups.  “I’m proud of the Rouladen, which is my mother’s recipe,” said Petra. This excellent entrée is tender beef stuffed with pickle, bacon, onions and cheese that is complimented by spatzel (German seasoned noodles) and cooked red cabbage. Delicious! When asked how she achieved such tender beef in a country known for its lean, tough cows, Petra laughingly explains, “I import it (and the sausages, pictured above) from out of the country!” 

Other very traditional Munich, Germany dishes that are available at Bavarian Garden feature pork loin and pork roast delicacies-the Jagerschnitzel and the Bavarian entrees, which are accompanied with dumplings or potato pancakes, applesauce, and sauerkraut.  A savory salmon in dill sauce is a favorite with fish lovers.  All items are made fresh daily by Petra and her staff at the restaurant. As a compliment to the fine dinners, Petra offers a selection of imported German and domestic beers, wine, and cocktails.

Three years ago Petra expanded her dining facilities by adding a lower patio to accommodate large groups.  Bavarian Garden also offers a fabulous breakfast menu only on Sundays, 8 am to 2 pm,  that features a traditional German Alpine breakfast of sausages, potato pancakes, omelets, juice and fruit.

Petra loves being the boss despite the long hours and unexpected snafus that occur in running a busy restaurant. “I demand quality from suppliers and staff,” said Petra.  “I want my customers to rely on getting top service and the best food when they come to Bavarian Garden.”  Noting that each day is exciting and challenging, some are more dramatic than others: “One evening, a bull had gotten out of its pen and came charging down the mountain into the restaurant full of diners.  The police came with lassos to capture it- but not before the frantic creature destroyed some of the table and chairs! It’s just part of the charm of living in a true Mexican village,” laughed Petra.

As one recent international customer at Bavarian Gardens, Joanne Clark, sums up, “It’s a little bit of German culture juxtaposed with Mexican flavor.  It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a warm Mexican evening with tasty German food and lovely dancing music.”  Many other customers appreciate the ambiance of the open air setting and natural beauty of the rocks and native plants, especially when looking down on the lights of the nearby town.  Several repeat customers exclaimed, “Petra always makes us feel welcome, and she adjusts items for our special dietary needs.” 

For so many reasons, the Riviera Nayarit community is proud to know Petra Huerta- excellent cook, excellent businesswoman, excellent friend.

Bavarian Garden is open October –May:  Saturday-Wednesdays: 3 -9 pm; Fridays: 6-10 pm; and Sundays 8 am-2 pm                                                         

To make reservations:  327-274-2136   or email: petrainmex@yahoo.com.de

  Bavarian Staff:

                                          Open air dining-Bavarian Garden views:

Petra hard at work but loving it

Email Tara: tara.sprs@hotmail.com