It’s Boating Time…& Time To
Meet Maurina in the Marina!!!
Feliz Julio Rocky Point!!! I sincerely hope everyone’s summer is off to a fabulous start and you are enjoying life to its fullest! Like most months, I have been off hip hopping around and visiting friends and family. In May, I was able to visit my family at the beach in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina and see my dad for his birthday as well with a trip to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As I am typing, I just finished the last of my packing for my upcoming trip to Mykonos, Greece for a couple weeks. Rocky Point’s Jozey Dickens is coming along for the fun along with another 7 or 8 friends and family. Mykonos has become my “go to” fun vibe place outside of…you know…of course, Rocky Point. I am really looking forward to celebrating Father’s Day there with my daughter and her gang of friends. They always know how to liven up a scene! I was grateful for the time we got to spend together in Rocky Point when Via came in with 4 friends from California for a week. They really know how to show up and be seen! Sorry, all if we were a tad loud but ya know, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire!
Recently, I sat down with Maurina Pascale a long-time Rocky Point resident for a chat about her experiences over the last couple decades. She truly loves life and let’s get to know her a little better.
Marco~ Tell me a little about your background.
Maurina~ Well, I grew up in Chicago and came to Arizona as a young adult. I then moved to Beverly Hills where I worked as a hairstylist and lived in West Hollywood. I moved back to Arizona and bought a house when I was 40 years old and a boyfriend at the time took me down to Rocky Point for the first time shortly thereafter. I fell in love with the town right away and purchased a condo at Bella Sirena 20 years ago. I loved how close Rocky Point is to the valley and I had always dreamt of a beach house but knew it was not within my reach in California. I was thrilled to finally get my beach pad! Straight away, I ran around to every club and bar in town for years and met so many new friends. I used to even go out to after-hour clubs in town until 4 in the morning.
Marco~ Hmmm, I may have been part of some of those jaunts as I could recall 😊. What are some of your favorite things to do in Rocky Point?
Maurina~ I love going to Wrecked at the Reef and listening to bands, having dinner and drinks at their outside areas whether in the late afternoon or evening. I love to go to Malecon to the fish and shrimp markets and buy some food to cook at home as well. By popular demand, several of my visiting friends often drag me down to the strip on Calle 13 and we go to the stripper bars…it is always good, clean fun which they enjoy immensely.
Marco~ Another, hmmmm…I may have seen those bars driving down Calle 13! What are some of your favorite restaurants and bars in town?
Maurina~ Let’s see, Capones for sure. They have good food and it’s a lively place to always see old friends. I love to order the Big Fish at Boo Bar and I have even thrown a couple birthday parties there as well. I even get to pick out the fish at 3 Boys at the fish market right there on the Malecon. Shark Bite is fun for drinks, and I really like Banditos for their bands as well as Wrecked. Banditos and Wrecked are right on Sandy Beach where I live so it is close.
Marco~ In deed, good choices…love them all! So, you have been here for the past 20 years. What are the biggest changes you have seen?
Maurina~ It is much more modernized now! We now have street signs and paved roads. I remember just about all the roads around town were sand roads, so it has come a long way. There are more modern stores to shop at. I remember when we just had a few like Super Ley. I like how they fixed up all the facades in the Malecon and on Shacks 5th Avenue. It is important to note that you cannot drink and drive here. After all, it is not the Wild West. I see more and more police monitoring things, which is good as it makes it safer for everyone. There are so many new resorts in town now. I remember when Bella Sirena was the nicest project on the beach. There are so many options now that are modern and beautiful.
Marco~ Yes, for sure. I have done some upgrading myself in the last couple years and love it! Where do you see Rocky Point in 10 years?
Maurina~ I think the media paints a false picture of Rocky Point sometimes and Mexico in general. As long as Americans do not have a false idea of it being “dangerous”, it will continue to grow even more awesome. The people in town love Americans; they are always gracious and respectful. I am a single woman and have been driving here myself and even back in the day with my convertible red Porsche. I have never had one issue in 20 years! The media and politicians spin stories for their flavor. I have lived in LA for many, many years and have seen carjackings, shootings, you name it. I have never seen one here. I have traveled the world alone and I have always felt safe here in Rocky Point. If you do stupid things, things will happen no matter where you are…even in Scottsdale! Rocky Point will be even better in 10 years!
Marco~ I agree, the changes and amenities get better with each passing year, and I have always felt safe here. Have you met many new friends since coming to Rocky Point?
Maurina~ I have a whole Mexican family! They consist of locals, ex-pats, people that have homes in both America and Mexico and tourists alike. I literally have met hundreds of new friends over the years. I most likely have more friends in Mexico than America now. There truly is never a dull moment here!
Marco~ SAME! I have met so many amazing friends since coming to Mexico about the same time as you. Whether it is the patrons, employees, real estate agents, restauranteurs, shop keepers, tourists or whomever, I agree…there is never a dull moment, even for this shy guy😊! What do you like to do to relax in Rocky Point?
Maurina~ I love cooking and inviting friends over. We sit on the balcony and light candles and sip wine and watch the lights from the Malecon. We laugh, talk and share funny stories of our adventures in life. I literally could have people over every day! My parents came to visit when they were in their 70’s and like me, they fell in love with it right away and ended up buying a condo right in my building. I love to go out on my friend’s boat for the day and watch the sunset. We jump in the sea and swim with the dolphins. My friends love to fish so that makes it a win. You do not have to be 20 years old to enjoy Rocky Point. It is really a wonderful place for people of all ages. There is fun for everyone! It is so easy to make friends, you will never be alone.
Marco~ I truly agree, I often get stretched a little with plans with friends to be here, there and everywhere and I forget to relax more. Anything else you would like to share with the Rocky Point Times readers?
Maurina~ Well, they are not getting rid of me yet! They are probably thinking, “Oh my God, it’s been 20 years and that gal is still around?”. I have never had an issue with one person in Rocky Point. I especially love the CCTV at Encantame Towers where I was the best of 2024 on the highlight reel!
Marco~ (in audible…roaring…thank you Tomas!)
Maurina~ Employees move around so many people you always know someone wherever you go. My parents even loved it here into their 80’s especially my Dad who absolutely loved it and would hang out with the local guys catching octopus at 89 years old. He grew up in Italy on the Adriatic Sea so this was special to him. My mom was from Paris, so she was more of a mountain person but loved it here as well. At any age, you will find your place here. My future plans are to be hanging out on my balcony sipping a glass of wine into my twilight years. I don’t ever want to be in a retirement home so they can just wheel me out to my balcony right here…I actually thought of that when I was 40. I am never leaving. I have many friends that their plan is to move down to Rocky Point for their retirement and enjoy the rest of their lives on the beach…I guess we can call it the Scottsdale Geriatrics Center. My swinging from chandelier days is over but the fun is not…you adjust. I plan to rent my place in Scottsdale and live here off the rental income and be here full time. Experiences are what it is all about! Lastly, I might add, I have a bookcase full of books. I never touched one of them, I am a people person and enjoy life to its fullest!
Marco~ Thank you Maurina, you truly are a character and I am honored to call you friend. 😊
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!! Here’s to all the fathers out there…whether you are a Dad, a Godfather, Stepfather or an adopted father, we all love you so much and are grateful that you are in our lives…so THANK YOU for all you do each and every day. We are truly blessed! My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person…he believed in me!
ADIOS AMIGOS
GOD BLESS
Marco
