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Gallery: Part One of a HOT trip to Mexico, an extraordinary hacienda

September 4, 2008
Martha documents her recent trip to Mexico.Read The Original Post

Outside the hacienda walls - sisal plants.

Right outside the hacienda we visited in San Bernardo, Yucatan, were small herds of very well-behaved goats, raised mainly for meat. They peacefully co-exist with the local dogs, chickens, pigs and turkeys.

The hacienda is called San Bernardo de Cussi, after the new owner, Paula Cussi, a widow from Mexico City. Nine years ago, she fell in love with the property and pulled up roots and moved east. The property is very large, a former henequen plantation, and consists of a great house, pools, gardens, and even screened growing houses.

The henequen, a type of agave, is used in making sisal. The plantings were formally arranged to make bold statements about the former main crop of the hacienda. They are most beautiful.

Our hostess, the beautiful Paula Cussi and her sweet and very smart miniature schnauzer, Sweetie.

The flame trees were just starting to bloom in Merida and Paula used just the blossoms to float in a large silver bowl. They reminded me of Gloriosa lilies.

Under a mammoth iron sculpture of a slice of papaya by a South American artist, we discovered a white egret which flew in from Cozumel. Paula told me several come each year at this time.

The hacienda was completely renovated and restored - Paula's architect designed glass and iron awnings and decorative window screens for windows and doorways.

The same architect painted extraordinary designs and murals on walls and even on pieces of furniture - this striped design flanks the doorway into the open air church.

Stuccoed walls and stairs and balustrades offer a serenity of design - the golden yellow color is also very soothing in the lush landscape.

A close-up of the sisal plants - notice how they are planted in long beds of native grass which is left uncut in a smooth zoysia grass lawn?

An original gate from the plantation - an hacienda in the 19th and early 20th centuries was comprised of the owner's house, the factory, the workers' quarters, and the animal barns.

Another view of the growing houses - corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, squash, herbs and other plants grow protected from the hungry iguanas and other pests.

This is a full view of the iron papaya, papaya leaf, and more of the arcade.

The swimming pool is an infinity design - the water spills over the edges beautifully. Stone coping and iron rails for holding towels add decorative touches.

A view of the back of the guests' quarters - the royal palms were brought from the West of Mexico and the stucco walls are covered in ficus vines, bearing fruit!

Glass 'crystal' balls act as door stops.

In the chapel or church, there rests a beautiful bronze lamb, an object designed by the architect.

a close-up view of the lamb

Paula had the old roof removed from the decrepit church structure - all windows were stuccoed closed and the interior walls painted an incredible bright blue - it is an amazing sight - this photo does not capture the great beauty.

I stop to get my feet wet during a sight-seeing tour of the property. That's the film crew in the background.

I thought that my makeup and outfit looked good.

A 'Vermeer-like' portrait of our hostess cuddling her dog, Blackie.

Adolfo, the wonderful chef who made us delicious meals during our stay.

another view into the sisal garden

Two giant cycads grow right outside the front entrance - they are magnificent specimens.

Paula found two massive blocks of stone in a local quarry - she thought they looked like modern sculpture and had the roughness polished - each stone is set on stone plinths and displayed in a shallow pool.

the other stone 'sculpture'

Recent Posts

Partying in style with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
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Martha's Photo Albums

- Partying in style with Sean 'Diddy' Combs Nov 20, 2009 Read the Original
- A Puerto Rican Evening Nov 20, 2009 Read the Original
- A Pie Contest Nov 18, 2009 Read the Original
- A tag sale at my offices - Prada, Escada, Ralph Lauren and more Nov 17, 2009 Read the Original
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http://twitpic.com/qa4t4 - Sean 'Diddy' Combs check out more photos from his 40th Birthday party on my blog http://bit.ly/6ni5wW 5 hours ago
http://bit.ly/6ni5wW JUST POSTED - last night with Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Nelly, Rev. Al Sharpton, Zac Posen, what a blast! 7 hours ago
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thanks to all the lovely people who came to borders in syosset to get books signed i enjoyed myself! 2009/11/19

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