New Reporter for Vamos!

TV shows always need to evolve in order to move forward…

Recently, I decided it was in the show’s best interest to hire another reporter to replace me (Producer Luis) on the Yellow Tail “Wine Tips” portion of the program. While, I’ve had a lot of fun doing it, I thought it was best to introduce a fresh talent to the TV world and have someone that could possibly interact with Vanessa on future adventures. No, this does not mean the replacement of anyone on the show (including me), it’s simply just a new addition. Just like with all my past shows, I really enjoy having multiple TV personalities on-air and I find viewers appreciate that as well.

Please help me in welcoming Kat McMahon to the Vamos family! Kat, a previous runner-up for the host position, will make her debut towards the end of Season 1 – early January. Kat managed to beat out several qualified candidates, some who might have a future with our show as well.

I believe this will just be the beginning for the talented Ms. Kat.

- Producer Luis

Vamos goes to Houston…

We just finished shooting a Vamos episode in Houston and had a blast. This was our second Texas show in our Texas series. It had been a while since I had visited good ‘ole H-town and I was not disappointed. 

First, I set up a little one-on-one time for Vanessa with Houston’s Hockey team, the Aeros. Although Vanessa is nowhere near being a pro at ice skating, she actually did well…and yes, she had her first hockey fight with their enforcer Matt Kassian. You’ll have to catch the show to see who won that one. Thanks to the entire team but special thanks to Robert Desimone, Coach Troy Ward, and their other Left Wing Colton Gillies who had some pretty sweet figure skating moves (you’ll have to watch to see what I’m talking about).

Next, we stopped over at the famous Beer Can House, a house covered with 50,000 beers! It was pretty cool too, you should google it if you get a chance.

During our time in Houston we stayed at Hotel Sorella. I mention this because this was an impressive set up. The hotel is in the heart of the new district called CityCentre. Within that development you have entertainment, food, shopping, etc. Everything is just steps from the hotel, not to mention, the hotel has a pretty cool lounge and bar called Monnalisa which could have easily stood alone.  I loved Ra, a rock and roll type of sushi restaurant and the bar and restaurant right under the hotel, Straits, was great as well. Thanks to Stuart Rosenberg for making that happen!

All in all, a fun trip that I think you will enjoy watching.

Producer Luis

Texas, here we come!

Well, we’re actually already here in Texas. You know we couldn’t do a travel show and not hit our amazing state! When I first came up with the show, I wanted to make sure to include the Lone Star State in our travels because it is a very special place to me and of course, my home. This weekend we break away from Mexico for a bit and visit two Texas cities, Austin and Corpus Christi.

In Austin, we visit the Inner Space Caverns. Vanessa is actually claustrophobic so this was a fun piece to shoot. Although, I will say, she did very well. The caverns were just out of this world. They are only an hour and a half away so if you’re looking for something different to do that won’t break the bank, that’s a “cool” (literally) place to visit.

After visiting Austin’s Zilker Botanical Gardens, we moved on down south to Corpus Christi. I know many people only think of Selena or oil tankers when you think of CC but there’s a lot of cool little spots down there too. On that trip, Vanessa got to try her hand at surfing. After “inhaling half the Gulf,” we went to check out a surf museum and then had some good food and drinks at Brewster’s Bar and Grill.

Coming soon, we hit Houston and then we head back to Mexico’s east coast again to see Tulum.

All in all, a great time and a fun show so I hope you get to catch it. Remember, this Saturday on FOX at 6pm…and DVR it if you’re out.

Luis

Next Show…Sayulita & San Sebastian!

Some of the best places we’ve seen on these trips are really the small, out of the way, villages and towns. While the tourist areas are great to get a good feel for the locations we go to, nothing is better than finding those small spots not everyone knows about.

On this next show, we find two such places and I wish we had an hour show so that you could really get a good feel for them. The first was San Sebastian, an old mining town up in the Sierra Madre Mountains which is something out of a romantic novel. Cobblestone streets and perfect climate, it’s charming and its history is thick in the air. It’s one of these places you escape to – to write a great book or find yourself. The people were so amazing and welcoming and the place touched me.

Now, a place I might one day move to is definitely Sayulita. Sayulita is about 30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. It’s a surfing community where the surf is awesome 365 days a year. More interestingly, I heard more English being spoken there than Spanish. It’s a place where many Canadians and Americans have moved to and I don’t blame them. The weather is amazing, the ambience is spectacular, and the town is so friendly. This is one place the crew and I joked about not returning from…and you know what, there was some truth to it. Sayulita is high on my list of places I would one day consider retiring to or having a permanent home at. It’s that nice.

So, join us this weekend at 6pm on FOX TV, I think you will see something you will enjoy.

Thanks,

Luis

Thanks to ESPN / The Zone radio!

Hi all, we just wanted to take the time to thank Chris Duel and Jason over at ESPN radio 1250 — “The Zone” — for inviting us on the air to promote Vamos!

Chris and Jason were gracious enough to have Vanessa and I on the radio yesterday for several hours. They were over at the new Gabriel’s Liquor Store on 281 – which is HUGE! I think we were only supposed to be on for a minutes but they ended up keeping us on and we had a blast! We will be posting those pictures up later this week - and thanks to those that stopped in to say hi as well.

This weekend we are in Puerto Vallarta where Vanessa will be doing a very cool interaction segment with some sea lions. We’ll also be visiting the Rio Cuale Mercado in Vallarta which was very charming so I hope you watch it or DVR it!

Remember, you still have time to sign up for our giveaway trip to Mexico. It’s all-inclusive and FREE!

Thanks for the support and make sure you catch ”The Zone” on ESPN radio!

Producer Luis

Thanks Playa…Vallarta is Next!

So, Playa del Carmen was a blast! It’s one of my favorite places in the world. Thanks to Sandos for hosting our stay as well!

As for Playa, I’ll let you in on the backstory to it. The first time I went to Playa del Carmen was about 4 years ago. I was still the EP of “Great Day SA” at KENS-5 and Kristina (Guerrero) and I had taken a cruise ship on Carnival to tape some sweeps stories. It was one of GDSA’s first trips out of the country and Kris’ first time to that part of Mexico. On the cruise, we met Greg Hutson, the activities director…Greg later became a co-host of mine on GDSA. Greg had told us about Playa del Carmen and how we “just had to visit this amazing place.” So, during the time we went to Port in Mexico, Greg gave Kristina and I a tour of Playa. Kris and I were in love, the place was just amazingly beautiful and so European. We actually almost missed getting back on the cruise…thanks to Greg! (good times) I vowed I would go back as soon as I could…I’ve now gone back 5 times to this special place, including this last trip for Vamos.

If you are ever even remotely close to Playa, please take the time to visit, have some cold  Coronas on the beach and take in the scenery. Visit Hotel Basico and overlook Playa while taking a dip in the rooftop jacuzzi…it’s an experience that will stay with you.

So, now we are off to the other side of Mexico, the Pacific Coast. More precisely, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. Don’t make the mistake of thinking they are the same, the locals won’t like that. While they are right next to each other and you won’t notice too big of a difference, the locals have worked hard at carving out their own identity.

On this first show, we will stay at the lovely Marival Hotel and take in the sights of the local area. More on the content of the show later this week. For now, thank you for watching and supporting us!

Luis

Rain Rain…Go Away!

So here it is. It’s official. I bring rain everywhere. I am in Missouri this week, not for work though- for fun. I think it is ironic that I come to a drab and cold locale like Missouri for fun and beautiful tropical resorts for work. Humph.

Anyhow, it’s raining.   I mean raining. All day. No break.  Jump back to my birthday trip to Puerto Rico… it rained. Bob’s (my husband) birthday trip to Arizona…yes, a desert…rain. Our Honeymoon in Jamaica? Our trip to New York? You guessed it- rain. Every VAMOS! Trip has had, at the very least, a sprinkle during the day and major storms at night.

I think I will rent out my services. CVB’s everywhere listen up. I will vacation in your city for a nominal fee, a room at a five-star hotel, meals, and exciting activities just to tempt the clouds.  I will bring the gifts of water, uncontrollable mugginess, and plan-changing temperature drops. 

You know where to find me… I’ll be under the giant cloud.

For now, see you Saturday at 6pm on FOX!

Vanessa

A Typical Day…by Vanessa.

So I just got back from Texas-OU weekend and had a great time with my friend Meagan. Along with a great time we had deep fried butter… yup I said deep fried butter.  It was not a culinary masterpiece, but it was pretty delicious.  It was kind of like a dinner roll with a heaping spoonful of butter inside, or like a soft, thick sopapilla.  We chose honey, powdered sugar and cinnamon toppings… and subsequently got attacked by bees.

We also had the fried peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwich.  I’ve never had a PB&J. Seriously.  Never.  I’ve lied to people since I was 4 years old and said I was allergic because I hated the smell, but hey we were living on the edge at the state fair.  It was also pretty delicious.  It was warm and crispy on the outside- rich and gooey on the inside.

Does that count as a fruit serving???

I never leave the fair without the staple.  The Fletcher’s Corney Dog.  I am a mustard girl so I COVER it in risky amounts of the stuff. It’s pretty hard to wash out… you have to pre-treat like crazy.  If you haven’t had one- do it. Do it now.

So, why am I telling you all this? One- so you have an insight into my life when the cameras aren’t rolling. Two- so when you watch the bikini segments of the show you’ll be kind.

I’m kidding…well… kind of.

Vanessa

Hello Everyone!

I have been promising I would blog and I’m sorry it has taken this long. I’m sitting on a rare night at home with my glass of Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio- so this may be as good a time as any.

I have been in my own bed one night this month. ONE! Amazing, but totally worth it.

The VAMOS! launch was seriously one of the best nights of my life. It was really great to be surrounded by supportive, talented, and loving people. I loved seeing old friends and making new ones. It really meant the world to me that my parents could make it. I finally met the Funjet folks- and let me tell you they put the “fun” in Funjet! Sorry. I had to do it.

The show has been such a whirlwind since Luis called me in August, and to see all of our efforts come to fruition was really incredible. Though I think no one ever wants to see their rear end, underwater, on a big screen- I had a really great time!

It was more fun than the times I met Spud Webb, Kareem, and Screech from Saved by the Bell combined.

See you every Saturday!

Vanessa

Stay Positive My Friends!

First, let me say this…Vanessa will be blogging soon. She has had a crazy schedule lately and I know you all want to hear from her as well…she’s on her way.

Okay, so this is the only forum that the crew, Vanessa, or I will respond to as far as this show is concerned.

While we enjoy the publicity from the newspaper, magazines, tv news, and mysa.com – good always comes with a little bad. By bad, I mean those mean-spirited and ridiculous comments on the blogs I hear so much about. These are comments made usually anonymously or with a “fake name” where people feel like just saying dumb and completey ill-intentioned things. I can tell you that no one that is a true professional pays attention to any of that and if we barely have time to be with our families and doing other meaningful things, believe us, we have even less time to pay attention to negative people or their comments. I’ll be honest, I read about 3 lines of one blog and I laughed so hard that I almost cried. To think people would say some crazy stuff about people they don’t know is just amazingly funny. To think that we would ever respond on a blog is also funny. So if you have a serious question or concern, please write us here and we’ll be more than happy to get back to you.

To be honest, I feel bad for people that write crazy and negative things on the net. Instead of using their time to better themselves and do something they love, they choose to put out bad energy. It’s just too bad they don’t understand the simple laws of the universe: do bad, get bad…put out evil, take in evil….waste your time, waste your life. Just like I learned in martial arts as a kid…we may not be able to control the type of energy that comes at us but we most certainly can deflect it and use that same energy for our own means and defense. Now, that’s not to say some people don’t have great criticisms…all critiques are welcome when they are put intelligently and in a productive way. We’re not perfect and we can always improve in everything we do.

Vamos is a work in progress. Trust me, Monet’s first painting was not a masterpiece. Everything takes time. Everything that is good comes with hard work and lots of mistakes, mistakes you learn from and use to grow. We have not created the world’s best travel show, we were never out to do so. We are out to have a good time and to do for a living what we already love to do in life…travel, meet new people, and experience the unknown.

For those that don’t like the show, change the channel, you won’t hurt our feelings. For those that like it, stick with us, we hope to improve it.

For now, go out there and find something you love to do. Don’t look at what others say and do as a measure for your own life or worth…explore life and find your own measure and your own life experiences. Put out good Karma and good energy and you will receive tenfold what you give. But just remember this, if you plan to do it in the public eye, be ready to stay strong through all of the negativity that comes with that…that is the balance of life and you just have to be smart enough and strong enough to stay positive even when others are out to do you harm and bring you down. Stay positive. Think positive. Live positive in every way you can my friends.

See you this Saturday at 6pm on FOX!

Luis