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 by Kristin Hahn
La Rana Cansada, meaning the tired frog, is famous not only in Playa del Carmen, but internationally as well.
Owners, Thed Petterson and Pia Ekasala, have created their own slice of heaven, and much to their delight it has become that for others as well. Both Thed and Pia are originally from Sweden, but like everyone here in Playa del Carmen, they have a fantastic story on how they came to be here.....
Pia was raised in Stockholm, Sweden, but moved to Miami, Florida in 1985, where Thed was  raised in a small village on the Southwest coast of Sweden. For years Thed was the Operating Director for The Norrvikens Botanical Gardens in Båstad, Sweden. He planned events such as weddings, antique car shows, and concerts having such artists as Van Morrison, Tower of Power, and renowned Swedish performer, Totta.
Meanwhile Pia, originally an advertising executive in Sweden, owned and operated a salvage yard in Miami, but she would always travel back to Sweden for summers to visit friends and family. For nearly 20 years Thed and Pia had mutual friends, but never actually met. Finally they met in Sweden in 1995 through friends, but did not become a couple until 1998, which is the same year they arrived in Playa del Carmen. 
Pia had first visited Playa in 1989 with 12 other women for a fun filled sun drenched vacation at the Blue Parrot. She immediately fell in love, just like the rest of us, and continued to come for long weekends and visits over the years. Prior to meeting Pia, Thed had planned to move to France and open a bed and breakfast, but when they became a pair Pia brought Thed to Playa del Carmen, and they both knew they had found their spot.
In May 1999 they found what is now known as La Rana Cansada. It was originally owned by a local family that had had it since the beginning of time (not really but at least as long as the Blue Parrot has been  here), and Thed and Pia (along with friends and partners, Kent and Cecilie) became the proud new owners in May 2000. Now completely refurbished the hotel has 16 units, an adjoining taqueria, and most famously Bar Ranita, the veritable Cheers of Playa del Carmen.
Bar Ranita was added in June 2001, along with a master suite directly above the bar, (yes, when we go in to have a drink, we are drinking in Thed and Pia’s bedroom!). They created a cool and laid back atmosphere that locals immediately took a liking to. They thought it was important to create a local bar and to promote local businesses as well, that is how the bottle boxes came to be. Local businesses can decorate their boxes creating a unique advertising venue, meanwhile taking advantage of discounted prices. 
Although Bar Ranita caters to the local community, it has an international following as well, people come from far corners of the world to come to Bar Ranita to enjoy a cool draft with the locals, which creates an incredibly fun and enjoyable atmosphere! So whether you live here in Playa del Carmen or are visiting from another part of the world come to Bar Ranita and you will create memories for a lifetime!
La Rana Cansada and Bar Ranita are located at Calle 10 Nte. #132. For more information, visit their website at http://www.ranacansada.com/ or call (52) 984-873-0389
Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.  |
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