Zihuatanejo

The first of the month we took off for Zihuatanejo, a fishing village next to Ixtapa.  The roads getting there are all well maintained 4-lane “cuotas” (toll roads) which is both a blessing and hinderance as you don’t get to pass through the villages along the way.  Determined to take in more, we got off the toll road in Uruapan and had the opportunity to see many beautiful buildings and surrounding orchards.  Uruapan is a crossroads between the mountains of northern and eastern Michoacán and the lower Tierra Caliente (Hot Country), near the Pacific Coast. Around it are miles and miles of avocado groves as far as you can see, whose fruit is exported principally to the United States, Japan and other countries.

The Devil’s Knee (la Rodilla del diablo) is a spring which is the source of the river flowing through the city and out toward waterfalls on the southern side of the city.   Uruapan means “where the trees always give fruit”, or by some “water jug”.  A green lush area, we marked it on the map as a place to return to for more than just a drive-through.

Playa de Ropas, Zihuatanejo

I played in a pro-am golf tournament in Ixtapa many years ago, and had taken a taxi over the hill to Zihuatanejo when it was just a small Mexican fishingvillage.  Remembering their night market where I’d had a simple dinner of the fresh fish catch of the day, I was amazed to see how this tiny village had grown.  Many hotels and resorts had popped up along with numerous tiendas around the harbor selling local wares.  A giant Mega store (co-owned by Costco) had been built and had become the landmark for anyone giving directions.

Upon checking into our 5 star timeshare “home for the week”, we set out to take a walk on the beach.  There were 147 steps to the beach and down was always easy!  At the foot of the 147th step, tables were being set up for a “market to table” dinner which seemed to be a good idea to make reservations for.  Along the beach were several massage stations set up under tents.

Perfect location, gazillions of steps

The second day we met new friends who share their time between Canada and Hemet, California, so we had much in common to talk about.  Deciding it would be fun to hire a boat to go exploring, ice chest and snacks in tow, we left the pier and headed out into the ocean where we encountered one of the fishing boats responsible for that night’s  dinner.  The waters of the Pacific are deep blue, not the beautiful turquoise of the Atlantic side, yet I am always a little disappointed when I drag our snorkel gear many miles just to experience another dismal coral reef and fish parade.  The beer and company of our friends, however, was great!

Friends Coreen and Peter Sawden

Heading up to Troncones, a little over 22 miles further north, we located the beautiful house we are going to be returning to in May for a wonderful friend’s 75th birthday.  Individual thatched houses flank a huge thatched roof entertaining center which looks over a vanishing edge pool, which disappears into the edge of the ocean.  To the right of the house are many custom vacation homes; to the left a yoga center.  Stopping for lunch in the village, we watched as the tortuga (turtle) protection group marked nests in the sand, surrounding them with fencing to keep out predators.  Not much to do in Tronconces except unwind, read, walk the beach, and enjoy the fresh local cuisine.  With only a 20 minute cab ride to busy Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, we are looking forward to being tortugas in May.

Paradise scheduled for May

Tortuga preserve in Troncones

May 2014 destination

Many of the locals had suggested we drive further south into the plantations to the peninsula of Barros de Potosi.  Thousands of coconut groves competed with avocado groves for sunlight.  Stopping on the water’s edge, we meandered into a local beachside restaurant with the best seafood dishes and quesedillas with hand made tortillas.  A local family makes their living either fishing, running a  restaurant, or making handcrafts.  I bought a double hammock from a budding entrepreneur, William, (William for short is Memo),whose papa’s name is William, and abuelo also is named William….. 

Beautiful waters, snorkeling only so-so

A beautiful spot to vacation, 150 miles north of Acapulco, the locals are friendly and eager to please.  We may return next year if time and travel gods permit.