Havier's

Havier is a Zihua local who owns a liquor store in Zihua Centro. He also manages the rental property above his business. It is a gathering place for many people. Havier will set out chairs in the street for old and new friends. You can buy and pour yourself a drink, have a seat, and enjoy the company.

Havier is in the green, his friend Juan who owns the Restauante Paraiso on Isla Ixtapa is wearing the Canada T-shirt, and Renuad in the stripped shirt is Havier's brother. 

 At night, Juan Carlos, a jewellery maker, and friend of Havier sets up a table next door, lays out his pieces for all to see. He is quite talented and successful at his jewellery business.



 

What a View

We walked home from Playa La Ropa, and took a shortcut through a hotel called The Sun and Moon which is located on the next beach over at Playa Madera. What a great view! And what a great walk!

 

Mercado Breakfast

This morning we opted for breakfast at the Mercado. It wasn't anything fancy. The local breakfasts have always been great, but this one was very basic. Hoss had a great meal, but he ordered chicken mole. We also had some unwanted entertainment. Everyone wants to be a singer, whether talented or not!

 

Ixtapa

A cab was ordered, goodbyes were said, and Correen was off to the airport. We were so happy she was able to come and spend a week with us. We had loads of fun. We must do it again! Maybe a girls trip sometime!

Correen was off to the airport, and we headed to Ixtapa for supper.

 Ixtapa is full of all-inclusives, and has limited access to the beach, but we have found two. This access is by the Barcelo, the other is by Charlies. You can rent a chair and umbrella for the day, and it looks the the surf isn't as high as it is further down the beach.

 We ate supper at The Generals and had a great meal, and super service. This waiter was cooking up a dish of shrimp for the table beside us.

Ixtapa isn't only all-inclusives. There are residential areas full of condos and houses, a bit of shopping, a movie theater, small bars offering very cold beer, and a handful of restaurants. It is a very pretty area, and a great place to visit.


 

Chendos

From what I've been reading, Chendos, is a new restaurant, and an offshoot from a popluar shrimp restaurant called Letty's. We have eaten here twice and have not been disappointed. Their shrimp dishes are divine, and so is the tuna steak, but beware, it is quite rare. You may want to ask for it to be cooked a bit more. It took Claude and Lynne by surprise. 

 

Zorritos

Zorritos is a small corner bar in the heart of Centro. You often see regulars here enjoying the shade, a beverage, and conversation.

 

Jimmy Mamou at Daniels

We ate supper at a restaurant called Daniels. The place was packed because of Jimmy Mamou, an entertainer who plays a keyboard and sings. We quite enjoyed his talent, and the food was good.

 

Ixtapa

We took an afternoon and went to Ixtapa after our lunch at the marina. For some reason it looks different to me from 2 years ago. It looks more developed. I think there are only more clothing stalls, but the vibe still feels the same.

This is the beautiful condo complex friends of ours stayed at 2 years ago, who kindly invited us to join them. We decided to take a look around. It is still very nice and more condos have been bought since that time.

Cooling down at Charlies, sipping on a cold beer, and enjoying the view.

Correen having some fun. We might have to come back here for ribs.

The surf is quite high here, and not very good for swimming.

We had a great day in Ixtapa. We went home tired and hot. Next time we'll bring our bathing suit!

Lunch at Ixtapa Marina

For a change of pace, and a looky-loo we decided to have lunch at Ixtapa's Marina. The views are great, but sadly the service and food was nothing to write home about, except for Correen's dish, she chose well! Hoss's meal was also tasty! They forgot to put ingredients on my tacos, Claude's meal was returned untouched, and Lynne's soup was too salty.

 

New Names

While our stay in Zihua we have noticed that many locals will take on English names because they think the visitors will have a hard time remembering their names. And now we are doing the exact same thing! When placing food and beverage orders, Hoss is Jose, Claude is Claudio, Correen is Correena, and I am Cristall. Too funny!

Hosts Claudio and Lynner

Our good friends, Claude and Lynne, invited us for supper one night. They cooked up a delicious spaghetti and meat sauce meal. It was wonderful to eat a homemade meal. We had such a great evening with good conversation and many laughs! Many Thanks Claude and Lynne! Cheers!

 

Paty's Restaurant Beach Bar on Playa La Ropa

We found a nice little restaurant on Playa La Ropa called Paty's. They serve delicious food (we ate two breakfasts here), and cold beer. A daily yoga class is held upstairs on the terrace, and a meet and greet is offered every Tuesday. I signed us up for this Tuesday. So we will see what it's all about.

                   Pelicans looking for a free fisherman's lunch.

 

 

The Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse

Of course I had to take some pictures of the moon and its eclipse.

Not only did we watch the lunar eclipse, but while doing so, Hoss spotted a bloody, big crocodile on the beach, who eventually made its way into the ocean. Yikes! What beach should we go to tomorrow!

 
 

Isla Ixtapa

As it being Correen's first time in the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo area we headed over to Isla Ixtapa so she could experience it. It is also a very nice beach to go to for the day and we always enjoy ourselves there. 

Whenever we go to Playa Linda to take the water taxi over to Isla Ixtapa I always take pictures of the crocodiles. This time the turtles were an added bonus.


           We always go to Varadara Beach when visiting Isla Ixtapa.

The island has two other beaches that can be easily found by following trails through the bush. This is Coral Beach, popular for snorkelers. 

 The pathway to the third beach which is a very short walk.

                                  Cuachalalate Beach

                            Views of Ixtapa from Isla Ixtapa

                                Holy Moly, Hoss has hair!

                                Pretty Yacht

 This is the restaurant we always go to when we go to Playa Veradara on Isla Ixtapa. There was a going away party for a couple from Kamloops, and they threw a party, and then a picture had to be taken.

We stayed on the island too long, and had to be taxied back to the main land by Juan's restaurant boat. Juan owns Restaunte Paraiso.

                           Playa Linda, which is next to Iztapa.

Children playing in the parking lot of Playa Linda.

This is the exact spot where we parked our motor home on the beach at Playa Linda in 1996. Wow! What a change. This place sure looks different now! Its filled with clothing and food stalls, a parking lot, huge jetty, and a sandcastle! In 1996, there was only a pier, campers, and locals enjoying the beach.