A Day in Ixtapa, Mexico

While we hang loose in Ixtapa, Mexico, Chris has been getting some dental work done. This downtime is nice for planning the future stops between here and Costa Rica, where we have decided to spend the hurricane season this year. The South Pacific will still be there next year, so we've decided to skip the "puddle jump" and instead take a leisurely journey down the Mexico and Central American coast in the next few months, exploring along the way.

Here I thought I'd share some photos from a typical day here in Ixtapa.

Mornings start with some coffee and play time with Ninja. the cats have not been allowed to stay out on the boat deck at night since we have been in the marina because of the crocodiles. Not taking any chances! In the morning, LoWang enjoys sunning himself up on deck while Ninja prefers to play with his mouse and catnip ball on the bed with me.

Ninja and Shawna during morning play time.

Next we head out for morning exercise. Crossing the bridge between the marina and the golf course we follow some abandoned roads originally built for a subdivision that failed years ago. Mexico is dotted with developments that were never completed due to the downturn in the US real estate market  years ago. Some of them have elaborate front gates, paved roads and sidewalks leading to nowhere. 

Ixtapa Marina

Elaborate roadway leading to nowhere.

Nature trail and bike path through wooded area near marina and leading out to Playa Linda.

Golf course adjacent to marina. We have yet to see anyone actually using it!

We hike along the very nice bike trail for up to 6 kilometers each morning. The path loops through Playa Linda where there is a crocodile preserve with a fenced viewing platform. Across the street we saw a wild crocodile lurking just under the bridge, so we did not linger. Unfortunately, I did not have the camera with me that day, but we hope to stop back again for photos soon.

After showers and breakfast we headed out to a nearby town to pick up a few groceries. Taking a 10 minute taxi ride we zipped down the coast to Zihuatanejo through a mountainous coastline dotted with resorts along the beach. Dropping us downtown we walked along shady sidewalks fronting the local merchant shops selling clothing, wine, tequila, cigars, baskets, silver, rugs, and the ubiquitous "tourist trash" souvenirs. I stopped to chat with a merchant with an orange cat outside his shop. He was fostering the cat for the Sociedad Protectora de Animales and I purchased a nice linen shopping bag to support their efforts in rescuing the abandoned and neglected cats and dogs here. It was nice to see that the American influence here has done some good for the local pets. The shop owner directed us to the "central market" several blocks away for fresh fruits and vegetables where the "locals" shop.

Mercantile Central in Zihuatanejo

Chris shoulders the fresh produce and yogurt from our shopping spree.

Fresh eggs are safely kept at room temperature for prolonged periods if rotated and sealed.

Just outside the market more vendors sell fresh meat. Sides of beef and pork hang in their shops.

This crowded, enclosed marketplace looks like something unchanged over the centuries. The aisles are barely large enough to pass single file and they wind around in a seemingly endless maze. Vegetable and fruit vendors seem to congregate in the central portion with meat and fish dealers just behind them. Eggs, yogurt, milk and other dairy products are found in several niches nearby. Venturing out from the central area, one is overwhelmed by the onslaught of products hanging from every vertical surface, stacked on shelves and piled along the floor. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to the arrangement of the products so dishes and glasses sit next to padlocks and buckets. Assuming a shopper needed something specific, I would venture the best plan of action would be to ask various vendors for the desired product and let them find it for you!

More to follow soon!