We,10 Zanka travelers, lead by our fearless leaders, Sandy and Vidal landed in the colonial city of Oaxaca on the evening of the 26 of January. Our hotel was the lovely star lily scented Posado Dominica in the heart on the UNESCO heritage area.
Our first delightful dinner was at Las Quinces Letras, a bustling Michelin star restaurant where we had a great meal and and first learned about mescal, moles, and chupalinas.
Day 2 was a walking driving tour of Oaxaca, we visited a chocolatier and had demonstrations on chocolate from the bean to the grinding and tasting of. All quite interesting.
The fruit and the beansGrinding the beansNothing added, just the beans ground to a liquid
We toured the market and the Cathedral and San Dominico and walked the lovely old streets of Oaxaca
San Dominico InsideThe cathedralStreets of Oaxaca
Day 3 we were on to Archeological site and textiles of Mitla
Tap to expand the gallery
We were able to purchase local made ladies blouses for $50 pesos, less than $3 US. We watched how they wove the fabric.
Originally a video, I had to take a picture of the stopped video to post here
Lunch was at a very unique spot operated by 3 sisters cooking their mama’s and abuelo”s recipes and styles. In a fantastic kitchen.
Sister superiorThe kitchenAnother view of kitchen
Dinner was on our own that night so I was able to meet up with a friend from Zihuatanejo that is currently living in Oaxaca and able to catch up on whats happening.
Christmas in Zihuatanejo is very festive, fun and colorful. For me it begins when the poinsettia mart opens.
Poinsettia Mart
There are colored lights and traditional Christmas music is played, but frequently translated into Spanish. Folks put up and decorate trees, but always artificial. And the big stores start pushing Christmas far too early but we only have 3 or 4 of them so it is not too obnoxious.
The city of Zihuatanejo decorates the pedestrian areas with beautiful decorations and glittering lights. They decorate for every season and holiday, but Christmas is spectacular.
The Christmas parade is spectacular, there is nothing more festive than a Mexican parade. There are floats galore and every spectacular float is followed by a troupe of 20-40 dancers who perform their intricate patterns throughout the parade route. It’s like the entire town has turned out for this spectacle and if you aren’t watching the parade you are in it.
There are parties and gathering of friends and families beginning in days before Christmas making it a fun and festive season.
Christmas Eve is the main Celebration,a time for families gather from near and far to celebrate together over a festive dinner. Many local restaurants cater to the local gringo population and do their best to do the traditional turkey dinners.
Solo Tres on Christmas NightFriends at Christmas night dinner
After an open house with friends on Christmas Eve I came home around nine to hear my neighbors across the alley celebrating together. The alley is lit with festive lights and streamers and all were having a good time. After going to bed early I woke up a 2 hearing music and people laughing. I got up to take a peek and sure enough the party was going full swing with live musicians and tables now in the alley and many folks enjoying them selves. When I finally got up at 5:30 the party was still on, but quieting down. And shortly there after all were gone. Mexican folks have great stamina for parties!
My Alley
Following Christmas I got to celebrate Boxing Day with my many Canadian friends at a lovely garden party.
December 30 was a piñata party for children, especially for the working children of Zihuatanejo, but all were welcome.
We volunteers had stuffed several Piñatas with small toys and candy and then the fun began.
Piñata funGirls can hit hard
We assembled candy bags, and baggies of hair accessories for girls, books, and other drawing and craft supplies, personal care products and small toys. There were socks, some shoes. Lots of goodies donated by the kind folks who vacation and live here. We gave each child a large bag and supervised their filling it.
A great party sponsored by Kitsap Writers and Libro’s por la ninos.
Here is to a Happy New Year or Feliz ano nuevo. Signing off KO
Yesterday we toured the “Cascadas de Mesa Bravo“ or the waterfalls of Mesa Bravo, about an hour and and half ride out of Zihuatanejo. Alex Sanchez was our guide and transported us comfortable in his lovely 12 passenger van. The van was comfortable, the roads were not always comfortable. As we got into the hills and mountains the road became very twisty and curvy, then devolved into a dirt track complete with potholes, ridges and ruts with large rocks strewn about. Throw in the occasion cow standing mid road with no intention of moving just to keep us entertained.
Our band of merry travelers
We arrived at the farm house just in time for refreshments.
The senora of the house had prepared a delicious drink made from the soursop fruit, it was a bit like a nectar, very tasty and refreshing, our gang quickly finished off a gallon of it.
Our host weaving crickets from leavesOur hostess prepared a lovely lunchThe daughter a highly skilled tortilla maker The proprietors of this lovely farmPork, rice and beans with hand made tortillas Enjoying lunch
We next got a tour of the farm and learned how they are self sufficient, the cattle, pigs, chickens are all free range. We did see them all busy foraging. In the tour of their garden we saw the soursop tree with a fruit on it .
A Soursop fruit
Next we checked out one of the cabins they have for overnight stays, which was rustic, but quite nice, even has internet. Then on to the main feature, the waterfalls. It was a bit of a rough trek down to the falls but we all made it, me with the help of Daniel who loaned me an arm the whole way. We are not a young group, ranging in ages from 60 to 85, but we are not whimps and always eager for fun and adventure.
PatriciaDanielAxelAdults at play
The falls are lovely, cascading slowly down the mountain slope dropping over rock ledges, forming a pool and then moving down on to the next level to fall and form a new pool. The day was warm and pleasant, no humidity which was a relief for us where sweat has become a way of life.
Still we placed chairs in the middle of a shallow pool of ice cold water and drank our refreshments. Lisa Marie and I got brave and finally waded out into one of the deeper pools and finally took the plunge in the icy stream swimming, but only briefly.
The real adventurer was our fearless tour guide Axel Sanchez, who jumped from the top of this falls into a very deep pool, I have video of it but this site doesn’t do video. The center picture is where he jumped approximately 20 plus feet into the ice cold water, twice.
Some views of the falls
The water was rocky, and slippery and most of us were too cautious to take our phones while wading or walking in the water causing us not to get the most spectacular views. You really do have to see it in person to really appreciate the splendor of it all.
I was dreading the walk backup to the van as the trail was pretty rough and fairly steep. I get out of breath quickly going uphill. But our host was there with an ATV and gave me and another gal a ride up to where our van was parked. She enjoyed it, I was mildly terrified and held on to our driver tightly, concerned I might get bumped or slide off the machine.
It was a good day if you have a free day in Zihuatanejo, hire a guide, go to the Cascadia de Mesa Bravo, and Axel Sanchez is a good knowledgeable guide. Signing off KO
It has been a long hot, humid summer and while I have always enjoyed hot weather I don’t do well with high humidity. Those of us that live here year round have complained this was the hottest summer ever. Don’t know how factual that is, but we all find ways to deal with it. My antique air conditioner died and has since been replaced with a energy efficient one which showed positive results on my electric bill.
Dia del Muerto is a big deal here.
Many folks dress Catrina style.
Been waiting a long time for that drink
The kids here are embracing American style Halloween, but instead of running house to house it is business to business shouting “Halloween” instead of trick or treat.
The kids are adorableBut so isn’t this dog skeletonEven I got in the spirit of things
Music is starting back up at many of the restaurants. Had a lovely evening at Tonio’s Porque No restaurant eating his delicious food and being entertained by Rudy Catalan and Patricia Carrion.
Our monthly book club did meet through out the summer as reading is a great hot, humid weather activity.
Alejandra is so good and getting us all in with selfie mode
Even though we are expats we are still vitally interested in what is happening in the USA. We have formed a “NO Kings” chapter and are being active by keeping informed and demonstrating to our Mexican hosts are mutually common interests.
One of our interesting speakers at the last No Kings gathering
A very popular and fun gathering place for music and dancing is the Cuban Bar where you can get the very best coffee mezcal.
Always great musicLots of. Dancing.
The Canadian snowbirds are arriving daily, lots of fun renewing old friendships and making new ones. I was able to put out a patio table and chairs on the roof adjacent to my back porch. Nice place to entertain a couple of friends on these lovely fall evenings. Zihuatanejo is such a friendly place with something always going on. So happy I decided to move here. Signing off KO
Wheel chairs are for handicapped people, right ? That has always been my thoughts. I’m not handicapped. I may be old, but not infirm. I have resisted requesting a wheel chair for those exact reasons.
I had considered requesting one on my return leg from Europe to Mexico City as the connection was tight and I was changing terminals in an airport I was not familiar with. My rational was that the time constraint was a valid reason for using a device reserved for handicapped folks. But as things happen sometimes we change our mind set.
The first leg of my trip to Greece was Zihuatanejo to Tijuana then taking the bridge to San Diego. This bridge is a misnomer as it isn’t a real bridge just a series of buildings and hallways which empties out in the good ole USA.
As I exited the plane a man with a wheelchair motioned me to get in and so I did thinking that was easier than trying to explain in a foreign language that I hadn’t ordered one. He wisked me away through hallways and elevators arriving at baggage claim just as bags were arriving. He collected my two bags, attached them to the wheelchair and away we went cutting through all the normal traffic thru customs and immigration and it seemed like seconds later I arrived at exit door to the United States. No sweat! Literally!
Thus started my requests for wheel chairs at every plane change. What a breeze it is getting through foreign airports where signage can be confusing. Your driver will stop for restroom visits. And what a pleasure it is to use the restroom with out lugging 2 suitcases into a stall barely large enough for 1 person.
My close return connection was so close especially with a late landing that I arrived to check in my luggage just as they closed the doors and of course I had to be rebooked for the next day. So my driver immediately took me to where I could register for a hotel with transportation to and from the airport and I didn’t have to worry or figure out anything.
The wheelchairs made the trip less tiring saving me a ton of walking going from one end of the airport to the other. The chair drivers know where all the elevators and short cuts are. They get you to the short or no line through immigration and customs.
Now I’m a believer and a fan of traveling the airports by wheelchair. So my personal recommendation is, if you have mobility issues, or are just plain old like me, request a wheel chair and enjoy the ride and always tip them well. Signing off KO
I was a bit worried about the whole business of taking the train to Venice, managing getting on and off boats, and also making my way to an early morning plane departure. The more I looked into it the more nervous I became and rightfully so.
I was reassured that it was a short walk to the train station from the cruise terminal. Yes it was only 5-6 blocks. Thats hell and gone for an old lady dragging suitcases over less than smooth side walks.
Money sure solves most problems. A nice port helper took my suitcases to a taxi, for a tip, and I taxied to the train station. Managed to drag both pieces of luggage up two stairs and bought my ticket.
Of course there is no checked baggage on the train you drag it on and hope someone will help you get it aboard and up on the baggage racks at the end of the car. Well as I was blocking passage ways some one did help. Thanks for the kindness of strangers.
Next issue is getting off the train and again if everyone else wants off the train someone will help me and they do. So now I’m in Venice at the top of a wide railess flight of stairs down to where there is supposed to be a water bus. I can’t manage the stairs, let alone my luggage. Well there is a person there for a 10 euro tip will get in down and arrange for water taxi. Now I know water taxi is the most expensive form of transportation in Venice, but what the hell, I have a credit cards and no desire to be in everyone’s way. (I did see how crowded the water bus was.)
So now I’m being personally water taxied in a lovely old cris craft boat to my stop at Rialto where I’m to get off and follow the “short walk directions” to my hotel. Twenty feet in is a set of stairs that go up and then down. I got two stairs up when a nice gentleman helped me up and down. As I was fighting my way along in the crowds dragging my suitcases along when a slightly disreputable looking man came along and volunteered to help me with my suitcases and get me to my hotel. Well I have a history with disreputable folks so of course I said yes, figuring I would just buy a new wardrobe if he ran off with them. He didn’t, he spoke horrible English but was kind and took me and my suitcases to my charming hotel for a nice tip. It is right on a canal, but not my room. No view at all. My room is nice and I don’t have the vaguest idea of what it cost to get me here, but I’ll do a Scarlet O’Hara and worry about it tomorrow.
For lunch I found a cute outdoor restaurant and had the best scallops I have ever eaten. I’m starting to enjoy Venice!!!!
Sea scallops
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My lunch restaurantGondola’s right out side my hotel
This is the last of the ancient towns we will visit on the cruise. Had a long bus ride to get to the town through beautiful green forests and farm land. Our guide explained their history and how they became an independent country from Yugoslavia in recent times, and how any why the country is prospering.
Old town here isn’t quite as ancientDifferent style of architecture Not the palace on the hill topUnusual sculpture. Koper Slovenia
Our guide has spoke of how the people loved going out in nature, hiking and foraging in the woods. we went to a open market place and got to see some of the results of foraging.
Many types of mushroomsThis little bee is enjoying the flower
I have enjoyed all of Croatia, never knew much about it before this trip, but it is sunny, green and truly lovely. Countryside. Split is another of those ancient towns that goes back to medieval times.
Playing with swordsSmall chapelView of our shipAncient sphinx from around 300bcThe old and the new
From the moment we entered the passage way to Korto Bay the scenery became some of the loveliest I have ever seen. It’s a bit like Puget Sound and others say like Norway with high mountains and small towns lining the shoreline. These towns are ancient brick cities with lovely churches and clock towers.
Map of entrance to Kortor
My outing for today was a tuk-tuk tour and then on my own to explore one of the best preserved “old towns” I have ever seen. Almost as perfect as a movie set.
Small towns along the wayOld light house and ChapelClock towerMe with a view of the bayNotice the lovely stone streetsTwo islands both with churches on them
Leaving Korto under a warm sun and waving our good byes from the aft deck with spectacular views in our wake.
I was concerned that I might be over ambitious, booking the “ Games of Thrones “ excursion “ and I sure enough I was. I even duct taped one of the walking sticks together figuring that would help on the steps. Yes it did a little. But not enough as we were climbing up to where the “red keep” was filmed even with the hiking pole and holding on to a kind gentleman I only made it half way before I just couldn’t breathe. So I sat on a bench and waiting until the group returned. Disappointing, but necessary. The rest of the tour was doable.
Beginning of the stairs to the Red KeepThe walls of the citySee how clear the water ifThe ancient and more modernThere are many public water fountains through town and it good for drinkingWalls of the keep
Dubrovnik old town is magnificent. Lovely stone streets, tiny alleys cross crossing the main streets, beautiful ancient buildings behind a stone arched entrance which you approach across the wooden draw bridge. And yes there is even a narrow moat, but no water in. You can just imagine the town being closed for the night and reopened in the morning.
Crossing the drawbridge
The city is in pristine condition even though they were at civil war as recently as 1991.
Narrow alleys crisscross main streets
I stopped to have lunch and a glass of wine. I ordered two shrimp tacos and gazpacho. The shrimp were panko crusted and straight not curved like most shrimp, super tasty.
Gazpacho and shrimp tacos topped with olives
I visited the site of Cerci Lanisters “walk of shame” difficult getting great pictures with all the crowds.
Our guide was local so he had a lot of information about the actual filming of Game of Thrones and the civil war. There is also modern Dubrovnik, but that is never the part that interests me. Signing off KO
Zihuatanejo 