Author: zihuathyme

Five weeks before our travel date I had a full left knee replacement. I knew it was pushing it but it had to be done then only time we could fit it in. Since I had done the right one several years ago I knew what I was in for and since I was highly motivated to just “kick ass” through the rehab I just knew all would work out perfect.  What I didn’t count on was my knee swelled and has refused to “unswell”, slowing rehab to a minimum and me limping around Zihuatanejo.  Then of course for our first 2 days the air conditioner was out of order and considering that it is hotter than normal it was pretty uncomfortable. Couldn’t just lie around the room icing and elevating as it was hotter inside than out. But now the room is cool and comfortable, JC was able to bring all our storage boxes to our room.

This morning,our 3rd day, I finally have all the suitcases unpacked and out away all 5 of the storage boxes are unpacked and put away and I feel like we are finally at home in Zihuatanejo. Today I will get our cell phones set up, put in for our personal WIFI and get signed up at the gym across the street so I can start resuming full rehab of this ridiculously fat knee.

We did have a pleasant dinner out last night and have run across most of the folks that we know that have arrived early like us.  I’s always great to resume our Zihuatanejo friendships and always look forward to meeting new friends. Looking forward to lots of lazy relaxing time, reading, building up strength in my knee, visiting with friends old and new and generally enjoying the good life that Zihuatanejo offers.  signing off KO

Our time in Zihuatanejo is at an end.  We have packed up our apartment, all 5 storage boxes, contracted with our Mexican friend JC to haul them down stairs and put them in Javier’s storage loft. We cleaned out the cupboards and closets and delivered to our friend Tess, who lives here year round, a couple of boxes for her use and other odds and ends that she can find folks that could use them.   We enjoyed a last box of wine and some salmon tapas with her and had a nice visit.  I also looked at an apartment just down stairs from her, not for next year but possibly the future.

The suitcases are packed, we are ready to head for home.  Most of our goodbyes are said. I know we need to go, but I am sad. There is a part of me that just isn’t ready to go.  We have signed on for 4 months next year, we will arrive mid November and leave mid March so I do have that to look forward to. I have that to look forward to.

At home I have other things to look forward to. Tax preparation, finish filing all our medical claims that travel insurance won’t pay for until our home insurance pays first. And as I still am employed part time, my delivery route begins a couple of weeks after we get home .And we have problems with our rental house to deal with.  The upside is looking forward to seeing our cat which my oldest son has lovingly taken care of during our absence, watching our talented grandson play high school baseball, and seeing our other grandchildren, reuniting with good friends at home, and planting a garden that may produce if the Washington sun is willing. A few RV trips and what ever life throws at us.

I want to thank everyone who has made comments on the blog, and all the lovely people who have introduce themselves to me as blog readers.  This means a lot to me. I so love Mexico and my time here and want to share it all with everyone both in Mexico and those thinking of Mexico. And has given me the opportunity of meeting so many interesting people. Signing off until November KO

Troncones is a little village on the Pacific Coast of Mexico about 30 miles from Zihuatanejo. It’s a 27 peso ( less than $1.50) 1 hour bus ride or a 30 minute 450 peso ($24) 30 minute taxi ride. 4

of us hopped on the 10 am bus with two suitcases, 2 back packs a a couple of tote bags to spend a couple of days at the El Tropico pretty much in the heart of Troncones. Earlier this year we spent an overnight at The Inn at Manzanillo Bay which is at the far end of this beach front village, but this time we were among many restaurants to choose from.

We were house sharing with friends Paul and Faye, and what a lovely house it was 2 bedroom 2 baths nice well stocked kitchen and a full length front porch that looks directly on to the ocean. It even came complete

with a cat! Real casual luxury! We all want to go back.

Troncones is a nice lazy break from busier Zihuatanejo.

Long term it might be too lazy and with out a car too difficult to stock up on supplies for a long stay. In the 60’s and 70’s the surfers discovered, but now there are many large homes, small condos and B & B’s with a half dozen shops and 19 restaurants, some of the beach and pool type restaurants, others with good and interesting menus. As we were across the street from Chenco’s we enjoyed both a breakfast and a dinner there and had an interesting dinner at La Mexicana. Chile rellenos are one of my favorite foods, but this time I had one with “huitlachoche” added.

Never having heard of it before I had to ask what it was and still decided to try in even after learning it is a black corn fungus. I will compare it to something like a mushroom. It was a good chile relleno, the huitlacoche interesting, but not particularly impressive.

We had two lovely days of eating, drinking, relaxing, swimming, watching the waves and listening to the sound of the ocean and being entertained by a cat who seemed to think we were

OK visitors to her home. We had to check out by 11 and we waited until the last minute to collect our suitcases and wait for the little combi to take us to the bigger bus. As we stood on the street corner a gentleman and his wife pulled up in a suburban type vehicle and asked us us if we were headed to town or the airport and would we like a ride. We generously accepted the offer from Jim and Alene of Omaha who we are pleased to now count among our friends getting acquainted as they drove us to town on their way to the airport.  You meet the nicest people in Mexico.  Signing off KO

Thursday we went with a group to Santa Prissa for Pazole Thurday.  Here in the state of Guerrero Thursday is the day Pazole is prepared and served in most of the restaurants. Santa Prissa is only open on Thursday and as expected Pazole is the specialty.

.Pazole is a rich stew of hominy and pork or chicken in a sauce of your choice red white or green. Along with the bowl of  pazole is a platter of chile rellenos, taquitos, chips,

guacamole and pico de gillo  We were a group of ten and arrived early enough to ensure a

decent table, not too close to the music and not in the warm sun.

The music of Zihua Juanito was wonderful, the food excellent, even managed to stuff in an ice cream desert and of course the company made the day memorable.

Friday was St. Patrick’s day, but also the birthday of local musician Steve Calvert. Rossy’s, where he performs weekends including this day , was the location of this event. I think almost every musician in Zihuatanejo showed up and joined in at one point or another. We  have been long time fans of Steve and Friends starting back when they played regularly at Pacalos. It was a fun evening crowded with the

local crowd and the snowbirds that haven’t left yet. This is the time of year when the snowbirds start to migrate back north. While the crowd has become quite gray, they still dance with the same enthusiasm they did in there youth. Steve and Friends make us all feel young, at least for an evening.

Saturday morning I decided I would hike up to the “Parthenon”, and abandoned Villa built  by a former Acapulco Chief of Police with embezzled funds.  It was here

he entertained friends and associates with extravagant dinners and parties. It was a 1.5 mile up hill hike only to be told not today but manana. If you have spent anytime in Mexico you have learned  “manana does not necessarily mean tomorrow, it just means not today”. At least I got my exercise in for today, and maybe I will try again tomorrow.  Signing off KO

The Senor and I always enjoy bidding on dinner certificates at the Sailfest Silent Auction with the reason being two fold. Most importantly this insures me of some dinning out which is not real high on the Senor’s priority list as we have a perfectly good kitchen in our apartment. It also means that some of our dinning experiences will be places we have never been to before and sometimes ones we have never heard of and have to search out the location. The searching out is my job as the Senor is still on the mend.

Gourmet dinning is not what we look for. For that matter tiny servings on tiny plates with a squiggle of sauce across the plate is a turn off for the Senor. Our selection of restaurants this year was quite satisfactory, we had 4 different restaurant certificates on Calle Adelita which is primarily a street of restaurants and small hotels.  All were great meals, but my one objection to a couple of the lovely sidewalk cafes on Calle Adelita is the traffic. Exhaust fumes from a constant stream of taxis and even the Modelo truck making deliveries does not make for a great dinning ambiance and conversation.

Tonight was different, our certificate was for “My Sunshine Restaurant” a couple of blocks down from the bridge that crosses the canal. In an out door courtyard off the street where a good dinner at very reasonable can be enjoyed with out the interference of traffic. Charming waiter, great food and they even have their own house mescal that was highly praised by another patron.

Our certificate was for 2 margaritas (I drank both and they were delicious) dinner and desert. We opted for a take home box and didn’t finish all our meal so we  could indulge in the desert which we almost never do.

That was definitely a good plan, desert was yummy ! So a great dinner, enough left overs for lunch tomorrow, pleasant surroundings, friendly service and no exhaust fumes, I’m happy. We will be back. Signing off KO

Tuesday I met up with Roberto at Playa Madera to take advantage of my 2 hour Kayak Adventure I bid and won at Sailfest. This was to be a trifecta of Sailfest events, as we had a lunch, and a massage for the Senor all at the same location. Promptly at 9 am I showed up and set sail on the kayak. Now I’m not entirely new to Kayaks, I have a small plastic one at home I use on our small lake, and I did a major kayak adventure across Puget Sound last summer with kayaks that held camping gear and had rudder pedals and such. But this kayak was of the simple variety, similar to what i use on the lake.  My plan was to circumnavigate the bay, so I headed out towards Playa La Ropa from Playa La Madera and noticed how quiet it was this early in the morning, then on towards Playa Las Gattas, where the water is very green and clear approaching the pier, I chose to go along the outside of the reef and was enchanted by the colorful fish I could see from the boat, almost better than snorkeling, thought of dipping the camera in the water. Headed out along Owen Lee’s property to the mouth of the bay, considered rounding the point and going past the light house,but I’m not an experienced ocean kayak-er  so I decided to cross right at the mouth of the bay to the other side as I waved hello to a fellow kayak-er coming in from the ocean. There were a few fishing boats heading out, but mostly just me, a few jumping fish and the birds enjoying the morning. As I came to Porto Mio I could see the mast of the Picante heading out for a sail, snorkel and ride the Spinnaker adventure, at least I felt no envy as I had done that a few weeks ago and enjoyed it immensely. I had never been beyond the bridge to La Noria so I chose to paddle under the bridge clear to the back of the lagoon where there are many fishing boats and the military boats are moored. Then back around the pier and  along Playa

Principal and a quick tour of the sailboats anchored and I was back at la Madera where I met up with the Senor for lunch followed by him getting  his Sailfest certificate massage. It also gave us a great opportunity to visit with Dave and Vicky whom our paths have not crossed so much this year. So anyone who ever wants to kayak I recommend seeing Roberto at Playa Madera. Just another marvelous day in Zihuatanejo.   I used my “go-pro” mounted on my head the whole trip and  I still haven’t figured out how to edit or download to the blog, so now video. I expected I might have sore muscles after this adventure, but two small blisters on my left hand are my only complaints. Maybe all my swimming paid off. Signing off KO