A Tour of the Waterfalls

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.

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.

Pork, 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.

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.

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

Change of Season

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 adorable
But so isn’t this dog skeleton
Even 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.

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

To wheel chair or not through airports

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

Venice

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

.

Signing off KO

After a full day at sea we come to Koper Slovenia

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.

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.

Signing off KO

Split Croatia

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.

Signing off KO

Korto Montenegro one of the most scenic towns I have ever seen.

View of Korto from above on the mountain

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.

Two 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.

Wake of the ship as we sailed away.

Signing off KO

Dubrovnik where parts of Games of Thrones was filmed.

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.

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.

The city is in pristine condition even though they were at civil war as recently as 1991.

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

My day in Corfu

Doing a hop on hop off bus tour of Corfu, but unfortunately the audio isn’t the best so I know I’m missing a lot of information.

I decided to hop off in “ Old Town” antiquity being a favorite of mine. I love the narrow streets and tiny alley‘s. And of course they full of interesting shops. There are a few standard touristy shops but a large number of specialty shops with quality merchandise.

The streets are narrow with tiny alley’s branching poff.

And interesting spots to grab a drink or a snack.

Interesting place. To eat

I got completely turned around, beginning to feel like I was in a maze, when a sign appeared with an arrow pointing the direction to go. Signing off KO.

Iraklion

Sunrise on the way to Iraklion was special to see as was watching the pilot boat guide us to our mooring.

My least favorite city on the tour. Not that it didn’t have some interesting views and history, but on our open air buss trip they were few and far between so you were mostly driving through a modern city with occasional points of interest.

Ancient fort guarding the city

Then we began the walking tour, for me who has become a very slow walker it was fast paced and I was always hurting to catch up. Here again it seemed like a lot of walking and not a lot to see. We were then given a couple of hours free time and directions on how to find our way back.

I needed to catch the shuttle bus across from a plaza that had about 6-8 stairs all around it. I must have stood there for 15 minutes wondering how I was going to get down those stairs. I finally snagged a passerby, I was waiting for tall, dark and handsome, but settled for a pleasant young woman to assist. My hiking poles have rendered themselves useless. They are defective and will not tighten up at the joints.

Quite disappointing.

Signing off KO