Zihuatanejo Mexico – Zihuatanejo

Small Scenes of Zihuatanejo

Over looking Zihuatanejo’s Bay from on high

At a beachfront restaurant recently, where the music was almost too loud for me, I sat to enjoy a glass of wine, watch the waves and cool off. The restaurant was full of Mexican Nationals enjoying their weekend getaway to the beach. The 2 piece band changed tempo and suddenly everyone was on their feet dancing in the sand. This was not a youthful crowd, but they could dance. And dance they did. It made me happy just to watch the pure joy and happiness that the music infuses in people, making them want to get up and move. It was a lovely afternoon. One of the many reasons I love Mexico.

Earlier in the week I went out hoping to see a parade. My plan was to have a drink and probably a meal at Bandito’s as it was on the short parade route. But Bandito’s said they were expecting a large private party and were not open to the general public so I moved on to El Mediterraneanio on the same street. It began to rain and I was glad I was undercover but had a great view of the very welcome rain. Then the rain turned into RAIN and I thought I might just wait it out. It soon became obvious that that wasn’t going to happen and the staff looked like they might want to close up. So I paid my la cuenta and left only to find 8 inches of water rushing down the streets and overlapping the side walks. Most of the sidewalks have tile roofs over the side walks so getting rained on wasn’t the issue. But dry Mexican side walks are a hazard unto themselves and cover them with several inches of rushing water and your chance of an accident increases exponentially. I only had 3 blocks to travel but I took it super slow and did get home safely if wet to my knees.

Rain is predicted for the next week and it has dropped temperatures down to a reasonable 86 f. This

This time of year we get what is called Mar de fundo which translates to high seas, waves and rough water. While my friend an I were enjoying a happy hour glass of wine at a beach side restaurant the waves were breaking and pushing the water up on the beach swirling around our ankles under the table.

A couple of new wine bars have opened. One is on Vicente Guerrero between Ejido and Nicholas Bravo. The restaurant Shima has opened a small wine bar, “Summer Shimia” across from their closed for the summer restaurant. It’s quite cute and they do small servings of some of their specialties.

I’ve occupied most of my time over the past few weeks doing “legal” work with the assistance of ChatGPT. I have created a Revokable Living Family Trust with the accompanying Quit Claim Deed. The directions were quite straight forward tailored to the county I will be filing them in. Probably saved $3-5 thousand in legal fees by doing it my self. Still have one more legal project to work on.

My daughter and I are busy with planning our Alaska cruise in September. For me it mostly acquiring the clothing and waterproofing I need and don’t have here. That and deciding the adventures we plan to undertake.

Book Club and Zihua Writers Group keep me occupied during this slow season. I read a lot and there are several good book exchanges around. Although I have found I prefer reading on my kindle rather than holding a heavy book over my head when I read in bed. I’m always afraid I’ll fall asleep and drop the book and break my nose. Many times when I locate a book from one of the exchanges as soon as I get interested in it I see if one of my libraries has it. Then I’ll check it out and promptly return the book book to the exchange. I enjoy being able to adjust the size of the type and I love the dictionary feature in an e-reader.

The city is doing some “remodeling” at the head of the pier. Don’t know what the finished plan is but I’ve heard a “plaza with lots of palm trees”. The Port Captain’s building is being demolished along with the little ticket booth. The fish gallows are gone, I do hope there are plans to replace them. It is such an iconic Zihua spot.

KO, signing off

It’s May, Officially The Low Season

The Canadians and other long term visitors have left town not to return until October and November. Town is quite empty during the week, but the weekends are full of folks arriving by the bus loads from the interior of Mexico for a weekend at the seashore. It is crowded and quite busy along the beaches, but many of the restaurants that cater to the long term gringo population have closed for the low season.

The temperatures have risen to the low 90’s in the day time and rarely below 80 at night. It becomes a lazy time of year for me, I spend a lot of time reading, writing, sewing and other indoor activities. We gals that live here full time still gather together for our weekly lunches and frequent dinners out as the weather is not conducive to cooking. Our book club still meets, and supplies me with suggestions for many good reads.

It’s a good time to catch up on Doctor, dentist and optometrist appointments

This is the time of year to travel and most do if they can. I have a cruise trip to Alaska planned for September with my oldest daughter, April. Being a planner and a list maker this consumes quite a bit of my time as I need a completely different set of clothing for a cooler, rainy climate. My sandals and sun dresses just wont’t get it.

My face has finally returned to normal after taking an epic fall Mid march. Mexican sidewalks are the most dangerous thing here. No real-scaring or broken bones, I was quite fortunate in that respect.

The other day as I looked off my porch into the alley that kind of serves as a patio for some of the residents here I watched my landlord lovingly, giving his older brother a shave with a straight razor. What a kind and loving act. Even though it happened in the public eye it felt too personal to photograph.

Our latest “No Kings” rally in Zihuatanejo had about 60 participants, with the support of the Municipal administration and cheered on by the local population.

Life is good, it goes on as normal just at a slower pace. So happy to be here in Sunny Zihuatanejo, best decision I have ever made.

Signing off, KO

Best Birthday Ever

Ladies in their eighties will not be denied the right to PARTY

I have just celebrated the best birthday ever, actually it’s been over a week long celebration. My super good buddy Suzanne and I opted to have a combined birthday party since we have so many friends in common and birthdays just a couple of days apart. It was well planned, well publicized and as we begin to decorate I got the first inkling of a problem from my friend Hector who was doing the music for our party. He informed me his taxi driver said there was trouble brewing and buses and taxi’s were being burned in retaliation for the killing of the cartel boss El Moreno which happened a very long way from where we are. At first I dismissed this as that was all happening in another part of Mexico, it couldn’t possible affect us in Zihuatanejo. After a couple of incidents just outside of Zihuatanejo, the local military literally closed our town down and all were told to “shelter in place” So much for our party! But we ladies in our eighties were dauntless and determined. As town re opened up the next day the party plans were back on, just one day late. But a fantastic party it was with many, many friends, two of Tonio’s fantastic cakes, great music by Hector and did I mention friends. Great friends!

Birthday wish kept coming in over the next week, celebratory drinks were bought and a lovely dinner party in our honor culminated the week. Greatest, funest (is that even a word) birthday ever. Made double special sharing it all with my super good friend Suzanne.

It’s been “Sailfest” time here in lovely warm Zihuatanejo, the annual charity fund raiser that supports schools and school programs for bright, but often disadvantaged kids. Lots of fun events to attend and opportunities to volunteer and support the good work accomplished. I did a minimum of volunteering this year, it’s time to move over and make room for new, enthusiastic volunteers and this will be my last year volunteering. I did enjoy the new event, a beach front pig roast, complete with games in the sand and a lighted dance floor.

The MDocks played their last Sailfest concert on the pier after many years of performing for Sailfest. I also enjoyed a Champagne Brunch high above Zihua Bay watching the sailboat rally, and of course the massive garage sale, which is a win for those seeking bargains, and a win for those of us that need a means of shedding ourselves of unwanted and unused items. All in all February has been a great month.

March begins the exodus of many friends as they start to return to their homes in Canada and the US, by mid April it will just be us full timers and life will slow way down. Signing off KO

Monte Alban, Alebrijes, Pottery and Trees in Oaxaca

My favorite memory of Oaxaca is actually high above the city on Monte Alban. The views are incredible, but so are the ancient ruins of a once large civilization.

The ruins are extensive and you can really get a feeling of what this ancient city was like

We had a free day to explore or shop on our own. I visited the fantastic cultural museum.

Also found the most exciting store for me to shop in. It was a shoe store that had the most beautiful shoes and surprisingly enough in my size, which is rare even in the US and impossible in Mexico. I wear a size 11 and usually only buy men’s shoes which is OK for tennis shoes or river rafters sandals, but nothing ever feminine or pretty. But this store had lovely embroidered loafers and sandals. I bought 4 pair and a pair of leather huarache’s.

We visited a couple of workshops where the “alebrijes” are carved and painted.

They even gave us an opportunity to paint our own Alebrijes

We visited the studio of Josefina Aguilar famous Mexican folk artist who passed away shortly after our visit.

A very interesting visit was had at the studios of Sculptor Maestro Jose Garcia Antonio. He is a blind sculptor, and while he visited with us and shared some of his life, he formed this piece of art. Starting with a large lump of clay and explaining that his wife does some of the finishing fine details for him.

We saw many beautiful churches, murals and lovely trees

Lots of murals

So much to see and do it was an exciting adventure. Signing off KO.

(Do I need to remind that if you tap the pictures they will enlarge)

OAXACA, a city of good food, great art, and chuapalinas

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.

We toured the market and the Cathedral and San Dominico and walked the lovely old streets of Oaxaca

Day 3 we were on to Archeological site and textiles of Mitla

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.

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.

More to come, signing off KO

CHISTMAS 2025

Christmas in Zihuatanejo is very festive, fun and colorful. For me it begins when the poinsettia mart opens.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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 .

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.

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.

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!!!!

Signing off KO

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