Zihuatanejo Bay – Zihuathyme

Christmas Zihuatanejo 2021

Christmas in Mexico is noisy, loud, colorful, musical, festive and fun.

I went out for dinner Christmas Eve about 6:00 as the family party across the alley from me was just starting their festivities and the music was cranked up volume large. When I returned around 10pm the party was in full swing, music still going. I woke around 3am and the party was still going strong with the music blaring, at 5am when I got up the music had stopped, but they were still visiting, talking and laughing. I have to admire their stamina. I’m sure a good time was had by all. This is so typical of a Mexican fiesta, happy it doesn’t happen every night.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Signing off KO

Zihuatanejo life

I have been happily busy of late. Eating, swimming, and have even learned to play a board game. Friend and chef Tonio Diaz catered a fantastic Mexican dinner for a group of us at Casa Roja where friends are staying this year. The food was fantastic, the company great and the view to die for. I highly recommend Chef Tonio and Casa Roja.

Catered dinner with a this fantastic view

Couple of nights later a group of us enjoyed an excellent dinner at Casa Bahia again with that gorgeous view.

I’ve almost become a regular at Playa Madera this year and have even acquired a bit of a tan. Well tan for me is more of a light beige. But none the less I have been getting large quantities of vitamin D. Even in these restricted times there are the strolling musicians but I must admit I never expected to see and hear a harp on the beach, it is just heavenly.

Speaking of musicians, these two brothers are among some Zihuatanejo’s finest professional musicians. But here they play for the pure enjoyment of watching this tiny tot dance when they start to play. She stops when they stop and starts again when the music begins. I’m not sure who was enjoying this encounter more.

Progress along Zihuatanejo’s waterfront is moving at a snail’s pace. Change is difficult to adapt to especially as many of us saw no need for this massive redo. At this point the entire waterfront is torn up from the museum to where the fishermen are. Not one segment of it has been completed. Some how it strikes me that if they would complete some part of it and show that the end product is going to be truly lovely, it might ease a lot of minds. Right now it is all just an ugly mess where beauty once was.

Had lunch with friends at Hotel Irma. On the walk to the hotel this crane posed for me on a pipe crossing over the canal. Hotel Irma has a Cavellina tree, one of two that I know of in Zihuatanejo. One can watch this fascinating tree’s blossoms slowly open at night, producing a bottle brush type bloom in bright pink. The other is on Calle Adelita by the bridge.

Zihuatanejo has moved back to Corona virus “red” warning from now until Feb 14. Most likely due to the long Christmas holiday that brought in folks from all over Mexico. This red designation limits the occupancy of hotels, restaurants, pools to 25% occupancy, beaches must close at 5. Masks are required. Bars are supposed to be closed. Still I feel just as safe here as I would be at home. I eat better here, get more fresh air and am more active all which boosts my personal immune system. So happy I decided to come. To enlarge pictures just tap them. Signing off KO

A HIS AND HERS DAY, HIS MORNING MY EVENING

Yesterday after breakfast at the Zihuatanejo Pancake House, our favorite breakfast place, the Senor headed to Zoe’s and got the full treatment, a pedicure and a hair cut.

We then walked about town a bit, I bought a pair of sandals I’d been eyeing. The Senor calls them my “duck dynasty” shoes as they are army green and the straps have frayed edges. I think they are cute and they are so comfortable which for me is unusual. We stopped by the sewing ladies who fixed straps for my

dress and took their picture and then discovered a new ice cream shop that is literally right under our noses. There are plenty of places to buy ice cream, but few have a place to sit and eat your ice cream. The lobby of the movie theatre that is directly across the street from us is open for food and snacks during the day and they have a good selection of ice cream and tables and chairs that are shaded. How cool is that! after ice cream, back to our apartment for siesta.

That night I attended the “chick party”. I’d been hearing about it hear and there and decided I would go. A little nervous about walking into someone’s home by myself not knowing if I would know anyone there, but I did know couple of people and met more. This party was held on the terrace and what a terrace it was. It was on several levels and much larger than most homes, mostly covered overhead with a view to die for. It is situated high above the far end of La Ropa almost Las Gatas with the

most amazing view of all of Zihuatanejo Bay. The event started at 6 and I’m sure the timing was so that the guests could enjoy the sunset. And enjoy I did. Several artist and vendors were there displaying their wares. but there was no pressure to buy. You bought tickets for drinks, there were door prizes and I won a bracelet. A very nice evening in a gorgeous place with many lovely people. I am so glad I went.

CHILI COOK OFF, STREET FAIR, SILENT AUCTION AND SAIL BOAT PARADE

The chili cook off and street fair has grown, expanded and occupied two blocks from in front of the Barracruda to clear into the next block. What a great event! There was a great variety of chili to choose from with a large variety of ingredients. With the large crowd it went quick.

The silent auction had a huge selection of items, with tables closing about every half hour. Were were able to pick up 2 or 3 dinners from a variety of restaurants that we have never before been to. And I picked up some very unique place mats for the RV from the street fair where there was a large variety of crafts to choose from.

Friends enjoying beer and margarita's — Friends enjoying beer and margarita’s

We sat and visited with friends enjoying the extremely delicious 2 for one margaritas and the 15 cent beer far too long which caused me to need to go to bed early and miss Jimmi Mamou’s birthday party at Galeana’s. But the Senor attended and other local musicians came and sang happy birthday to him and Allan sat down and played back up guitar with him.

Morning arrived later than usually for me just enough time to get ready to go sailing. I think there were twice as many participants as there had been in previous years, but the event is well organized and soon we were all boarded into pangas to get to our assigned boats. I was on the the Tisha Baby with most gracious hosts Richard and Pam. My fellow passengers were two couples traveling together, one from Calif and one from Arizona, and 3 women from Chicago, mom, daughter and daughters best friend. Fun company. The Senor did not accompany me as being a career navy man gave him plenty of time at sea. Almost immediately after getting underway my hat blew off and I turned to see it bobbing away in the water. And of course it was one of my favorite hats. Our 1st mate saw what happened and radioed the boats behind us to pick up the hat if they could. A few minutes later i was informed that the rescue was successful. But I sort of wondered how I would retrieve it from what ever boat was kind enough to picked it out of the sea. Well I was soon to find out.

We paraded out to Ixtapa, then every boat was on their own to choose what they would do for the rest of the after noon. We choose to head out and fish, but before we did the “Northern Passage” radioed the would come abreast and pass my hat over. So a good samaritan on the northern passage a leaned way out with my hat in hand, while our first mate held out a grappling hook. successfully hooked my hat and brought it on board.

My hat on the end of a grappling hook being rescued.

“Rescue at sea” complete and my hat safely back on my head, but this time with the chin strap secured. A most relaxing day, sailing the deep blue sea. Ended the day with lobster taco’s, yummm! Signing off KO

Last Port Orchard post

It’s our last full day in Port Orchard, rained so much that the lake is over the dock. But no problem, is 84 in sunny Zihuatanejo. We are completly packed and I’m at loose ends as I have nothing else left to do. And I don’t do “nothing” very well. At least not a home. Begining Monday morning this is where you will find me. I took this picture last year from the road to La Ropa on one of my morning explorations before the “Senor” would wake. Every day I take off on a new direction to explore. The view from our apt. is a little different as you will see in the weeks to come. I intend to share my travels with you thru this blog rather than inudate you with e-mails as I have done in the past. This way if your interested follow along if not I haven’t bored you. Look for me Monday. Signing off KO