
We've been loving our time here in and around Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo. Sometimes you find a place that is so comfortable you are not at all surprised why people come to stay for a very long time. And you know that when its time to go, it might be a bit harder to leave than normal.

After a few rainy days last week, we headed back up to Isla Grande/Ixtapa (just an hour away by boat). (See this post for more photos of this beautiful place: https://www.svokisollo.com/post/beach-side-chaos-at-isla-ixtapa ) At Isla Grande, we spent all our time busily doing nothing...just snorkeling, cleaning the bottom of the boat, swimming and sitting with our toes in the water. It was spectacular. What was supposed to be two days turned into 4 or maybe 5...we lost count. We were starting to joke that the the beach palapas/restaurants were going to charge us rent if we didn't get a move on! So we reluctantly headed to Marina Ixtapa for a few short days with the main agenda item to get diesel fuel. Ixtapa is filled with large resorts, mostly all-inclusive -- which leaves little for the cruising sailor to enjoy.

We did however, take one day while the boat was secure in the marina to visit the local Xihuacan archeological site. Our tour guide was a delightful and a proud Mexican. He loved telling us story after story of what he loved about his home country. We enjoyed a most excellent black Mole Chicken at a small restaurant near the ruins--that goes in my book as the best mole I've had. So with tanks full, feeling educated about the pre-history of the region, we left the marina early and had an exciting "surf" out of the shallow and narrow marina entrance.


Now back anchored in Zihuatanejo bay we are making multiple daily dingy trips to the beach to complete a variety of chores. We are filling up the propane, doing laundry, cleaning the boat of all the sand and saltwater we brought aboard while lounging at the beach and taking inventory of what we've got on board.
We've strategized what we need to stock up on to ensure we have basic supplies for the next 3-4 months where we'll once again in remote and rural areas for several weeks at a time. Each trip to the market this week will requiring a walk, taxi ride and/or multiple trips of carting bags of goods. Its good exercise and an excuse to enjoy more lunches and dinners in town before we have to depart. (See pictures on more wanderings and food experiences in Zihuatanejo from last week: https://www.svokisollo.com/post/continuous-improvement-in-the-cocina.) Onward.
Very cool! I have been wanting to go to those two cities for some time. You just pushed it up on the list. Love your updates. It's in the 30s and 40s this week, but sunny at least. You are in the right place guys.
Looks so nice! Cant wait to join you in Costa Rica!