Day 4 in Zihua - Ixtapa Island and Zihua lightup!

Today mom went down to the pier early to find a fisherman, or someone with a boat to take us to Ixtapa Island.  She is a determined soul and left dad and I to go seek one out.  

So, here we are ... on a boat! On our way to Ixtapa Island .... it was a lovely boat ride ..... favorite place is on the ocean.

The boat driver and the discussion about the deal and what we received was pretty off .... but it was a safe ride, on our very own charter, so we couldn't ask for much more ....



We found a great spot (after moving once a little further down the beach with no kids and more space_.... and we got right to work!

Mom and I went snorkeling on the other side of the beach ... the Island has 2 sides .... with a few different sections -- one section is for snorkeling, the other has restaurants and good swimming and the 3rd is a clothing optional section.  We started at the restaurant side and walked to the other side to snorkel .... it was alot of fun, except mom got a bad snorkel so i gave her mine .... I didn't really mind snorkeling without a mouth piece .... but mom was like "this is WAY nicer" lol  We saw alot of beautiful fish ... it was alot of fun.

After a ferry back to the mainland, we walked across the parking lot to see the crocodiles in order to get our taxi ...

Zihau knows how to do a lightup - those are sparklers on the roof!  We had street food for dinner !  Tacos, churros, street drinks (that were too sweet for us, but we still drank them!) ....

Hard to convey how cool it was to spend some solid time with these two, on my own ... it had pretty much been 25 years since I left home, and since then I have always had my own family with me ... I think I want to make solo time with them more of a priority moving forward ... it was alot of fun....plus they took such good care of me!  Which was such a treat!!!

His face says it all "What is this?  Do I have to eat this?"  He wasn't the biggest fan of the churro ... and I guess honestly I wasn't either, but churros have great memories of Disneyland and my kids love of churros, so I had one to celebrate them!  But he won't order one again lol....don't get me wrong though ... he ate it.....he's not a quitter.

Ah the lovely lightup with this lady!!!  We were wearing our matching jumpers!!

ZIHUA ... you snagged a piece of my heart this week ....

Once back to the apartment, mom went to bed and dad and I headed for roof where he re-counted many stories for me .... this time we sat on the more uncomfortable metal chairs to ensure the legs don't give out like they did on night 1 ... now that was a bit hard on my confidence lol

Day 3 in Zihuatanejo!

We took a combi to a beautiful resort in a very remote part of Zihua .....mom and I got to sit up front with the bus driver because the back was full .... I like traveling with the locals ... the bus drove for quite a while down a really deserted road and stopped at a gate.  Once we got out of the bus, the gate opened and we walked into the most beautiful landscaped resort!  First stop was down to the beach.

Second stop was a swim in the pool!  I did about 20 laps when I first got there because I was still so sore.  My body was sore from the bed, and my neck was really sore ... so the swim loosened a lot up.

We all settled in and got right to work on relaxing .... Ferrari was our server for the day ... lovely man, he is expecting us back on wednesday before my afternoon flight out .... I hope to see him then too .. that would be an awesome ending to this trip ... to spend the lat few hours here.

Our 2 loungers were set  up here ... it was just us for most of our time here.

Dad fell asleep ...

so mom and I went for a walk on the beach ....

Spending some solid time with this lady has been a highlight .... we have laughed a lot ...



Mom and dad taking in the view ... it was incredible to be the only ones here!!

Not sure what dad is doing ...

We were waiting for the combi when the one other couple who was at the pool with us today pulled out of the gate .... the woman driver rolls her window down and says 'Ride?' to which mom thought she asked "Right?" and mom was deciding to tell her whether she should go right or left lol.

Well, we all shrugged, looked at this sweet couple who were asking if we wanted a ride .... after doing a quick look to the heavens that we wouldn't wake up without our kidneys somewhere, we all got in!!  lol .... we used some google translate, we used some broken spanish and some charades ... and they drove us right to our apartment in Zihua .... a little ways out of their way on their ride to Ixtapa.  After some warm hugs and kisses .... we all waved goodbye to these sweet people who seem to be a consistent reflection of the experience we have all been getting from the Mexican people.  Warm and loving .... its been a great experience.

Dad read a review on this restaurant that had the best view of the bay and we had a nice dinner ....

With another award winning view .....

Day 2 in Zihuatanejo!

We caught a ferry over to Las Gatas beach today ....

These two beach bums make this look pretty tough hey?

Mom and I sat there ... for awhile ... laughing at many things .... we had fish tacos, guacamole, mojitos ....

The day went by too quickly but as everyone was lining up for the ferry to take them back across the bay, the three of us set off on foot and had a sweet little hike back ....

Dad and I seem to always be in the back ...mom walks way too fast .... not sure where she needs to get to, but it is kind of nice to turn off ones brain and just follow .... I am normally the one with my brain firing with all the next steps needed, so this is a bit of a kick.

Sunset time!!



Then Jungle Pizza time!  We changed into dry clothes and had a great dinner ......

Yummy ...

It was a really nice day ....

Day 1 in Zihuatanejo!

Monica was our fearless leader through the market this morning for our cooking class!  Here she is with the fresh fish that was caught this morning.  The mexicans eat so fresh ... i am really going to miss the food next week....

Cutting the fish for ceviche .....

Finished product!!

Beach time .... that is mom and dad on the far left .....



Wine class that evening ..... one wine was lovely, the other smelt like a farm.

Dinner out ... pizza and tacos on every corner, full....and this restaurant, empty!  Turns out this was a 5 star restaurant and we had the best meal!!

Our handsome dinner date ....

Walking home .... long, and wonderful day in Zihua!

#blessed

Arriving in Zihuatanejo!!

Such an early flight!!  Every hour you wake up not wanting to miss your wake up time.  At the airport by 4:05am, checked all the way through by 4:17am. 

My row mate and I each won the lottery when the initial couple moved seats due to allergies of some nearby pets that were traveling.  On a very full flight, we had rows to ourselves!!  So we napped, stretched out and probably should have felt bad at how squished everyone else was in their rows.

Mom was waiting 10 minutes with her camera up to catch me coming out of the terminal.

TOGETHER AGAIN ..... Let the fun begin!

It all began as it should have: with the best fish taco and mojito I have ever had .... it was a solid bench mark to strive for, for the rest of the week.  So far, (it is currently sunday, and we are many fish tacos and mojitos into the week, and nothing compares...yet ;-)

Walk back to their apartment via the new boardwalk along the water ....

Heading to Mexico .... alone

 If I am honest, I have been sad getting ready to go on this trip by myself. I really don’t like being separated from my boys. But mom and dad have been sending me pictures of places they have been visiting and loving where they are right now, and they are excited to show them all to me. Now that I am laying in bed, in a nice cosy hotel room, awaiting my early shuttle, and the day is behind me now, I’m starting to feel a little bit excited.    Here is Elliot, sitting on my fully packed suitcase full of goodies for mom and dad. 

 And not to be one to be left out, here is mittens, enjoying all the smells that came with that suitcase that Jolene gave me. She has two cats, and I’m sure mittens knows that. 

 Nicole has been away in Mexico herself. Can you tell? She took me out for lunch today for my birthday. We went for pho .... I love pho. 

Trent stopped by after hockey to drop off a really cute birthday card from him and Jenny with a very generous Starbucks card in it.  Best family.  And  I don’t have a picture of Niki, but my sweet friend washed and dried my hair today so that I can travel without feeling that yucky feeling. 

 The day at work was so busy and full of so many deadlines, it was a day I would typically love because I love to be busy, but today was pretty nuts. Just as I was signing off, one of my agencies called me for a conference call for a crisis they were experiencing. I think I dealt with it well, everyone seemed content with my answers about what to do next.   It’s a little unnerving not to be there to see how it will turn out, but I will get over it. Catherine gave me a ride to the bus station, it was then that I realized I had left my moms expensive flip-flops at my desk. I saw that Shannon was nearby on Find Friends, and that sweet woman swung by my office and brought them to me. My mom will be thrilled. 

 Darlene picked me up at  downtown, and we went for dinner at one of our favourite Wood fired pizzeria‘s. My cup always feels full after a visit with her.   Her boys have winter formal this weekend, and she forgot that I was coming tonight, and had invited her boys friends over to learn how to dance. So she put me up in a hotel close to the airport. 

She’s a great mom. I watch her closely as she has always just been a few steps ahead navigating life with boys.