Finally my trip report! Part 2

I also was introduced to El Calamar this trip by local friends who know how much I like my fish and seafood and how locals cook them. This is another so not fancy place with just a few tables outside and a great place for lunch or early dinner. They are just on the other side of the bridge that goes to La Noria near the pier. Cross the bridge, turn left and across the street about 100' here they are. Nice folks and very tasty food and so reasonable. Another great place I learned about and had to check is called Santina Deli Italiana. It is the business of the Italian chef who makes the best tiramisu outside of Italy I have had the pleasure of tasting and who makes some of the desserts for Cafe Cuattro. When I learned I had to check him out. He makes tortes, pizzas, fresh pastas, desserts and a great coffee too and the kitchen is pristine. They are located 3 blocks from Plaza Kyoto going toward the Mercado. Well worth a visit even if they only do take out.

I enjoyed a new place on La Madera as well, called La Tasca. I went with a friend for dinner and drinks and again during the afternoon for drinks. Awesome place for sightseeing, watch sunsets and great drinks. I was not sold on the food as I thought it was a bit expensive for what I had but with the view it is still worth it and I was back and will enjoy the place again when I am back. Many other folks there enjoyed it all.

Of course it was not all new places and I love returning to some favorites. I was at El Manglar a couple times and was very well treated and the food and drinks were great. I also had an awesome sighting one late afternoon when 2 crocodiles decided to come out of the water and suntan just on the edge of the restaurant. It made for some great pictures. There was also more wildlife and birds this time around. So nice to see. I also enjoyed a couple breakfasts and a dinner at La Terracita on Calle Adelita. Different presentation and so tasty. Very nice recovery fruit drinks with my breakfast and dinner was so good. Went back to Banana's in Centro a couple times for breakfast when I was in the mood for a fruit plate and a fresh fruit drink. I like the place and short walk after to my friend's place for a good espresso.

I was briefly at t he fundraiser for the Bomberos but the music and crowd was not my thing so I just left some bids on the silent auction and learned the day after I had won 2 items. I was glad to bring these home and enjoy. It was obviously enjoyed by the majority as they had a huge crowd on Calle Adelita. The side effect is that this evening was dead in the restaurants nearby on that street but it is a good cause. I also went to the Tiritas Festival. This was their 3rd year having this event where a bunch of restaurants compete against each other as to who makes the best Tiritas and they have tables where you can taste their offering. It is a good publicity for them and there are always a few other producers showing their products too like this time they had some mezcal and other alcoholized products being offered. The event used to be on the pier but due to the renovations it was set in front of the archeological museum on Playa Municipal. It was supposed to start at 18:00 and I showed up there half an hour after opening and they were running out of Tiritas. Wow! It was disappointing but I was glad to see the event being so well attended and surprised to see it was mostly locals and/or Mexicans there and not that many tourists. I did not like the set up and the location and much prefered the pier and hoping it is back there next year. The music was also mostly a dj with a 70-80's theme and although I did not dislike it and many folks were obviously enjoying, I preferred seeing bands like the previous years and hope they return to this next year. I did get a taste of some great tiritas and some good artisanal beer that evening and a friend, the son of the owner of Rana Rene restaurant on La Madera, who is the chef at Santa Prisca, a renowned pozole place, finished fourth and we celebrated together.

This trip was also celebrated differently too as I celebrated another milestone. 7 years ago I had a tattoo done here by Pelon after winning a battle against cancer. It was my first tattoo and he did a great job and I was happy with it and my thought was it was my last one. But in 2018 I had bad news and another battle on my hands. But after 2 surgeries in late 2018 and early 2019, I am good and it was time to celebrate properly with another tattoo. This time due to a communication issue and scheduling conflicts, I went to a different tattoo artist and he also did a great job. I went to Tikki Hernandez, located across the street from Margaritas and aside La Ceiba condos at the corner of the street on the second floor. His place looks like a doctor's office, very clean and he is an awesome guy. This job ended up much bigger than my original one and took 6 hours compared to the 3 of my previous one. Yes it was painful, especially when hitting scaring tissue and near bones. And hopefully my last one. But I certainly can recommend him and very happy with his work.

I left on Wednesday a week ago, not before a last breakfast at Margaritas, then a great coffee with my friends at El Cafecito. Just before, I went to see Lupita at her boutique to drop some glasses I had brought for donations. I had bumped into her on the street a couple times during my vacations but no chance at her shop when I went a coupe times. Same for Wednesday so I left them at the coffee store next door as instructed by Rob on here. Bummer I did not get to sit down with Rob and Lupita over a meal and/or drinks. Time flies and I hope I finally get to spend more time next year. I feel lucky I was able to even go this year so can't complain. It was another great vacations with plenty of good times had in great company of locals, mexican tourists and others. I just feel so energized after spending time in Zihua, eating great food and enjoying the views, scenery and the salty air. It is always so difficult to leave and go home. If anybody reading this is still on the fence about going, don't! You will not regret it. Not once did I feel unsafe or at risk. My only regret is not still being there. Until the next trip...

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to write a great trip report! Really enjoyed the read with my early morning cuppa!!
Salud!

Great report. Nice to see a trip report as they aren’t as common as they used to be.

You're very welcome and glad you enjoyed the reading.

Glad to see you enjoyed. Many regular readers from this site are also posters on Facebook and it is easier to post pictures there than here so it may be why you see less trip reports here than you used to.

Thank you so much, Christian, for your wonderful trip report with so many personal observations and excellent recommendations. You make it possible to see Zihuatanejo through your eyes. Very nice indeed!

Lupita and I have both been busier than normal. While waiting for a late shipment of clothing for her boutique she's got other irons on the fire that she's attending to apart from the charity work she does. I don't know how she does it all and manages to spoil me rotten daily at the same time. And I'm playing catch-up renovating and updating so many websites that I had to stop accepting new work for the time being until I'm caught up. No days off for either one of us, but it's a small price to pay for living in this paradise.

Wish we had been able to meet up and enjoy that meal or at least a couple of beers. We'll make up for it next time!

Glad to hear that YOU beat your own health issues and managed to come recharge your batteries. ¡Felicidades! La vida sí vale.

Un saludo y un abrazo.

Glad to see you enjoyed. Many regular readers from this site are also posters on Facebook and it is easier to post pictures there than here so it may be why you see less trip reports here than you used to.

It's easy to share Facebook photos here. Click on the FB post to open it up in its own window, then right-click on the photo and select "Open in new tab." Copy the URL of the photo, paste it into your message, highlight it and select Image > default on the right.

I understand why Rob but it is not that easy, especially when only using a phone which is why this time I waited until I was back home and could use my pc. It may be simple for you, especially as you are used to that method but not for the average person.

I am glad to hear you are both busy with work. That is a good thing and a good sign. Hopefully we manage to connect next year!

Bonjour Christian. My wife and I met you at Pepe’s hotel the day you came back from getting your first tattoo! It is a classic and a true beauty! You permitted me to take a photo of it! Can you post photos of both of them?
Truly happy to hear you are on the mend and feeling happy and well!
Lalo y Lola

Hello there!

Here's my first try at posting pictures here. I may have a hard time finding a picture on Facebook for the first tattoo as this is several years ago. But here is the new one:

And the first tattoo with more colours: