Zih (LONG) Trip Report Nov 9- 23 2024 Part 1

On Sat Nov 9 we flew out of Saskatoon via Calgary on a full West Jet flight, half an hour delayed in Calgary and hour late into Zihuatanejo. We caught a cab down the street from the airport to take us to the Catalina Beach Resort on La Ropa and quickly checked in in then rushed out to the Captains Daughter to watch the dismal second half of the CFL western final wishing for a better outcome for our Saskatchewan roughriders. The cold cervezas, burger and veggie fajitas were excellent. Headed back to the hotel to unpack and settle in for the night. Of course, it had to end with a nightcap on the patio overlooking La Ropa beach taking in the night smells & sounds of the waves lapping on the shore. Ahhhh Home again.

Sunday started with a trip to Mega for food & essentials back to the Catalina beach & Palapas to enjoy the day. We ate supper at Jungle Pizza had an enormous lime margarita, & Mediterranean pizza. The service was excellent & it was packed when we left. Again, enjoyed the balcony overlooking the bay, but sorry must admit not liking the new bright lights at the south end of La Ropa they destroy calm peaceful affect (ambience) of the evening.

Monday hubby went fishing with Noe on the panga Porpy, a slow day of fishing by Los Morros, mainly Bonito & Jack Crevalle, with swells & chop. I made my annual visit to SPAZ animal shelter. Unfortunately I walked from Catalina downtown around 2 PM with 10 pounds of cat & dog food in my back pack ( a tad sweaty when I got there) but I got to say hi to the lovely vet. Please visit the attached shop which sells new SPAZ merchandise, w/new designs. They have a great selection of Tees, tanks, coffee mugs, Koozies etc. I have accumulated over 20 pieces of clothing so far from our travels here. A great way to support the animals in need!!

Tuesday was a visit to Las Gatas after a healthy breakfast in the Catalina restaurant we set out for our walk to the beach. It starts with a stroll down La Ropa across the new paving stone walkway, which is lovely and onto the trek across solid rock formations & some loose stones which make up the path. For us it is a well thought out walk placing each foot in front of the last to ensure balance and control for the next step. It has not gotten easier as the years have gone by (well we are 60 something now). Occasionally you will hear a whistled tune from behind to let you know a local has caught you, a step aside at the next level spot is always greeted with a polite gracias as they speed by on their way sometimes in flip flops or shoes. We make our way to Otilias and are greeted by Franco like we were visiting last week instead of last year. A lounger, umbrella & a chair to sit in the waves awaits us. We enjoyed a bucket of cold cervezas on ice and had a great lunch of delicious coconut shrimp & sauce, guacamole & chips. After a few more dips in the ocean, pages of the book, and it is time to make our way back over the rocks. For some reason the footfalls seem to fit our stride better on the way back (perhaps the cervezas loosened us up) ????. A great day !

Wednesday starts with a short massage at the hotel a relaxing day on the beach and supper at Zihua Bay Restaurant. We have known Reve for many years, starting when he was a waiter at various restaurants around the bay, glad to see him with his family having success. We started with appetizers pear carpaccio & tuna carpaccio. The main was shrimp fajitas & blackened Tuna followed up w/key lime pie & ice cream. An excellent meal. Finished up w/coffee & liqueur for me & a tasting of the Zihua bay Mezcal for my husband. Enjoyed a leisurely stroll back up Calle Adelita past the restaurants that most appeared to have a full first sitting. Walked up heart attack hill to the Irma”s level spot to catch our breath, wipe the sweat off our faces (have I mentioned how humid it is here wow) then for the final push past the taxi stand on to the street & a light stroll in the evening breeze back to the Catalina to enjoy the deck & view.

Thursday we have massages on La Ropa beach by La Perla, (400 pesos for 1 hour not including tip) as good as you will get anywhere, but take a hat as they love to add a scalp massage & swirl & oil your hair. Stroll back on the beach for breakfast at the Linda Vista, oh what a view, Joel takes good care of us. Today is another beach day on La Ropa as my hubby will go barracuda fishing in the evening, he leaves at 5 PM with a Pizza from Super Pizza in hand for supper, The fishing starts with a couple of Bonito an the way out to Los Morros and switches to Barracuda as the moon rises, a few hits and a couple brought in, but a slow night apparently they should have turned left barracuda are more plentiful in front of Ixtapa according to another boat also coming in at midnight. But at least we have some fillets for later.

Friday is a day trip to Barra de Potosi. We always used to take the bus to Las Achotes & the truck to Barra, (what a fun adventure) a lot of fun. It is much easier with the road to the airport using Combis or taxis, we opt for the taxi today as we are starting late. We arrive at the Tiendas to find the locals have beaten us, there are 7 buses in the various parking areas at 10 AM. and the beach is busy. There is still lots of room in the restaurants and on the beach, it is nice to see the area full of nationals. The anchovies are in the bay & the birds supply ample entertainment as they dive and feed on the bait. The day is spent in the sun, shade, ocean & beach, lunch is fish tacos, chips & Guac a bit of a staple. We return by taxi and enter La Ropa on the south road =, beautiful views with some development and the new barracks complex. We clean up and go to Rufos for mesquite grilled barracuda (caught by hubby) w/baked potato, fresh vegetables, dessert is a tasty flan. Rufo’s margaritas on the rocks are very good. We chat with a couple from England who return regularly to Zihua, this place does draw people from all over the world. Again, we walk back to the hotel and Hector at the Sunset bar makes my husband another margarita on the rocks, it is excellent, and he should sleep well tonight.
A relaxing week has gone by already…… so many more restaurants to try this coming week.