Trip report part 1

Sorry folks for my lateness in posting here about my trip this year. For those of you following me on Facebook, you had a chance to see a lot of pictures of my trip and get info on my trip.

This trip was a last-minute decision but after one-too-many flip-flop on covid measures from my provincial government, I decided I would likely be safer in Zihua than at home, especially with the work I do that puts me in close contact with a lot of people daily. Aside the time I spent in airports in Mexico on my way going and upon my return, I had no issues and was feeling rather safe as I was away from crowds and tourists most of the time. The mask-wearing in Zihua was hit and miss, especially when going away from the heart of Centro but as I spent most of my time with locals, friends of mine, that were all vaccinated with booster like myself, I was not too worried. I tested negative at the end of the trip and twice negative at home to end up catching covid, likely at work, and just finishing my quarantine tonight. I can tell you it was not fun with losing my voice for 3 days and a very sore throat for 5 days. As well, some coughing and stuffy, runny nose for a few days. Doing fine now and none of the bad symptoms, especially fatigue and lung/heart issues. I think I was tired after getting home from my trip and a drastic change of temperature combined with a hectic workload compromised my immune system and made it easier for the virus to get a hold of me after 2 years of regularly being in contact with covid positive people and in the public and not catching it.

This time around, my trip was booked back in November, using my AirMiles like usual. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a direct flight to Zihua and the closest I could get was Puerto Vallarta. With covid, many flights were getting canceled and flying from Winnipeg, my options were limited.

I flew early morning Friday with WestJet to PV from Winnipeg with just over an hour in Calgary. As it was a pretty early start to the day, most restaurants in the Winnipeg airport were closed and with covid, it made things worst. And my favorite there, the Stella's restaurant, which always had a nice breakfast and latte before my flights, is now closed. But I had read that the new airport lounge was now opened and decided to check it out. It was free with my credit card membership but frankly their breakfast was pretty basic and the place just ok. It was self served and comfortable with computer hookups and internet. Not a bad spot to kill time before my flight.

A 5 hours flight to Calgary then a plane change an hour later and off I was to PV. All went smoothly.

The closer I was getting to my departure date for my trip, less options were available and in the end, there was only one flight leaving from PV that was getting me to Zihua without spending much time in Mexico City, an airport I would rather avoid if I don't have to and especially in covid times and going through renovations. I ended up booking a flight with Volaris which was a first. As I was getting in PV near 16:00 on a Friday, this was the only flight available that would get me to Zihua early morning Saturday. But I had to go to Tijuana and spend 7 hours at that airport before taking another flight to Zihua. Luckily for me, I made my connection in PV with only 15 minutes to spare to learn the flight was 1.5 hour late. The 2 hours flight was smooth and the Airbus 320 they use was comfortable. As I travel heavy with 2 checked bags and a carry-on, it was not that cheap but I was not willing to take a bus for a 14-18 hours trip this time around. I toured the Tijuana airport for a while, did a bit of shopping and then went to their VIP lounge and spent most of the night there. Free food and drinks with some very nice staff made my time more palatable. The lounge is pretty big with several sections and lots of space to relax. I was unable to sleep there but many were and were getting awakened by the staff in time for their flights. As this was my second night being up with no sleep, I was not up to go tour Tijuana and just took it easy until my flight to Zihua. Tijuana is 2 hours behind Zihua time and it was an early flight to Zihua that got me at the Zihua airport at 07:30 Saturday morning and I was at my hotel by 08:30, the fastest ever out of Zihua but I went through customs in PV and it was a breeze. 25 hours of traveling to finally make it to Zihua and I was beat.

I decided to stay at a different hotel this year for my 3 weeks stay in Zihua. I was at Hotel Aldea Sol, a small 12 rooms new hotel in La Madera area. The owner opened the place 2 years ago and added a pool last year. It is just behind the popular restaurant Margaritas and the owner is from the same family that owns that restaurant. Great guy and very accommodating. The rooms are clean, the place is safe, the internet was good and the price right. They have either 2 queen beds or one king and all have balconies on the 2nd and 3rd level with hammock and hammock on the first level. It is a great location a walking distance to all beaches and centro, the mercado, etc. They have a cool set up too for dinner serving mostly burgers but with plans to add a taco shop.

I got to my hotel early and there was no space for me as I was early and the hotel fully booked but the family also own Hotel Villa Ema about 50 meters from La Ropa beach and Guillermo the owner drove me there and got me a room to sleep until my room was ready at Aldea Sol. Even with a pair of chachalacas chirping next door, I crashed hard and woke up around 15:00. Guillermo came back to pick me up and check me in at Aldea Sol. During my 3 weeks stay, I came back for 3 days at Villa Ema as Aldea Sol was full for those days. That hotel is an older place with 12 rooms too. My room was big with a king-size comfy bed and 2 balconies, one with a hammock. Nice views and close to all La Ropa spots. I would recommend this hotel as well as pricing is the same and a very good spot with clean, comfy rooms. Internet available too.

My stay this time around was a bit different due to covid. I did not use the combis much like I normally do and just a few taxis during my stay. Lots more walking and staying away from crowds and typical tourists spots. It was a more quiet and relaxing vacation and although I noticed some of my favorites spots were gone due to covid, many restaurants that I enjoy are still around and I enjoyed a lot of my favorite foods while there. Tons of fresh fruits and fish and authentic Mexican cuisine. Yes, I hit the old staples like Los Braseros and Any Atoles and had drinks with Tanya, the owner of La hija del capitan(Captain's Daughter) and went by the Mercado.

But it was also going to out of the way Mariscos Duke, one of my favorite seafood restaurant in town that made my trip. This is one of these spots that are not yet that well known, especially with tourists, but what a hidden gem. The chef is the son of the location owner. He was a chef in one of the top hotel and wanted to open up his own restaurant but did not have the funds to open up a stand-alone restaurant and his parents suggested he open one in the family house. Not your typical layout but the food is out of this world and he is getting a following with locals. Check him on Facebook. Open noon to 18:00 every day and very reasonable pricing for top notch seafood. I enjoyed again Cafe Cuatro for great desserts and nice coffee. Nice Italian trattoria feel and a great setup right in the heart of Centro. Of course a daily espresso fix was found at El Cafecito in the Casa Marina building right off the basketball court in la Cancha. It was nice to join my friends there that I had not seen in 2 years. They own that coffee/restaurant and had a tough time for the last 3 years as aside dealing with covid for 2 years and being basically shut down due to the construction of the new walkway, they also got the news just over 2 years ago their only kid had cancer. She is cancer-free now and was just back in class in Morelia when I saw them. Awesome news!

Talking about that construction, yes, that new walkway looks great. It sure is a lot of concrete and sadly some of the beach has been lost and worst, too many mature trees were taken out but overall it does look good. I am not sold on the basketball court design and I wonder how long these new palm trees will last but it is a very clean look overall and much easier to walk on for those with mobility issues.

I enjoyed some meals at El Manglar on La Ropa and of course viewing the crocodiles and other wildlife and birds. So relaxing to be there and watch the sunset after walking that beautiful beach. I also went to the Catalina Hotel Sunset Bar on La Ropa for my last sunset. Always a good spot to enjoy a sunset with good drinks. Unfortunately, the long time bartender who manage that bar was not working as he was off sick with an eye issue but his replacement did alright and it was a good close to my vacation. Also went to La Tasca on La Madera beach several times. It is a tapas place but they also serve regular meals and their drinks are very good. It is a great spot to watch the sunset and people watching. Fausto, the owner, is a nice guy and will take good care of you. Nice presentation with their food and all I tried was very tasty. I also was out to watch bands a few times and tried the food at Barracruda in Centro a few times. It has been a huge improvement as I used to get tacos from across the street before as they had no kitchen but they do now and the chef/owner of that kitchen used to own El Perla Negra in La Madera area. That place is now a sushi restaurant. The food at Barracruda was excellent from the arrachera tacos to the fish filet and the guacamole.

My breakfasts were split between Margaritas which does most of the classics really well in a nice setting and La Teracita, which offers a different presentation on classics. They were in a different location this time around, just off Calle Adelita but the food was the same. They just reopened today their beach location on La Madera which was closed after the storm that damaged the area. I find that it is hard not to get a good meal, especially breakfast, at any restaurant on Calle Adelita and the area. I also went to another oldie for breakfast a few times, Banana's in Centro. Nothing changed and same staff.

Of course, I enjoyed the music scene, although not as much this time around as I tried to spend less time inside and close to people. But I still managed to catch a few bands playing at Barracruda , Bandidos, Ta Rock to name a few. I was also at Overtime in Centro a few times as I enjoy live music but also love watching latin dancing. I need to learn to dance as I was asked too many times to dance and was so bad with my 2 left legs lol. But it sure was a lot of fun.