PLAYA LAS GATAS

Friday morning, Derek and I had the bright idea to go over to Playa Las Gatas. This is a beach that we can see from Playa La Ropa but we have never been there. Two year ago when we were here, Derek snorkelled there with Freddy but they didn't actually go to the beach. The water around Playa Las Gatas is a well known snorkelling area. We knew we could walk there - or so we had been told - but had the even better thought to ask our parasailing friends to give us a lift in their boat.

As we were leaving the RV Park we ran into the guys and they were happy to give us a lift over. We just had to wait for the boat to arrive. So - we shopped at the 'temptation store' - which by the way - is right across from Audrey's hotel room. As we were going by we saw that Jasmine was putting out new shirts. I picked up the green one that is in my hand and Audrey picked out another for a gift. 

We then went back over to the hotel to get a picture of the exterior. We had originally booked the room above but due to an in house communication error we ended up with this one which ultimately was better because of the ease of entry.

Hopefully we will one day return to Zihuatanejo as fly ins - if we do we'll stay here at El Pirata. It's not fancy but it is just right - plus it's just down the alley from El Manglar. It's not necessarily quiet but it's affordable and about 20 steps from the beach. Plus we know the family that owns this entire block and really like them.

The view to the left.

Looking towards the restaurant which is on the beach.

It wasn't long until we were headed out to the boat. Without a dock at our beach we had to walk in a bit and literally jump aboard.

The four of us - picture taken by….

our friend Manuel. Here he is reaching for the camera. That's Obed driving the boat.

Minutes later and we are unloading.

Amazing water - right?! It didn't take long for Cas to jump in.

We walked the length of the beach first. It's a bit of a gauntlet with all of the waiters trying to convince you to sit at their restaurant. It's actually quite funny to listen to their stories and why you should choose their restaurant.

In the end we headed back to Simon's mother's restaurant. 

He was the most enthusiastic and a challenge to turn down.

Derek rented his snorkelling gear and was off - reasonable at 50 pesos for the day.

We had both lounge and sitting chairs, tables and an umbrella. Here we sat - Cassia spending most of the time in the water - Audrey and I taking turns joining her.

Cassia was happy to take the equipment from Derek upon his return. 

Pretty funny watching a petite five year old walk in adult flippers.

You are probably not surprised to see that they didn't last. We were amazed at how quickly Cassia took to snorkelling. She is still learning to swim but for some reason she became a little mermaid with the gear on. 

Because you get your chairs for free it's pretty much expected that you are going to buy something at the restaurant. While our food was being prepared, Simon came by to show us the fish. We had passed on the combo plate worth 530 pesos and opted for french fries and guacamole instead.

You really can't come to Mexico and miss out on a coconut.

Best fries we have had in Mexico - home cut, crispy, and tasty - they didn't last long.

If you are looking to occupy a five year old just give them a coconut and a straw. Cassia spent about a half an hour scraping out the coconut meat. Eventually Simon took it and brought back the remainder in slices.

After lunch Derek went back out for a second snorkelling trip - 

he had missed the King of King's statue the first time. Then we headed home.

We walked to where we thought the path back to Playa La Ropa was but then wondered because it was pretty rocky. The guy sitting close by assured us that that was the route….  Yikes! First we have Audrey walk to El Centro and back and now we are having her walk on rocks.

She's a real trooper though and we made it.

We'll call Audrey's trip to Zihuatanejo - her 'Mexican Adventure'!

Now back on the road that will lead to the hotel.

Nice - eh?!

It's just crazy that it took us so long to go there! The best part about Playa Las Gatas is the shallow water with little to no waves. Not sure if we'll get back there before we leave or not.

And - speaking of leaving……

We will be departing from El Manglar, Playa La Ropa and Zihuatanjeo next Sunday!!!!!!

I know! How fast did our time here go?!! When we arrived we thought we would be staying until the end of February - but that was when we thought we'd be starting work the beginning of May. With our new job posting with a start date of April 1st, we've had to move up our time line.

This gives us a month to get home. We want to dawdle in the USA for a bit…..

I've been doing a bunch of research and will tell you about our route up through Mexico soon.

Teresa

A WALK TO EL CENTRO AND SHOPPING AT THE ARTISAN MARKET

Tuesday was the day to take Audrey (Derek's mom - for those of you just joining the party) for her first visit to El Centro. As most of you know, we make this trek each week to visit the Humane Society and El Cafecitio - and do whatever shopping that needs to be done. And - we take the combi. We have walked it once - two years ago. It's possible but a bit of a death march. 

Once was enough.

Except for today. Audrey wanted to walk it - so we walked it.

First we walk the length of Playa La Ropa - at the far end, by the rocks I have been showing you for the last few posts, there are stairs up to the Escenica La Ropa.

The stairs lead to this …..

which carries on like this. 

You really have to put your back into it and keep your head down. I find if you look up you can easily get discouraged. I'm wondering at this point if Derek's mom - at 75 I might add - is looking around for a combi!

A bit of a struggle but we made it to the top!

Since we walked on the beach first we all had sandy feet. Derek was generous enough to clean Cassia's off for her. We all needed a breather anyway.

Great views of the bay along the way.

Lots of road construction on the main Playa La Ropa road right now.

Since we were walking right by we decided to get a retake of a family photo we posed for at this spot two years ago. Last time it was in the evening - this time the morning - thus the sun shining in our eyes.

A short cut….

To another steep road - thankfully down. This is a crazy road that the taxis sometimes take us up - I'm always thinking the car is just going to flip backwards being on such a slope.

Since I'm generally at the back taking photos I get a lot of back shots. This time I got everyone to stand together.

After a bit of street walking it was back to the beach. 

This beach is called Playa Madera - also with hotels and restaurants but smaller than Playa La Ropa.

It leads to the sea wall. Yup - we are on a mission by this point - pretty hot already.

From this point it wasn't long until we were at the Municipal Plaza.

A quick stop to get a shot of Grandma with Cassia and the crocodile.

Then it was off to the Humane Society to pick up our dogs for the day. We got Frisky 2 and 3 again plus a little pup for Cassia. Unfortunately, the puppy wasn't sure what to do with his freedom out of the cage so Audrey ended up carrying him.

He was a cutie though with the bluest eyes.

I'm gonna love ya and squeeze ya…

After our dog walk we sat down for our coffees and Cas's Pina Colada smoothie at El Cafecitio.

Not one good picture of all of us - but here's a pic of Derek enjoying his coffee and e-cig courtesy of Cassia. For those of you that were with us when Derek started with is e-cig more than a year ago - he is still going strong. He was still smoking 4 cigarettes a day but since Dec. 29 he has just been vaping.

Charged with caffeine - it was time to shop - we headed to the artisan market. Only a few pictures as I was way to busy to snap pictures with all the looking I was doing. By this point we had already bought a dress each. I passed on this one but Audrey kept hers. 

So much to look at - very overwhelming.

Audrey needed a hat…..

Cassia not so much but she tried a few on anyway.

Although not really known for his shopping patience - Derek did VERY well - I was impressed. This is how he passed his time as us women hummed and hawed.

After much time spent at the artisan market we finally started making our way home. Our final stop downtown was for coffee at Cafe Molido. The supply that we brought with us has finally come to an end. 1 kg for 120 pesos! Try that at home!

I was in luck because the bags I have been eyeing are sold here. Cassia is modelling the one I chose.

But there are many more - at 30 pesos each I may just have to stop in for a few more - and more coffee to take home!

After that things got a bit confusing. What we should have done was take the combi or taxi home - but we didn't. Our first thought was to go to Pizza Loca for a late lunch. But they were closed. We then decided to start walking back and go to a restaurant by Playa Madera. By the time we got there and read the menu we weren't sold on the place - so we continued on. We almost stopped at Paty's once on Playa La Ropa - but with our feet in the water we decided we had just enough energy to get us home.

What a day - not only walking to El Centro from Playa La Ropa but back again. From here we changed in to our suits at home and headed to the ocean for a swim. Lucky Cassia who had a ready made swimsuit built in to her outfit.

One of the great things about the location of Audrey's Hotel - El Pirata is that she is right down by the beach. The other night we went to the top floor of Rossy's for drinks - and hammock lounging.

The second floor offers a great view of the ocean. It's a popular place to have dinner while watching the sunset. We may do that one night pretty soon.

Drinking fruity drinks has become a past time of ours lately. Derek sticks to his beer but Audrey and I go in for the sweet - her's is a banana daiquiri and mine a pina colada. Cassia was thrilled with her chocolate milkshake.

What a day! Good thing we had a lot of energy stored up from our few days before of relaxing. Wednesday, we were back to the beach - and today too! Derek and I were feeling good enough tonight to take on that hill we've been showing you. This time we made it to the top - just in time for some stellar sunset pictures. Those up next time.

Tomorrow is Friday already - one week since Derek's mom arrived. She's with us until next Wednesday so we still have some time to show her around and try a few more restaurants.

Teresa