Las Gatas treat

We dinghied into Zihuatanejo on the last day of February without having to fight any surf and wandered around. It was suggested that we walk in behind the market where we would find great fruits and vegetables. The open air vendors were selling their produce everywhere right next to the streets. We bought all sorts - large, fresh, delicious, and so cheap.

Zihuatanejo has done a great job of beautifying its streets and buildings in the last couple of years and we were very impressed. It is a great place, especially as it's not filled with tourists everywhere.

I hoisted Jordan up the mast so he could fix some rigging problem at the top as well as replace the steaming light with an LED. The other light not only used up too many amps, but got so hot in the little light enclosure, it was continually burning out.

At the suggestion of SV Precious Metal (a boat from Victoria BC), a group of us were boat-taxied over to a nearby beach, Playa Las Gatas, that you can only access by walking a long distance or by boat (no road access). At the restaurant, Chez Arnoldo, we had a fabulous meal, great hosts, and great company.

At the end of the meal our hosts and panga drivers, Noillo and Memo, said there was no charge - just payment of drinks and a tip for the chef! They have been accommodating boaters that come here, particularly during the annual Sailfest, a destination fund raising event by cruising sailors. The proceeds build classrooms in the poor areas around Zihuatanejo. We will miss it by a couple of weeks, as we need to continue south.

Bunch of boaters

Front row: Linda and Doug of SV Aquadesiac. Back row: Leo - crew of SV Aquadesiac, Pamela of SV Precious Metal, Lynn of SV Lucky Lexi, and Jordan and me. Be sure to look up this place when you are in Zihuatanejo!

After checking in and out with the Port Captain the next day, we motored the very short distance back across the bay (to Las Gatas where we had our great meal yesterday) where the water was much cleaner than at Zihuatanejo. Jordan wanted to do a quick clean on the bottom of the boat using the Hooka gear.

We were underway by 15:15 for an over-nighter to Acapulco. Once again, we saw a whale sounding and so many dolphins southbound (you must be tired of hearing this!) Soon after, we passed quite a few small manta rays, some jumping and jumping.