Get busy living...

Zihuatanejo, sounds familiar right? Although I bet you cant quite think why? Well I´ll tell you, its the dream "getaway point" that the lead character Andy talks about in the classic book / film The Shawshank Redemption.

Don´t worry if you didn't know. I cant say I was too familiar with Zihuatanejo as it had been a few years since Id seen the film. But after watching the film again (all good travellers have a vast film selection on their laptops) I was fully aware of my next destination. Although I feel I must add here that after some Google research I found out that the Zihuatanejo scene in the film is in fact filmed in the US Virgin Islands?! So much for authenticity...

The real Zihuatanejo is situated on the Pacific coastline of Mexico and lies roughly four hours from Acapulco. Despite being by the sea the weather was ridiculously hot and humid. Thankfully I was staying in an apartment with air conditioning. I never thought Id say this after years of working in offices that dried my pre lasered contact lens eyes out, but I LOVE AIR CONDITIONING! 

Zihuatanejo

This is the real Zihuatanejo beach

Something else I have suddenly started to love is snorkelling. You may have read about my recent snorkelling escapades in previous blog entries. Ive grown to like it so much Ive gone as far as buying my own snorkel and mask. Albeit a cheapie one from the supermarket as Im not that much of a pro yet.

I tested my new mask and snorkel out at most of the beaches which are based in and around Zihuatanejo. The water once again was like a bath and there was plenty of sea life to admire. Despite having only snorkelled a handful of times even I could see that what life was here wasn't as exceptional as what I saw in Belize. The coral here is a little bleached and the visibility wasnt great due to it having rained recently. However I did get to see a statue of Mr JC which had been deliberatly sunk into the bay. I didn't spend too long looking at him though as the murkiness of the water made him look a little creepy.

The best beach I visited was Playa Las Gatas which means Cats Beach. It is named after the nurse sharks that apparently resemble cats that used to inhabit the waters. Thankfully the sharks aren't around anymore, as despite snorkelling with some in Belize, I think once was enough for me. It was here that I did the majority of my snorkelling. I visited another beach which was on an island imaginatively called La Isla (Spanish for island). The beach on La Isla was OK but most of it was taken over by restaurants and seating areas. I think the best thing it had going for it were the jet skis you could hire from the perma-tanned, soul glow haired, medallion wearing beach vendor. I managed to jump on the back of one and I think I must have deafened my travel buddy with my screaming. I didnt drive one myself, which in hindsight I kind of wish Id done, but its probably just as well I didnt as Im sure I would have done someone some damage. 

Jet skis!

Randomly en route to La Isla you had to go past a crocodile sanctuary which sits in the natural freshwater estuary that flows into the sea. The crocs were HUGE and looked very menacing. Despite being wild they are fed by all the local restaurants. What made me smirk was that all the tourists watching the crocodiles were wearing those ugly plastic Crocs shoes. I think if the real Crocs had seen them then they would have snapped at them in agreement with me. 

Crocs

Hes just seen the ugly Croc shoes...

I spent a good few days in Zihuatanajo, mostly because the people there and pretty much every town I've visited since arriving in Mexico have been so hospitable. Except taxi drivers who pick you up at bus garages. They're just out to take as much money from you as they can. Those aside, I have been well and truly impressed with the kindness I've received from the locals here. ¡Viva México!