Final Post - MyShadowProductions #167

Happy Spring to everyone!!

This is my Final Post (of the recent Mexico trip :) 

Here are a few random photos and associated costs, just to give an idea of what life is like in that part of Mexico for a “tourist”.

              Laundry Washed/Dried/Folded 75 Pesos=$4.40 US

                    2 Scoops Vanilla 45 Pesos=$2.65 US

                            Free Photo :)

Hop On/Hop Off Bus $18 US for one day

                    5 Hour Bus Ride Morelia to Zihuatanejo 

                      Morelia Hotel $78 US per night

                    Coyoacán Hotel $65 US per night

I don’t have photos of my room (very basic with private bathroom but no small refrigerator) in Zihuatanejo at Hotel Mariposa but it was $35 per night. 

I also have some additional Videos to share if you are interested :)

Click Here for a 16 minute portion of the Bus ride from Morelia to Zihuatanejo, including a Sunrise :)

CLICK HERE for Básquetbol in Zihuatanejo.

Click here for Sunset in Zihuatanejo.

Meanwhile, back in the Aurora/Chicago area, I noticed on Google Maps some Parks around the North, West and South Sides of Chicago that are connected by “greenways”. It was easy with a quick internet search to find out that it is the Chicago Park and Boulevard System. You can READ ABOUT IT HERE.

I have already visited one Gem of the system and will share about it in my next Post.

Now for something very random. At the Food Pantry where I volunteer, we had +/- 5 pound bags of Rutabagas to offer people utilizing the Pantry. Some of the individual rutabagas were larger than a softball. Personally I don’t remember ever eating rutabagas or their relatives, turnips. Some people knew what they were and some didn’t and some wanted to know the name in Spanish (nabo sueco).

I decided to bring one home and cook it. Apparently, “When compared to potatoes, rutabagas provide half the calories, half the carbohydrates and 4 times the fiber. They also contain much more Vitamin C, magnesium, calcium and B vitamins.”

I washed the rutabaga, cut it into smaller sections, peeled the skin, cut into small chunks, boiled for 10 minutes and drained. I added some butter, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning and then enjoyed it, tasted great (similar to potatoes with a strong hint of cabbage) :)

Have a Great Week !!

Zihuatanejo - Pacific Ocean Boat Ride - MyShadowProductions #166

Ahoy, Mateys :)

First of all, I find it just simply amazing that anything, let alone a cell phone (is that the right term these days?:), can take photos and videos!

And, Thanks for all the nice Comments on my previous Posts, it is great to share some Life!

In this Post I will share the 20 minute Video of my boat ride from Playa Las Gatas to Playa Manzanillo on the Pacific Coast in Zihuatanejo, MX. The blue line in the photo below is the path of the total boat ride.

It was a spur of the moment idea/decision while sitting at the Playa Las Gatas Pier and luckily Alejandro was willing to make the journey with his boat “Prieta Linda“= “Cute Brunette” :) Especially since I didn’t know about Carlos Slim yet, and it would have been awkward trying to borrow his OSTRA Yacht :)

I didn’t experience any sea sickness (luckily) and felt safe the entire trip (remember, I have also felt safe in Denver and Chicago:) The “beach” itself at Playa Manzanillo is not a typical sandy, umbrella and drinks type of “beach”. I don’t snorkel but that is what others might do that venture there. I just enjoyed the views around each “corner” and the vastness of the “water” and “waves”. It got a little interesting when the anchor was stuck but Alejandro didn’t panic. I think he enjoyed going for a swim :)

Also visible in the distance from the boat were the El Faro (lighthouse) Punta Garrobo, the area of Barra de Potosi and Playa Larga (Long Beach).

Ok, enough of the “story”, take your Dramamine, lol, and CLICK HERE for a 20 minute boat ride on the Pacific Ocean in Zihuatanejo, MX :)

Bon Voyage !! (Thanks Alejandro !!)

Looks like some Readers of this Post will be getting a nice Early Spring Snowstorm, hope it doesn’t cause too many problems, please send photos if you see anything interesting:) 

Ixtapa and Isla Ixtapa - MyShadowProductions #165

Hola Amigos !!

I am back in Aurora. Travel day was Thursday, March 7. I took a 1.5 hour flight from Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo International Airport to MEX on Aeromexico, transferred from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 via the Aerotrén (required asking for directions several times but people were very willing to help) and then a 4 hour flight on United back to Chicago. At ORD there is a very long walk to Immigration and Customs, good exercise after sitting for 4 hours :) The weather was different, sunny and 80’s in Zihua to Cloudy and 40’s in Chicago, whine, whine, whine :)

A few quick notes about Zihuatanejo; it is derived from Nahuatl word “Zihuatlan” which means “land of women” and Zihuatanejo is “the paradise that Andy dreamt of and finally escaped to in The Shawshank Redemption” movie.

On the flight from Zihua to MEX I was able to take this photo (across the aisle) of the active Popocatepetl Volcano:

During my last several days in Zihua, I went to Ixtapa and Isla Ixtapa several times. I don’t know if this is noteworthy or not but I learned who Carlos Slim Helu is and saw his yacht in the waters between Ixtapa and Isla Ixtapa:

Ixtapa is a planned resort area with many condominiums and high end resorts, a marina and golf courses.

Isla Ixtapa is a very cool island with three different beaches, some hiking trails, some wildlife, coral, cacti, clear warm waters, beach restaurants, etc. The boat ride round trip is 80 pesos per person, approximately $5 US.

Click Here for a Video created from my photos. Warning - there are a lot of rocks and water and views that I just couldn’t pass up :)

I wish I had known this earlier in my Zihua visit but there are some “Men’s League?” Basketball games under the Lights at least two nights of the week. CLICK HERE for a Video of some of the action. The Blue Team eventually won on a last second shot!

I think that is enough for now, I am still sorting through some random photos and thoughts for sharing in a different Post. 

Enjoy your Weekend !!