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Karen Kefauver | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Mexico: Zihuatanejo, Troncones, 12/07 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Mexico: Zihuatanejo, Troncones, 12/07

After a four-flight from San Francisco to Zihuatenejo, on the Pacific Ocean, Norman and I were excited to feel the warm coastal air. We taxied south for an hour to the small town of Barra de Potosi (resident population, 500). We liked the mellow town and our lodging so much that we stayed five nights. The homey Casa del Encanto (House of Enchantment), is owned by Laura Kelly, an American ex-pat who lived in Santa Cruz.

For a change of scenery, we decided to journey to the mountains inland. After a day-long journey via three buses and two taxis, we arrived at the colonial town of Patzcuaro, at 7500-feet. It was so chilly that the vendors sold wool hats. We spent three days exploring the local markets and sights.

To wrap up our vacation, we spent a fantastically relaxing five days at the beach in Troncones, a small but popular resort area an hour north of Zihuatenejo.

For our final day and a half of our vacation, we explored the city of Zihuatenejo. We returned to Santa Cruz on Christmas Eve.
We spent our first five nights at Casa del Encanto in Barra de Potosí
We spent our first five nights at Casa del Encanto in Barra de Potosí		 This bed and breakfast is owned by an American, Laura Kelly, a former Santa Cruz resident
This bed and breakfast is owned by an American, Laura Kelly, a former Santa Cruz resident		 Casa del Encanto is very homey
Casa del Encanto is very homey		 The guests gather for breakfast and socializing
The guests gather for breakfast and socializing
Casa del Encanto is wonderfully colorful
Casa del Encanto is wonderfully colorful		 Be sure to use the mosquito nets at night!
Be sure to use the mosquito nets at night!		 This altar is in honor of the Virgin Guadalupe
This altar is in honor of the Virgin Guadalupe		 Norman and I toured a coastal eco resort on our first day in Mexico
Norman and I toured a coastal eco resort on our first day in Mexico
This turtle sanctuary protects endangered species
This turtle sanctuary protects endangered species		 The baby turtles are so tiny
The baby turtles are so tiny		 They make their way to the ocean...slowly
They make their way to the ocean...slowly		 These fellows work hard to protect the turtles at the sanctuary
These fellows work hard to protect the turtles at the sanctuary
Then the tide helps them get their feet wet
Then the tide helps them get their feet wet		 Fishing is a way of life on the coast
Fishing is a way of life on the coast		 The turtle eggs are protected on the beach in these buckets
The turtle eggs are protected on the beach in these buckets		 Coconuts are everywhere
Coconuts are everywhere
We would be happy to adopt baby turtles
We would be happy to adopt baby turtles		 They are so adorable
They are so adorable		 Each turtle is labeled
Each turtle is labeled		 Digging out the turtle eggs underground
Digging out the turtle eggs underground
For fresh coconut treats, we stopped here
For fresh coconut treats, we stopped here		 Coconuts are an amazing fruit
Coconuts are an amazing fruit		 These candies are popular and delicious
These candies are popular and delicious		 The fresh coconut is sliced on this table
The fresh coconut is sliced on this table
Girls gather in at the local church for a pre-Christmas festival
Girls gather in at the local church for a pre-Christmas festival		 This little girl has the festival spirit
This little girl has the festival spirit		 This man is dressed with a horse on his back and represents Cortez
This man is dressed with a horse on his back and represents Cortez		 After a trip to Mexico, I always dress more colorfully
After a trip to Mexico, I always dress more colorfully
Fisherman haul in the day's catch
Fisherman haul in the day's catch		 They sell fish to many local restaurants
They sell fish to many local restaurants		 Sorting the good from the bad
Sorting the good from the bad		 Norman and I tried to put them back in the ocean
Norman and I tried to put them back in the ocean
The nets are handmade in the village
The nets are handmade in the village		 Soccer (futbol as it is called there) is popular
Soccer (futbol as it is called there) is popular		 The beach at sunset
The beach at sunset		 Our lodging owner, Laura, is building this community library
Our lodging owner, Laura, is building this community library
The school in Barra de Potosi
The school in Barra de Potosi		 In a village of 500 people, we stood out
In a village of 500 people, we stood out		 The kids were friendly
The kids were friendly		 The palm-lined main drag of Barra de Potosí
The palm-lined main drag of Barra de Potosí
Whimsical wall mural
Whimsical wall mural		 A simple shade structure protects from the heat
A simple shade structure protects from the heat		 Rose, a guest at Casa del Encanto, was traveling with her parents, former Peace Corps volunteers
Rose, a guest at Casa del Encanto, was traveling with her parents, former Peace Corps volunteers		 We always had fun meeting kids
We always had fun meeting kids
Patzcuaro is known especially for its woolen goods and wood futurniture
Patzcuaro is known especially for its woolen goods and wood futurniture		 Patzcauro (pop. 70,000) has two main plazas
Patzcauro (pop. 70,000) has two main plazas		 The streets were narrow and the city scape was bustling
The streets were narrow and the city scape was bustling		 Women of all ages wore wool shawls, like the lady, right
Women of all ages wore wool shawls, like the lady, right
Bikes were a good way to peddle goods
Bikes were a good way to peddle goods		 This church was busy as Christmas approached
This church was busy as Christmas approached		 We frequently sat down on stools to eat lunch at street vendor shops - tacos!
We frequently sat down on stools to eat lunch at street vendor shops - tacos!		 The small dried fish in the photo are a staple in the markets
The small dried fish in the photo are a staple in the markets
Colorful pinatas are stuffed with candy and the kids have a blast batting them
Colorful pinatas are stuffed with candy and the kids have a blast batting them		 The market draws shoppers of all ages
The market draws shoppers of all ages		 Oranges are a special treat around Christmas time, they are often in pinatas, along with candy
Oranges are a special treat around Christmas time, they are often in pinatas, along with candy		 These women were tough negotiators
These women were tough negotiators
We did enjoy the bananas and nectarines
We did enjoy the bananas and nectarines		 Life-sized chess match
Life-sized chess match		 The pink faces are meant to poke fun of the Spanish colonists
The pink faces are meant to poke fun of the Spanish colonists		 Bicycle vendors are a common sight
Bicycle vendors are a common sight
Norman and I indulged in ice cream
Norman and I indulged in ice cream		 I ate a lot of meat, cheese and tortillas on this trip
I ate a lot of meat, cheese and tortillas on this trip		 We took a 1/2 day trip by boat from Patzcuaro to Janitizio Island
We took a 1/2 day trip by boat from Patzcuaro to Janitizio Island		 Hike from the water to the statue of Jose Maria Morelos
Hike from the water to the statue of Jose Maria Morelos
The views along the steep climb were gorgeous
The views along the steep climb were gorgeous		 The church plays a central role in daily life
The church plays a central role in daily life		 The 200-foot tall statue honors this revolutionary Jose Morelos
The 200-foot tall statue honors this revolutionary Jose Morelos		 The town lay below us
The town lay below us
The ancient bell
The ancient bell		 We stayed at Hotel Eden, north of Zihuatenejo
We stayed at Hotel Eden, north of Zihuatenejo		 Hotel Eden is in the small town of Troncones, on Manzanillo Bay
Hotel Eden is in the small town of Troncones, on Manzanillo Bay		 Boogie boards and surfboards were available at the hotel
Boogie boards and surfboards were available at the hotel
Paddle!
Paddle!		 Kids play along the beach
Kids play along the beach		 A dead eel washed up on the beach and still looked fierce
A dead eel washed up on the beach and still looked fierce		 Horses are guided along the coast
Horses are guided along the coast
This colorful crab is a work of art
This colorful crab is a work of art		 We also stayed at this hotel in Troncones
We also stayed at this hotel in Troncones		 The infinity pool appealed to humans and cats alike
The infinity pool appealed to humans and cats alike		 Norman sipped the sweet coconut milk
Norman sipped the sweet coconut milk
Yum!
Yum!		 We had the pool to ourselves
We had the pool to ourselves		 Our hotel room was guarded by Fanta the cat
Our hotel room was guarded by Fanta the cat		 The ladders make it easier
The ladders make it easier
Our last night in Mexico, we stayed in downtown Zihuatenejo
Our last night in Mexico, we stayed in downtown Zihuatenejo

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Susan Sibilia-Young 27-Jan-2008 01:03
Love the photos and comments. It took me right back to the warmth and deep relaxation of our journey. While staying in Uruapan, we made a day trip to Patzcuaro. Don't miss Uruapan on your next trip. It is an old fashioned colonial town that has as it's center a National Park. Much cooler (more spring like)than the coast, you won't run into any gringos, just lots of Mexican families on vacation.
Thanks for the photo of Rose. It reflects our happiness at the beach.
Meredith 16-Jan-2008 21:54
Kool Kat K-- Amazing pictures!! They inspire me to want to travel!! xo, Miss M.
Donna Maurillo 16-Jan-2008 03:46
Karen, lovely photos! You guys captured the real spirit of Mexico. I can't wait to see your wedding dress.
Carolyn Price 15-Jan-2008 18:52
Cool! You bought your wedding dress in Mexico! When is the big day again? Thanks for sending these. I can't wait to show the baby turtle pictures to my 5-year-old. - Carolyn
Jonathan Fine 15-Jan-2008 00:16
Really great images, Karen. These photos really capture the feel and mood of a small Mexican coastal village.
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