Day 8 - Friday - 2-9-07 Huevos Rancheros was our breakfast choice, at Nueavu Zelanda instead of Casa Cafe because we were going to be going in the opposite direction for our days activities!

Today we went to Isla Ixtapa! It is the largest island about 4 miles North of Ixtapa and has several beaches to choose from. We took the public transportation to Playa Linda where we had to get water taxi tickets to get to the island. When we got on the white school bus with Playa Linda written on the window we put our 80 pesos on a towel on the dashboard and took a seat. It was nearly empty when we boarded but was almost full by the time we reached Playa Linda! A Canadian couple boarded a few stops later on their way to Playa Linda also.

This was Jack's first look at Ixtapa. It is the town the Mexican government built for tourists and tourists only. The beaches are all lined with high-rise hotels with flawlessly landscaped grounds. We passed CLUB IXTAPA (a Club Med) right before our ride ended. Mexicans can not live in Ixtapa we were told. They work in the hotels and restaurants but have to live elsewhere. Our bus had a number of people get on in Zihuatanejo dressed in what looked like "uniforms" of different types. In Ixtapa several tourists boarded the bus for the 3 mile ride to the "jump off spot" to Isla Ixtapa. Turned out Playa Linda was the "end of the bus line" so we didn't have to worry about missing our stop!

There was a Mercado similar to the Artisans Mercado in Zihuatanejo that you work your way through to get to the mainland beach which is Playa Linda. To the far left end of the beach a white walkway led to a small adobe building where we purchased our tickets to ride a panga to the island which was reassuringly close! Our panga operator was a small, dark, very wrinkled old man that never said a word. He questioned with a look where we wanted to go - Jack looked to me and I said "Snorkeling". He nodded and pointed to the other end of the island. Beyond the first beach we came to, around a rocky point, there was a smaller beach and another concrete pier. There were fewer people and "restaurants" lining it. The information I had from the internet said we would have to walk to the other side of the island to reach the coral beach which is "the" snorkeling spot.

The "walk" is 50 yards! Benito met us as we came off the pier and asked what we wanted to do for the day. When we said snorkel he lead us on the little path to Coral Beach! It wasn't any stress on Jack's still tender Achilles Heel! Benito set us up with a palapa, lounge chairs, and snorkeling gear within minutes. The gear cost $16 for both for all day here.

It is a very scenic small beach and the coral begins almost immediately. The water is crystal clear! It is by far the prettiest beach we've seen.

Although we saw many of the same fish we'd seen at Playa Los Gatos we did see some exciting new ones. A young green moray eel made it's way among rocks as we floated above him. A little later I spotted a black and white banded creature moving slowly through coral about 15 feet below us. Jack joined me when he saw I was staying in one spot obviously looking at something. He got pretty excited. He said it was a sea snake - extremely poisonous - but not aggressive. I didn't have a camera with me! Later when we came back with a camera I didn't see eels or snakes! Jack was not in favor of looking for the sea snake again anyway. We snorkeled 3 different times, I laid in the sun to dry off between times, Jack lounged in the shade of the palapa.

We snacked on chips and guacamole. About Noon Benito brought a tray loaded with freshly caught prawns, spiny lobster, and red snapper for us to choose our lunch from. We choose prawns and asked for them to be grilled. They were delicious! While diving Ricardo had told Jack how the lobster population has been decimated in recent years so Jack was passing on the lobsters. I had a huge lemonade with my meal but Jack stuck with water. Our bill for the day was $455 pesos - $45.50 for everything. More expensive than Los Gatos but then it is adjacent to Ixtapa where everything is very expensive.

Our walk back to the bus took us past the crocodiles we'd heard so much about. I got a few pictures of the massive reptiles. It was amazing how the white egrets stood around in close proximity to the croc's!

Our bus back to Zihuatanejo filled up at Playa Linda but the bus driver continued to stop if anyone was at a bus stop! Two or three people would have to step out of the bus so the new people could get in and then they would mount the steps again. Gave me a new picture of "standing room only"! We were traveling on the commuter bus out of Ixtapa at 5 pm! I know Jack was out of his comfort zone but he did fine. It was only a 15 minute ride and when he thought of $1.60 versus $25.00 for a cab he was pleased.

After showering and taking a short nap Jack and I decided to try a restaurant Buck had said is his favorite - "Sanka". It is two doors down from Tamales Y Atoles Any on Calle Ejido. I had the Arracharia (steak) and baked potato. Jack had fajitas. The baked potatoes were served whole in a "cup" of tin foil. Evaporated milk and goat cheese had been poured over the potato. It was very good. So was the steak! We'll return tomorrow night - Jack wants one of those steaks! While we were eating Buck and Kathy come in with another couple so we got the thank them for recommending the place. There was live music as we ate and I asked Jack if he would dance with me. Jack blanched and then agreed. I let him off the hook - we had dessert instead.

Leaving the restaurant at 8 pm we noted this has been the latest we've been out. We walked down Ejido to the Artisans Mercado and searched for a stall that had a pewter tray that I'd seen while shopping for sandals for Jack on Wednesday. I really liked the lines of the piece and wanted Jack to see it too. He did and we purchased it after just a little haggling. The platter, spoon and fork set was $60.00. I don't talk the price down much but it is expected and part of the fun of shopping in Mexico.

We returned to our room via the little pastry shop where we picked up a couple of their cookies and one of the jellyrolls Jack really likes.

It's now 9:45 pm and Jack is sleeping. I think I will follow suit. Another wonderful honeymoon day in Zihuatanejo!