Zihautanejo and Ixtapa–SailFest

We voyaged down to Zihautanejo and Ixtapa for Sailfest Zihautanejo, which raises money to build and refit schools for the local residents, especially those far from services up in the hills.

    The town is certainly   
   picturesque with beautiful
   homes and condos.

 
   We anchored in front of this    
   condo for the week we were in
   Z-town.  Fun to watch the
   guests watching us.  They had
   waiters serving them drinks
   and food – we supplied the
   ambience.

There were over 20 boats participating in Sailfest and raised over $80,000 for the schools.  We only participated in a boat parade around Zihau harbor and out to Ixtapa, about 5 miles away, and return.  .
 

The SailFest committee had local children draw posters so the guest could get to the right boat.  Here’s ours; it’s a keeper:

 

 

 

 

 

Having a power boat, we were able to parallel the sailing fleet, giving the guests photo ops.  Saw a couple of whales breaching, but too far away for good pictures. 

 

      

Eight guests were aboard WORTH WAITING 4 – from Saskatoon, Sask., Oregon, Minnesota and Zihautanejo 
               

  

  

Our highlights of the visit were visiting the local market for great fruits and veggies.   The central market is large, probably 2 or 3 blocks, offering everything for the shopper. It’s impressive to see how much work the sidewalk vendors, outside the main market do to sell their fruit and veggies – beautiful displays and packaging, and compete with the vendors in the marketplace.

  

Excellent chile rellenos and hand-made tortillas for lunch. 

     

Ixtapa was disappointing.  The beach is pretty sand, but the water was not very clean.  The beach is restricted by the all-inclusive hotels, with only a couple of public access routes.  Downtown was just too touristy for us.

    

Marina Ixtapa was good for refueling, taking on about 800 liters.  Otherwise, disappointing – no services, no wifi, long way from town. And HUGE crocodiles came visiting.  The neighbors on SALTY DOG had a standard poodle aboard.  Vivi barked at the croc, which then came to the back of their boat looking for dinner.

Ixtapa harbor is pretty, lined with homes, hotels and condos.  Lots of large yachts

   
The skipper really needed to concentrate on entering and exiting the harbor.  The channel is very narrow, shallow with 9-1/2’ at low tide, and a sharp turn at the marina.   The Admiral continually read off the depth during the transit.

   

Off to Santiago/Manzanillo, heading north, where we will cross our 4,000 mile mark on our wonderful voyage.