After our better-than-expected experience in Manzanilla, I was a bit nervous about our visit to Zihuatanejo (zee-wot-a-ney-ho). After all the hype we'd been hearing about this place, from its beautiful, natural setting, to the great anchorage in the bay, to the cruiser-friendly nature of the local businesses, I was resolved to be a little disappointed. Actually, though, "Zihuat" lives up to its lofty reputation.

Based on the number of modern condominium buildings, vendors selling all types of Mexican artistry, and a cruise-ship wharf (!), its pretty obvious that this place has been discovered by the hordes. Still, it has retained some flavor of what it must have been like here 50 years ago...tropical and lush, with an unspoiled beauty focusing on the water and sky. Sunsets here are fantastic, and the fishing is first class. So much so in fact, that we decided to charter a local panga for a few hours and take the girls fishing. We hadn't even got the 2nd pole in the water (we were still in the anchorage!) when we hooked what was to be our biggest fish of the day...a 20 lb yellow-fin tuna. The day's tally was 1 yellow-fin, and 4 skipjack tuna. The girls had fun, though the early wake-up call took its effect on them as they pooped-out toward the end of the day.

Our friends on Tin Soldier are headed this way in a few weeks, by which time Nancy and I need to decide if we will jump to the South Pacific from here, or from Manzanilla. Both have advantages, but my guess is we'll leave from here. As Newton said, an object at rest tends to stay at rest.