Playa de Ixtapa!

We had the opportunity for a 4 day weekend excursion to Ixtapa. NC State University, IUP from Pennsylvania and some independents hopped on the bus before sunrise at 5am last Thursday. We knew Ixtapa would be a long bus ride but didnt know having a bus with warm air conditioning and leaked when it was on, many gravel roads, and broken seats on our bus would make for the worst 9 hours ever.

We arrived around 2pm so we all headed for the beach first thing. It was a gorgeous day around 80 degrees. Hotel Fontan was oceanfront and had 5 swimming pools. A small resort with all inclusive food and drinks anytime quickly made up for the 9 hour bus ride.

On the beach- Aaron, David, Me, Carter, Sara, Samuel, Wes and Michael

My roommates were Sara and Katie from NC State. We enjoyed having air conditioning in the rooms, TV channels in English, and the best water pressure in the shower! We spent the first day on the beach trying to bear the Mexican sun. I was in heaven with the all-you-can-eat buffet and open bar to order as many piña coladas as I wanted.

After dinner every evening, we walked down the beach and enjoyed the beautiful sunset.

The Pacific Ocean at this time of year is dangerous. A certain color flag is flown every day representing how dangerous the water is that day. The color Red meant "very dangerous, swim at your own risk". I was in and out in about 5 minutes. The waves were way too strong to enjoy!
Our first day at Ixtapa just happened to be Mexico playing the first game of the World Cup in soccer. Having a sports bar across from our hotel was flooded with locals and tourists wearing Mexican jerseys. Mexico tied with South Africa 1-1.

As we layed on the beach, waded in the pool, and walked to the local markets, we were constantly being confronted by locals about mini excursions like parasailing, jet skis, snorkeling, and boat rides to private islands. It became normal to say "no gracias" until one my friends had the great idea of going deep sea fishing and snorkeling.

Sunrise on Saturday Morning

Five hundred pesos later, five of us were on the boat the next morning at sunrise, making our way out in to the ocean, taking our turns at catching blackfin tuna. We circled an island probably 10 times knowing thats where we caught the best fish. Needless to say, I needed help reeling in my 7 pound blackfin- it was a monster!


I never thought I'd go deep sea fishing while in Mexico much less eat the fish we caught for lunch! We stopped by a small island and picked up snorkeling gear... goggles and flippers.

(hahaha)

I was able to buy an underwater camera to take pictures of the ocean coral and schools of fish. As we snorkeled, our captain of the boat prepared "cavicchi" which consisted of raw tuna (that we caught), onions and lime juice- eaten with saltine crackers. It was actually very delicious (muy rico!)

Mis amigos- Mark, David, Dan and Aaron

Deep sea fishing and snorkeling was the best part of Ixtapa. It was a wonderful excursion within my 4 day excursion to Ixtapa. Once it was time to go back to Cuernavaca, I realized how much Spanish I had lost because I didn't speak it for 4 days. New classes started Monday which focused on more conversation. I am looking forward to Mom, Dad and Granddaddy coming to visit me in a few days! I will be able to show them my new city!