EXIT FROM IXTAPA

Up earlier than usual and down to the shore to see the catch-of-the-day. Fascinating that right next to gringos having coffee, there's the ancient ritual of men returning from sea, see?? But the main event of today was a 8km local bus over to Ixtapa (icks-TA-pa). This is a made-up resort like Cancun, with high-end hotels, but hundreds of acres of wetlands have been spared as a biological reserve. Better yet, there's a 9km hiking/cycling trail through it. Excellent for my exer-walking but brutal in heat and humidity.

New-to-us butterflies, birds, and seedpods but a good helping of familiar crocs and iguanas. The trail comes out at the pier to Ixtapa Island, a scrubby spot we snorkeled a few years ago. Back in Zihua, we craved Chinese take-out from around the corner but the portions were so big there is a lucky dog out there smackin' her lips on leftover soy chicken with broccoli. Another balmy evening stroll led to an outdoor culture show --- this time dancing by troupes from local hotels. Surprise ----- along with the usual swirl of traditional Mexican folk dances, there were hip-hop and pop routines by lithe young performers to Fame and MJ's The Way You Make Me Feel, complete with sequined glove.

It's goodbye to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo in the morning. Next stop the golden oldie of Acapulco.