I Was an Inaugural VirginBy Madelyn MillerI am not a political animal, so I doubt I will ever be invited to any political inaugural events. But I was invited to fly on American Airlines inaugural flight from Dallas to Ixtapa/Zihuatenajo in Mexico. After check-in at DFW, I was directed to the send-off party at the gate. Mexican musicians played mariachi music, and there were buffets of Mexican munchies including guacamole, tacos, dulces and nuts, and more. The air was one of anticipation, and the gate was decorated with festive balloon columns in both American and Mexican colors.
Who wouldn’t love an introduction to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo like this one?
I was not only an inaugural virgin, but also an Ixtapa virgin. And this charming Mexican resort town quickly became one of my favorite destinations. Staying the Barcelo was a wonderful choice. Most of the rooms have balconies and views of the Ocean. And if you walk out the front door, you are right across from the Ixtapa Mercado. Situated between the beach and shopping is always my favorite place to be. DELICIOUS DININGA great place to start your dining experiences is at Coconuts, housed in Zihuatanejo oldest building. The building and grounds were part of the original Inguaran Family Hacienda that was built in around 1865. Prior to the Mexican Revolution of 1910, the Inguaran Plantation extended for hundreds of thousands of acres surrounding Zihuatanejo; including all of the area now known as Ixtapa. My favorite fish dish of the whole trip was at Coconuts, their famous coconut battered red snapper. Maybe it helps that the head chef is also the owner, but everything was absolutely delicious. The setting is romantic, with twinkling lights strewn throughout the trees.
Don’t miss dining by the beach at the romantic La Brisa Resort, just outside Ixtapa. Open from 6pm to midnight from November to April. If you can’t get a reservation by the beach, try the Portofino Restaurant at Las Brisas for Italian and Mediterranean gourmet dishes. Villa del Sol in Zihua serves local and Continental dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere. I tasted an entrée with two different fresh fish and a local spinach, For dessert I could not resist the chocolate concoction named for the co-general manager. WHAT MAKES IXTAPAN/ZIHUATANEJO SO MUCH BETTER THAN OTHER DESTINATIONS
A sense of a destination that is slightly undiscovered—or at least not yet overrun with tourists reasonable prices on accommodations and food each of the two cities is small enough to be easy to walk around in clean, sandy beaches that are wonderful for walking … a very popular activity early morning and at sunset. BEST SIGNSeen in front of Senor Frog’s. “ To avoid embarrassment, don’t wear clothes from Senor Frog’s at the nude beach” BEST CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCEThe Nicole Chocolate Dessert at La Villa del Sol, named for the co-general manager Nicole Wise MOST REQUESTED THINGS TO BRING BACK FOR FRIENDSRetin-A If you are old enough to need it, you know what it is and will appreciate that it costs about 90% less if you buy it in Mexico. If you have lots of friends who want it, it may be worth a trip to Wal-Mart. But call ahead and tell them you want to order some, the day I was there they only had 3 tubes in stock. I had four disappointed friends. But I am a good friend and promised to go back to Mexico soon to buy more. Kahlua DON’T MISS
2 A drink at sunset overlooking the beach 2. Trips to the handicrafts markets in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo 4. The turtle rescue programs if you are there in turtle season DON’T FORGET
sunglasses Insect repellent. They say you don’t need it, but my travel companions and I were scratching after a couple of days comfortable walking shoes and shoes for walking on the beach WHERE TO STAYGOOD VALUES Hotel Barcelo Ixtapa
Presidente Intercontinental All Inclusive Resort Ixtapa BEST WESTERN POSADA REAL IXTAPA Riviera Beach Resort and Spa Ixtapa WORTH THE SPLURGE HOTELSLas BrisasIxtapa
A new entrance confuses some of the regulars, (I wish I was one) but made room for a spa. Special touches like flower petals arranged on the bed are so intricate that it takes half an hour to do them. Not your cookie-cutter hotel…although I am sure they serve delicious cookies, as everything I tasted there was first-rate. GREAT GUIDEBOOKSLET’S GO MEXICO MOON HANDBOOKS PACIFIC MEXICO Lonely Planet Mexico EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES MEXICO TRAVELERS TALES GUIDES HIDDEN CANCUN & THE YUCATAN PUERTA VALLARTA PUERTA VALLARTA BERLITZ PUERTO VALLARTA & ACAPULCO POCKET GUIDE BERLITZ CANCUN & COZUMEL Hunter Travel Guide ADVENTURE GUIDE TO THE YUCATAN, CANCUN & COZUMEL HIDDEN CANCUN & THE YUCATAN by Richard Harris LONELY PLANET MEXICO CITY EAT SMART IN MEXICO LIVE BETTER SOUTH OF THE BORDER ON MEXICAN TIME BEST SOUVENIRS OF MEXICO
Damiana. A sweet liquor believed to be an aphrodisiac for women. I think it works because it is so yummy you drink too much. And the bottle could be a collector’s item, it is shaped like a voluptuous nude woman Mexican sea salt. Easily available in supermarkets. A wonderful gift for gourmet foodie friends. Other food gifts include mountain grown coffee and sweets made of tamarindo and coconut. MY FAVORITE MEXICAN DRINKDirty banana (recipe compliments of Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa) ½ oz. condensed milk Combine all ingredients and blend with ice BEST WAY TO GET THEREAmerican Airlines flies direct from Dallas on Wednesday and Saturdays FOR MORE INFORMATIONby Madelyn Miller and June Taylor |
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TM
I really didn’t understand the whole spirit of an inaugural flight until I did this one. There was a sense of shared excitement, and each passenger was given a special inaugural certificate upon boarding. I imagined children taking them to school for show and tell, grandparents framing them to show to grandchildren. The energy escalated as we deplaned in Zihua. More balloons, two bands, and the mayor greeted us. 
Actually, I quickly decided who wouldn’t love Ixtapa/Zihuatenajo anytime?
One of my best meals was at Sunset Restaurant at the Dorado Pacifico. Keep your eye on their chef, Daniel Pech, who is bound to develop a following. Next time I am in Ixtapa, I would like to have the exact same meal: Pear and goat cheese salad with jicama dressing, a seafood fantasy with lobster, sea bass, shrimp and mussels (and beets and potatoes cut in the shape of the 
American Airlines logo to honor the inaugural flight), Cheese cake on mango, yogurt and saffron sauce. I thought I could never eat again until they brought out adorable little wagons made from pastry and filled with Mexican candy made from coconut, sesame seeds and tamarindo.
Blissful breezes let you enjoy the sun and surf without working up a sweat.
1.The Delfiniti Dolphanarium includes swimming and frolicking with these friendly creatures. I have swum with the dolphins at three other locations, and this one was by far and away the best. More actual interaction with the Dolphins and a very small ratio of guests to dolphins.
Sunscreen and a hat
Hotel Dorado Pacifico
Casa que Canta
Villa Del Sol
Legal drugs. I always get Retin-A for myself and friends. I know people who also buy antibiotics and other prescription drugs that are available over-the-counter in Mexico