Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Ixtapa sketches 2

On Dec 11, we borrowed bicycles and a guide.  Ixtapa has a very nice bike path, known as the ciclopista, that is about 8.5 kilometers long.  It starts in downtown Ixtapa and dips down into the forest reserve, and ends up at the pier at Playa Linda.
Along the way, we stopped to help that turtle cross the road, and watched a roseate spoonbill feeding in the swamp while another one took flight.  Near the marina, we stopped at the Zona de Cocodrillas.  It's a natural crocodile habitat that has simply been fenced off so the crocs don't wander out into traffic and frighten children and tourists.  They are small, as crocs go, only about five feet long from snout to tail and they looked pretty indolent and sleepy.  But those teeth are long and the eyes are prehistoric and predatory.  We also saw lots of those white egrets and iguanas.  The ride was long and hot but lots of fun.  Round trip was nearly 20 kilometers, including the sidetrips.
When we got back to the hotel, we saw that during the morning they had planted pointsettias amongst all the palm ferns and pothos in the lobby and grounds.  It looked lovely.

10 comments:

Barbara B said...

Wow, it sounds like biking was a great way to see lots of interesting things. Then you got to draw them! This is a delightful journal.

Deborah said...

Great way to capture a fun day and 20 kilometers on a bike. I'm impressed with more than your sketches.

winna said...

this is so cool how you got so many things down on the page---just delightful!

Alex said...

Very adorable these illustration =) I wish I could have a fun day biking but it's just way too cold here.

nanke's stuff said...

Very interesting description of your day, and the little sketches are great! I would love to go there. Yep, I agree, crocs are a tad creepy and menacing looking with their slitty, yellow eyes and giant teeth. A fence is a great idea! nancy

Cathy Holtom said...

A fun way to see the sights, like your sketches too!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a fun busy time- great sketches to remember with!

Unknown said...

This is a wonderful page, and sounds like a great adventure! I'm amazed that you were brave enough to venture out so much in Mexico with everything that is happening there. My uncle currently lives there and writes some seriously scary emails about things that happen! (not in Ixtapa though)

B @ Sweet Limes said...

I love reading the little stories that go along with your pictures.

Anonymous said...

A great collage of sketches Lynn! And biking...you had a good share of exercise...always a good thing of course!
Ronell