Delfiniti Ixtapa: A Kiss from a Dolphin

  

by Nancy Snipper

There’s no doubt that the six dolphins I saw perform at Delfiniti Ixtapa are lovable and highly obedient. The show I watched was exciting; and equally impressive was the teaching info the trainers shared with us about these amazing mammals. Did you know they can hear seven times more than we can, and only from one little hole/ear?

They swallow their food whole and only use their teeth (numbering anywhere from 88 –100) to catch and grab their food. They can hold their breath for 15 minutes, and need only breathe two to three times per minute. I learned so many fascinating facts from the six trainers, but when they began doing their behavior commands, I was stupefied.

A Super Show

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I watched the dolphins spin, jump in unison, take a trainer for a high speed aquatic ride as he stood on the tail. It was cute when they spun hoops around their snout, and balanced balls. On their back they “clapped” using their fins, and when they waved good bye with their tails, I was smitten. I was told to kiss it, and I did right on its snout/mouth. It seemed to kiss me back.

Dancing with Dolphins

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 The next day I was in the water with them, patting their backs, hugging them, even “dancing” with one sweet dolphin when she gave me her two big fins to hold – my hands grasping them. As we gyrated from side to side, I laughed, and I swear the dolphin was too. 

Dollars and Dolphins

At Delfiniti Ixtapa, you can pay oodles of money to ride, swim as a partner with them and get hoisted on their tail to travel fast and high. This is an up close and personal thrill – an experience of a lifetime. You will learn a few behaviors yourself, even have a go at feeding them. You are safe and secure with these remarkably tender dolphins, and their dedicated trainers are marvels in themselves.

The one downer is you can’t take photos of your time with them. (Thank you, Joe Way for taking the photos (* taken from Google) and the video below for this article). Professional photographers do that for you, so you pay handsomely to bring you and your dolphin memory back home. I just wonder if the dolphins get a cut from the dough.

The address is Lote 6 Anexo B, Zona Hotelera 1.

There are lots of signs pointing the way to Delfiniti.

Call (755) 553 2735/36.

The website is http://www.delfiniti.com/en/

 

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The Ez Factor - Ez Café and Crepes

 

Reviewed by Nancy Snipper

Nixing the Narc but not the Crepes

When Ernesto Dominquez had a gun pointed in his face by a Narco at Ez Café that he owned in Ixtapa, he knew it was time to get out of the resort. The year was 2015. Within two weeks, he moved to San Miguel and opened up Ez Café and Crepes.  Ernesto and Ez are a happy match. The sunny outdoor café has a lovely outdoor 5-table terrace where you eat his extraordinary food.

The menu is simple and it’s bilingual (Spanish and English). I ordered the alkaline healthy greens juice (cucumber, lime, spinach, mint, parsley and apple). Not as delicious, but great for the skin. Aside from the six breakfast egg styles he cooks on the spot, his great attraction are his crepes: sweet ones like strawberry, blackberry, raspberry and peach, caramel ones with walnuts, and his pièce de la résistance – the ”Ez Roll” which consists of Nutella, slices of bananas, cranberries, strawberries, whipped cream and choco chips. WOW!

I admit that I prefaced this number with the Ez turkey breast with manchego cheese crepe – cut in the shape of a triangle. The menu also has waffles and a grand assortment of coffees.

Ernesto is charming and his culinary training matches in spades his winning smile. He spent six months in Paris, trained at New York’s prestigious CIA for gourmet grandeur, worked in Paris, and even did a stint at Disney’s Epcot Centre in Orlando Florida, running the Mexican restaurant there.

 Look for Ez at #39 Ancha de San Antonio, Local 5 “Plaza Luna”, San Miguel de Allende

La Malinche: A Savoury Journey into Regional Mexican Cuisine

by Nancy Snipper

This remarkable restaurant offers exotically fascinating dishes that are lovingly made by the Castelán-Ortega family. Delicious recipes handed down from generation to generation and now in the hands of the mother, Marta and her two daughters, Irma and Gabriela comprise traditional Mexican meals originating in regions far beyond Ixtapa.

The menu is a discovery into all kinds of sauces and preparations for cooking fish, meat, chicken and exotic seafood. Imagine eating Nopal Malinche, Mole Poblano from Puebla, Chiles in Nogada and Cochinita Pibil; this one comes from the region of Merida in Yucatan.

 Some fillets are cooked in a Veracruz style. The mahi mahi is smothered in a magnificent mango sauce. The Conchinita Pibil is a pork platter that is marinated in an Achiote sauce overnight. Chiles in Nogada – a notable number – is a palette-pleasing poblano chili stuffed with pork and dried fruit which turns the entire meal into a taste of sweetness.

 I ordered the red snapper. It was tender and made sweet by the mango sauce I requested to have on it. Steamed vegetables and the cherished chayote (green squash) accompanied this deliciously filling dinner.

Of course, the standard fare of enchiladas, four soups and six appetizers along with an exciting variety of tacos are also on the menu.

Irma and Gabriela are so personable and dedicated to authentic Mexican cuisine. They are up early going to Zihuatanejo to get the catch of the day and buying fresh produce. Gabriela even brought out four different types of chilies, explaining to me what distinct dishes they are used for while rating their hot/spicy flavour.

My piña colada was the best ever; I ordered a second one. The coffee at the end of my meal was rich in flavour. I loved it all.

The name of this restaurant is in honour of a real heroine who went from being an Aztec princess to a slave – eventually becoming Cortés’ translator for Indigenous people and finally his lover.

Treat yourself to breakfast, lunch and dinner at La Malinche.

The address is La Puerta Ixtapa Mall 3, 4 Terrace.

Call (+52) 755-553 12 18.

Splendour in the Sea

Two Beaches, Two Restaurants near Ixtapa

Reviewed by Nancy Snipper

Eating by the beach

Ixtapa is an exquisite beach destination. There’s Playa Linda, Playa Ropa, Playa Grande, and of course the star Palmar Bay where all-inclusive resort hotels claim their prized, private spots. Umbrellas and abercas dot Palmar’s jeweled golden sands – reserved for these vacationers

But the best beaches for me are Las Gatas in Zihuatanejo and Barra de Potosí about 25 minutes away. Its natural lagoon creates a paradise cocoon for bathers, and the beach never seems to end.

Take the boat from Zihuataneo to Las Gatas and enjoy the views

In Las Gatas, the best restaurant for fish food, amazing drinks and Mexican meat plates is Arnoldo’s where they speak a little English (as the big wooden sign says).

 Owned by Sara, the 83-year-old widow and Laura, her granddaughter, this 70-year-old legendary bar and restaurant offers you a splendid menu of appetizers, seafood and more. It’s been around for over 60 years, and its popularity has never wanted. A parrot, music and total crazy fun fills this amazingly magical place.

Melaton, my affable, highly experienced waiter introduced me to Miami Vice. What a thrill! It’s a huge drink made with a mixture of pina colada, melon and strawberry, grenadine, tequila and more. It was so filling, I ended up cancelling my fish fillet order, but I did dig into the huge portion of my guacamole appetizer, followed by my shrimp teriyaki. Little shrimp were wrapped in tiny tacos. The sauce was light, non-greasy and ever-so tasty. The next day I returned to have another Miami Vice – this time – mixed with mango, and for the main meal – their tuna fillet in a delicate green coriander sauce. Crazy good! Thank you Maria de la Luz!  She’s the chef.  The experience was edibly addictive.

 I heard a great singer and guitarists jamming at the back of the restaurant. Before I knew it, I joined in the singing; the two guitarists insisted I not return to Canada. They were actually serious. They wanted me to join their duo. In that instant, a vision flashed before me. I had joined the pair – playing the tambourine as we all sang while strolling along Las Gatos Beach.

 Sensational snorkeling

I worked off my meal snorkeling in Las Gatas. As soon as you get out of the boat, you bump into Alicia’s rental place. A lively woman who never stops laughing, she takes care of you, ensuring that your flippers, life jacket and snorkeling mask are the perfect fit. Then, Ramiros, my guide signaled to me from the water – even put my flippers on for me. He makes sure you hold on to the float plank as he takes you into the coral to see the lovely fish. I loved it and was thrilled to see a lone trumpet fish with his long snout. Gliding under me, the fish was a rare sight, and I was hoping it would follow me. Off it went.

       The head of Christ

 We fed some fish, as we moved along to see the head of Christ – a 4-metre-tall statue at the bottom. Ramiro shouted through his mask: “La cabeza de Cristo” His arms stretched out to welcome us all. Still, I was more amused than inspired by this stone statue of Jesus which had been placed there by the government; but it’s a snorkeling attraction that all guides show you.  

The second time I went back, my sweet guide Ernesto dove downwards to catch a blow fish. He brought it up toward the surface for me to touch. It was neat to feel its bumpy bulbous protrusion.  Maybe Jesus did have something to do with bringing me this fish. After all, he was a fisherman.

                                          

Barra de Potosí is paradise found

Definitely stunning to visit is this great natural wonder. Swim, walk forever on the huge beach and get lost, but don’t miss eating at Nayitos – what a yummy winner! Owned by Leonardo Garcia and his wife Tommy Oregón, and run by their sons Yair, Julio and Sergio Garcia, the place is 30 years old. I was in heaven with their hammocks strung along the side of Nayito’s enormous covered restaurant that faces the waves and incredibly beach.

Yair suggested I go for their Pantera Rosa – a cocktail of coconut cream, rum, pineapple juice, carnation milk and grenadine. I also tried their strawberry daiquiri. Both drinks boast fresh fruit. They were outstanding – thanks to cousin Manuel who is so committed to the real fruit composition. He studied at a special bartending school In Acapulco.

Known for their quality marsicos (mussels) and more seafood, ribs, beef fillets and New York sirloin, (gotta see their menu to take in their fish choices), Nayito uses seven cooks to make it happen. I ordered cheese covered pasta and the chicken fajitas. Totally scrumptious. It’s true what Nayito’s menu writes: If you visit Barra de Potosí and you don’t eat at Nayitos’, it’s as if you never came at all. What a way to spend the day – swimming in a lagoon and eating exceptionally well!