I'm currently staying at the Real de Chapala Hotel in Ajijic, and it's an absolute paradise. This stunning lakefront property has heated pools, jacuzzis, delicious food, and breathtaking views of Lake Chapala. I could definitely get used to this lifestyle.
After spending some time here, I now understand why so many expats choose to retire in Ajijic. The temperature is just right - not too hot, not too cold. Even during the summer months, the weather remains comfortable. This is a stark contrast to the summer I spent in Barra de Navidad, where the heat was unbearable without air conditioning and a pool. Here in Ajijic, the climate is so mild that you can get by with just fans.
As my stay comes to an end, I'll be heading back to Melaque in a few days. I'm definitely going to miss this perfect weather and the quiet environment. Ajijic has truly captivated me, and I’d love to return here again sometime. Plus, I have a new friend to visit - my horse buddy Romeo. This place has left a lasting impression on me, and I can't wait to come back and experience it again.
I'm spending a few days in Mazamitla, a charming mountain town at 8,200 feet above sea level. Known as the 'Switzerland of Mexico', it features cool, less humid weather and even had snow last week. Despite the cold, I'm loving it.
Founded in 1537, Mazamitla has a quaint atmosphere with cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses. In the central plaza, you'll find the Parroquia de San Cristóbal. This beautiful church, known for its blend of Gothic and Mexican colonial architecture, is a key landmark and cultural centrepiece.
The area offers hiking, mountain biking, and the stunning El Salto waterfall. Visitors can enjoy festivals like the Fiesta de San Cristóbal, explore local markets, and savour regional cuisine.
With cozy cabins and modern hotels, Mazamitla provides a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. I've fallen in love with this place and look forward to my next visit.
I spent some time in Comala today. Rich in history and tradition, Comala was founded in the 16th century and features a unique blend of Spanish colonial architecture and indigenous influences.
I really enjoyed walking around the beautiful cathedral, though I found the Jesus statue in the corner a little creepy. After the unnerving Jesus experience, I had lunch outdoors with a stunning view of the cathedral and the main square. The meal was delicious, and the mariachi band playing at my table was such a treat.
What a beautiful city. I wish I could have spent more time in Comala, but alas, I had to hit the road again.
I enjoyed walking through the Griselda Alvarez Regional Park in downtown Colima. It's a lush tropical looking park with a little zoo. They had a variety of animals, including monkeys, birds, hairless dogs, giant iguanas and two beautiful lions.
Seeing the Mexican Hairless dogs (Xoloitzcuintle) locked in cages as a zoo exhibit was really tough to see. When they wagged their tails and we're so excited to see me, I just had to pet them. So I went around to the back of their cages, reached in and pet each one of them. They were so friendly and happy to have some attention. One of them looked like a Lab cross. She was a mess. Her eyes were infected and the poor thing was so fat it broke my heart. I felt so bad for her and all of them actually. They're dogs. They should be living homes with loving owners, not living in a zoo. I just wanted to take them all home.
Getting over the bridge to 'iguana island' was interesting. In my excitement/terror of seeing the iguanas I missed seeing a hole in the bridge and stuck my foot through it. Thankfully I never fell in. Between the nasty green water, not knowing how to swim and huge iguanas swimming around, I would of had a heart attack!
I'm not sure why lizards freak me out so much, but they do. I was pretty nervous standing near these big guys. Every time they'd moved I was ready to run in the other direction. I watched one swim across the water, climb up a tree and turn from orange to green. I was glad it was swimming away from me and not running toward me!
Arrived in Colima after riding through some really beautiful countryside. They call Colima the city of palms. That's certainly true. It's a really nice town. I love the architecture. The hotel I'm staying at was built in 1861. It's pretty amazing. I'm going to stay here a few days.
I brought my motorcycle helmet to Mexico just in case I got invited on a motorcycle trip, and wouldn't you know it I'm now on a trip to Colima and destinations yet to be determined. Sure, most people wouldn't get on the back of a motorcycle that has no proper passenger seat, but I'm not like most people. I have pegs for my feet and a rolled up sleeping mat to sit on, I'm great. I'll never pass up a fun adventure.
I've always wanted to be in a parade and lucky me I got to ride on two floats in the Barra de Navidad Santa Claus parade. I started off on one float, jumped off to take photos and then I couldn't run fast enough to get back on the float. So I hitched a ride with another float at the back of the parade. You can see me standing and waving in the video. What a fun night!
I had a really busy day yesterday. I woke up today feeling pretty worn out. I needed a day to stay home and relax. I'd planned on turning on the air conditioner, eating popcorn, watching a few movies, maybe going for a dip in the pool. But nope, it didn't turn out that way.
This afternoon a friend asked me if I could help relocate a turtle and I could never say no. Apparently someone had found a little turtle, tossed it into the ocean a few times and it kept coming out. Well no kidding, it wasn't a sea turtle. It was freshwater turtle. It actually looked a lot like a baby Coahuian Box Turtle and if that was the case they're endangered. Odd that it would be in this area of Mexico though, but you never know. It was a good thing my friend stopped them from putting it the ocean, they would of killed it.
Since I could never say no to a turtle rescue mission, I rode my bike over to my friend's place to pick up the turtle. After putting it in one of those huge Mexican styrofoam cups, I secured it safely in my basket and off we rode to it's new home at the lagoon. What a story it'll have to tell it's turtle friends. 'You're not gonna believe what happened to me...and then they threw me into the ocean!' ;)
Hope you like your new home little turtle.
The turtle rescue was a success, the sun was setting, I was tired but my day wasn't over yet.
On my ride back to my hotel I saw a brush fire burning by the side of the road on an abandoned lot. Across the street I saw a man filling a bucket with water from a slow trickling hose. He told me they had very little water pressure. It was taking forever to fill up the bucket. I asked him if he called the fire department. He said there wasn't one. Another man was on the phone calling the police.
I couldn't just stand there and watch the fire spread, so I ran to the street corner to grab a few small garbage cans to fill with water. While I was there I saw a little boy on the street with a lighter. He was lighting twigs on fire. He may of been the one that started the fire. My mom instinct kicked in. I wanted to give him hell and take his lighter away. But alas I'm in Mexico and things are different here. It's shocking how many kids I see playing with lighters and matches. I talked to him, he told me his name. He was a nice kid. I hope his parents take that lighter away from him before he gets hurt or hurts someone else.
Thankfully with the help of a few men jumping in to help, the brush fire was put out. This could of turned ugly if they hadn't gotten it under control so quickly. Crazy to think there isn't a fire department. I'll have to ask some locals about that. Scary.
I went to a Christmas party tonight hosted by the motel I stayed at a few weeks ago. Good friends, good food, a pinata, musical chairs, cute kids and a sweet giggling grandma - so much fun!!
I just came from a bingo fundraiser benefiting the local animal rescue organization Pro Animal Melaque. Their fundraisers help support their efforts in spaying, neutering, providing medical care and rescuing animals. What a wonderful group of people. I had a lot of fun. At one point I thought I'd won with a full card and proudly yelled bingo!! Only to find out I was still missing one number! Oopsy lol I didn't win but I was happy to be there supporting a great cause.
I've always been around the ocean. Growing up I spent every Christmas vacation and Spring Break at the beach in Florida. 25 years ago, I moved from Toronto to live on Vancouver Island. Now I spend months at a time beach side in Mexico. You'd think by now I'd have gone into the water. Nope. I can't swim and the ocean has always terrified me. It's moving, it's huge, it's unpredictable. I've gone into a pool many times, that I can handle. But the ocean is another story. I've always been too afraid to go in past my ankles. Well after a lifetime of being afraid, I finally did it! With my good friends by my side and my trusty noodle wrapped around me, I cautiously ventured in. Once my nerves settled down and I stopped shaking, I realized that I loved it. I wondered why I hadn't done it a long time ago. The ocean seemed to go on forever. It was amazing, it was relaxing. Having never floated in the ocean before, I almost don't have the words to describe the sensation. All I know is it's time for me to learn how to swim because I want to do it again, this time without a security noodle. ;)
I have never felt so angry, horrified and helpless in my life. Early this morning I was walking to the lab to have some blood tests done (I'm still getting over being sick), as I turned a corner I saw some men holding a pig down on the ground. It took me a few seconds to comprehend what I was seeing. They were slaughtering a pig right out on the street! The poor thing had been stabbed in the chest and was bleeding. She was terrified, fighting for her life. She got up twice and tried to run. They threw her back down, laughing. They were so cold, this wasn't funny. It was disgusting. It was taking too long. They obviously didn't know what they were doing. 10 minutes had already passed. They put the knife in her again. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was shocked and sickened with how inhumane this was. I wanted to help her. I wanted to make it stop. This was the worst thing I'd ever seen, but I couldn't leave. I felt like I had to stay until I knew she was out of pain. I got closer. I told her I was sorry they were doing this to her. I'll never forget her looking at me. She died with her eyes open.
After it was all over, I broke down and bawled my eyes out. I felt sick to my stomach. A Mexican lady noticed how upset I was and came over. I hugged her. I was a mess. In Spanish she explained that the pig was for the feast they were having on December 12th to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe. She invited me to the feast. I smiled and said thank you, but I won't be going. There is no way I'm going eat the pig I watched die in front of me. I understand why people become vegetarians. This was brutal.
I started taking video and then I had to stop. It was horrific. I'll never forget that poor pig screaming.
