Zihuatanejo is our next stop just a couple of hours down the road. Smaller hotels line the waterfront at one end of the beach A smaller bay with a newer boardwalk winding around the rocks for walkers, runners & people taking a stroll. There are several sailboats anchored in the bay. We are lucky to find street parking for the truck that’s fairly level. The streets are steep in parts, we had a tricky entrance to this part of town, an off camber corner with low growing tree branches made it challenging for Tim.
Driving in these towns is always a little tense, we have all eyes on the road ahead as traffic is chaotic, people cross the road anywhere, motorbikes zip between lanes and cross in front, topes, dogs, hidden stop signs and concealed traffic lights are all factors, along with narrow streets, low slung overhead wires and decorative flags and one way streets and tree branches. Tim makes it look easy, but it’s exhausting taking into account all those factors all at once. Oh and navigate too. That’s another story……
Dad is able to get a refrigeration technician to take a look at his fridge, we await the verdict. Tim & I set off for a walk into town, it’s very hot & humid, we stick to the shade but are still melting. A street vendor is selling the Jamica drink, we buy 2 in large styrofoam cups that must be nearly a litre each, for just 20 pesos. Navigating the traffic we cross over to the town market, large and organized covered market. Each stall or shop has been carefully arranged with items on display to attract. The kitchen items all in a row, then meat section followed by the hardware section, clothing and fruit n veg etc. The maze of tight pathways, reminds me of the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul & Cairo. The vendors beckoning you to look & buy, but aren’t as pushy as in Egypt or Turkey.
Out in the streets we weave our way past the bars, clubs & restaurants to the water front, along the beach & back to the hotel. Dad’s fridge hasn’t returned, it’s getting late & probably won’t be back till tomorrow, so we freshen up & all head out for dinner. That night sleeping in the truck, was unbelievably hot, we had the fan going and the roof open to try and circulate some of the damp, still air. Our main fridge is struggling to work too, we suspect it’s because of the heat, time we headed inland to the mountains to cool down.
The next morning the fridge returns, verdict is that the compressor has died & needs replacing, not great as it’s a necessity. Dad has contacted Engle for help, he can get a replacement in the USA but they don’t seem to want to help with shipping to Mexico, not the greatest customer service from a company specializing in Overlanding equipment. The fridge is less than 2 yrs old and should have lasted longer than that. Our second fridge/freezer is an ARB, and is performing very well even in this heat. Time to question brand loyalty… I think they will be best buying an entire new fridge, but will have to wait till Mexico City, they can share ours till then.
After much discussion & debate over wether we stay and melt on the coast for one more night, as it’s late to be starting to drive, 11am, or head for the hills to Urupan via the toll road, for safety it’s strongly recommended for this part of the country, we hang a right and head north.
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