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Shambhala Web Site

I just wanted to let you know that I finally did build Gloria's Shambhala a website, it is at this link:

http://www.imagivity.com/webcove/zipolite/sham.htm

And I have a site for Zipolite

http://www.imagivity.com/webcove/zipolite/index.htm

As well as lots of photos of Zipolite Sunrises in the Mexico Gallery

http://www.imagivity.com/webcove/gallery/gall26.htm

I hope you will pass this info along as I think the photos will bring people a lot of enjoyment and memories.

Tina Winterlik
twinterlik@telus.net
http://www.imagivity.com
tina_winterlik@hotmail.com
December 2000

Comentario de Zipolite

Hola, mi nombre es Jonathan y en enero de 2000 viaje a Mexico con tres amigos sin haber hecho un previo plan, tan solo rentamos un carro y comenzamos a viajar.

En Chiapas nos encontramos con una gente que nos recomendo Zipolite, ni siquiera habiamos oido hablar de esa playa, pero como nos dirigiamos a Puerto Escondido decidimos pasar a ver de que se trataba. No estabamos con muchos dias y por eso el plan era quedarse tan solo un dia en Zipolite y despues seguir con el viaje, pero no fue asi lo que paso, nos quedamos 10 dias y la verdad es que nos hubiese gustado estar mas tiempo alli, es la mejor playa que conoci en la vida, Zipolite es un lugar espectacular. Daria cualquier cosa por volver.

Jonathan Stolarz
jonstolarz@hotmail.com
December 2000

Zipolite (La Plage des Morts)

Cheers to you Tom for putting together this site on my home of Zipolite. I lived there for three winters between the years 94-98 and though I write to you from Montreal, my soul remains forever still separated from my true home. I see many of the letters I've read on the site mention Ghandi from Acapulco, a small man with a big heart, small but powerful hands and a weakness for mescal. I can still see him walking the beach with the great Pacific in the background. My son was conceived there, while my wife (Marie-Soleil) and I were working for Daniel of ''Brisa Marina''. We are the ones who created both signs that identify the place, greeting visitors with 70 flags of world countries. I really miss the sunsets, the waves, the walks on las playitas. I had the pleasure of singing with many of the different musicians that wandered through. I especially loved the last time I was there for the winter of 97-98 where I played at El Tao doing classic rock and blues with my friends Sergio, Israel and Isaoul. These guys are from el Disticto Federal and could rock so good, fantastic. I could go on forever about the place, I do to all my friends.

Favorite restaurants: El Tres De Deciembre, El eclipse

I still perform music here in Montreal. One of my last compositions is entitled ''La Plage Des Morts'' A.K.A Zipolite. I love to share this song with an audience because I know someone is sitting there relating to my experience as it is a very haunting one. I am completely possessed by the magic of these Mayan grounds. I wish to share the lyrics with those of you who relate. I hope you understand French.

LA PLAGE DES MORTS

Je reve du voyage, qui n'est plus.
Cette eternel liberte, que j'ai trouver.
La mer assourdissante de sa puissance,
Les femmes venue, parti avec jouissance.

Je te vois clairement dans mes pensees,
Ma mer, ma vie, mon charm, Zipolite.
Seductrice de tout dans mes pensees,
Un fils pour toujours, tu m'a laisser.

Amo el canto del zenzontle
Pajaro de quatrocientos voces
Amo el color del jade
Y el enervante perfume de las flores
Pero amo mas a mi hermano el hombre

Tel la nuit qui m'emerveille
Le scorpion amoureux de l'abeille,
Cherche a parler de son poeme.
Sous les etoiles, on se devore ma belle.

Soudainement tu es calme et je me mefie,
Ton energie boulversante, pur magie.
Te me piege dans douce amour,
Et me garde en trance pour toujours.

Zipolite, La plage des morts.

Guy lacroix
godbwa@yahoo.ca
December 2000

Emailing Gloria and Brigitte

I tried to e-mail Gloria at Shambala (http://www.advantagemexico.com/zipolite,) but couldn't get it to her. So if you can, please share my e-mail with her. Thanks! Also, I tried to send an e-mail to Brigitte Longueville (The Yoga Instructor) but could not get through to her either. So if you could, you might share the following e-mail with her as well. Thanks again.

Dicey Encounter with Drunken Indians

Well, do I have a story to share with you! About 15 years ago, I visited "the little Indian hotel" there in Zipolite (Is this the name of the Indian Village just down the beach from your place?).

So it was in about 1985 (when I was only 44 years old). As I was then, I still am an Instructor of Psychology here at Wharton County Junior College in Wharton, Texas. When I traveled down there that summer, just as a two day side trip, from a two week trip to Mexico (a fellow traveler on a second class bus had mentioned, a few days earlier, how that was such a unique and beautiful, as well as, very cheap place to stay/at the time it was only 60cents/night!).

That evening as I was sitting on the patio overlooking the absolutely beautiful ocean, beach, and surf I was thinking to myself how "this place" must be a heaven on earth. Just before I went "to bed" that night, in a hammock of course (as I indicated it was only 60 cents a night to stay there), I had heard an Indian playing a flute for perhaps an hour or so, somewhere perhaps about three or four hundred yards down the beach from "The Hotel" (the hotel consisted of tree stump supports for the ceiling and the roof was made of palm leaves, etc.). Then a little later I went "to bed," in the hammock, of course, which was only one of a row of about 10 hammocks. Later that night, at about 2:00 AM, I heard some kind of "chopping" sound nearby. I couldn't figure out what it was. I remember thinking, to myself, why would anyone be chopping firewood in the middle of the night? Then, a few minutes later, I saw someone approaching the row of hammocks. They (there were two of them) came right up to my hammock! One of them bent over me with his long black hair dangling in my face. I was pretty confused as to what was going on and, quite certainly, a bit frightened.

At that point I yelled, very loudly, "What the hell are you doing?" The two Indians jumped back, and each of them raised their large machetes as if readying themselves to slice through my body! Well, many thoughts went through my head, and, believe me, and can, very clearly, remember every single one of them! And in this exact order------"So, it looks like this is how I am going to die." Then---"I'm not dead yet, so I'd better get out of here!" Then, I somehow made some kind of "rather perfect" leap out of the hammock, and yet, out of necessity, toward the two Indians, hoping that they would not thrust their machetes into my body! I then ran (I guess somewhat like a scared rabbit) directly into one of the tree-like supports holding up the roof. But you know what, it didn't even hurt (I guess that that was something like when I played football in high school; in the heat of the game you don't feel any pain when getting hit!)! So I got up (hoping that I would not feel the blade of one of those machetes piercing my shoulder) and made my escape into the forest. Well, somehow I made it out alive!

The next morning, in my own somewhat broken Spanish, I asked the Indians, running the place there, to help me understand how to explain what had happened some hours earlier. They told me that the two Indians (a young man and his Indian girlfriend) were actually drunk and had decided to come up there "to kill an American!". And, as for the chopping sound that I had heard earlier, well, that was the sound of the two drunken Indians chopping there machetes into a new car that a Mexican (he was a male model from Mexico City and, I think "gay") had driven there. And the next morning when he saw his car, was he pissed! There were, as I remember, about 15 gashes a half an inch deep in his "brand new car." The Indians must have thought that it was the so-called "Rich Americano's" car. Actually, I was traveling with only a pack on my back.

As it turned out, that place wasn't exactly "a heaven on earth". I left about an hour later in order to continue my trip to other and hopefully "safer" places in Mexico.

So now I have a few questions to ask you. Questions that have lingered in my mind for the past 15 years, and perhaps you just might know the answers to some of them--and perhaps not.

1. While there I kind of got the idea that the place was a homosexual hang-out. I remember seeing a couple of fellows together in one of the little rooms perhaps doing some rather "different things" together. And then there was the male model from Mexico City. And also, I later heard that the beach there was perhaps known as a "nude beach for gays?" Was this true?

2. Also, I heard that the place was actually owned by a lady from San Francisco, CA.?

3. There were, as I remember, a whole lot of Zodiac-like signs and symbols around? Is that true and what did that mean? Not that I think that that is bad (I don't), but I am just trying to figure out what kind of a place that I was at. And, perhaps, if and how "these things" and "the Indians there" may have somehow been related to that really rather frightening experience that I had there that night.

I guess that you might think that this is a rather strange letter/e-mail, but it is an absolutely true story that I felt that you, as the new occupant there, just might find rather interesting.

When you get a chance, I sure would like to hear from you--to get your response to my rather strange experience at Zipolite, and perhaps to answer some of my questions.

Doug Soderstrom, PhD
dougsoderstrom@yahoo.com
December 2000

When posting the "story" about my experience in Zipolite, please add this: "That I do not, at all, feel badly about the place there. In fact, what happened there that night has turned out to be one of the more exciting experiences of my life. Now that I know that Gloria is such a fine (truly a neat) lady, I can't wait to bring my 26 year old son with me back to Zipolite one of these days so we can both meet her. But from what I have read, it is not the same wonderfully rustic place that it was when I was there back in about 1985 (too much modern development, etc.). Anyway, if you (Gloria ) eventually get this message, I am looking forward to meeting you sometime, perhaps, in a couple of years. And the very best to you in rebuilding your place since the hurricane. Thanks, - Doug Soderstrom

Waves

Last year, we had been staying at Puerto Angel for 4 days and we find Zipolite beach very nice: there were a lot of waves and we really enjoyed swimming there. Puerto angel is a nice place and has a very good restaurant: Macas. As well, we discovered the Playa de Ventanilla.

Yann Bellec
camping.les.mouettes@wanadoo.fr
December 2000

Posada Altamira

J'ai été beaucoup de temps á zipolite. Je viens d'être ici, c'est la plus belle plage que J'ai connu. Je suis allé avec 3 amis. Nous sommes sortis le Mercredi 15 de Novembre à 3 heures de matin et Nous sommes arrivés a 12 heures de l'après-midi (Nous avons fait 11 heures de La Ville de México a Mazunte) Nous avons dormi à Mazunte au POSADA ALTAMIRA. C'est un place trés joli et la mer c'est trés belle.

Hello I've been at Zipolite many times, I were there from november 15th to 21th (2000) with 3 friends, we enjoyed this beach very much, MAZUNTE It's the best place to stay.

TOM: I think your page is wonderful, I don´t know if you are Mexican, but if you aren't I have to say you thank you for this page, It's really great. I'm Mexican and your page was excellent help for our travel, We made reservation in POSADA ALTAMIRA because It used to be full all time (this one wasn't the exception, people from France, Italy, Germany and USA), I think I saw more foreigners than mexicans. ZIPOLITE was like always, the sun, the sand, the sea as cool as the others times I went, but Incredibly there were many families with young sons (In a Nudist Beach!) However I met people from all over the world. I wondered how do the foreigners know about those far away beaches, I think is your fault, THANKS AGAIN.

GIL.

P.S. I will go there in July or August 2001, Does someone want to live the experience? Write me as soon as possible.

Si tu veux aller à Zipolite l'anne prochaine avec moi, email-moi.

Voy a ir a ZIPO el año que viene, si alguien quiere irse a la aventura conmigo queda cordialmente invitado

email: mxxxboy@yahoo.com
with/avec/con: Gil Ramírez
BYE/AUREVOIR/HASTA LUEGO
December 2000

How to Contact Cabañas Yuri?

Dear Tom. I visited you site of the Oaxaca coast and the Mexican beaches in that area. I think that the information and photos are great!

Specifically, I am interested in visiting Mazunte and Zipolite. Actually, I hope I can be there next January and stay in one of those cabañas of Cabañas Yuri. Someone told me that I have to make a reservation or pay in advance, because the cabañas are usually full in those days.

By any chance, do you have the phone, mail or any idea of how can I contact the owner of Cabañas Yuri?

Rocío
rociofj@yahoo.com
December 2000

No, but maybe the readers can help us. -Tom

New Shambala Website

Hiya Tom! Hey, as a dedicated Oaxacaphile, I must say I really enjoy and appreciate your site. Nice work! I'm writing to inform you that Gloria, over at Shambhala, has a new website, www.advantagemexico.com/zipolite, which has some nice photos of Shambhala and the west end of Zip. Zipolite visitors should know that Shambhala and the far west end of Zip in general are definitely the place to stay when visiting Zipolite--ripoffs, muggings, and other assorted hassles for which Zipolite is (in my opinion, excessively) infamous, decrease dramatically upon crossing the rock formations that separate Cosmico and Shambhala from the rest of the beach. At night, all the unnecessary lights down the beach and noise from the disco are blissfully absent. Sleep under beautiful stars, with just the sound of Zipolite's monster surf to send you off to sleep. Really, where you stay in Zip can make all the difference in how you experience the place, and Shambhala is safe, chilled-out, and, situated up on the west hills of Zip, commands a great view all the way down the beach. Combine all this with Spanish tile roofs, cool hippy-Mayan painting everywhere, kerosene torch lighting at night, parrots, palms, cacti, spectacular secluded meditation area perched on a cliff overlooking the sea with an unbeatable sunset, friendly, international staff, and the fact that, for some reason, none of this costs any more, and actually often costs less, than all the uninspired shacks that line the beach (current rate for a hammock space Dec 2000, $2US/night, less if you use your own hammock) , and there really isn't any reason I can come up with to stay anywhere else.

Of course, as Shambhala veterans all know, the best thing of all about the place is Gloria herself, the Grand Dame of Zipolite, who came to the virgin beach in '70 and started Shambhala as a remote communal Buddhist outpost for spiritual seekers...the same vibe that still pervades today. Catch Gloria down in the restaurant when she's not fussing with the parrots, and with very little prodding, she'll get out the old photo albums and launch into the amazing saga of Shambhala, her Vision, and the 30 year progression of Zipolite from a couple of fishermans' shacks to the anarchistic sprawl of international, nudist, dope smoking, slacker/hippy/backpackers it is today. Gloria's always meant for Shambhala to be far more than just a funky beach hotel, and that's what makes the place special, she really cares about the folks who visit, and views them not as customers, or even guests, but more as friends and family. It that Vision thing, you see..

Keep up the fine work and I'll see you out there on the beach!

Muchos Saludos
Sean Pogue
pogue@frognet.net

PS When you swim on the west end of Zipolite, watch out for the rip tide that runs along the rocks right next to shambhala...dangerous! Ask anyone working there to point it out to you, and show you the safe places to swim.

¿Email en Mazunte?

Felicitaciones vi tu pagina sobre Mazunte y estuve ahi y creo que es uno de los mejores lugares del mundo. Te pido un gran favor yo necesito el e-mail de una Pizzeria de Mazunte. Llamada la buena onda si lo tienes me harias el favor de pasarmela. Desde ya mil gracias.

Daniela de Uruguay
danderi@hotmail.com
November 2000

Dreams of Zipolite

Dear Tom: I have been a semi-regular visitor to Zipolite since December of 1994, and it brings me great peace to look upon the messages on your site. Some of the people I know, others are familiar in spirit, but the experience is unanimous: Zipolite is a wonderful peaceful place!

I will be returning to Zipolite to write my Master's Thesis and hope to be able to give something back to the community that gave me a new outlook and second chance on life. I found Zipolite by accident while running away from a nasty divorce, evidence again of the karmic cycle. The people I have met there are as fresh in my thoughts and heart as the days I was there. I can hear the surf crashing against the rocks, and I still see the flask of green as the sun sets deep to the west. The smell of fresh fish grilling and beans cooking drifting across the beach as fires spring to life against the dark. The drums beat in time with the heartbeat, and something magical happens that only one who has been there can understand.

If anyone knows "Carlos" or Charles, Paladin of Tropical Beaches, who lives there most of the winter, tell him Douglas says hello and to email me. Viva Zapatistas! and save an hamaca for me... I'll be back soon...

W. Douglas Thorpe
oceandreemer@yahoo.com
November 2000

How to Contact Hotels

Hola Tom ! Como los conventarios que he visto en tu página, debo felicitarte por tan buen trabajo. Estaba indescisa sobre en que playa quedarme en las vacaciones que voy a haver a principios de enero del próximo año, finalmente gracias a la información que nos muestras me he decidido por Zipolite. Y me gustaría preguntarte como me puedo comunicar con el hotel Lola's o lo cosmico, si tienen suficiente lugar o tengo que apartar de alguna forma y cúal es el precio de sus acomodaciones.

Hi Tom: As the comments I had seen in your webpage, I must congratulate you for such well work. I was doubting of which beach I will stay in the next holidays I'm planning to do next first days of January, finally thanks of the information you show on the web I have decide for Zipolite. I would like to ask you how I can communicate with Hotel Lola's or the Cosmico, if they have enough place or if I have to reserve, and also the price of their accommodations.

Thanks for your help

Ana Laura Sánchez.

ana_laurasanchez@hotmail.com
November 2000

I don't know how to contact them. I understand that Zipolite has telephones now, but until someone tells me the numbers, I cannot provide them. -Tom tom@tomzap.com

I just returned from Lo Cosmico. Antonio, the owner, says there is no telephone, fax or e-mail whatsoever. Just show up and hope there is a room. -Richard Ball, richardball@webtv.net.

Looking for a Place to Stay

I am looking for a very pretty place to stay on or near Mazunte (preferred) or San Agustinillo (or the vicinity) from January 2-10, 2001.

It would be for me and my husband (we're middle-aged -- but have lived in separate cities for the past 6 months -- so romantic is good). We like to read and swim and eat really good food. Other than that, we are not fussy. Would prefer something with cooking facilities -- several rooms would be great but not necessary.

meiklejohn@ppic.org
October 2000

Looking for Guido of Mazunte

Trying to find a way to connect with Guido from Mazunte. Stayed with him in '96 and am planning to be back this Feb. Would love find out if he will have space for us around that time and just want to send a big hello from Leah in Vancouver B.C.

leahkee@yahoo.com
October 2000

Looking for a Place to Rent

My name is Wesley James and I am currently living in Sydney, Australia.

I am visiting Mexico for the first half of next year and I am after information regarding the renting of accommodation on a monthly basis in areas surrounding Puerto Escondido and Zipolite. My budget will be up to US$200 per month.

Wesley James
wesolegend@hotmail.com
October 2000

Dear Wes, Ever since your email first appeared regarding a 200usd monthly rental budget, I've been waiting for someone else to write with the bad news. Since noone has, I guess I'll have to break it to you. That accommodation budget might have sufficed a decade or two ago, but not now. At best, it might get you a shared bath room in a palapa on Zipolite, but even the Casas de Huespedes are going to be more than that in Puerto Angel, forget Huatulco. I hope that budget was room only and not food too, or you'd best be looking for a hammock to rent under a palapa roof. Inflation...-John M. Williams, sharkbait69@yahoo.com

Puerto Escondido or Zihuatanejo?

I've narrowed my search for a winter vacation to either PE or Zihuatanejo; I'd appreciate comments from people who have been to both areas as to which is a more desirable vacation destination. Thanks!

Darrell
pare@intergate.bc.ca
October 2000

Darrell, Forget 'em both. You might get a chilly night in Zijuatenejo. The Oaxacan coast is prettier and friendlier. Go with Zipolite/Mazunte. -John M. Williams, sharkbait69@yahoo.com

Want to Buy Property

My son was born on a train in Mexico 29 years ago, has a Oaxacan birth certificate (actually Puerto Angel) and is also an American citizen, as I am.

We just returned from revisiting the places of his birth and early infancy, and he expressed interest in purchasing property in Zipolite. How can we find out about prices, availability, etc??? Do you know any real estate people working there? Or have you heard of anything for sale?

Catherine Stone
psyche13@jps.net
October 2000

Where's Tony and Helen?

We are looking for are friends Tony and Helen of Mazunte. Are they still living in Mazunte? They were talking about moving last year.

Arlene and Derald
aklapati@goldcity.net
October 2000

We Did It!

Dear Tom, We do not expect you to remember us, since you probably correspond with millions of people a day, but we are a couple from Santa Barbara California, who lived in the mountains with solar power only (maybe that will ring a bell) and asked you for info regarding moving to the Oaxacan coast. You recommended checking the Chacalapa area, etc. Anyway, we are writing you today to let you know we did it! We bought property in the San Agustinillo area and have built a small posada, which is almost done now, we really appreciate all the information you provided us and eventually would like to have a link to your page if possible. Anyway, our place is across the street from the ocean in a palm grove, the rooms have kitchens, purified water, hot water and fans, we are planning to open this November and are anxious to have our first guests, if anyone asks for info on a place that is a step up from a palapa or hammock send them our e-mail address! And if you should ever consider to visit this way come as our guest of honor! - Thanks for all you have done for folks like us and we leave you with our best wishes.

Jeff and Ana
tierrapin@hotmail.com
October 2000

Still No Michael Barker

Dear Tom. Still no word from my son Michael. We have moved to Florida [2689 Royal Ridge Drive. Spring Hill. 34606]. My email address has changed from aol to msn. Many thanks for maintaining your website info. I quite often visit the site just to read the "visitor comments" A visit to that area of Mexico could turn into a real adventure.

Bill Barker
bbilredbar@email.msn.com
October 2000

Memories and Daydreams

Hi Tom. I am writing to say 'thank you' for your website. I have been back from my trip to Mexico for 3 months now, but I have fond memories and daydreams about the place every day. It is a truly special country. In my office here in cold England, reading the comments and descriptions of places I visited brings back some wonderful memories for me.

I hope to return to Mexico soon, and maybe take in the rest of Central America too. For now, my memories and photographs, as well as your website will have to do!

Andrew Ellis
aellis80@hotmail.com
September 2000

Looking for a Place to Rent

My name is Jon Hassett and I am currently living in Melbourne, Australia.

I am visiting Mexico for the first half of next year and I am after information regarding the renting of accommodation on a monthly basis in areas surrounding Puerto Escondido and Zipolite. My budget will be up to US$200 per month.

Jon Hassett
jhassett@chestsouth.com.au
September 2000

Contacting Travis from Australia   FOUND

Tom. A favour please, if anyone seeing this page knows of my son Travis, from Frankston, Victoria, Australia staying at Zipo could they please ask him to contact home or Chicago URGENTLY for information on his Credit Card. He was robbed there earlier this week and is short of funds. Please help if you can.

June
Junequinn2@aol.com
September 21, 2000

Thank you so much for your quick response to my call regarding my son Travis. He contacted me early this morning. 9/22/00 -June

Rancho Cerro Largo

Does anyone have an email address, phone number, or address for Rancho Cerro Largo? Thanks.

Bruce Conrad
baconrad@mindspring.com
September 2000

After Zipolite, What's Next?

Dear Tom, your web page was the beginning of an incredible adventure for me, THANK YOU. Now again looking back at it a year later I'm inspired to follow my spirit back to Mexico and beyond. My last trip highlighted by the people and magic I found in Zipo and Mazunte seems to be just the beginning of endless adventures in central America

Anyone have any advice on new places to go that capture the beauty and human spirit I found in Oaxaca? Low cost, few tourist, and a place to hang my hammock are all I really seek, and a little human spirit never hurts. I'm looking into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and other spots in Mexico. Any Advice from recent travelers would be much appreciated. I'm planning on going for at least four months, so I'll have plenty of time to return to Zipo and give thanks for awakening this spirit. My love to Karen, Isabel, Mabooba, Candice and Charity. Keep on living the sweet life.

Terry Malloy
malloyterry@hotmail.com
September 2000

Audiobook: Out of the Blue

Dear Tom: I writing to let you know that my audiobook, Out of the Blue, based on my experiences at Zipolite and Pina Palmera during my research around the time of Hurricane Paulina is now available at www.mp3.com/davidkendallgrant/. 50% of CD sales royalties on the website will go to Piña Pamera. Episode 17, the climactic hurricane scene is number three on the MP3 audiobook chart. I hope you will put a link on your site so that people can take advantage of this opportunity to be entertained and support Pina Palmera.

David Kendall Grant M.S.Ed., Ph.D.
dgrant@sowega.net
www.mp3.com/davidkendallgrant/
August 2000

See David's Visitor's Comment at the time of Hurricane Paulina. -Tom

Looking for Paradiso

Hi Tom. My friends and me plan to travel in Mexico for 3 months. over christmas/new years, we planned to stay in Puerto Angel/Zipolite, and I read about a hotel called "Paradiso", it sounds very good. do you maybe have a phone or fax number from this hotel? I think it's better if we make a reservation over the holidays. it would be very nice if you can mail me this informations. Thank you very much! Sunny greetings from Switzerland.

Tina
Tina.Siebenmann@mediacom.de
August 2000

I don't know about that place. If it is in Zipolite then it may not have a telephone. Maybe someone else can help. -Tom

Looking for Philipe

I am looking for a man named Philipe. He is French Canadian and ran a little bar on the beach. He is such a peace-loving guy but I heard he was ran out of zipolite by some nasty locals.

Last time I saw him he was visiting puerto escondido where he has a house. I was also living there but have since returned to Toronto,so i have no way of contacting him. I'd love any info,i am a little worried.

amerrilees@hotmail.com
August 2000

Want to Rent in Mazunte/Augustinillo

Have enjoyed many visits to Rancho Cerro Largo. Looking to rent on beach in Mazunte/Augustinillo for 1 month in Feb-March. Would appreciate any information. Thanks.

Michael and Kate Kelley
beachkak@adsnet.com
August 2000

Message to Gloria

Dear Tom, My name is Tina. I live in Canada and have been to Gloria's a few times, she is a very nice lady. Anyways, I am a photographer and presently taking web design. Last year I took a lot of beautiful photos of Zipolite and Gloria's. I told Gloria that one day somehow, I was going to build her a web site.

So now I am. Are you actually in Mexico, and/or can you get a message to Gloria or know of someway for me to get a message to her? I'm going to send her a letter explaining what I am doing but since I am starting this project and it is supposed to be done by Aug 16/2000, I was wondering if there's anyway to get a message to her, for her to send some info through email to me. I have an old brochure, but I want to know if she wants something updated or a special message. It would be great to get a list of the names of the restaurants and hotels on the beach. I know some, but some confirmation would be better. I have a web site presently on yahoo, but that is all changing very shortly, and I am putting up a much more extensive site

http://www.geocities.com/tina_winterlik

Tina Winterlik
tina_winterlik@hotmail.com
twinterlik@telus.net
July 2000

I don't know how to contact Gloria. -Tom

About Daniel and Brisa Marina

I am writing in response to inquiries made regarding Daniel in Zipolite. He is the owner of Brisa Marina, one of the newer hotels in Zipolite with bathrooms and balconies with hammocks. He can be reached from the U.S. at: 011 52 958 43193.

My wife and I stayed at Brisa Marina for semana santa this year. The rooms were great, and everyone seemed very hospitable.

Shawn Gibbons
gibbones@hotmail.com
Aliso Viejo, CA
June 2000

Fax Number

Hi Tom, Can you possibly give me (lo cosmico's) Antonio & Regula's fax number? Thanks.

Indiana Jim
marbleloco@netscape.net
June 2000

Anybody know this? - Tom   tom@tomzap.com

Sold My Clothes

Aloha Tom, My name is Kristen and I live in Hawaii. I am shocked to find a website on Zipolite. Anyway, I traveled with 2 friends to Huatulco and Zipolite unexpectedly in August of 1992. Unfortunately, we got overcharged for our hotel and rental car during our stay in Huatulco, so we eventually ran out of money while in Zipolite. My friends left early but I stayed for the remaining week because of lack of funds to leave. At the time I was 19 and not fluent at Spanish. I noticed while I was there that everyone was selling almost everything. So, because of my monetary situation I started thinking of what I could sell. Well, I sold my clothes!! Can you believe that? With the little Spanish I had learned, I walked up and down the beach, twice. I asked everyone I saw if they wanted to buy my clothes, to no avail. I was completely discouraged when a man I had met told me these two girls from Mexico City ,with money, might be interested. Thank God!! They bought my clothes for $100.00. I lived like a queen for the rest of the week and took a taxi all the way to the airport. But talk about humble....

I felt very comfortable and free while I was in Zipolite. The laid back lifestyle, the fresh fish, the interesting people from all over the world were only a few of the wonderful things I experienced while I was there. I loved laying in my hammock at night watching the lightening show over the ocean. It was unlike anything I've seen before or since. Ahhh, the memories....

Anyway, I do have a question. While I was there I went to a place at the (I think) north end of the beach. It had little huts on the side of the hill. At this place was a meditation point that I heard was one of the main meditation points in the world. Is this true, and what is the name of it?

I am sorry that I can't tell you about the two places I stayed while I was there, it was too long ago. I am very happy to see this site and thank you for your time, maybe I'll see you in Zipolite!

Mahalo Nui Loa et A Hui Hou!
Kristen Bozeman
krisb7777@aol.com
 June 2000

Cool story. I believe the place you are talking about is Glorias. -Tom

Telephone Numbers?

Hey Tom! Great web site and pretty addicting! Anyways, I was backpacking through Mexico and Central America between Oct' 99 and March 2000 and stayed in Zipolite for a month. On the way down I was at Shambala in hammocks for two weeks, and on the way back I stayed at a place on the beach-two doors left (towards Shambala) from San Cristobal restaurant/hotel. I am planning on coming back down for 2-3 weeks at Xmas and want to make reservations at Lo Cosmico or San Cristobal. Can you help me out with their phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses? Any info would be great!! And yes I know that it is crazy in Zipolite at Xmas but it is the only time I can get out of school. Hope to hear from you or anyone else with info soon.

Jennifer Stuart
Vancouver Island, Canada
jenniferstuart@hotmail.com
June 2000

Telephones are new in Zipolite. I don't know if those places have telephones yet. -Tom

Looking for Pablo Lozano in Zipolite

Tom: While trying to locate Lyoban over the Internet I found your great page of Zipolite, I think it shows a lot of people who had loved it and keep very warm memories from it.

Being Mexican never had a chance to visit, now, while living in the US think that might have been a mistake.

In any case, I'm looking for Pablo Lozano, I know he is at Lyoban resort, we both left Mexico City at about the same time, he went to Zipolite and I came to the US, and I lost his e-mail address and changed mine because of my moving. So I've lost contact with a very dear friend of mine. If you happen to know him, could you please pass this message along to him?

Thank you very much for your very warm page and your help.

Enrique M. Flores
ilya_33131@yahoo.com
June 2000

Planeando un Viaje

Qué tal Tom: Antes que nada muchas felicidades por este sitio web tan bien organizado que tienes. Me parece que captura el espíritu de las costas de Oaxaca "requetebien" Me dió un gustazo verlo y me causó sin una muy buena impresión. Hace años que no tenía contacto con Zipolite (casi 10) así que tu página electrónica y las narraciones de la banda son lo mas cercano que he estado últimamente. Y mira que refrescan la memoria :-). En fin, estoy planeando caerle la primera semana de julio a Zipolite. Mi presupuesto es limitado. En el pasado me he hospedado en "Lo Cósmico" y creo que esa es la línea que seguiré. Me gustaría tener una idea de alrededor de cuanto dinero necesito para estar una semana en Zipolite. Te importaría compartirme esa información. Me sería de gran ayuda pues mi hermano y mi sobrina se quieren lanzar conmigo y yo estoy un poco desconectada al respecto. Gracias.

Maricarmen Arjona
marjona@igc.org
mariarjona@yahoo.com (después de 17 de Junio)
June 2000

Puesta del Sol Bungalow

I have a strong recommendation for a great vacation house in Puerto Angel. The Hotel Puesta del Sol (in the town) has a bungalow/house on the lighthouse peninsula, on a hill overlooking the Pacific, and about a 20-min walk to Zipolite beach. The owners, German-Mexican couple Maria and Harald Ferber, have thought of every detail in the house's amenities: fully stocked kitchen, drinking water, immaculate bathrooms, large porch with outside dining, hammock, stereo system, cable TV, laundry facilities. The house has an upstairs room with a double bed, kitchen, bathroom, and dining and living areas. Then, downstairs, there's another bedroom, with two double beds and separate bathroom. So six could live in the house quite comfortably.

All this for $400 a week. We spent a week there in May and had a difficult time coming back!

The house is in a neighborhood off the main road, so it's best to have private transportation. We managed without, by walking to the main road (10 min) and catching cabs or colectivos to either town or Zipolite. Or you can just walk the whole distance, of course.

Highly wonderful. Go to the website at http://www.puertoangel.net/

Stefan Frazier
stefann@sfsu.edu
June 2000

A Telephone at Last

Another part of civilization has arrived. Yesterday the Mexican telephone-company installed a phone in our office at Piña Palmera. Our number is +52-958-43147. This will save us a lot of time as we always have had to go to Puerto Angel to make phone-calls. Next week we will also have a fax at the same number. (We will solicit another line for the fax.) We are all doing fine. The first rains are arriving finally and next Tuesday meeting we will form this season's emergency committee. (Hopefully they will have nothing to do...)

Anna Johansson de Cano
"Piña Palmera" A.C.
pinapalmera@laneta.apc.org
May 2000

Espectacular

Estuve en Zipolite a fines del 98. Partí de Los Angeles, California, el primero de Noviembre y recorriendo casi todas las playas del Pacifico llegue a Zipolite, un lugar unico. Me aloje en Brisa Marina y casi siempre comía en la Pacheca, excelentes pizzas. Ese era el lugar de reunion en ese momento. Quiero mandarle un saludo a Esteban y a Marcelo y decir que aquel que quiera ir lo mejor que puede hacer es una mochila y partir al Paraiso. Pensaba quedarme unos dias y al final estuve un mes. Las mujeres mas lindas que vi en mi viaje estaban ahi.

Gracias a todos y un saludo enorme a Zipolite ya que la pase bárbaro. Despues continue mi viaje hasta Houston, Texas, y de ahí nuevamente a Los Angeles donde tome el avión a Buenos Aires. Quiero decir que Mexico es espectacular pero todo fue un antes y despues de Zipolite.

Juan B.
panza4@hotmail.com
May 2000

Looking for Sean Pogue   FOUND

We are looking for my brother, Sean Pogue. I know he was working in a small hotel in Zipolite around August of 1999. In January he went to Xela, Guatemala and took some language classes. His last correspondence to my father was dated February 11th and he said he wanted to head back to Zipolite and work for a few weeks before returning home on the 18th of April. He called my mother on April 4th and said his flight was booked for the 18th and that he would not have a lot of Internet access until then. He was back in Zipolite working in the small hotel on the beach. He mentioned that this one had a bar made out of driftwood. He said he was cooking food for the staff and cleaning. No one has heard from him since. He mentioned Puerto Escondido as another possibility.

He is 33 and from Athens, Ohio. He is about 6 feet tall and dark blonde hair. His hair style changes often. He plays the banjo and is very intelligent.

Thank you for any help you can give us, our family is really starting to worry.

Michelle
michelle.plaisance@atcmail.com
May 2000

Someone saw this post and contacted Sean, who emailed his sister. Thanks. - Tom

Hotels in Zipolite

I was down in Zipolite in March, 2000 and had a great time. For a hotel in the area, I would recommend either the Hotel Paradiso on Zipolite, or the Posada Brias Marina. The Hotel Paradiso is the more upscale of the two, very clean, with tile floors in it's 12 oceanview rooms, two queen beds in each room, bathroom with shower and hot water, and a beautiful balcony overlooking the beach, with hooks to hang a hammock from. The manager while I was there is Sandra, and she is very helpful, if you know a little Spanish.

The Posada Brias Marina is also very nice, but the room and furniture are made of plain wood, with a wood floor, and the balcony is shared with three other rooms, but the hammocks are included. Also, the owner Daniel, is American and speaks English. Both places offer the good oceanview rooms for $20.00 US a night, cabanas at $6.00US, and a hammock for $1.50 per night.

The Tao was still there at the end of March, and seemed to be doing a booming business. I did not get to check out the rooms, but from the outside the place looks very nice. They also put on a buffet a few nights, with a choice of entree for $5.00 (their camarones are delicious) that includes all the beans rice and salads you can eat.

Chris Farquhar
nptravelcorp@home.com
Naked Planet Travel
nptravelcorp@home.com
May 2000

Still no Michael Barker

Tom. Thanks for keeping the bulletin about Michael on your web-site. My email has changed to. I still have had no word on his whereabouts. The Social Security people have him as deceased as of Dec.1998. They will give me no more info, under the privacy act. Even our Congressman cannot get it. I wont believe it until I see a death certificate. Getting the Vital statistics State agencies to respond is like pulling teeth. Some of them want as much as $18.00 to do a search. I had two people email me, saying they had met Mike at Glorias or Shambala, and from what they said, Mike gave them a real fancy "line". I told them the true facts, and never heard back from them. Thanks again.

Bill Barker
BBilredbar@aol.com
May 2000

Lola's

Hi, just came across your website; most enjoyable. I live in Southwestern Ontario, Canada and travel to Zipolite at least once a year. I was there in early April 2000. Zipolite is my little paradise and I'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind "roughing it" a little.

I always stay at Lola's, at the Playa d'Amour end of the beach. The rooms have running water, are clean and cleaned daily. In April, I negotiated my room with private bathroom and balcony at 750 peso's for the week. Their restaurant serves good food and at reasonable prices. One day for lunch, I ordered Sopa Pescado (fish soup) and my waiter was somewhat surprised at this "gringo's" choice. It was a bowl of broth in which floated a cooked fish, complete with head, eyes, fins and scales. A knife was provided for "in-bowl" filleting. I think it was eight peso's for the soup.

To travel there, I get "air only" from a Toronto charter company, to Huatulco, then walk down to the highway and get a bus to Pochutla. Then another bus to Zipolite.

At least once during the week I'm there, I take a collecto cab to Puerto Angel, where I have a wonderful dinner at the Bueno Vista Hotel. A large marguerita, three course dinner, glass of wine and the obligatory Kahlua is about $20. CDN. which is about $14 U.S. at this time. I'm a naturist and nudity is common at both ends of the beach, somewhat sparse in between.

As previous comments indicate, NEVER even consider drug dealing; it's watched very carefully by the local police. Last year there was a money exchange on the road behind the beach, this year it's not there; neither is there a money exchange in Puerto Angel. Pochutla has a couple of banks, even with ATM's, also one at the airport in Huatulco.

Do not expect any 3, 4 or 5 star accommodations in Zipolite. There is no hot water at any that I know of. The furnishings are ESA (early Salvation Army) and my balcony railing was broken, but was replaced by a single strand of string!

Nevertheless, Zipolite is still my little paradise, and continues to be very inexpensive. As previous people have said, the surf is extremely strong and riptides are common. If not a strong swimmer, do not venture out past your waist. Feel free to email me for any questions and I'll be glad to answer as best as I can.

Chris Fearon (Mr)
chris.fearon@sympatico.ca
May 2000

Want to Rent

I am looking for the cheapest 1 bedroom to rent for one or two months this summer. July-Aug. Please send me information on properties you may have for rent. Thank you

Jeff Rickard
jrickar@comp.uark.edu
1219 N. Storer Apt. 65
Fayetteville, AR 72703
April 2000

Do You Know Pato & Julio Cabrera?

I'm looking after the 2 Chilean brothers who just came there to stay and live. I think they opened a bar or a restaurant in Puerto Angel or Zipolite. I'm talking about Pato & Julio Cabrera, if you know them please give em my address.

Tomaso Gobbi
gubash@freesurf.ch
April 2000

Need a Hotel

We are planning a vacation to Oaxaca beaches. Could you recommend me a hotel in San Agustinillo or in Mazunte? We would need more a hotel than the palapas we know in Mazunte. We are going 8 adults and a baby. We need private bathrooms, clean place, some confort, with the reasonable prices of the are. One of the adults is a very pregnant lady, we would like for them to be very confortable. Thank you very much, waiting to hear from you.

Mireya Escalante
mireya@dsi.com.mx
April 2000

Salut! A Tous Les Zipoliteños!

Hey salut!!!...Je suis Karla, et je suis allée à Zipolite deux fois, j´aime beaucoup Zipolite, la nature c´est la chose plus jolie de Zipolite, mais il faut avoir respect avec la mer ¡¡¡sans doute!! la mer de zipolite n´est pas un jeu...Zipolite est entre Huatulco et puerto escondido...Je me suis restée dans "le castelet" oú il y a un café et un restaurant, les deux son trés trés bon, il y a aussi des cabanes et ne sont pas chére, le castelet est à roca blanca (Zipolite), tu peux arriver en taxi de Pochutla à roca blanca. le castelet est près de la puesta (la discothèque) et c´est dans la deuxième rue, n´est pas en face de la plage. le 31 je suis allée à la cérémonie de nouvel an au Shambala, ça a été formidable, je ne l´oublierai jamais!!...j´ espère aller bientôt...Alors si tu veux plus d´information sur le castelet tu peux écrire a xadanib@yahoo.com ...Je veux saluer a bernard le propiétaire de le castelet!

Hola soy karla!!....en Diciembre del 99 fue la segunda vez que fui a Zipolite y la neta, mi opinion no ha cambiado para nada, ese lugar es la ley!!, el mar, los paisajes, todo! Esta super chido...lo chido tambien es que puedes conocer gente de todas partes, osea que hay un intercambio cultural cañon!...las dos veces que he ido me he quedado en "le castelet", esta super bien, las cabañas la neta no son caras, ademas de que estan super limpias el restaurant la verdad para lo que esta en el menu esta muy barato a comparacion de otros lugares en donde te saldria un ojo de la cara comer un platillo Frances, y para la cafeteria lo mismo, le castelet esta en roca blanca y puedes llegar en taxi desde Pochutla, esta bien cerca de la puesta que es la disco y esta en la segunda calle, no esta frente al mar, pero aun asi esta chido...si eres mujer y vas por primera vez no te asustes si el teporochito de zipolite "coco" te empieza a seguir, simplemente asustalo y se va , pero de todos modos ten cuidado por que igual y te agarra jeje... Si eres de los tipicos que van a acapulco o a can-cun y quieres ir a Zipolite, open your mind por que si no estas jodido ah y tampoco esperes encontrar grandes discos ni nada por que zipolite por eso esta chido (aun) !!!....por favor!!! No se confien y no dejen sus cosas en cualquier lugar por que cuando menos se lo esperen pueden desaparecer, lo he visto muchas veces y esta cañon por que muchas veces ahi tienen pasaporte etc...!!!!....el 31 de diciembre fui a la ceremonia de año nuevo en el shambala y fue algo muy muy lindo!! Nunca voy a olvidar ese dia fue bien chido!!!...Por favor no te quieras creer el mejor nadador(a) ni nada por el estilo, asi que mejor ten muchisimo respeto con el mar, por que ahi hasta un master-nadador puede morir si no se cuida, la corrientes son muy fuertes y vienen de todas partes, asi que es mejor que no te metas mucho, en caso de que te jale la ola y no puedas regresar ¡¡ni lo intentes!! por que es peor lo que debes de hacer es quedarte detras de las olas y flotar hasta que te rescaten los salvavidas ( si te ven... sino pues a rezar !!)....lo chingon igual es que en la noche te puedes ir a cualquiera de las fogatas y estar ahi escuchando a los chavos que tocan los tambores o igual y te pones a tocar o a bailar, asi que aunque no conoscas a nadie en la fogata, no importa solo acercate... bueno es todo lo que yo puedo contar de zipol, no se pueden perder este lugar! es lo mejor !......Un gran saludo a bernardo el duéño de le castelet( que onda bert!!! una lana no??), un saludo igual a gungu ( a ver si ves mi mensaje), y al alejandro (que quien sabe en donde anda), Julien si ves esto ecris-moi!!!.......adioss!!! y vayan a zipolite la neta no se van a arrepentir!

Karla.
laura@sureste.com
April 2000

Looking for Guardian Angel

I was interested to see your web site. I was particularly interested in one girl's account of how she nearly drowned at Zipolite - I found it really shocking as exactly the same thing happened to me. I was at Zipolite in November 1998 and I have never forgotten what happened. I accidentally got myself pulled out until I was out of my depth. I really panicked when I couldn't get back in and found myself quickly being pulled out - I managed to get myself in a bit but got caught in the surf - waves kept crashing down on me and I was sucked under. Whenever I came up for air I was pushed under by another wave. I really thought I was going to die - I could hardly breathe and it looked like no one on the shore was doing anything. It was the most terrifying experience of my life - one minute having fun and the next preparing to die. Then I saw a man swimming out and he got to me - and brought me in safely as I held on to him. He was my Guardian Angel and I will never forget him. I would love to have the chance to correspond with him - so - my Guardian Angel - if youre out there and remember November 1998 at Zipolite - please mail me!

Julia Evans
England
jevans@ordsvy.gov.uk
March 2000

Phil & Dave's "Mexcellent" Adventure

My buddy Dave and I just returned from Huatulco on 3-8-00.we spent 10 days at the hotel San Augustanillo (which me and my friends call the ruins). Pretty laid back. We did see a German break his neck surfing though. Many people gathered to help and Shandor the Hungarian took him to the hospital in Pochutla. There they had oxygen but no mask to administer it--not the place to be when in need of medical attention! I hung out with our buddy Hubert in Mazunte and Pablo and Carol.

When it was time to go Hubert offered us a ride to La Crucecita to a place his friend owned for our last night. It was hotel Las Palmas and his friend and owner was a gentleman by the name Willem or Memo. Well this guy knows everybody and everything. Deluxe rooms-hot water-air cond. and even toilet seats. The restaurant rivals some of the best I've seen in Chicago for quality and service. Again Willem knows where everything is and speaks perfect English. Took Dave and I another 5 days to leave this party. This is a must for anyone looking to stay away from the ugly Americans at the large resorts. p.s. the women are still fine in Zipolite but so are the thieves.

Also beat the large Mexican school teacher arm wrestling at Shandors palapa 3 times. Thanks for the web site.

phil(hoss)chicago
PSFLEETMAN@aol.com
March 2000

Easter Holiday

I'm planning to go on Puerto Escondido and Zipolite at Easter. I'm traveling with a girl friend but she's a little picky about lodging. I've been twice on Zipolite and I stayed at Tao (I heard it no longer exists) but she expects some clean and safe place with running water. What do you recommend to us? Must I make reservations and, if so, how can I make it? Thank you Alfredo Avalos
alfavalos@hotmail.com
March 2000

Reservations are recommended during Easter holidays, but I don't know how to do it in Zipolite. - Tom

Saw a Red-billed Tropicbird

Hi Tom. Do you know if Michael Malone has an e-mail address?

We've just returned from a couple of weeks at Mario Corella's place in Mazunte. We took a boat ride out from San Agustinillo and saw a bird that does not occur on his list--a Red-billed Tropicbird. These are usually nowhere close to land, but it was right by the big guano-covered rock out in the ocean just West of Zipolite. We thought he might be interested in hearing about it. I don't know if he considers that close enough to the Puerto Escondido area to include, but he might.

By the way, the Mole web page has moved. Its new URL is http://www.ramekins.com/mole/molehome.html Tess Ewing & Louise Rice
ricewing@worldnet.att.net
March 2000

Anybody Know Richard & Carol?   NEVER MIND!

Hi Tom, Nice site. I'm looking for a very good guy named Richard, wife Carol, who owns a palapa in Rinconcito, Mazunte, just above the Ecosolar palapa. I've lost his business card (and thus, e-mail). Thought maybe you know him and might know how to contact him. Thanks.

Lesley Hyatt
lahyatt33@yahoo.com
February 2000

Thanks Tom! In fact, this morning I received an e-mail from them--Richard saw the posting on your site. Superrapido. Muchisimas gracias. Lesley

From Texas by Bus

Hi Tom! Zipolite was awesome! Lots of tourists during the holidays. I had many great adventures and the weather was absolutely fabulous! The beach was alive with celebrations everywhere...bonfires, fireworks, singing, dancing...and the dolphins swam freely at dawn of the New Millennium!!

Particulars on travel: Matamoros to Puebla - ADO (Not GL) - $422 pesos Departed 7:45 PM on 12/25, Arrived 1:00 PM on 12/26 No tickets were available to Pochutla on any bus lines due to heavy holiday traffic. Had to take my chances. Puebla to Oaxaca - ADO-GL - $185 pesos Departed 8:00 AM on 12/27, Arrived 1:00 PM on 12/27 Again, there were no tickets available to Pochutla. Had to change bus stations, took a taxi to Central Bus Station across from the Mercado de Abastos. $60 pesos. At central station, I purchased a ticket to Pochutla on Oaxaca Pacifica, direct, 2nd or 3rd class, $69 pesos. Departed 2:15 PM on 12/27, Arrived 10:00 PM on 12/27. The bus had mechanical problems and probably delayed our trip by a couple of hours but the bus driver/mechanic finally got us to our destination. I was picked up by family and drove to Zipolite by car. We drove by car back to Puebla. I took the same bus back to Matamoros ADO, $422 pesos, departed at 10:55 AM on 1/07, arrived at 6:00 AM on 1/08. The trip took longer than normal due to Federales stopping all traffic from Tampico to the border.

ADO is a good bus line, inexpensive and comfortable although a little crowded. The drivers are very experienced and give passengers plenty of time for the restroom and eating stops. I found them friendly and helpful. The ADO GL is top of the line and I will probably take this one the next time I travel to Mexico. There is twice as much room with only 20-25 seats and a nice coffee bar and clean restroom. Prices are higher for the GL and only selected routes available. The roads were all in great shape, only a few bad spots on the way to Pochutla due to the earthquake. We had heard though that the road to Puerto Escondido was badly damaged.

Mazunte was crowded but not too bad. The work at Ventanilla is progressing very rapidly and the swamp is well on its way to recovery. The liberation of the baby turtles at sunset is a site to behold, be sure to check it out! The people of this community have worked many long hours to revive the trees and animal life that were devasted by Pauline in 97, a true labor of love.

I miss my new friends very much and I am counting the days until I return in December. If any readers are heading to Zipolite between now and December, please pass on a message to Giorgio who resides at Dario's place. Please tell him photos will be on the way soon and to take good care of his arm so he can make a speedy recovery.

Again, thanks for the website Tom and thank you for the opportunity to tell the world of the closest place to Paradise I have ever found on this planet Earth!

Until December........
Deborah Hinojosa
Houston, TX
monjusi@att.net
January 2000

40 and Still Zippin'

Tom, Great website on Zipolite - I check in often. Have been to Zip 5 times over the last 10 years - last in January, 1999. Hope to go again sometime in the next several months.

The place pictured in the "Name this Place" note from Stephen Blutter is Roca Blanca. Not sure if they have phone service for reservations or not.

Also, I agree completely with the advice you gave Keith in the Young Crowd? note - I will be 40 this March and will continue to visit and enjoy Zipolite.

Marco Wageman
Rochester, Minnesota
mwageman@mayo.edu
January 2000

Bussing from Acapulco

Hola, I just returned from Puerto Angel and Zipolite via Acapulco and would like to pass on some information to those visiting the area: My girlfriend and our 3-year-old daughter accompanied me on this (my 5th) trip to the PA area. We arrived at the Acapulco airport on X-mas day and took the more expensive of two taxi options, a private one for about $30 US. The alternative is the collective "hotel" busses that cost $65 Pesos each person. The peso is trading for 9 per $1US on the street right now. We thought we might be able to get a bus heading east on the highway but ended up going to the Quebrada area west of the Zócalo and getting a bad $20 room as everyone was full for the holiday. There are normally a lot of nicer room choices in this area.

I then went to look for a bus. There are two terminals in Acapulco, one just north of Parque Papagayo and one N of the Zócalo on Avenida Ejido (Estrella Blanca). The Ejido station has the ONLY buses heading to Escondido or Pochutla. They leave at 3:30 AM! Buy your tickets in advance for $189 Pesos ($21). This is for an 8-9 hour 1st class "semi-directo" bus. It is an older bus with no toilet and stops at a few towns to pick up passengers but there will be no food break or bathroom break unless you ask, and then be quick. Going back west from Pochutla there are five of the same buses going to Acapulco daily and for the same price (there are other "ordinario" second class busses also; not recommended unless you are broke).

Contrary to what the map says this is not a scenic trip, a night journey is best and seemed to be safe and secure. The 1st class semi-directo leaves daily at 6AM, 10AM, 3PM, 7PM, and 10PM. The road west of Escondido is rough for about 100K. You can go to Oaxaca and other points from Pochutla and Escondido. There is a daily bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Angel that arrives and leaves at around 9-10 PM. This rough, winding but scenic route is still quite popular and I heard no bad comments about it. There were quite a few travelers in PA for the New Year and also at playas Zipolite, San Augustinillo, and Mazunte. The Mazunte turtle museum charges $P30 and is a nice tour. The laguna tour further west at playa Ventanilla is $P20 and quite pleasant; be sure to make time to walk this endless stretch of deserted beach. You can get there and back by cab at great expense ($10-15US from PA or Zipolite) but it is a long way and they will pick you up again at a designated time. Besides taxis most travelers use the pick-up truck "collectivos" which will get you from beach to beach ($P3) or beach to Pochutla ($P5) they can be quite crowded but are fun and efficient.

Zipolite is still alive and kicking. The New Year celebration was amazingly calm and well behaved. I saw fewer of the bothersome beach drunks and scarier/hairier ganga bums than in the past. The clientel seems to have gone upscale a notch but is still quite hip. There was not quite as much nudity as last year but thankfully it is still very much allowed. Rooms are becoming more plentiful from $10 and up $US. Hamaca spaces were $1.50-2.00 US per person. Tent space $4-5 US. These should be lower during the less popular times of the year. The vibes were very nice and the rumors I heard of crimes were few. Just use your head. Zipolite is still a beautiful and powerful beach that I would recommend to anyone who can let their hair down, get out of their clothes, watch the sun rise and then do nothing until its time to watch the sunset. If that sounds boring, please stay home.

We used cash machines and travelers checks in Pochutla with no problem. You can get by for $10-15 per day for food, maybe less if you cook your own. Sadly, beers are now about $1-1.25 US. Thanks for letting me post all this. Chao for now.

C-dog
dontfallonme@hotmail.com
January 2000

Loved Zipolite

Just got back from a trip to Zipolite and LOVED it. After reading up on it we got mixed reviews. Beautiful but dangerous, calm yet crazy. In all it was wonderful. We took a bus from Mexico city to Pochutla and a taxi from Pochutla to Zipolite. We ended up in San Cristobal de las Casas hotel, somewhat pricey but nice since we split it between three people. The roads to get there from Oaxaca eith 175 or 190 are windy as hell and friend got sick on the way back. 175 is in really bad condition but it's very doable, just realize that instead of four hours it will take you six. The scene at Zipolite was wonderful and I think what really had to contribute to it were the many Europeans. They all move at a different pace, more chill more euro, don't get me wrong, there were some diggity gringos as well but the "Europeaness" of Zipolite really made it all the more better.

I had no complaints as far as the ocean. My friend had a problem but he just wigged out. It's all about staying cool and relaxed when times are tough. Study the water patters before you even wade out, 'cuase that's when it can really get to ya'. Also I found that at least in this time of the year (early Jan) there's like a low tide earlier in the day and you can go out far in ankle deep water. Oh and if you do decide to go out stay close to the surfers, they know what they are doing and they can help ya out if times get tough.

So anyone in southern Oaxaca can't turn down something as wonderful and beautiful as Zipolite; enjoy!

Stephan, el guero
chido@rocketmail.com
January 2000

Not Living in Mexico City

Hi I'm Gungu; I stayed in Zipolite from 19/12/99 ´till the first of January.

If you were looking for a place where you can be free, not expending much money and also get some butt-tan , this is for you... This place breaks any concept you had of a beach vacation, if you're accustomed to stuff like like Acapulco or similar, this is different. At first I stayed at La Choza, a very nice place, and very cheap , but then I started wandering over and finally stayed on a humble but beautiful place in front of the beach where I met some friends living as a commune. It's a place full of strange characters, smiling and smoking as you pass through the town. Good music in every place, groovy decoration, nice weather (and girls of course), I mean I wanted to take photos every five minutes.

You can sit down at any fire that you see at night, hear some drums and meet people from around the world, leave your old concepts aside and have a taste of how really life is. I live in Mexico City selling oil paintings and artistic stuff, but I'm leaving everything for moving to Zipolite permanently to see what's up , I realized that I wasn't "living" in the city , and in Zipolite and Mazunte I had the best days of my life . If anyone was with me at the rave in Mazunte for new year ,or staying in La Choza those days , please write to me.

Gungu
gungu35@hotmail.com
January 2000

Viaje de Oaxaca a Zipolite a Orizaba

Al 19 de Diciembre, viajamos de Oaxaca a las playas, según nosotros por la mejor ruta, o sea por Sola de Vega (de Veja, más bien), si bien hasta antes de la montaña está bastante aceptable y mucho mejor que la de Pochutla, empezando la sierra contamos al rededor de 300 derrumbes ocasionados por el último de los terremotos; en la mayoría de los casos solo hay lugar para que pase un solo coche, encomendándose a dios los pasajeros para que no venga otro en sentido contrario tan rápido que no pueda frenar. Pues así llegamos hasta la entrada a Juquila, lo bueno es que la carretera estaba bastante transitada, autos particulares y autobuses llenos de peregrinos nos hicieron compañía constantemente. Fue precisamente un autobús de peregrinos el causante de trepar a una piedra la misma llanta anteriormente ponchada y rodada baja; esta pobre llanta sucumbió en el siguiente bache de los muchos de la carretera, obligándonos a hacer el cambio por la refacción que (¡que bueno!) habiá verificado antes de salir de Orizaba.

Bueno, antes de llegar a Oaxaca en la última caseta nos regalaron una especie de "pasaporte turístico" con anuncios de los hoteles y promociones, además de un planito de la ciudad indicando que los tiempos de recorrido a Puerto Angel y Puero Escondido eran de 5:30 horas respectivamente, esto posiblemente en Jet, pues salimos a las 10:00 de Oaxaca y llegamos a Puerto Escondido a las 18:30 más o menos. Pasamos a cenar al famoso "Capuchino", el cual no veía desde hacía más de 3 años; definitivamente ya no es lo que fue, es más, el área turística normal, el paseo de turista, los negocios a los lados y el ambiente ya tiende a pareceese al Puerto de Veracruz, huele mal y todo está carísimo.

A esto de las 20:00 salimos por la cerretera 200 rumbo a la Tierra Prometida, fueron los 70 kilómetros más largos de mi vida (y creo que la de los demás también), aquí hago un reconocimiento a mi amigo Jose Manuel Alvarado Kinell, pues SOLO manejó desde Tehuacán hasta Zipol, yo la verdad sincera me abrí por mi dolencia del oido que me tuvo levemente mareado.

Finalmente a las 21:00 arribamos a Zipol, llegamos a casa de Lino (Lola's) y ¿que creen?, resulta que no habían recibido mi carta y no habían reservado y... pues no había cuartos disponibles, así que, tratándo de no exaltarnos decidimos probar surte a ver si en La Choza había algo y si, efectivamente encontramos dos buenas habitaciones, la de $ 120.00 tenía 2 camas matrimoniales, WC con regadera, ventilador de techo, pabellones y mosquiteros, la de $100.00 exáctamente lo mismo pero solo una cama, así que ya Jose Manuel y yo no nos vimos en la penosa necesidad de dormir juntos otra vez, ya podía prestarse a habladas. El que estuvo felíz con una camota para el solito fue mi nene.

Bueno pues al día siguiente fue sesión de quema de nalgas, desnudos mi nene y yo jugueteamos en el mar, lo revolcaron las olas y creo que verdaderamente le gustó; le habíamos comprado una pala y cubeta, así que se dedicó a jugar con la arena, con Pepe, Alma y yo. Se rodaba por la pendiente hasta la playa después de decirnos "adios" a los tres. Cuando le preguntabamos si quería agua decía que no, que mejor una "chela chol" (cerveza Sol), así que de poquitos de habrá tomado como tres el solo.

Entablamos excelentes relaciones con Don Sergio, el propietario de La Choza, nos consiguó la cámara de uno de sus hijos para tomar las fotos que después les haré llegar; le dejé todo el material que he bajado de Internet sobre Zipolite, parte de la información de Tom Penick, mi anterior Website, comentarios de visitantes, mails y otras páginas, todas ellas excelentes para todo aquel que quiera enterarse de algo más lo haga, allí van también mis direcciones de e mail. Después me platicó que Anna Johansson ya había visto el material, lo malo fue que no me percaté y no pude hablar con ella para saludarla.

También fuimos a Gemini a comer Pizza, ya cambió de lugar, la propietaria nos platicó que cambió la casa por otra, no tenía servicio ni pensaba abrir debido a que su hija que la apoya no estaba, pero accedió a prepararnos, así que nos dimos un atracón con pizza "Fernando's" y "Zipolite", el nuevo local está frente al hotel elevado antes de la curva de la entrada a Piña Palmera.

En Zipol la comisa sigue excelente, "La Choza" continua con su magnífico restaurante, también comimos filete de atún con una amiga de la dueña de "Gemini", quien guisa a la leña.

Todas las cosas buenas se acaban y así se nos acabaron los dos días que habíamos destinado para Zipol, hicimos maletas la noche del Jueves 22 y el Viernes 23 a las 08:30 estabamos saliendo rumbo a Huatulco para regresar por el Istmo. La cerretera 200 sigue en buenas condiciones, el tramo entre Puerto Angel y la entrada al aeropuerto de Huatulco está un poco feo, pero después mejora bastante como para mantener una velocidad promedio de unos 90 Km/hr. Solo hay que tener cuidado con el ganado que se atraviesa la carretera, nos encontramos directamente con una recua de burros que obstinadamente se negaban a quitarse del camino.

Por la carretera 200 solo encontramos 1 retén militar, todo amabilidad el suboficial revisó parcamente nuestro equipaje y nos dejó pasar. De todas maneras nos detuvimos a tomar un refresco, ese momento fue aprovechado por Cuquín para maravillarse del "yifle" y el "caaco" de los "mushashos".

Desayunamos ligeramente en "El Oasis", en la Crucecita, sacamos dinero del Bancomer y continuamos hasta Salina Cruz, a donde llegamos sin novedad después de 2:30 horas, según nosotros para despedirnos del Pacífico pero... ¿que creen?, resulta que el H. Ayuntamiento de Salina Cruz traía pleito con sus trabajadores por cuestiones de los aguinaldos y a estos se les ocurrió la pe...regrina idea de cerrar las salidas al istmo. El bloqueo ya llevaba más de 24 horas en forma intermitente y hacía ya más de dos horas que definitivamente no dejaban pasar, así que ya se imaginarán la cola de traileros, autobuses y demás. Estabamos averiguando que y como cuando llegaron a estacionarse junto de nosotros tres pick ups repletas de judiciales que me comentaron que "en unos 20 minutos levantaban a la bola de huevones" y que "a lo mejor había madrazos", así que decididamente nos alejamos del conflicto, cargamos gasolina y nos encaminamos a una playa llamada "La Ventosa", bastante contaminadita por la cercana refinería de Pemex. Estuvimos un rato perdiendo el tiempo viendo el mar, cuando llegaron otros turistas que nos comentaron que el bloqueo ya se había levantado, así que reanudamos el camino con una pérdida de tiempo de 2:30 horas.

Finalmente, a las 24:00 del Miércoles llegamos a Orizaba, cansados pero muy contentos por nuestro viaje; encontramos el horrible clima de Orizaba por estas fechas, pero ¡que importa!, ya estabamos en casita.

Carlos S. Castillo Cruz.
cuquin1@prodigy.net.mx
www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Bay/1637/
www.geocities.com/fantasmon_mx/index.htm
www.itorizaba.edu.mx/~nemo
Orizaba, México
Diciembre 1999

Tons of Fish but no People

Just got back 12-22-99. No one's there man! I mean Nobody! Why? I was in bed by 5:00 PM with nobody to play with! Where did you all go man! Was it the Y2K? or terrorist? or the Millinium? Beaches are gone. Most of the places are closed down. What a bummer man! But I did have a great fishing trip wth captian Jon Crane. We caught tons of pescado! Amberosio was a great guide!

UNOBOCA@webtv.net
December 1999

Zipolite 2000 by Bus

Hey Tom! I really love your website on Zipo, it's great! I live in Houston and went to Zipolite Christmas 1998 for 5 days to visit my aunt. She has a great cabana there. I am going back for the New Year/Millennium for a longer visit this time. I am flying from Houston to Brownsville, taking a bus from Matamoros to Puebla, on to Pochutla by bus and then taxi to Zipolite. We took the bus last year and though it was long and exhausting, it was all worth it once we arrived. I enjoy the beautiful scenery and love the hearts of the people so I won't mind the trip at all this year. I am leaving on Christmas Day as a gift to myself. After saving all of my vacation time the whole year, it is a vacation that is well-deserved and desperately needed. I will send you a full report when I return as I will not have access to e-mail until I get back home on Jan 10th. Again, thanks for all of the good stuff in your website. Keep up the good work! Merry Christmas & Happy Millennium to you and all of your readers!

Deborah Hinojosa
Houston, Texas
monjusi@att.net
December 1999

Mazunte Bound

Tom, We're planning to visit Mazunte February and March 2000. What kind of accommodations can we expect? What will be the crowd level (20-50 people)? Does Hubert still live there? [Yes.] How about Jeremiah and Serena and their children? Are they still the land owners? What are the roads like from Huatulco?

sunbeltentinc@gateway.net
December 1999

Say Hello to Sara

My daughter Sara is staying in Playa Agustinillo until May 2000. If you run into her say "hi" from her mom who misses her very much! Playa Agustinillo is very beautiful and I have very special memories of my visits there. Sara first visited Playa Agustinillo as a little girl and over the years we went back as a family to visit old friends and to make new ones. Last year she went there for a two week vacation and after returning to Canada vowed that she would return to stay for 6 months. After working hard for the next 10 months she has made her dream come true!

Susan Vigh
taba@worldchat.com
Hamilton Ontario Canada
December 1999

About Lola's Hotel

You asked about Lino and Lola in Zipolite. They are fine. Aren't they great people? I stayed there last year when my daughter got married, on the beach in front of Paraiso. She and her husband live up the hill from Lola's and said that everything is fine in Zipolite. At the time of the earthquake they were in Pochutla in an appliance store, all those TVs on the top shelf shaking but never toppled!

Kris
kwdesign@peconic.net
December 1999

Young Crowd?

Hi Tom. I've been looking at your Pacific Coast of Oaxaca page. I'm very impressed. It's the most thorough source of up-to-date info on the area that I've found. You've done a great job. I'll be down there around February. (I'm leaving MO in early January and making my way by bus through Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Guatemala.) Is Zipolite mostly for a young crowd? (I'm 42.) I enjoy partying, but I'd get bored sunbathing.

Keith
k_wheeler@yahoo.com
December 1999

Zipolite is for budget-minded, street-wise types who want to rub elbows with a fun-loving, pot-smoking, nude-bathing, eclectic, international group. Oh, I didn't say anything about age. It just happens that a lot of people who fit this description and are able to take off for a month or two are young, but it is not the rule. You will find people of your age and older there as well. -Tom

Name This Place

Can anyone identify this place on the western side of Zipolite? I'd like to make a reservation for New Years.

Stephen Blutter
stevenb@pcc.net
December 1999

That might be Lyoban. Bar, music, restaurant and rooms upstairs? - Kris Warrenburg, kwdesign@peconic.net

Best Way to Drive?

We are driving down from Seattle. Do you know the best route? We want to enter Mexico further down south than California. We would go east in the United States first and enter Mexico further south with the goal of less Mexican miles. Maybe go thru Tasco the silver town on the way down. We are considering going down the central part of Mexico on the toll roads and entering thru New Mexico. What is the best route to get there least time, miles and least topes! Anyone with experience could give us a suggestion! Thanks.

masunte@yahoo.com
rinconcita@yahoo.com
November 1999

And What About That Dead Guy?

I spent a month in the wonderful state of Oaxaca and two of those weeks in the glorious town of Zipolite! My traveling companion stayed at Lo Cosmico and, with the exception of one tarantula sighting and a heavy tropical storm leaking into our cabana, is was fantastic! Although I am still curious about the murdered man we saw in the road, we never found out what really happened to him. We were there in June of 1999. Anybody out there know the story?

Also, I am looking for Martín and Jamil Naf. Martín is a jewelry maker, and he and his son Jamil lived at Lo Cosmico... One more thing I forgot the name of a bar/restaurant that was on the beach ... they had a great happy hour and the proprietor was an Argentinean by the name of Marcello. Anyone know the name of that great place? Thanks!

Alice
sheshe6030@aol.com
November 1999

Looking for Rider to Share Expenses

Hola gente del "Internet". My name is Lorenzo Martinez and I will be traveling to Oaxaca in Dec. I would like to do some volunteer work and will be driving. I would also like a rider to share expenses. I would prefer a woman rider, and you can feel safe with me, I have references. I speak Spanish and English and am located in San Francisco.

Does anyone have info on Piña Palmera which I believe is in Zipolite? I tried to e-mail them but it was returned, I would like to volunteer. I am a carpenter/builder and I also teach Martial Arts, my specialty is with children, most recently at camp Winnarainbow with Wavy Gravy in Mendocino County, California.

Lorenzo Martinez Bodo420@aol.com
November 1999

Returning for the Millennium

It's been 15 years since my last vacation in Mexico, which were always on the west coast. Each trip was better than the last, as each time I went further south. Finally, I was told to see a woman named Maria on Zipolite who rented hammocks hanging open air under thatched roofs or something for a dollar a night. She cooked for us stored our backpacks in her hut by the side of her bed, and never asked for any money till we left. We just put check marks in a spiral notebook each time we took a beer out of the cooler, and she kept track of the meals she served us. It was completely trustworthy, and was extremely inexpensive.

I'd like to know if there is any way that this outdoor living under the stars is still available on Zipolite. Is it still this quaint? I have always gone on Christmas and stayed for 2-3 weeks. I am thinking of going again this year. Will this area be overbooked in the hotels? Or since I'm willing to do the under the stars routine, can I find a family on the beach that will accommodate me. This was the most relaxing vacation ever, and I'd like to re-live my past into the Millennium.

There was a French restaurant a little ways down the beach at the top of a hill that served crepes (a husband a wife deal). It was great, does it still exist?

Thanks for the help, and a special thanks for this fantastic site, I love it.

Tony
tpatti1@aol.com
October 1999

The Rains in Mazunte

Hi, Tom. Had a note from Hubert in Mazunte. He doesn't date 'em, but it was mailed around the 4th of October. Said that they had had a good deal of heavy rain around the end of September and on into October. Mazunte was pretty much isolated with roads being washed out, etc. A visitor from Washington state was not able to get out, so had to stay for a little longer. Life can be rough. No damage or serious problems. People just stayed inside and waited for the weather to change. The greenery is indeed green now and absolutely beautiful according to the letter. A little cool - which would be a change for me as it has been quite warm on my visits.

Mail service was interrupted by the weather, so no mail was going into or coming out of Pto Angel for awhile.

Bill Brecheen
whbassoc@earthlink.net
October 1999

El Rinconcito de Mazunte

Dear Tom, I am driving down to Oaxaca to open up a little cafe/bar in El Rinconcito de Mazunte. It will specialize in fresh food, vegetarian food, jugos, liquados, ensaladas, tortas and seafood. It will not be comida typica, but a variety. There will be excellent music and a tropical bar, as well as coffee in the morning para los que andan crudos. The owner, Stacy, has much time there, knows the area, speaks fluent Spanish and English, and will be occasionally leading snorkeling tours in my VW to Huatulco (120 pesos for the day, equipment provided). I just hope I can make it down okay!

Planning to leave Oregon in mid-November and open up mid-December. I have driven all over Southern Mexico, but never in the North, is it best to go thru Texas and down the Gulf side? Mexican friends tell me the West coast is slow and Guerrero very dangerous. Please help me with any info you can gracias!

Darrell Cecil
darrellsue@webtv.net
October 1999

The fastest (but most boring) way is down the Gulf coast, cross the isthmus east of the mountains on Hwy 185 and head back west along the Oaxacan coast. -Tom

Also Looking for Daniel

I am planning a trip to Zipolite for New Year's and would like to make reservations if at all possible. I've been told that there is a man named Daniel who has a hotel and it is absolutely wonderful experience. If at all possible could you tell me how to get in touch with Daniel and maybe list a couple of other reliable places to stay? I appreciate your help.

Chante Bergmann
Austin, TX
chanteb@hotmail.com
October 1999

See the June 2000 reply. -Tom

How is Lola's Hotel?

¿Alguien podría decirme cómo están las cosas en Zipolite a consecuencia de las lluvias y el terremo? ¿Alguien sabe cómo esta Lino y su familia, los que tienen el hotelito Lola's?

Somebody could tell me how are the situation in Zipolite after the constant rains and the earthquake? somebody know about Lino and her family from Lola's Hotel?

Rafa
rafanune@df1.telmex.net.mx
 October 1999

How Do We Contact The Roca Blanca?

We're going back to Zipolite in a couple of months... How's the road to Huatulco (earthquake, floods...)?

Do you have any idea how to contact Francisco, or was it Fernando(?) at the Roca Blanca hotel? We stayed in one of his rooms last time and had a great time and felt secure (a lot of people were getting ripped off). There's a guy named Chico who works there, a Brazilian who speaks English well. We want to make a reservation because of the millenium - I believe its going to be mobbed.

Steven Blutter
steevenb@worldnet.att.net
October 1999

Looking for Mario at Cerro Largo

I have a question about getting in touch with Mario at Rancho Cerro Largo. Do you have any contacts with him? I think he is located in Mazunte near Zipolite. Thank you very much.

Jon Spooner
spooner@netmix.com
October 1999

Same Daniel?

I live in TX and have a brother named Daniel that lives in the Zipolite/Puerto Angel area. He is from Pennsylvania. So am wondering if this is the same Daniel. Let me know if we are talking about the same person. He has been living there since October of 98.

JSieg10599@aol.com
September 1999

Looking for Daniel

We spent three wonderful weeks in the Puerto Angel/Zipolite area last Xmas/New Years and we are going back with more people this year. Is there any way of contacting Daniel (N. American)? Daniel has a hotel on the beach at Zipolite. Please let us know.

Siobhan & Joe
London
hgp@btinternet.com
September 1999

Looking for Emmanuel

I'm looking for somebody named: Emmanuel (Manuel). He has blond, long hair and is French/South African. He stayed in Huatulco and Zipolite during Jan, Feb, March... Maybe he's still in Zipolite or somebody knows his last name or address.

aries0777@yahoo.com
September 1999

Accommodations in Mazunte

My wife and I and some friends just returned from Mazunte this week. We stayed at the Alta Mira bungalows at the northernmost end of the beach. These bungalows only have a bedroom and a bathroom (and many have upper lofts with a mattress.) For a few photos go to www.sepal.org/gulick/oaxaca/

Since hurricane Pauline Mazunte hasn't had phone service, so it's difficult to make reservations but neither is it essential unless you are there during the high tourist seasons. If you'd feel more secure having reservations, you can call the Buena Vista hotel in Puerto Angel (958) 431-04 and ask tell them you want to make reservations for their Mazunte place - the Alta Mira. They will probably connect you to Erica who works there at the Buena Vista but who is also the daughter of the wonderful woman (Doña Rosa) who takes care of the Alta Mira Bungalows and who prepares all meals there too - breakfast and dinner only.

The price at the Alta Mira is 300 pesos per bungalow and 50 pesos extra for each person over 2 people (current exchange rate is 9.3 pesos to the dollar.) At times this price is negotiable especially during lower seasons or if you're real nice to Doña Rosa :-)

Even though the meals are not cheap in Mexican terms (between 3 and 6 dollars per person) they are delicious and Rosa individually prepares each plate. And you can't beat the view!

Tim & Annette Gulick
mexikids@edomex1.telmex.net.mx
September 1999

Hey Holgar!

Anyone know if Holgar the German is still around? I want to bring him a present if he's still going to be there in December '99. If you see him, tell him Steven & Marcia from Chicago are on their way back!!

Thanks!
Steven
steevenb@worldnet.att.net
 September 1999

Need accommodations for 40 in Mazunte

My name is Rene Bautista, I'm studying political science at ITAM (Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico). My friends and me are traveling to Mazunte on 17 September. So we need your orientation about that place.

I visited your site on the web, and I saw you knowledge about the region. So we are looking for a nice, and comfortable hotel or rooms, service of Breakfasts, dilutes drinkable, etc.

We need information for 40 people. Could you help us? If you know a place, adgress or host, please contact us.

Rene Bautista
Mexico, D.F 01(5) 6-04-34-88
rbmtez@colossus.rhon.itam.mx
August 1999

Cottages in Mazunte

I am interested in a housing project that took place in Mazunte. I visited there a few years ago and am interested in going back and staying in one of these cottages. I was wondering if you had any information, such as a web page on this. Thank You.

Tasha Vasluski
nedd@eritter.net
August 1999

Searching for Hubert Lichter and Pedro Altamirano

Hi I am German and I lost my friend Hubert Lichter, a friend of the lady who owned Rancho de las Hamacas about 10/12 years ago. Do you have any chance to contact that lady and tell me if she still owns that place and if Hubert Lichter is around?

please give him my addresses:
PC Media Consult Heinrich Geisler
Media- und Marketingplanung
PF 1305
82524 GERETSRIED
KARL-LEDERER-PLATZ 16
82538 GERETSRIED
Germany
Tel.: ISDN (08171) 9 63 63
FAX (08171) 9 63 65

I am looking also for a Mexican actor who played a little role in a movie about Frida Kahlos life Frida kahlo and Diego Rivera are sitting in a cinema watching the actual world news the show Hitler in an open Mercedes Cabriolet with his right arm lifted up showing the "German greeting". Behind the two celebrities is a guy who starts applauding as he sees Hitler. Frida turns around and slaps him in his face I think his name (the actor's name) is Pedro Altamirano. He used to come around Xmas every year to that beach. Is there any chance to find him?

Heinrich Geisler
pcmgeisler@t-online.de, PMGEISLER@aol.com
August 1999

Estoy Planeando Ir a Zipolite

Queridísmos amigos de Zipolite, estoy planeando caerles por ahí del Sábado 7 de Agosto en la tarde y quedarme por allá unos 4 días. ¿Cómo andan de lugar pa' quedarnos? Somos dos. ¿Dónde me recomiendan que me hospede? Ojalá me puedan recomendar algún lugar y si necesitan que asegure una reservación me dicen cómo. O.k.?

Rafael Núñez
rafanune@df1.telmex.net.mx
 Julio 1999

Looking for Marcos Brown (Yogendra)

Hello.....I am trying to locate Marcos Brown. aka Yogendra. I knew him in early 1994 in Huitzo, Oaxaca [NW of Oaxaca City]. Marcos had a yoga center there and we became great friends. Only we lost touch. Anyone know his whereabouts?

Hayes Porterfield
hayp@ime.net
June 1999

Pepe's Not So Bad

Great web site. The comments about Pto. Angel were especially interesting, since I haven't been there since 1979. Zipolite was sort of nudish then, too, but nobody gave a damn. It was a hot walk on a bad road with only a couple of palapas for the public to seek refreshment in; though the Canadians seemed to like it. I'm glad to hear Pepe Cruz is still among us, though he probably got a bad rap from your correspondent [ABOUT DANGEROUS PLACES AND PEOPLE- Puerto Angel Comments] He was always honest and courteous with me; as were his father Gonzalo, his mother, sister Rita, brothers Cuka, Julio, etc.; all of which I wish I could visit again. Please convey my greetings to one and all, should you be in the area. Gosh! Rita's kids are voting age, now. How time flies. My best.

Doug Johnston
DOUGIA@webtv.net
June 1999

El Paraiso Zipolite

Me han platicado mucho acerca de la Playa de Zipolite y la verdad me gustaría conocerla e irme de viaje para aquel sector de Oaxaca. ¿Donde podría encontrar más información acerca de Zipolite; con respecto a Hoteles, Restauranta y sitios Turisticos?

Fijate que lo que me inquieto a conocer Zipolite es que conocí a una chava que me "movio el tapete" "fall in love" y ella ha ido mucho a esa playa y la verdad me comanta que es un paraiso.... Bueno pienso ir muy pronto a Zipo y poder conocer gente y hacer mucho amigos.

Gracias nuevamente y felicidades por haber conocido el Paraiso.

R. Cisneros
ROBERTO_CISNEROS@gruma.com
June 1999

Born in Zipolite

In Nov. of 95 my daughter Sarah was born while we were guest of Gloria's at Shambahla. We stayed three and a half months there and its an experience I would never trade in. The Karma Cleansing Ceremony on New Year's Eve was a magical feeling that I'll never forget. The party at the beach afterwards was a blast.

But the most incredible thing of all down there was the warmth and love that complete strangers gave to my family. I am most thankful and indebted to Gloria for taking me in and giving me a new outlook on life. If anyone can give her a message please tell her that Karma loves her and that we are trying to save money to come back soon.

If anyone is thinking about having a baby down there its the most beautiful place for a child's first sounds and sights, but besides registering the child with the Mexican gov't for a birth certificate, remember to stop in Mexico City at the US embassy and register there too. You cannot get an American birth cert. or S.S. card otherwise. There is no way to do it from the states! I even tried to go through my congressman. Needless to say, we're stopping in Mexico City on our way to Zipolite. I would rather have those extra days at the beach. Send my love to the whole Family at Shambala.

Karma Swislow
KarmaYetta@aol.com
June 1999

Five Very Happy Months in Paradise!

At Lo Cosmico everything is perfect, and not only a secret center meeting point for all kinds of artists. This peaceful location offers beautiful cabanas for US$ 7 a night, or you can just enjoy delicious breakfast and crêpes whilst listening to good music. The owners, Regula & Tonio will give you a warm welcome and make your stay pleasant and not want to leave...

Two, that always will come back
Evi & Gerd
Gerhard.Groeneveld@t-online.de
June 1999

Missing Person: Michael R. Barker

Update: We have had several reports and understand that Michael left Mexico in April, but still have not made contact. More information.

Bill Barker
bbilredbar@aol.com
May 1999

Jubileo 2000, articulo en la Jornada

El siguiente articulo, escrito por Miguel Concha, salio en La Jornada, Sabado 8 de Mayo.

Condonacion de la deuda

En el marco del Jubileo del Año 2000, al que convoco el papa Juan Pablo II en 1994, y tomando en cuenta que la deuda externa representa un grave obstaculo para el desarrollo, los representantes de los institutos de vida religiosa en Mexico se comprometieron la semana pasada a impulsar una campaña nacional de recoleccion de firmas, para pedir a los paises acreedores la condonacion total de la deuda de las naciones mas pobres, y en forma parcial la de Mexico.

Al finalizar en Orizaba su XXXIV Asamblea, expresaron en un mensaje al pueblo mexicano, que un modo concreto y eficaz de vivir la justicia en America "es el llevar adelante la peticion que hace el Papa sobre la condonacion de la deuda, a la que se han unido varios paises como Francia y España, y ya no pocos episcopados, entre ellos el nuestro". Creemos -añaden- "que hay que denunciar la complejidad del problema: se debe a corrupcion, mala administracion, a elevados intereses, a politicas financieras especulativas, a gobernantes irresponsables y al enriquecimiento de personas concretas, en lugar de haber sido dedicada a sostener los cambios necesarios para el desarrollo del pais".

La campaña se suma a las que con objetivos muy semejantes realizan en mas de 30 paises muchos grupos, instituciones y personas de diversas orientaciones politicas, religiosas e ideologicas, y tiene como finalidad liberar de la pesada carga de la deuda externa a mas de mil millones de personas. Una meta inmediata es entregar en junio de este ano en Colonia al grupo de los siete, 22 millones de firmas.

Como afirma el Episcopado frances en un documento reciente sobre el tema, muchos de los responsables de las grandes instituciones financieras saben que la deuda de los paises pobres jamas podra ser reembolsada, y sin embargo dudan en decidir su anulacion. "Todavia la presion de la opinion publica no es tan fuerte para ello". Ademas, con la crisis monetaria mundial, que afecta a paises emergentes como Indonesia, o en reconversion, como Rusia, tienen otras preocupaciones. "Los paises mas pobres corren una vez mas el riesgo de ser olvidados si nadie habla en su favor. El Jubileo 2000 es la ocasion para luchar contra este olvido".

Por lo que se refiere a America Latina, del 25 al 28 de enero de este año tuvo lugar en Honduras un importante encuentro de diversos representantes de la Iglesia y de la sociedad civil de 17 paises del continente, para lanzar la campaña a nivel latinoamericano, que lamentablemente tuvo muy pocas repercusiones en la prensa. Al final se emitio la Declaracion de Tegucigalpa, en la que, entre otras cosas, se afirma que la deuda externa de America Latina, cuyo monto se calcula en alrededor de 706 mil millones de dolares: cuyo servicio alcanzo ya entre 1990 y 1997 la cantidad de 581 mil millones de dolares, y por la que tendrian que pagarse solo este año 123 mil millones mas, es impagable, Ilegitima e inmoral.

Impagable, se dice, porque matematicamente no hay formula para hacerlo. Dos decadas completas de refinanciamientos, imposibles de ser cumplidos por los paises en desarrollo, lo demuestran claramente. Ilegitima, "porque se origino principalmente en decisiones de gobiernos dictatoriales, no elegidos por el pueblo, o en gobiernos formalmente democraticos, pero corruptos, sin ademas ser utilizada en beneficio del pueblo al que hoy se le exige su costo". Ilegitima, porque crecio amparada por tasas de interes y condiciones de negociacion impuestas por los gobiernos y bancos acreedores, que negaron reiterada y abusivamente el derecho de asociacion de los gobiernos deudores, aun cuando ellos si lo hicieran a traves de verdaderos carteles de acreedores (Club de Paris, Comite de Gestion), respaldados ademas por la coercion economica del Fondo Monetario Internacional y del Banco Mundial.

"La orden era clara y determinante: ustedes negocian individualmente, nosotros negociamos en bloque".

Es inmoral, porque los gobiernos tienen que destinar un alto porcentaje de los recursos del Estado a pagar la deuda externa, afectando mas que nada a los programas sociales, a los salarios de los trabajadores, generando el desempleo y afectando gravemente el funcionamiento de la economia. "Hoy existe una enorme deuda social en salud, educacion y nutricion del pueblo. Los estados gastan hoy en el area social 60 por ciento menos por habitante que en 1970".

Jubileo 2000 Mexico

Parte del movimiento global de Jubilee 2000, cuya demanda es la cancelación de las deudas externas de los paises mas pobres antes del año 2000.

Tu reto es informar a todos sobre el movimiento de Jubileo 2000 y de la situacion intolerable de las deudas del mundo pobre. Nosotros te enviaremos una carta cada semana, informandote de las actividades, las deudas y sus efectos tragicos. Proximamente te informaremos la fecha de las manifestaciones en junio. Para organizarnos es importante que nos informes de tu grupo y su plan de accion. Dinos el nombre de tu grupo de accion. Correo Electrónico jubi20@yahoo.com, Direccion postal; Jubileo 2000, Apartado 2, C.P. 70900 Pochutla, Oaxaca Mexico.

Deseo Compañeros de Viaje

He oido tantos comentarios relativos a Zipolite, que realmente me gustaria conocer ese lugar. Pero, saben hay un ligero problema. No tengo nadie con quien ir, y no me gustaria ir solo. Si te late ir, seas hombre o mujer, o si te vas a lanzar con tus amigos y te gustaria invitarme, ponte en contacto conmigo. Vivo en Guadalajara. Mi direccion es:

David Soltero
davidsol@usa.net
May 1999

Looking for Two Brothers

Hello from Texas, am looking for 2 brothers that live in Zipolite. Their names are Don and Dan Bidlack. If anyone there knows them or has met them tell their sister says hello. Thank you.

JSieg10599@aol.com
May 1999

Jubileo 2000, Carta 2

Jubileo 2000 Mexico parte del movimiento mundial de Jubilee 2000, cuya demanda es la cancelacion de las deudas externas de los paises mas pobres antes del año 2000.

MANIFESTACIONES MUNDIALES   A mediados de Junio, en Alemania se celebrara la Cumbre Internacional en la que estaran presentes los siete paises mas ricos del mundo. En ella, Jubileo 2000 Europa, se manifestara y presentara una peticion avalada por mas de 22 millones de personas, siendo esta la mas grande de la historia. Jubileo 2000 Mexico mostrara su solidaridad con cadenas humanas, que representan las cadenas de deuda, en los pueblos y ciudades de nuestro pais. ¡ACTUA AHORA!, manifiesta tu reprobacion de las deudas que matan, hacen sufrir y explotan a millones de personas. Forma un grupo de accion.

Nicaragua tiene una deuda externa de US$5,929 billones, principalmente generada por la guerra civil de los 80´s, de los cuales US$106 millones fueron prestados por el gobierno EEUU. En 1988 Nicaragua contaba con US$58 por persona para programas de salud, disminuyendo para 1997 a US$14. Durante este periodo, tuvo que pagar aproximadamente un millon de dolares diarios a los prestadores internacionales.

Despues del huracan Mitch, la deuda de Nicaragua fue revisada por el Club de Paris (una reunion de los ministros financieros de los paises mas ricos del oeste). Estos suspendieron los pagos a corto plazo, pero no redujeron la deuda externa de Nicaragua. Muchos de los apoyos de emergencia enviados a Nicaragua despues del huracan, resultaron ser prestamos, con altos intereses; creando una crisis mayor a la de 1997.

El mes pasado el Presidente Clinton, se disculpo por la intervencion financiera estadounidense en las "guerras sucias" de America Latina. Sin la cancelacion de las deudas generadas durante estas guerras, las disculpas son insultos, son palabras vacias.

La campania intensiva de Jubileo 2000 ha logrado resultados. Varios Paises Europeos, principalmente Francia, han cancelado o reducido deudas. Sin embargo es solo el comienzo.

¿COMO ACTUAR?   Tu reto es informar a todos sobre el movimiento de Jubileo 2000 y de la situacion intolerable de las deudas del mundo pobre. Nosotros te enviaremos una carta cada semana, informandote de las actividades, las deudas y sus efectos tragicos. Proximamente te informaremos la fecha de las manifestaciones en junio. Para organizarnos es importante que nos informes de tu grupo y su plan de accion. Dinos el nombre de tu grupo de accion. Correo Electronico jubi20@yahoo.com, Direccion postal; Jubileo 2000, Apartado 2, C.P. 70900 Pochutla, Oaxaca Mexico. Por mas informacion ver el Jubileo 2000 internacional web site o la pagina de Jubileo 2000 Mexico.

Anna Johansson de Cano
"Pina Palmera" A.C.
E-mail: pinapalmera@laneta.apc.org
May 1999

Jubileo 2000, Carta 1

¿Qué es un Jubileo?

Jubileo quiere decir aniversario o fiesta. Antiguamente los países gobernados por un monarca, consideraron el cumpleaños del rey o la reina como un jubileo. En muchos países el rey celebró la ocasión, perdonando criminales y cancelando deudas que los campesinos debieran a sus patrones. Así un Jubileo llegó a significar una ocasión para perdonar, cancelar deudas y hacer un nuevo inicio.

¿ Cuál es la deuda que deberíamos cancelar? En los años sesenta y setenta el Fondo Monetario Internacional junto con los Bancos Internacionales prestó billones de dólares a los países pobres de América Latina, Asia y África. Hubo poco control de los préstamos. Mucho del dinero fue robado por los político y militares de los países recibidores y por empresarios internacionales. El poco dinero que llegó al pueblo, se gastó rápido en vez de invertirlo en proyectos a largo plazo. La inversión no apoyó a la gente ni generó el crecimiento económico necesario para pagar las deudas.

Para recibir los préstamos, los países recibidores tuvieron que comprometerse a un calendario de pagos, no solamente del dinero recibido sino también de altos intereses. En muchos casos los prestadores pusieron tasas de intereses de más del veinticinco por ciento. Aunque parece que los países ricos del mundo están apoyando económicamente a los países en desarrollo, por el contrario, es falso. Entre 1983 y 1989 los países en desarrollo pagaron $242,000,000,000.00 de dólares, más de lo que recibieron en apoyo.

¿Quiénes son Jubileo 2000, y qué dicen? Jubileo 2000 es una organización internacional donde convergen gentes de diferentes culturas, clases sociales y religiones. Entre sus promotores cuentan con el Papa, Madona, Mohamed Ali y otras figuras públicas y políticas. El propósito de Jubileo 2000 es persuadir al Fondo Monetario Internacional a celebrar el fin del milenio cancelando todo las deudas pendientes de los países en desarrollo. Así ellos podrían empezar el tercer milenio sin las cadenas de deuda que les amarran a la pobreza. Además todo el mundo podría empezar el nuevo milenio en un ambiente más justo, más caritativo y más digno.

Jubileo 2000 cuenta con gente de 42 países, entre sus promotores se encuentra el Papa, Madona, Muhammad Ali y el Dalai Lama. Sin embargo no es suficiente, también tenemos que contar contigo, con tu familia y todos tus conocidos. Para sumarte a nosotros, circula esta carta por correo electrónico, fax, correo o a mano. Si quieres más información, favor de contactarnos en el siguiente correo electrónico: jubi20@yahoo.com

Atentamente Jubileo 2000, México

Anna Johansson de Cano
"Pina Palmera" A.C.
E-mail: pinapalmera@laneta.apc.org
May 1999

Sofia Call Home   SHE CALLED (it's a boy)

My daughter, Sofia, is in vacation in Puerto Angel (Zipolite). She rent a house. Last Tuesday, she had a baby and she phone in Montreal but nobody was there. Since this time, I try to call her to have some news about the baby and her... but there is no way for me to contact her. Is it possible for you, please tell her that I give the number of my phone card to the Alexis's uncle and I would like her to call me... I thank you very much in advance.

Silvie Jauvin
jauvins@FAS.UMontreal.CA
May 1999

Anybody Seen Bert?   FOUND

We live in Santa Barbara, California, and we are trying to locate Bert. He is blind, although you would not know it, married a beautiful German girl in Zipolite, had a baby girl there and moved to Canada, we lost track of him, since the Canada number has been disconnected. He volunteered with Anna J. at Piña Palmera... If anyone sees him have him call collect at (805) 681-7129 his friends Jeff Bacon and Ana, and thank you Tom for being the link!

Bert has been found. -Tom

chinacatcabin@webtv.net
Jeffrey Bacon
April 1999

Thanks for the Site

Hello there. I was just checking out the Zipolite site, and it brought tears to my eyes. I just spent 4 months in Mexico. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I discovered Zipolite by accident, and shortly after decided could spend the rest of my life there. The place is magical. I have never been more at peace with myself ever in my life. I really enjoyed seeing those fotos on the site, even though it made me a little sad that I'm here and not there.

That's all. Just a little note to tell you I appreciated the site. Hasta luego amigo.

Jaime Michele
aajaimer@yahoo.com
April 1999

Place to Stay in Playa Augustinillo

If anyone is looking for the perfect vacation, go to Playa Augustinillo. I know of the perfect spot to stay. Contact me by email for more info!

Sara Vigh
svigh@hotmail.com
Ontario, Canada
April 1999


Lost Love   FOUND

Dear Tom! I think I don't know you but you are the only person that can help me. I saw you have connections with Zipolite and that interests me very much. Two months ago I was in Zipolite and there I met a friend who I really wouldn't like to lose. But in some way I have already done this, because I have lost his address (they had stolen my wallet). I would like to ask you if you know Cesar? He is not exactly from Zipolite, he is from Pochutla, but he lives most of the time with friends in the house or cabana called Paradeiso (cabanas and new restaurant). There live salvavidas (lifeguards), and it's about 200 meters west of the rocks on the shore. And if you don't know anything about my friend, do you maybe know the post number of Zipolite (Pochutla) or what to write on the address to be sure that the letter will arrive to Paradeiso cabana? Please, help me!

It's urgent, because I'm in love with Cesar and I would like to invite him to me before I return to him in Zipolite.

Cesar has been found. -Tom

Katja Hrobat
Slovenia
hrokat@hotmail.com
April 1999

Le Trois Lenguajes of Zipolite

I was in Zipolite (Oaxaca), Last5 week. What experience to dream and sleep in the hamacas with the sky as roof...

Every body was cool and funny, surtout le mec de Valleyfield (Quebec) qui fabrique , vend des bijoux et de la biere sur la plage...

Merci et Hasta la proxima ves !

Al.
AAlain2850@aol.com
March 1999

Oaxaca City, Zipolite, el Mar Peligroso

I've been to Zipolite, it was a wonderful experience: the travel, the rivers, the mountains, etc. I haven't had problems of anykind. I just traveled alone. I think Oaxaca is one of the more interesting places of México ( My country). Specially the Santo Domingo's church and the museum next to (in Oaxaca City), the Cathedral, the Tule, Monte Alban and Mitla.

I think Zipolite is more interesting than Huatulco, because it's a paceful place to enjoy. I met people from USA, Finland, England, France and Spain, I think that you could make friends if you wish it. Probably I'll go again, next July. Who wants to come with me? (I live in Mexico City).

¡J'aimerais faire amis du tout le monde!

Me encantó Zipolite, fui en Julio del 98 y aunque tengo 24 años, pienso que no hay demasiados riesgos como para ser necesario ir con alguien mas.

Todo lo que conoci de Oaxaca me pareció maravilloso en especial la iglesia de Santo Domingo y el museo que se encuentra junto a ella, El Tule es increible y Monte Alban Y Mitla también. Cuando fui a Zipolite pude ver rios, montañas y mucha pero mucha vegetacion. Aproveche para viajar de noche y conocí mucha gente de varios paises sumamente amable, creo que en ese lugar puedes conocer gente de todo el mundo. Lo chistoso es que se notaba inmediatamente que persona era de otro país y que persona era de México (las chavas latinas no se quitan la ropa). Hice amigos de Francia, Finlandia Y Estados Unidos.

Las habitaciones son baratas (60 pesos por noche) y lo más peligroso es el mar pues estuve a punto de colgar los tenis, las olas ya me estaban llevando mar adentro, como pude (como en media hora) llegué a la playa. Creo que le hace falta señalización pues pude apreciar cómo se metian a rescatar a unas personas; pero capaz que no se percata uno de nada hasta que llegue el cuerpo a la playa. Por eso: Mucho Ojo.

Es muy posible que vaya otra vez en Julio ¿Alguien se interesa en ir conmigo? Yo lo/la puedo llevar.

Luis Fernando Ramìrez
luisferrm@correoweb.com
March 1999

Scorpions, Thieves, and Drownings Dampen Zipolite Experience

I just returned from a two-week vacation in southern Oaxaca State. I had read this web page before I left, so was able to take along some insightful info. We flew in to Acapulco and got on the first bus we could find to Puerto Escondido. It took about 8 hours including the tire blowout. We stayed there for 2 nights, but anxiously hightailed it out of there for the magic and beauty of Zipolite that we had heard so much about. We stayed at the beachfront cabana at Shambala's...big mistake. The room was full of scorpions (some two inches long-big enough to do a lot of harm), tarantulas and poisonous centipedes. Okay, okay no big deal.... I could handle that, after all we were in a tropical part of the world, and we did have mosquito nets to discourage these little critters.

However, what was to come was worse...the third night of our stay we woke up at 4am to banditos stealing all our stuff. They took our backpacks which contained clothes, shoes, books and cameras... not a single picture of the trip as a result. Fortunately we all slept with our money belts under our pillows, or they would have gotten them too. We were very lucky we weren't physically harmed... when the banditos heard us wake up, they flew out the window. Now, don't get me wrong, Shambala is a beautiful place.. awesome food and friendly people. But I would seriously recommend sleeping up in the hammocks rather than the beachfront cabana. It has no locks when you are sleeping. I'm sure we were not the first to be robbed, nor the last.

The riptide in Zipolite is horrifying. We watched two people drown in the waters the second day there. As for the peace and magic everyone talks about...I couldn't find it anywhere. There were people everywhere and restaurants from one end of the beach to the other. It was not the Zipolite I had in mind at all.

We visited Mazunte, which is a 15 minute taxi away...now there was peace and magic!! It was much smaller. I would highly recommend visiting this paradise. And the turtle sanctuary is worth checking out too.

Then we decided to head back to Puerto Escondido where we stayed for the remaining week of our holiday. I would definitely visit PE again. We stayed on Playa Zicatela. We quickly became addicted to Carmen's pastries at La Cafecita ( especially her mango pastry), and everything on the menu at La Gota da Vida. It has an excellent vegetarian menu!!! We stayed at Hotel Ines. It cost us $10 Canadian each per night (4 people sharing a room). It has a beautiful pool and the rooms are immaculate. In fact this room was only $2 more per night than the one in Zipolite (which had no private shower or toilet). We danced away a few nights to a salsa band at La Rumba.. a bar in town...lots of fun.

Even though we dealt with a lot of disaster this trip, I don't regret a single moment of it. Possessions can be replaced, but the memories and the stories are worth every lost item. For any of you heading off to these parts....be safe and enjoy.

schlack@islandnet.com
March 1999

Looking for Patricia & Jennefer Hill   FOUND

Looking for Work and Traveling Companions

I came from Quebec to Zipolite for 2 weeks last January. Such a beautiful place with lovely Mexican people. I have fallen in love with this place. There are a lot of good places to eat and take it easy. Now I want to return to live there for a few months but I will need to work. Can someone tell me where it is possible to work around this area (Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Pochutla, ...)? Any contact or something like that would be appreciated. I want to go in July by car. If you're interesting in joining me let's do it; I'm looking for travelling partners.

Julie
bedaine2@total.net
March 1999

Hwy 175, La Iguana Azul

I went to Zipolite last January and I'd like to tell what I found the road from Oaxaca to Pochutla is ok. (Lots of curves), 8 hrs. Ride, from Pochutla to Zipolite by colectivo 5 pesos.

The best posada: La Iguana Azul, best drinks, best food personal attention by the owner, Jorge Jimenez Moreno very nice guy, and lawyer too. Zipolite is the same as always magic and mysterious (beautiful) and I hope we will keep it like that forever. I've heard that Zipolite is dangerous. That is true if you look for problems, but if you don't you will be as safe as if you were at home. If you bring things of value, deposit them with your host, he will keep them for you so you can enjoy the beautiful beach. Don't be afraid of coming to this paradise. It is a place you will remember forever.

Saludos,
Rodolfo
jpqc@df1.telmex.net.mx
February 1999

¿Conoces Erasmo?

Solicito teléfono de Erasmo, quien renta bungalows ecológicos en Mazunte. Agradeceré mucho que me proporcionen sus datos.

Lourdes Roca
louroca@mail.giga.com
Febrero 1999

Hwy 175 Info Request

I'm looking for an update---Can you share? Generally, length of drive (miles & hours), safety issues, adequacy of services along the way.

Steve Young
SYoung7515@aol.com
February 1999

Friends at Zipolite

A friend of me (Andi, you will read from him, if you browse through the comments) told me, that Zipolite can be "visited" in the internet ... well, here I am and there I was. It is nearly one and a half years ago, that I left this magic place. Did you ever hear music in the air? No? You want to make this experience? So, go to Zipolite. I was there in August 1997 (left the playa cause of the masses of people and some incredible experiences ... ) and could not resist returning in September. the beach was partly deserted and I stayed there for more than two weeks. I swear, never again did I find more calmness and a place more suitable for spacy, trippy and mythical (yeah, all together ... ) experiences ...

Can anybody of you do me a favour? if you travel to Zipolite and get to know Ghandi (if you ask yourself, where he actually comes from, he comes from Acapulco and you will find him on the beach, underneath the stars, on the upmost level of the Shambala or wherever mescal flows ... ), please tell him that he is a wonderful wonderful wonderful man. unfortunately I do not remember many names ... Thanks to all of you, especially to Lee (who knows that I thank him) and hello to Guy (who will probably read this), to Daniel the fisherman and to Daniel the Norte-Americano who looks like an Indian guru.

Daniela from Austria, Vienna
a9320620@unet.univie.ac.at
January 1999

Zipolite por Autobús

Estuve en Zipo desde el Viernes 8 hasta el Lunes 11 de este mes y hay algunas novedades interesantes.

En este viaje fui solo con un amigo y decidmos utilizar autobús; tomamos el AU de Orizaba a Oaxaca, la corrida sale a las 01:50 horas, le toma 5 horas llegar a su destino y para junto a la terminal de autobuses de segunda.

Esta terminal es un feo y grande local circular dividido en 2 partes, salidas y arribos. Junto a los arribos se venden los boletos para las diversas líneas y destinos, los servicios están clasificados en ordinario y directo. La línea que elegimos fue "Estrella del Valle", en servicio ordinario hacia Puerto Angel via Pochutla a las 08:00 horas, precio $ 52.00. El recorrido se realizó por la carretera 175, hacía ya más de tres años que no pasaba por ahí, a pesar de que está transitable todavía se ven muchos restos de los destrozos ocasionados por "Paulina", algunos puentes en las partes inferiores de las inumerables cañadas fueron barridos por aludes de lodo y piedras y las reparaciones no están concluidas del todo, de hecho hay tramos donde la circulación es por un solo carril y los deslaves son constantes.

Pero no todo es malo; la vista de las montañas azules que se antojan infinitas en el punto más alto de la sierra, semejante a enormes olas de un extraño mar es increible. Una pareja de canadienses que viajaba con nosotros se sorprendió tanto que me hizo recapacitar sobre si los mexicanos realmente apreciamos las maravillas que la naturaleza dotó a esta tierra en la que vivimos.

Pues bien, enmedio de costales de cebolla y verduras, sombreros y guajolotes arribamos a Pochutla después de 8 horas de un recorrido sinuoso, lleno de paradas para cargar y descargar pasaje y bultos, un ajuste de los frenos del autobus y pequeños altos para descargar las vejigas de algunos pasajeros ignorantes de los efectos diuréticos del jugo de naranja en ayunas.

De Pochutla tomamos un autobús "urbano" que hace el recorrido Puerto Angel - Zipolite - San Agustinillo - Mazunte - Pochutla y puntos intermedios ($ 4.00). Nos hospedamos en "Lola's", los precios de hospedaje y alimentación continuan siendo bastante accesibles, $120.00 la noche, comidas al rededor de $30.00 por persona.

La playa está mejor que en otras ocasiones. El escalón de arena casi desapareció, ahora te metes al mar y debes irte bastante adentro para que el agua te llegue a la cintura. Las turistas europeas tan chulas y deshibidas como siempre.

En esta ocasión conocimos el "Shambala", buena comida en el café ($ 22.00 comida corrida), alojamientos por $50.00 diarios. También estuvimos en "La Puesta", con hora feliz de 22:00 a 23:00, un poco caro pero hay buen ambiente. La comida en la "Iguana Azul" también está muy bien, las bebidas son todavía más baratas que en "La Puesta".

Por otra parte, estuvimos asoleándonos en la Playa del Amor. Tomé algunas fotos que no he revelado todavía pero que incluré en la próxima modificación de mi website.

Muchos saludos.

Carlos S. Castillo Cruz.
cuquin1@prodigy.net.mx
www.itorizaba.edu.mx/~nemo
Orizaba, México
Enero 1999

Zipolite Advice

I have just come back from Zipolite a couple of days ago; it was simply great: I stayed for a week, during New Year's celebrations, and I really had a lot of fun.

I stayed at a "posada" called Restaurant El Chololo, which is the last one before going to Playa del Amor - from this location you can see the sunset twelve months a year! I seriously recommend this place. They rent "cabañas" (rooms) for 50 pesos a night and the food is relatively cheap. Gennaro, the owner of the place, is very kind, and his cooking is really delicious.

Now, a few words to those who are going to spend some time over there....

It is a fact indeed that Zipolite is one of the Mexican beaches with the highest crime rate in the country, but such a detail should not discourage people from going, at all: nothing ever happend to me or to any person I met who had gone to that sea-side. Anyway, for the peace of the mind, you can take a torch-lamp with you, and a long stick if you are afraid of dogs.... For what concerns drugs (like pot, for instance), it is simple: never accept drugs offered by strangers - in other words, if you have just gotten there, you are still looking for a place to spend the night and someone comes by to offer a "good deal" with some stuff, do not trust that person: it has happened in the past that policemen disguised like hippies or local fishermen actually framed people by offering them drugs for free or for ridicolus prices. So, be careful. If you look for certain kinds of entertainment, ask to the owner (or manager) of the place you are staying at. For what concerns the sea, Zipolite has always been called "la playa de la muerte" - the beach of death - because of the number of currents present, most of which are under-water. It does not matter if you are a regular, modest swimmer or a olympic champion: if you do not pay attention, you die! The average statistics is about 40 casualties per year. So, do not unde