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A little about Playa Zipolite, The Beach of the Dead . . .

Playa Zipolite, Oaxaca, Southern Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean. A little bit about my favorite little get-away on this small world of ours.

Zipolite, a sweaty 30-minute walk west from Puerto Angel, brings you to Playa Zipolite and another world. The feeling here is 1970's - Led Zep, Marley, and scruffy gringos.

A long, long time ago, Zipolite beach was usually visited by the Zapotecans...who made it a magical place. They came to visit Zipolite to meditate, or just to rest.

Recently, this beach has begun to receive day-trippers from Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, giving it a more TOURISTY feel than before.

Most people come here for the novelty of the nude beach, yoga, turtles, seafood, surf, meditation, vegetarians, discos, party, to get burnt by the sun, or to see how long they can stretch their skinny budget.

I post WWW Oaxaca, Mexico, Zipolite and areas nearby information. Also general budget, backpacker, surfer, off the beaten path, Mexico and beyond, information.

REMEMBER: Everyone is welcome at Zipolite.

ivan

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Oaxaca’s All-You-Can-Drink Mezcal Festival Is as Crazy as You’d Expect August 6, 2014 / 1:15 pm

Oaxaca’s All-You-Can-Drink Mezcal Festival Is as Crazy as You’d Expect

Oaxaca is the heartland of mezcal. For ten days each year, the city plays host to the Feria Nacional del Mezcal Festival, which is like Oktoberfest without the dirndls, and with highly potent booze instead of pitchers of beer.
It’s also much cheaper: Visitors pay a fee of 40 pesos—roughly $3—which buys them free shot after free shot of mezcal and its various versions. Vendors man about 40 different wooden stands, giving out free samples in the hopes that tipsy patrons will impulse-buy a few bottles.
I was invited by Jesus Ely Casillas Martinez, who works for a mezcal producer called Casa Don Ausencio, to taste a couple of his employers’ offerings at the festival. As soon as we get to the Casa Don Ausencio Leon stand, we’re both greeted enthusiastically by a bunch of young, brightly dressed, EDM-loving locals who work with him. Some members of the crew seem a bit inebriated, but hey, it’s a hard liquor festival, isn’t it?
2
Ely and his crew, promoting their product on local TV.
Ely steps behind the counter and begins pouring me shot after shot of mezcal, which I gratefully accept. Not knowing much about mezcal beforehand, my first impression was that it’s a very smoky and bitter version of tequila. The smoky flavor comes from the fact that the maguey plant—a type of agave—is cooked in underground ovens over screaming-hot wood coals before being pressed in order to extract the juices from it. The juices are then fermented, distilled, and then immediately bottled for the un-aged (joven) mezcals, or aged and bottled for the other versions.
I ask Ely to slow down with the shot-pouring so that I could understand what I’m drinking. “Mezcal is the sacred spirit of Oaxaca,” he tells me. “According to the Zapotec legend, God struck the agave plant with lightning, revealing its purest liquid, and offered it to men. There are other legends as well, but this one is the most widespread.”
4
That stuff is fire in your mouth. And not in a good way.
Both tequila and mezcal are made from agave, but they’re distinctly different products. “Tequila is only made with blue agave,” says Ely. “There are many different breeds of the plant. It’s under a controlled designation of origin and should always be made in the region of Tequila, however it’s not always true. And finally, tequila is made in huge industrial batches while mezcal is artisanal.”
He offers me some mezcal reposado, or “rested” mezcal, that’s aged for only a short amount of time and is closest to the flavor profile of tequila. It’s quite harsh on the tongue and there’s a bitter, smoky flavor to it, but it ends rather well, with barely any aftertaste.
Ely pours yet another shot, just to make sure I taste the difference in each. “This one isgusano,” he says. “It’s got a worm in it. The maguey worm makes the whole bottle taste much smoother.” I ask him if it’s true that eating the worm gives you an extra buzz, or if that’s justgringo legend. Ely bursts out laughing, “Yeah, definitely some gringo story! However, when you finish the bottle and end up with the worm in your glass, you say a little prayer. It’s a blessing to have the worm in your glass. Then you eat it!” Insects are part of the everyday diet in Oaxaca, and deep-fried grasshoppers are sold on every corner as snacks, so it’s no surprise that Oaxacans would gladly eat the little worm in the bottle. And it’s true that the mezcal has a different flavor profile with the worm in it. It’s not as harsh, the bitterness is not as pronounced, and the alcohol taste is less obvious.
9
Yet another shot.
Or perhaps I was just getting numb from all the shots. We’re not knocking them back like itsCinco de Mayo—I smell each shot, then slowly sip the liquid, and breathe in-and-out after each sip, to make sure I get the nuances—but it’s still a lot.
“Here’s another one, my friend,” says Ely, pouring from a small, black bottle. “It’s our limited edition. It’s aged for ten years.” This time, the booze is much sweeter, much more complex, though its bitterness is still obvious. It’s a different beast. It tastes a little bit like smoky port wine, but with 40 percent alcohol.
As we near the end of the tasting and the sun begins to set, the place starts to get more crowded. At one point, a pregnant lady bumps into me as she tries to wrangle a sample.
3
A pregnant lady, sipping hard liquor.
For the final tasting, we try the Gran Reserva Joya Azul Anejo Especial Edition. “The writing on the bottle is made with 10k gold,” Ely assures me. “We only produce 5000 bottles per year. And that, my friend, is truly, truly delicious.”
This mezcal tastes like rum. Not any rum, mind you: It tastes like some 21-year aged, super-dark, fancy rum. The kind you sip slowly with a fat Cuban cigar on the patio. I find it a bit too sweet, though, and I opt for another taste of the black-bottle limited edition. I guess I’m a man of simpler needs.
The overall volume of the festival continues to swell, with couples and families dancing around the stage where a band has begun its set, and Ely and his crew are taking on the crema de agaveCremas are similar in taste and texture to Bailey’s or Amarula. They have 20 percent ABV and are made with cheap, tasteless mezcal, plus agave syrup and artificial flavors. I try a couple of them–orange, coffee, pineapple, coconut–and they’re expectedly God-awful. But the guys keep feeding me shot after shot, and I can’t exactly refuse.
7
A women in a fishnet shirt promotes a mezcal brand.
We start walking around, bottles of crema in hand, and end up at a food stand called Fonda Portena. I was expecting to find Oaxacan food, like zucchini flower quesadillas or chickentlayudas, but we’re served an Argentinian-style sausage sandwich. As we chow down at warp speed, we also step up the drinking. The guys are pouring shots straight into the mouths of a couple of English women passing by.
Meanwhile, other attendees are jostling for position and trying to get a couple of extra free shots. The largest stalls have radio hosts, loud music, and women dressed in bikini tops and mesh shirts helping them hawk their products. Some are now pouring shots of the un-aged mescal, which tastes to me like 50 Shades of Rubbing Alcohol. Others are selling blender cocktails using their cheaper mescal products.
Ely pulls me once more towards the Casa Don Ausencio Leon stand. He’s got something for me: oranges and sal de gusano, a condiment made of pulverized worms and salt that’s used to enhance the taste of the less-palatable mezcals.
11
Shoulder-to-shoulder dancing and laughing.
More shots. This time, we do knock them back: a little bit of worm salt on the tongue, tall shots of the worm mezcal, followed by a bite in the orange slice. The three tastes melt together perfectly and the alcohol isn’t harsh at all.
The party roils on. People dance, shout, stumble around shoulder-to-shoulder. Some are so drunk they can’t stand. And at a free-flowing, shot-pouring mezcal festival in Mexico, you couldn’t ask for much more.
TOPICS: agavealcoholboozedrinkingdrunkfood festivaljovenliquormagueymescalmexico,mezcalOaxacareposadotequila

Join Inspiring Yoga Retreat in Mexico January-February 2015 SolsticeYogaCenter http://bit.ly/X3qJyU Brigitte Longueville and Sharon Abbondanza are offering a 5-day yoga retreat on the southern Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Mexico. Enjoy a nourishing morning of meditation, pranayama, breathwork and hatha yoga practice. Delight in good food, International company, and the charming rustic setting of Las Tres Marías. With over 40 years of combined experience, Brigitte and Sharon provide a safe learning environment to heal your body, increase your breath capacity, awaken awareness, and deeply restore your whole being. All levels are welcome. These retreats integrate the gentle practices of yoga therapy and restorative alignment supporting all participants to work at their own level. Join us for an all inclusive yoga holiday! Brigitte & Sharon



Join Inspiring Yoga Retreat in Mexico January-February 2015
SolsticeYogaCenter
http://bit.ly/X3qJyU Brigitte Longueville and Sharon Abbondanza are offering a 5-day yoga retreat on the southern Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Enjoy a nourishing morning of meditation, pranayama, breathwork and hatha yoga practice.
Delight in good food, International company, and the charming rustic setting of Las Tres Marías.
With over 40 years of combined experience, Brigitte and Sharon provide a safe learning environment to heal your body, increase your breath capacity, awaken awareness, and deeply restore your whole being. All levels are welcome.

These retreats integrate the gentle practices of yoga therapy and restorative alignment supporting all participants to work at their own level.

Join us for an all inclusive yoga holiday!

Brigitte & Sharon

Hurricane Iselle to strike Hawaii - Update 2 (August 7, 2014)

Hurricane Iselle Bearing Down on Hawaii

Throwback Thursday - Worst Police Dog Ever!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Puerto Escondido beach safety

Zipolite beach

Zipolite-Oaxaca

Zipolite

Into The Lens - Yes (1980) Remastered Audio HD 1080p Video

Have A Cigar - Pink Floyd (1975) HD

Hurricane Iselle marching steadily toward Hawaii

_Paisajes_ : San Agustinillo, Oaxaca. http://t.co/76kPSMb0L6 | Twicsy - Twitter Picture Discovery twicsy.com San Agustinillo, Oaxaca. http://t.co/76kPSMb0L6 · _Paisajes_: San Agustinillo, Oaxaca. http://t.co/76kPSMb0L6 - 2014-08-06 16:55:32 ...

_Paisajes_ : San Agustinillo, Oaxaca. http://t.co/76kPSMb0L6 | Twicsy - Twitter Picture Discovery
San Agustinillo, Oaxaca. http://t.co/76kPSMb0L6 · _Paisajes_: San Agustinillo, Oaxaca.http://t.co/76kPSMb0L6 - 2014-08-06 16:55:32 ...


"Rude"-Magic-Cover By: Tyler and Ryan Falcoa

DJ SHIDAWESOME PRESENTS - THE AFTERPARTY By Nate Wicka

Mathias Surf Zicatela Puerto Escondido Mexico Tube Ride

Riding horseback to Atotonilco Hot Springs near Puerto Escondido Michele Peterson But on a recent day trip to the Atotonilco Hot Springs near Puerto Escondido, when I was faced with the choice of a 2-mile hike through sweltering heat ...

http://michelepeterson.com/3083-riding-horseback-to-atotonilco-hot-springs-near-puerto-escondido/
Riding horseback to Atotonilco Hot Springs near Puerto Escondido
But on a recent day trip to the Atotonilco Hot Springs near Puerto Escondido, when I was faced with the choice of a 2-mile hike through sweltering heat ...

I’m a person who doesn’t spend much time riding horses. In fact, any time I’ve ever gone horseback riding, my horse seemed to spend more time grazing on grass than trotting. But on a recent day trip to the Atotonilco Hot Springs near Puerto Escondido, when I was faced with the choice of a 2-mile hike through sweltering heat  or riding a horse, I opted to go the easy route and get in the saddle. It turned out to be a magical blend of adventure and wellness.  
Horses and guide in San Jose Manialtepec
Our horses are ready
We set out in early morning travelling along Highway 200 to the village of San Jose Manialtepec. After scouting around for the stables and waiting for the guide to round up his horses, we set out to Atotonilco Hot Springs in single file by horseback. Leading the way was the guide and his small son, who helpfully spurred on my horse as needed, as we meandered through a lush canyon filled with wild vegetation interspersed with small farms alongside the Manialtepec River.  This is the same river that feeds into Manialtepec Lagoon, where  you can go bird-watching with Lalo Ecotours or Hidden Voyages, paddle a kayak or swim in bioluminescent waters. Read my post  Swimming with the Stars  or download my Puerto Escondido Travel Essentials travel app for  more on those adventures. 
Manialtepec river
My horseback riding companions (and their dogs) go for a swim in the Manialtepec river
After a refreshing swim in the river at the halfway point, we continued riding into the hills until we reached the thermal spa waters of Atotonilco Hot Springs. The series of emerald green hot pools are still in a mostly natural state and a nearby shrine signifies their role in local culture and spiritual beliefs. Our guide explained that the curative waters are revered for their high mineral content, but I had to take his word for that as during our visit the thermal waters were so hot I could only manage to immerse one foot.
Atotonilco Hot spring
One of the pools at the Atotonilco Hot Spring
But the scorching heat  did manage to soothe a few aches and pains and before long we were back in the saddle returning to the village by horseback, forging the Manialtepec River at points along the way.  
Forging the Manialtepec River by horseback  near Puerto Escondido
Forging the Manialtepec River by horseback
If you’ve never ridden horseback in the water, it’s quite an exciting experience. You put your trust in the horse completely. For me, an added bonus was that while the horse was swimming it couldn’t chomp on any grass.
Travel Planner 

Bring a hat, swimsuit and towel as well as food/water as there are no amenities in this remote area.

Although it’s possible to do this tour independently, it’s better to book in advance with a tour operator such as Dimar Travel Agency or LaloEcotours so you know the horses and guide are available.  
Contact LaloEcotours by phone at 954 588-9164 or 954 123-4005 or email at laloecotours@hotmail.com Or, make a reservation at the Tourist Information booth.  Manned by multi-lingual Gina Machorro Espinosa, the booth is a valuable source of maps, tour and excursion information as well as tour booking services.
If you enjoy horseback riding, you can also consider a horseback ride at sunset along Zicatela Beach.
- See more at: http://michelepeterson.com/3083-riding-horseback-to-atotonilco-hot-springs-near-puerto-escondido/#sthash.SS3PIILT.dpuf

Ocean and river tide predictions for Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico Tides.INFO Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico is now your default tide location and will ... More information on Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico from Google.


Ocean and river tide predictions for Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico
Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico is now your default tide location and will ... More information on Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico from Google.

Sunday, August 3, 2014

News Gower Live 4th of July in Puerto Escondido filmed and edited by Cameron Green The post Puerto Escondido // 2:08 appeared first on SURFING Magazine.

Where to Find the Fastest Wi-Fi on the Road, Airfarewatchblog

Where to Find the Fastest Wi-Fi on the Road

rss link Airfarewatchblog


Where to Find the Fastest Wi-Fi on the Road

Posted by Dara Continenza on Wednesday, July 30, 2014


If you've got a need for (Internet) speed, a new report from Wefi can tell you which
 airports, hotel chains, and even beaches are best when it comes to connectivity.
The company, which collects and measures mobile data, tracked 45 million hot spots
 from April 1 to June 15, 2014. What they found was that the biggest and most popular 
destinations often don't crack the top 10.
Leading the pack of airports, Detroit wins for fastest Wi-Fi, with an average speed of
 4.63 mbps. (This writer can attest to the decent Internet speeds at Detroit Metro, for 
she once spent an entire eight-hour delay there successfully streaming Friday Night 
Lights.) The Red Roof Inns chain tops the hotel category, with an average speed of 
4.34 mbps. And, for beach seekers who like to pack a laptop (who are you?), C
learwater Beach, Florida, is your hot spot in the sun (although beachside Wi-Fi 
speeds are low across the board).
Here is the complete list of airports, hotels, and beaches with the fastest Wi-Fi. 
Click to see an infographic with more stats.
Top Airports with the Fastest Wi-Fi:
    1. Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Michigan (4.63 mbps)
    2. Denver International Airport, Colorado (4.33 mbps)
    3. Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida (3.74 mbps)
    4. Los Angeles International Airport, California (3.29 mbps)
    5. Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia (3.09 mbps)
    6. Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport, Arizona (2.88 mbps)
    7. LaGuardia Airport, New York (2.67 mbps)
    8. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia (2.66 mbps)
    9. Logan International Airport, Massachusetts (2.51 mbps)
    10. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Minnesota (2.45 mbps)
    11. McCarran International Airport, Nevada (2.41 mbps)
    12. San Francisco International Airport, California (2.29 mbps)
    Top Hotels with the Fastest Wi-Fi:
      1. Red Roof Inns (4.34 mbps)
      2. Sleep Inn (4.14 mbps)
      3. Ramada (3.69 mbps)
      4. Holiday Inn (3.68 mbps)
      5. Best Western (3.66 mbps)
      6. Aloft Hotels (3.42 mbps)
      7. Studio 6 (3.22 mbps)
      8. Hilton (3.17 mbps)
      9. Quality Inns (3.15 mbps)
      10. Four Points by Sheraton (3.04 mbps)
      11. Comfort Inn (2.99 mbps)
      12. Candlewood Suites (2.69 mbps)
      13. Radisson (2.43 mbps)
      14. Clarion (2.42 mbps)
      15. Doubletree Hotel (2.32 mbps)
      Top Beaches with the Fastest Wi-Fi:
        1. Clearwater Beach, Florida (2.9 mbps)
        2. Atlantic City, New Jersey (2.8 mbps)
        3. Mission Beach, California (2.1 mbps)
        4. South Beach Miami, Florida (1.9 mbps)
        5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (1.8 mbps)
        6. Santa Monica, California (1.8 mbps)
        7. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii (1.6 mbps)
        8. Newport Beach, California (1.2 mbps)
        9. Hermosa Beach, California (1.1 mbps)
        Readers, do you choose destinations based on Wi-Fi connectivity?
        (Photo: Gwyneth Anne Bronwynne Jones via flickr/CC Attribution/Share Alike)
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        Wendy Gutierrez July 29 at 6:37 pm Sunset IN ZIPOL- At Zipolite, OAX.


        Sunset IN ZIPOL
        - At Zipolite, OAX.