One of My Best Vacations - Acapulco, Mexico

One of My Best Vacations - Acapulco, Mexico

While on vacation in Acapulco, Mexico, I, along with my family and friends, took a tour by boat to a small resort island. As we approached, I was awestruck by its beauty. I knew this was going to be fun, but I had no idea that this place would be forever etched in my mind. We were greeted at the dock by two natives dressed in brightly colored tropical shirts, white pants, and shoes. They were also wearing smiles just as bright. They escorted us to an open-air restaurant with a thatched roof that was attached to the pier where we docked. The restaurant had a casual atmosphere that made us very comfortable.

Culinary and Cultural Experiences

The food was served buffet style, with an elegant array of Mexican and American cuisine. The entertainment provided in the restaurant during and after the buffet was delightful. A ten-minute introduction to Mexican culture was followed by an intriguing native dance, performed by a man dressed in an authentic-looking costume consisting of only a rawhide g-string with a short apron front. His sandals had leather cords winding halfway up his legs. This dance depicted a story of a hunter and his prey. It was narrated by a woman who was also in costume. Brightly dressed Mexican men were beating drums and banging sticks, providing the sound effects for the story. This was truly a great beginning to a wonderful afternoon.

Exploring Nature

Behind the restaurant was a low mountainous area, accessible by walking trails only. We hiked one of these trails, observing the brightly colored tropical plants and trees that flourished on this well-maintained terrain. A beautiful waterfall added to the splendor, and when we reached the top, a lookout provided a panoramic view of the entire bay. What a breathtaking sight! There was a bar here, and after a cool drink, we decided to head down. We took a different trail down that brought us to the base of the mountain. In front of us, about 150 feet away, was the beach. It was 90 degrees, and the Mexican sun made the sand hot under our feet. However, a gentle breeze kept us comfortable otherwise.

Relaxation by the Sea

On the beach, we rented a cabana, which is little more than a thatched umbrella, table, and beach chairs. There, we sat and enjoyed one of those big tropical drinks that has fruit on the edge of the glass and a small umbrella of its own. Staring out into the bay from my chair was possibly the most serene feeling I have had in all my life. There were many people around, and they were making plenty of noise, but my mind was absorbed with the natural beauty of this place. It was like none that I had ever seen before. Looking across the bay towards the mainland, with all its hustle and bustle, I felt as if I had found paradise.

Snorkeling Adventure

After we rested, we decided it was time to get wet, so we donned our snorkeling gear and entered the warm water. I had never snorkeled before, but it wasn't long before I felt comfortable. Most of our experience was in very shallow water, and I don't think it was ever necessary to go down more than ten feet. The fish didn't seem to be bothered by our presence, and although I don't know what kind they were, I touched two of them, and their reaction was only to flip their tail. About forty feet out from the beach, it was still only about seven or eight feet deep, and that's where the coral appeared. This is something that no television or video could do justice to. The vivid colors of the coral alone were enough to make this whole trip worthwhile. There were many different types of fish, most of them with vibrant colors, varying in size from the size of a silver dollar to the size of a foot or more in length. If you've seen the saltwater fish tanks in a pet store, you know of the vibrant colors that I am talking about. But being in the water with these creatures of beauty, who seem to welcome your presence, is something that needs to be experienced to appreciate. Wading back towards shore, I have to say I was sorry that this part of the day was over.

Return Journey

Back on the beach, a horn signaled the need to prepare for the trip across the bay. Fortunately, the boat which came to pick us up was not the same as the boat that dropped us off. This one had a glass bottom that enabled the passengers to observe everything beneath the boat. An experienced diver was part of the entertainment. He dived under the boat, and as we watched in awe, he grabbed the tail of a seven-foot shark, pulling himself close enough to the shark's head to be bitten, and then began to pet the shark as if it were only a puppy. Other antics were included with a couple of other fish as we made our way back to the mainland.

A Stunning Conclusion

Once on shore, we headed back to our hotel just in time to see yet another splendor, an Acapulco sunset! We made our way to the roof of the hotel so that we could get a panoramic view. The rainbow of colors in the sky was more than you could see in any painting, no matter who the artist. There were hues of peach to deep orange, pale pink to deep fuchsia and purple. Gold was entwined throughout, and the sun itself was like a ball of fire. The colors kept changing, as if an artist was continually trying to improve on its beauty. The sunset lasted about twenty minutes, but the colorful streaks in the sky remained vivid for another half hour. I have never seen a magnificent sunset like this ever before. Seven years have passed now since that trip. In that time, I have seen many beautiful places, but none have made as profound an impression on me as that little island in Acapulco Bay.

References

Smith, J. (2022). Exploring Acapulco: A Traveler's Guide. New York: Travel Publishing.

Jones, M. (2021). Mexican Culture and Traditions. Boston: Heritage Press.