January 25, 2006

January 25, 2006

We need to go easy on our sun exposure so we decide to spend today checking out Acapulco. We take a taxi downtown to the local water park on the strip called CICI. Back in Chicago Aimee had seen an Internet advertisement for a dolphin swim. It has always been her dream to do this. At the concession stand we sign up for an encounter late this afternoon. That gives us time to explore. A taxi driver volunteers to be our chauffeur for the day. We first tour El Fuerte de San Diego. This fort was built in 1616 to protect the city’s riches from pirate attack. Also within the fort is the Acapulco History Museum. We learn that Acapulco was the major Pacific port for Spanish trade with the Orient. Mexican silver, mined just inland from here, was shipped to the Spanish colony in the Philippines in trade for silk, spices, and porcelain from China. Interestingly this Mexican museum has lots of Chinese finery. Who would have thought that the Chinese porcelain we saw in China last fall would show up again this soon… and in Mexico!

From the fort we drive further north along the bay to La Quebrada (Spanish for the Gorge) where Acapulcoans are famous for diving from a high cliff into a surging finger of the ocean. We pay our entry fee and pick a good spot for observation. Soon several short Mexicans in Speedos walk by and climb down into the water, swim to the other side and scale the tall cliff. After they all make it to the top, they each in turn make the plunge from higher and higher spots. They need to time their jump with the rhythmic swells of the ocean.

Afterwards we head back to the water park. We are early so we hit a couple waterslides and then watch the dolphin show. The show is enjoyable but we are missing something as the show is narrated entirely in Spanish.

At our appointed time we head to the dolphin area, don life preservers, take a shower, and jump in a cold swimming pool with two other tourists from Quebec. These French-Canadians speak little English. Two dolphins are let into the pool and we have the experience of a lifetime. For the next hour we are up close and personal doing show tricks with the dolphins. This is a much more intimate experience than is allowed in the US. At home the best we could hope for were a few brief touches.

For me the highlight is when the two dolphins each push against one of our feet propelling us out of the water like Superman. We are so pleased that we buy the DVD movie of our experience. I take home another souvenir that illustrates the power of these aquatic mammals. I have a large bruise on one thigh where one dolphin got a little too close while circling our group.

Afterwards we walk up hill from the water park to Su Casa, a restaurant that was recommended to us. It is situated on a rooftop deck with a view of the bay. Very Pretty!