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Our research prior to arriving in Acapulco had suggested a number of activities we might enjoy while we were there. However, we hadn't heard of one of the tours we were offered when we arrived. The package included a trip to a nearby freshwater lagoon to see the birds that congregate there, which sounded interesting.
We were picked up at our hotel about Noon, and were introduced to a honeymooning couple from South Carolina who were already in the van. We had two tour guides, who kept up a good natured banter as we made our way through the midday traffic out of the city. As we climbed over the ridge at the outskirts of the city, they pulled over to the side of the road to allow us to take pictures of the spectacular view of our destination - the Laguna de Coyuca.
As we descended towards the lagoon, our guides described the area. This massive freshwater lagoon collects the water that empties from a river that starts up in the mountains. A couple of times each year, the authorities dig a channel through the sandbar that separates the lagoon from the Pacific Ocean, allowing the accumulated water to drain safely into the ocean. As the water levels drop, the exposed mudflat attract thousands of birds that come to feed. Eventually, the surf refills the channel with sand and the cycle starts over again.
We also learned that there are a number of coconut plantations on the sandbar, and as we made our way out along it, we pulled into one of them. We climbed out of the van, our guides described how they grow coconuts, and showed us some newly planted coconut palms. We then were each given a "Coco Loco," a drink made with the coconut milk, tequila, rum and lime juice served in a fresh coconut with the top cut off. As we relaxed in the shade of the palm trees with our drinks, they showed us a selection of handmade hammocks. We watched as a local craftswoman wove another hammock. They were beautifully made, and unbelievably inexpensive, so we bought one to bring home with us. After a final toast to the newlyweds with shots of Mescal, we climbed back into the van to continue to the lagoon.
A few minutes later, we pulled up at the end of the road (literally!) and changed to a narrow boat with a small outboard motor operated by a young teenage boy. This was our transportation out onto the lagoon. Almost immediately, we began to see huge flocks of birds...cormorants, white cranes, pelicans and more. The water in the lagoon was chocolate brown, filled with silt from the rainy season that was just ending, but we were told that during the dry season it becomes quite clear as the silt settles out. Apparently this lagoon was used as the setting for a number of scenes in Rambo II. It certainly had an appropriately wild jungle feel to it.
As we neared the end of the lagoon, near the man made channel to the ocean, we began to notice large sprays of surf on the other side of the sandbar. We pulled into the shore, and walked across the sandbar (which was only a couple of hundred feet wide at this point) to watch the waves crashing on shore on the ocean side. The waves were easily 15 feet tall, and this was clearly not a place to go swimming in the ocean. However, in spite of the apparent danger, there were dozens of men wading out into the ocean with weighted lines, fishing in the pounding surf. As we watched, one of them managed to pull in a sizable fish, which he very quickly sold to a passing young man who would probably take it back into the city to resell at the market.
After watching the surf and fishermen for a while, we climbed back into the boat and made our way back down the lagoon. Everywhere we looked, we saw more birds. Some of them flew past the boat only a few yards away, making it difficult for me to photograph them, as I had a telephoto lens mounted on the camera to shoot the more distant birds. All too soon, we found ourselves back at the van.
Our last stop for the day was a beachfront cabana, where we found a buffet lunch waiting for us. We feasted on fried fish, fish tacos, grilled chicken, rice, tortillas and salsa, all washed down with complimentary margaritas. When we'd all eaten our fill, some of us went for a stroll along the beach, fascinated by the strong surf, while others fount hammocks in the shade to take a short siesta. Then it was time for the trip back to our hotels. Our guides continued to crack jokes as we fought our way through the evening rush hour traffic. As they dropped us off we thanked them for a memorable afternoon.
We were picked up at our hotel about Noon, and were introduced to a honeymooning couple from South Carolina who were already in the van. We had two tour guides, who kept up a good natured banter as we made our way through the midday traffic out of the city. As we climbed over the ridge at the outskirts of the city, they pulled over to the side of the road to allow us to take pictures of the spectacular view of our destination - the Laguna de Coyuca.
As we descended towards the lagoon, our guides described the area. This massive freshwater lagoon collects the water that empties from a river that starts up in the mountains. A couple of times each year, the authorities dig a channel through the sandbar that separates the lagoon from the Pacific Ocean, allowing the accumulated water to drain safely into the ocean. As the water levels drop, the exposed mudflat attract thousands of birds that come to feed. Eventually, the surf refills the channel with sand and the cycle starts over again.
We also learned that there are a number of coconut plantations on the sandbar, and as we made our way out along it, we pulled into one of them. We climbed out of the van, our guides described how they grow coconuts, and showed us some newly planted coconut palms. We then were each given a "Coco Loco," a drink made with the coconut milk, tequila, rum and lime juice served in a fresh coconut with the top cut off. As we relaxed in the shade of the palm trees with our drinks, they showed us a selection of handmade hammocks. We watched as a local craftswoman wove another hammock. They were beautifully made, and unbelievably inexpensive, so we bought one to bring home with us. After a final toast to the newlyweds with shots of Mescal, we climbed back into the van to continue to the lagoon.
A few minutes later, we pulled up at the end of the road (literally!) and changed to a narrow boat with a small outboard motor operated by a young teenage boy. This was our transportation out onto the lagoon. Almost immediately, we began to see huge flocks of birds...cormorants, white cranes, pelicans and more. The water in the lagoon was chocolate brown, filled with silt from the rainy season that was just ending, but we were told that during the dry season it becomes quite clear as the silt settles out. Apparently this lagoon was used as the setting for a number of scenes in Rambo II. It certainly had an appropriately wild jungle feel to it.
As we neared the end of the lagoon, near the man made channel to the ocean, we began to notice large sprays of surf on the other side of the sandbar. We pulled into the shore, and walked across the sandbar (which was only a couple of hundred feet wide at this point) to watch the waves crashing on shore on the ocean side. The waves were easily 15 feet tall, and this was clearly not a place to go swimming in the ocean. However, in spite of the apparent danger, there were dozens of men wading out into the ocean with weighted lines, fishing in the pounding surf. As we watched, one of them managed to pull in a sizable fish, which he very quickly sold to a passing young man who would probably take it back into the city to resell at the market.
After watching the surf and fishermen for a while, we climbed back into the boat and made our way back down the lagoon. Everywhere we looked, we saw more birds. Some of them flew past the boat only a few yards away, making it difficult for me to photograph them, as I had a telephoto lens mounted on the camera to shoot the more distant birds. All too soon, we found ourselves back at the van.
Our last stop for the day was a beachfront cabana, where we found a buffet lunch waiting for us. We feasted on fried fish, fish tacos, grilled chicken, rice, tortillas and salsa, all washed down with complimentary margaritas. When we'd all eaten our fill, some of us went for a stroll along the beach, fascinated by the strong surf, while others fount hammocks in the shade to take a short siesta. Then it was time for the trip back to our hotels. Our guides continued to crack jokes as we fought our way through the evening rush hour traffic. As they dropped us off we thanked them for a memorable afternoon.
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