Dear Leigh,
We got back home last night and I have to say that I didn't want to leave Z. We had a wonderful time at Casa Leigh. It was even better than I had anticipated! We just loved your place. It is perfect for 2 couples with all of the privacy we could have wanted with separate bathrooms etc. We flipped a coin for the master bdrm and then midway through our stay switched rooms.

We love the deck. We were up there all of the time. We didn't see anyone else there the whole week. We just sat up there watching the birds dive-bomb the fish in the bay, played cards and ate chips and salsa and cheese quesadillas that I made in the kitchen.

Ignacio's tour was excellent. He took us to the casa de cambio and to Commercial Mexicana for food and stuff. He showed us were many things were and most of all he put up with my really rusty Spanish.

Your place, we decided, was perfectly located to be able to get to town and to La Ropa.
We walked just about everywhere, no cabs although they were hanging out outside your door waiting for some business.
We had some great meals. We went to some really nice places like Coconuts and Kau-kan since its really close, but our best meal was at Atoles Anys. We went there 2 nights in a row. Of course, my cheese quesadillas in Casa
Leigh's kitchen ranked a close second I'm sure.

Anyway, I will have a trip report soon posted on Zihuatanejo.com and I will give your place rave reviews! I've had a few people ask for a review of your place upon my return so I'll get in touch with them soon. I would love to return to Casa Leigh with my kids and husband because I think it is a safe place and the balcony isn't dangerous at all for small children and Zihua as a whole seemed really family oriented. We just loved it.
Angi Runyon

"Hello Leigh, I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful accomodations in
Zihautanejo. It was one of the best vacations I have ever had. I fell in love
with the town, the people, and the language. Now my goal is to learn Spanish
here so that I will be much more fluent when I return. Leigh, I fully plan to come back to Zihautanejo again, and I hope that your condo will be available. It was just one of the most beautiful places ever. Certainly, Rebecca, Grace and I will try to visit, but I have already told my other girlfriends here about it and am trying to plan something for next year. I'll be in touch! Thank you and best wishes.
Muchos Gracias, Sandy"

We arrived back to MA this weekend after a WONDERFUL stay in Zihua! We lookforward to going back as soon as possible. Actually trying to figure out
a business to do there with my brother and our wives for the winter season
and return to our respective coasts in the summer. Would be paradise in our
opinion. If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know. Ignacio did
meet us on time when we arrived and did a very good job of showing us the
town, taking us to a bank and the large new store. I left for him the
donation items we brought (many pairs of soccer shoes and baseball gloves).
Jorge too was a sweet and attentive guy. Miriam had our condo spotless everyday (we left her an extra tip and several bags of
groceries when leaving) Ignacio gave us a great
day in Petatlan and Barra de Potosi. Locals were all very
friendly and helpful in general; cab rides were cheap; food,
scenery and weather all wonderful. All in all, very pleased we found your site. Thanks for all of your input and excitement that helped get us on what will now be one of the most memorable trips of our lives! Keep us in mind for any Zihua re-locating possibilities that you see pop up. Be well!

pete & wendy
Sun, January 21, 2008

'My trip was amazing! The house was all I hoped an more. I had a great time and got back so relaxed and tan. I told my best friend about it and we have decided that we want to go together next year. Thanks so much for everything.

Stay was great. Loved your condo. Good chance one or more of us will be back.

Bob McCaw
Jan 3 2008

Geoff Menzies
Febuary 1, 2008

We had a great trip as usual to our favorite Mexican town. It has
changed a bit since our last visit more than ten years ago but the charm
of La Ropa is still intact.

We bece reaquainted with a native Mexican woman on the beach, who
sells tortuga cre and oil, who we remembered from our last trip so
many years ago. We paid her typical earnings for the day and took her,
her ninito, and her mother to Barro de Potosi for a day of relaxation
and fantastic snapper soup.
Casa Leigh was fantastic with lots of room for the six of us. It was
easy to walk into town from Playa Madera along the beach

We fished locally and snorkelled for a day with Luis Soto( his father
took us out 10 years ago). It was a favorite day; great to get out on
the water. Caught enough bonitas for lunch at Ixtapa Island, dinner at
La Perla with some left over for Captain Luis. I highly recommend the
Soto for your visitors. They are very gracious, fun, and
accommodating. We also did some hobie sailing from La Ropa which was
loads of fun and quite affordable.

As you suggested, we brought and left some clothing with both Betty and
Mari. Nancy did a great job as the initial welcoming party.

All in all, a great trip and adventure with very nice digs.

From Follow the Reader, SF Chronicle/Exiner Oct 27, 1996
In Mexico I believe I have finally found my Utopia--Zihuatanejo...I stayed in a very comfortable two bedroom, two bathroom, fully equipped condo on the beach of La Madera owned by Leigh Roth of Berkeley. It had a great location for a beautiful walk into downtown, along an enchanting esplanade. Joanne Rodgers, Diablo

From SF EXAMINER, Corrie Anders, Investing Column:
Run for the Border -- Offers plenty of paradise for your peso
Even before NAFTA, U.S. citizens increasingly have been investing in real estate in Mexico...Just ask Roth...Roth was walking along...Zihuatanejo when she saw a condominium for sale...I fell in love with it, said Roth, a Registered Nurse in Berkeley. I'd never seen a building that said, 'buy me.' It was a real aesthetic impulse...She spends half the year in Z. and rents out...Last year she bought a lot on which she plans to build...

We fell in love with Zihuatanejo and now want to go back every year!! We hired a boat to take us to Playa Manzanillo and were the only three folks on the whole beach! Downtown was great and Ignacio pointed us in many good directions like Any for tales. I bought ALL my Christmas presents and they are so cool!The house was wonderful! Everything was great and Miriam is very good! Ignacio took us all over for the whole time we were there.We hated Ixtapa. Went there one night for dinner and were extremely disappointed! We had dinner one night at La Casa Que Canta and were in food heaven!! What a cool place! Definitely recommending this to friends and will go back maybe in March or April....I'm a believer!! Thanks, Lisa

Susan Goetz Wed, Dec 1, 2007

It was great to meet you in Z. Too brief.
You obviously figure as a major persona there - and it's easy to see why. I liked all of your friends and have developed a case of melancholy that will be a long time shaking. . Everybody was great to the children.... Casa Leigh at La Madera was just wonderful. I glad that we had a chance to get our bearings before moving in... we were nicely positioned to appreciate the location. The kids went bonkers over Rubens Hburger's (the people are very sweet) and Carol and I took advantage of the situation by slipping away to La Casa Viejo while they were into their burgers and baked potatoes. I should tell you that while at your place... I discovered a book on the shelf above the bed that blew me away: Travelers Tales in Mexico. Wow. I read until my wife dragged me away. If you find it dog eared - you'll know who to blame. I wrote down the name of several of the contributors - and have already ordered two of their books. I very taken with the Indian roots of Mexico. These people are great. I found a rich and consistent integrity there. I love the people that you seem to have adopted (or is it the other way around?) On the last day I found myself walking the beaches saying good-by to friends.
Carol and I suffered only a little by bringing the 6 kids along - we both had fun - and managed to find ple time for ourselves. Carol (quite a naturalist) enjoyed the walk to the lighthouse behind Playa las Gatas...spotting lizards, snakes, butterflies and flycatchers... the old man who watches over the lighthouse reminded me of my years in Italy in the late 60's. One the nicest memories was one afternoon I managed to persuade my oldest two children to sail one of Miguel's Hobie Cats with me. My son Joseph was at the tiller and Christina worked the jib... I just lay face down on the trpoline feeling the sun on my back and water threw my fingers as the little cataran slid up and over the swells. We sailed out of the bay and felt a solitude that father and his children rarely experience any more. On the last evening I hurried back to take the Laser out for a short sail. The operator looked at me for a brief moment - saying nothing... then told his assistant to rig a boat. Of course I realized that they had just broken down the boats for the evening... but he could see in my eyes that I very much wanted this last voyage. I sailed out ongst the moored cruisers and into the setting sun in barely enough wind to fill the sail... Carol said she could see me from your rooftop...When I returned, I gave up the boat and immediately dove into the warm water for a last swim. I can still smell the evening.

As a gift to myself, I purchased a marvelous Myan relief sculpture (Tonatiu sun god) on the shell of a tortoise from your friend Tania at the Galeria Maya. She was concerned that it wouldn't pass customs. If you see her tell her it hangs in my studio and is an absolute delight. It fills this room with wonderful warm memories (it was meant to be here).

Lastly, I regret that I didn't have time to enjoy a Margarita with you. I enjoyed many of the paintings and sketches at your place - would love to be a guest at one of your parties someday!

All in all, the regrets are few. The experience was rich and very memorable.
I love Z. Thank you.

My son said: Maybe our plane crashed, and we're in paradise. He is prone to hyperbole, but clever for an eleven year old.

Salvatore Raciti @ Animation Cafe

I must say, we just loved your condo and we loved Z. All of us just had a ball. Joe got to know Ignacio and Miriam quite well. We visited other beaches, but thought ours had way more personality. Being able to walk to the market each day made the location just perfect for our whole fily.

P.S. Your art work is interesting, and eclectic. We are all quite
impressed that you are published.

Thank you: You and Betty are stars. How lucky you all are.
Best....
Jim

We wanted to let you know that we had a great time. We used the pool at the Brisas everyday Miriam was great and cooked for us one night
excellent food. We brought extra clothes and gave them to her and I
hope left her a big enough tip. Thanks again, hopefully we will be
contacting you in the future.

Meg Autry

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