Chip & Debbie Willis on s\v Elegant'sea: Off to Mezcala and then to the Isla de Presidio with the fort

The town of Mezcala were we left for Isla de Presidio (Presidio Island) to see the fort etc.

November 2018 - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in Paradise Village Marina in Banderas Bay Mexico (by Puerto Vallarta)

November 2018 - We are now currently in Riberas (Riberas del Pilar) which is a neighborhood in Lake Chapala, Mexico pet/house sitting.

Inside the church😈

Heading out to Mezcala.

We took the bus from Chapala which allowed us to take in all the beautiful scenery - the lake shore, fauna, horses and cows. Once we got to Mezcala, it was an easy walk through the center of town to the Malecon. (The two-steeple church is beautiful and inspiring!)

Once down at the water's edge, we walked around to view how high the water level of lake is. We started talking with Jose, who turned out to be a very knowledgeable tour guide. Born in Mezcala, he knows quite a lot of history of the area, including Isla de Presidio (Presidio Island). He speaks English as he spent time in the US.

Jose arranged for a boat (a panga with shade) to get us to the Isla and back. We spent an hour viewing the ruins of the fort, the church and other structures, along with hearing about the history of each. There was plenty of shade where we took breaks - we bought a bottle of water in town as there is nothing on the Isla except a baño (bathroom).

Beautiful contrasts of sun, shade and shadows.

This was in the church.

Jose picking the fruit.

Me tasting the fruit! It was good and sweet😁

Debbie!😍

Debbie and I with Jose taking the picture.

Debbie and I with the stray cat taking the picture.

Looking at the mote at the wall of the fort.

The whole experience was enjoyable and affordable. We paid the panga driver separately from Jose which seemed like a good arrangement. When we returned to shore, Jose recommended a good lakeside restaurant for a late lunch. It was good food at an affordable price.

We walked back up through town, stopping for helado (ice cream) before catching the bus back to Chapala. It was a different bus than the one we took in - this one taking the route through the town Ojo de Aqua (on the Lake). Dirt road most of the way yet interesting new sights!!

While we understand Scorpion Island is popular because if it's proximity to Chapala and the amenities it has, we're glad we went to Isla de Presidio!!