Mazatlan (Day 3 & 4)

Let's see, we tried to catch up on such things as laundry, etc. so we didn't stray too far all day.  One thing we learned here at this park is that normally the wind comes up in the afternoon, quite strongly. We have to take our awning down as it is very lightweight and cannot withstand a huge gust or two. The problem is that once the awning is put away (no, we did not put the downrigger poles away in this photo) there is NO shade so we improvised and used one of our NEW Mexican blankets to create a little doorway. Pretty snazzy I would say!

 

We planned a little excursion into town for a rib dinner (thanks to Bill & Carol for introducing us to this highly addictive place). Once again at Fat Fish, they did not disappoint!! We just took the bus which took all of about 10 minutes and cost $15 PS ($1.12 Cdn) for both of us. We got out by the Royal Villa Hotel and I just love this sign with all the masks. This hotel is located about 1/2 km before the malecon.

 

The gent on the left cooks ribs all night long...pretty much ALL ribs. They also serve breaded shrimp and steak. Includes your baked potato, garlic bread and coleslaw. The cost on any of these choices is 2 for $199 PS (or 2 for $14.87 Cdn). Completely unbelievable for what you get!! Absolutely delicious, fall off the bone meal. Naturally, you have to partake in the 2 for one drinks too so we each were served two margaritas at the same time. Guzzle, guzzle!!

They don't even all fit on the plates!!!

 

Walking along we thought this sign was interesting.

It is on a coffee shop

 

Today (Sunday), it was just more laziness and getting ready to leave. We had one more great breakfast at our favourite place Iguana Sana (Healthy Iguana) right here next to the park. Said our good-byes to Oscar, Alex, Hector, Bidi & Ava. Such a delightful family are Oscar and Alex and we wish them and their children (Santiago and Valeria) well until we get to see them next year. We think they will do well. They have a zest for people and really seem to enjoy what they are doing!!

 

The view from our favourite spot. Looking down the

road that runs in front of the Las Jaibas RV Park. You can see it on the left.

One more of Mazatlan's famous pulmonias....only found here I believe!

One more time with the local bus, like the ones we take into town.....

Just in case any of you wonder, here is the "clubhouse" where we do laundry, internet,

etc. On occasion, we find ourselves outside trying to Skype with family under that

covered area. It is always very tidy and clean here, all over the park and we

can HIGHLY recommend it to everyone.....Las Jaibas RV Park!!

One more feed of Chorizo sausage....

NEVER leave your camera unattended with the cook!!!

 

So, sadly, this ends our time in Mazatlan for this year. One of our absolute favourite stops on our Mexican adventure and year after year it only gets better for us. Every year we find yet one more thing to make us fall in love with this great city. 

 

Hasta proxima ano, Mazatlan!!

(Until next year, Mazatlan!!)

 

We will be on the road by 7:00 am tomorrow. Approximately 9 hours and then we will relax for two days. Should be a fun time!! 

 

Peace everyone!!

Thought for the Day: Someone else is happy with less than what you have.

Mazatlan (Day 2)

We really do love this city. Unfortunately, we are only here for 2 more nights so the time will go by fast. We, undoubtedly, will not get everything done that we want to do. I suppose that something's will have to wait until the next visit.....

This morning we went back to our favourite diner spot next door, Iguana Sana (Healthy Iguana). We were happy to see Alexandra and Bidi again and have another great breakfast.

Myself, Alex and Bidi.....

 

After breakfast, we headed across the street just to peak up and down at "our" beach. We wondered with all the storms that hit the coast in the past few days what it would look like.

Looking north towards the Riu....

South towards Mazatlan...

 

So, as we were standing there, Doug noticed something at the water's edge. He wondered if it was an old coconut. I went down and grabbed it and lo and behold, he found the Mother Lode of all shells ever for us!! Now, anyone who knows me, knows I usually have a stone, stick, sea glass or shell in my pocket. I am constantly looking for treasures at any beach we are at. This shell pretty much trumps any shell ever found by us. It's a beauty!! The other thing that is a bit funny is that this is a very highly walked beach so the chance of finding something like this is just all in the timing of that one perfect wave bringing it in.....

Super thick and heavy too.....

 

Make room in the van......

 

Anyway, after all that excitement, we hopped on the bus (.....not WITH the shell) and took it down to the malecon. It was a beautiful afternoon and the sun was hot but the wind was refreshing. Just the perfect storm of a day if you don't wear sunscreen (....which we did) for a blazing sunburn!! Anyway, Doug has checked and it seems that we walked about 7.4 kms!! We are pretty happy with that, even though it is pretty flat.

 

Always interesting...want to tag along (put on your sunscreen!!)

 

That big white building is Valentino's, a sort of party centre, bar.

That is where we started. I had to turn around to get this shot..... 

Little three-wheeled motorcycle thing....mobile restaurant.

Doug and his baseball team....The Venados of Mazatlan. They won the Caribbean World Series, the highest level baseball tournament at club level in Latin America.

Participants include: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico,

Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Doug even one of their hats!!

 

New palapa restaurant being built...

Maybe he's looking for a band to join??

 

We like this area. Oh, see that little hill with the cell towers?

We are going to end up there....behind it actually.

Doug particularly likes this hotel's colour.....

However, we weren't sure about the randomly placed brick "sort of" house attached to it?This is Mexico so you just never know what the original plan was but I did notice that

there are some jaunty pots out front just waiting for plants!!

Down and around fisherman's beach. This guy uses old jugs

for his buoys on his nets. Very practical...and free!

Carla - this one is for you.....

 

 

Doug liked this little ride.

Nice work, City of Grande Prairie, AB for donating this bus. I

believe the Marines in training use it.

 

Back of the old Marine building.....don't think it is used now.

There's that hill that I mentioned we were walking to. 

Pretty much the furthest building you can see there is where

we started from....

No thanks.....I wouldn't want my house hanging over the cliff.

Tidal swimming pool....

One of the historic areas, Angel Flores. You cannot

change any of the outsides of these houses. 

Not a great shot due to where the sun was. My friend that was here in Mazatlan,

Carol, has a spectacular shot from this same angle and the colours are brilliant.... 

I just love the colours and styles of the houses....

 

Wow, so 7.4 kms later, we were on the bus and heading back to the campground. Phew!! That was a great time out. Later on, we got on our bikes and rode about 1/2 km away to a neat little roadside restaurant that sets up in the parking lot of a local store. Scorpion Tacos. 

 

 

And with that, we will bid you all a good night. We hope that everyone has had a nice week and you can enjoy the weekend ahead.

 

Peace....

 

Thought for the Day: The answer may not be at the beach. But shouldn’t we at least check? (....thanks to Danielle Young)

 

La Penita de Jaltemba to Mazatlan (365 Kms)

I always find it hard to leave one place and head out to another, even though I love the place we are heading to!!

Things are getting back to normal at Little Rig RV Park. A big shout out and thank you to Brian and Carole for an amazing stay. We loved it!! Just too bad about that last two days of stormy weather.....

I see Brian's one wire, three post fence held up for two days now....

We left La Penita about 8:20 a.m. this morning. It is a very pretty drive through this part of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Very hilly and, I think, we hit a high of about 1200 meters. It always amazes us both that this is the Mex200, a very busy coastal highway yet it is still just two lanes. Tons of transport trucks and buses use this route daily. Road is in good condition, excellent really but it can get backed up a bit.

High up on one of the sharp corners is this huge shrine. I guess

it commemorates all the lost souls from traffic accidents up here....

You can see that white van, 4th car back, he just got his butt back on his side.

When this group came around the corner, he was in our lane.

Passing on a double yellow, around a corner.....

Pretty twisty.....

...but some parts remind me of the Cariboo in BC's interior.

 

 

At least at 1103 meters above sea level....in about one hour.

I know you see that Doug is going 76 kms/hour and it posts that the speed limit is 40 kms/hour but that is actually incorrect as we just went past a 80 kms/hour sign.

Again, I don't know.....it's Mexico!!

Just south of Tepic. It's quite pretty in this valley.

So, yes. This is the Mex200 going right through the old part of Tepic.

Big trucks, buses, etc. About two blocks from here, twice now, we have

run the same stop sign. Shhh.... Don't tell the Federale's!!!

Now you get back onto the main part, heading north to Mazatlan.....

Four lanes now, north of Tepic. Pretty nice road.

For my transportation buddies back at Quantum Link Logistics!!

I don't know.....it's Mexico.

Never far from our mind.......

Stopped at a toll booth for lunch....very tidy and safe spot.

We pulled in behind the guy on the right, who was fixing something

on his truck but then the double semi pulled in right behind us!!

Doug managed to wiggle his way out.....

Phew.....

Ahhh.....feels like home back here in Mazatlan.

We'll be here for a few days!

 

 

 

Okay, we are tired......good night everyone. See you tomorrow!!

Peace....

Thought for the Day: One day you will wake up and there won’t be anymore time to do all the things you’ve always wanted. Do them now…..Paulo Coelho