SAILS AT REST in Mazatlan

Yes, here we are in Mazatlan and what a lovely old town...city this is. We are anchored in the old harbour, also known as Club Nautico where we are sharing space with on average about 8-10 other cruising vessels, with many coming and going daily, the Baja Ferries, and Cruise Ships.  It is an interesting and busy little port but very protected so therefore very comfortable surge wise.  For $350 pesos per week we have access to the dingy dock, the washrooms and excellent bus service right at the gate.  It is a wonderful place to be as the "old" town is just 15 minutes bus ride away.  The first day we were here we took a bus ride to the end of the line so to speak to get a lay of the land.


Memories of bus riding in Panama City came flooding back as we jump on the bus.  The driver is fairly young- say 30ish and has a small dash ornament of the "Tasmanian Devil" which should have been  a hint as to what kind of  driver and subsequently what kind of ride we were in for.  This fella was incredibly fast and very impatient with the other drivers.  Alot of the streets in the older part of town are very narrow and of course there are many others to share the road with ie, motorbikes, scooters, service vehicles that stop to unload stuff and many other cars, trucks and buses.  It is rather busy! Our return trip was totally different -the driver younger with his bus done up in black diamond studded upholstery and looking very"cool".  This fella   had a side kick, riding with him and they drove very slowly and cautiously all the way into town............where we got off to find a restaurant that someone had recommended.

A couple of young ladies that were sitting behind us  soon struck up a conversation with me, which I actually understood and was able to take part in.  I was pretty content with myself. They insisted on showing us how to get to the Malacon...............the board walk along the seawall.....as we walked we headed into a area where there was some construction and the workers were distracted and blew out a few wolf whistles........which they responded to with some giggling and continued walking.......it did not take long before they asked if we wanted to get a drink....beber!  We indicated no and they kept walking, we turned the next corner and eventually we found ourselves right in front to the huge Basillica.................I promise pictures of that another day as there was a wedding in process.   The girls came around back down the street and I  hand signalled to them that we wanted to see the Church and that we would carry on alone.  They smiled and wiggled away.  They were pretty cute in their extremely tight jeans, one being very tiny and the other very endowed.

So much for our tour guides.   Walking down the streets we enjoyed the clean and very attractive boulevards with  old Spanish architecture --very much a  European atmosphere with little cafes decked out in bright colored table clothes and music.  Always music and very happy people --people walking and heading to their various choices of entertainment and food for the evening...............it is the last week end of an arts festival.  Being Christmas we came across  a group of young ones performing some festive music, with  a manager scene, three wise men doing a very cool rap and little girls and boys dressed in traditional Mexican outfits.......Such is the mix that you find here in Mexico.   Kids no matter where they are are so fun!!!!     It was not until the 1960's that Christmas became commercial and now the traditional is weaved into the "inflatable Grinches" and everywhere Pinottas!!!!! Music!!!!  Food and especially in the Centro  Shopping!!!...We had a great supper at an excellent outside restaurant............my coconut shrimp were to die for............watched the sunset and caught an open air taxi that cost $4.00 ................back to our "little casa' on the water.

Waking up to more fog............yes it has been foggy since we got here.  Apparently not normal and thank You God it lifted this morning.  We Googled ourselves a very good map and are now ready for another day in town to get me to the dentist, find the Scotia Bank, the church for Sunday and a few things at the local market.............now that is an experience................booth after booth of things and stuff.  Very nice and clean and offering absolutely all we needed. It was a great day!  The dentist is fantastic and is going to start my work Friday the 18th and I was truly blessed as she says I don't need as much work as the other dentist in Canada and La Paz said I needed.  We celebrated tonight with a fantastic supper of steak, lobster and oven baked potatoes and carrots and a Caesar salade.    Wont be doing much eating tomorrow that is for sure so thought I might fill my tummy tonight  HAHHAHA!

I promise I will update the Captains page soon and give you fellas some more boat stuff and girls I will work on more food things.   Just having too much fun these days.  Sorry.

Another week has passed  and it will be Christmas Eve soon.................gotta go shopping soon.  Think I will buy The Captain a set of darts as we have found that we are enjoying playing darts when we get into some of these Cantinas.  It is not Wii but sure is fun.

Good day for now!