It's Tuesday night and we put Patty on the plane earlier today. She really had a quick trip to get here and back home in only five days. However, she experienced Carnaval with Ellen and that was surely a once in a lifetime experience. I do not think either of them want to go back - but I'll let Ellen post their experiences if she wants. I stayed "home" at the RV and had no desire to go into the "madness" of Carnaval. A group of RV'ers from the park here went over on Sunday night. The ones I talked to said "never again"!


I have a few pictures to post below and one or two videos of beach driving will go on the home page.

When Patty arrived she just took over the dinette table. She operated her travel agency right from here.


Ellen getting ready for the Carnaval trying to look the part. All the women here in Mexico wear the big "bug eye" sunglasses.

I drove the two party girls to the Embarcadero and went back to the RV for two well-deserved days and nights of peace and quiet.

When EJ & PP got back from Mazatlan I drove them and the two pups down the beach a few miles just for the fun of it.

Siesta time for Patty

As you can see there was no one anywhere near us.

Patty arrived yesterday afternoon on schedule and we were there waiting. Lee (Mazatlan Lee) came with Ellen and I so we could treat her to lunch at Estrella del Mar on the ocean as a thank-you for all the help she has been, and we wanted Patty and Lee to meet as well. We had a good time together.

Lee came over on the panga (water taxi).We picked her up at the Embarcadero and drove her through the town to see it again for the first time in 20 or 30 years. She and her husband used to come over to Stone Island from Mazatlan when they traveled in an RV. Back then there was not much here. There still isn't.

We then took her down the 8.2 mile dirt road necessary to exit the island. Every one should have to do it once. It's hell!

After lunch we traveled back to Tres Amigos so Patty could get settled into the RV. Only this time I had a surprise. I discovered that I could drive out to the beach with the CR-V and drive on the sand next to the ocean. It's really fun! We were so excited with the experience no one took pictures. I'll go back out and take some to post in a day or two so you can see how beautiful it is. I can just drive right up to the RV from the beach and never even get on a road.


Locals travel the beach with horses every day. They come into town in the mornings and go home at dusk. Don't really know where they go or what they do - but
it's so "cute" to see this little colt trying to keep up with the adults as they make their way along the shore.
Here are two Philly's also walking along the shore this morning

As you can see, the clouds are now gone and another beautiful day in store. Ellen and Patty are going over to Mazatlan for two days of "Carnaval". I have two days of peaceful bliss in store.

Heron on the coast. Not too often seen in the open waters - they like the quieter waters of lagoons or estuaries. This one seems to be quite content with the big waves.

Isabelle enjoying a Corona on the beach this morning

Local fishermen pulling in their "catch of the day" right from the shore just down from the RV park during the morning walk today. We had just helped them push their boat off the sand and into the water and they were thankful for the assistance.

Front of the Mazatlan airport

Patty arriving in Maz

Ellen, Patty, and Lee outside the Estrella de Mar Resort - our spot for lunch not far from the airport and just at the end of the paved section of road to Stone Island.

View from our table. It's the first overcast day we have had - Patty brought the clouds with her all the way from Elkhart - how nice!

The four of us - too bad the beach with the waves coming ashore is not visible due to the overcast. But we could see them from our table. What a beautiful place for an outdoor lunch or dinner!

A single gentleman sat down at a table next to us. My ladies invited him to join us for lunch and as you can see he was happy to do so - Bernie. We had a good time and enjoyed his company - he really enjoyed the humor provided by the three. What a combination! He won't forget this lunch for a long time.

Even with the clouds, I could not resist taking yet another picture at sunset.


I climbed up on the roof of the motor home to get this one.
Life really is good!

It’s Thursday and the first day of Carnaval in Mazatlan. So far there is nothing on the island to distinguish this day from any other. I went into Mazatlan today and was not aware of anything unusual going on – just every car seemed to have the “jam box” jacked up full volume. We hear nothing really cranks up until night and then not really wild until the weekend. It’s 7:30pm here and we hear nothing. But this island is sooooo laid back from the city that quiet is expected anyway.

I went to town by myself today because EJH was not “up to par” after our neighbor’s birthday celebration last night. I was good – she was not! Enough said, you all know Ellen.

I picked up my sandal that needed stitching. I dropped it off yesterday but could not wait for it to be done. Got it today - $15 pesos or about $1.00 US.

I wanted a refill for a medication I’m taking. Most medications that require a Doctor’s prescription in the US are “over the counter” here in Mexico. The particular one I wanted refilled had no refills remaining so I could not get it taken care of at home without an appointment with my Doctor. I did not want to pay him several hundred dollars or whatever he would have charged for the visit and there would be no guarantee he would even refill it.

Knowing that such things are a little more “relaxed” here in Mexico I opted to just get it done here. The farmacia would not give it to me without a doctor’s written order because this one is considered a “controlled” medication in Mexico as well as in the US. I mentioned in an earlier post that I saw the doctor “on call” at the farmacia a week or so ago, but she was not allowed to write the prescription. Today I went to the doctor who was allowed to write the Rx and after a 45 min wait got in to see him. Quite a different process than back home. No appointments taken. First come first served. When one patient leaves the doctor’s office no nurse directs you to go in. You just are told when you get there what your position in line is to see him. One patient leaves, and you just get up and go in.

I did so and he asked what I wanted. He barely looked up at me. I showed him my “no refills remaining” Rx from home and he said he could (would) only give me a two month supply. I said bueno. He wrote the Rx and said I owed him $100 pesos ($14.00 US). Not a bad deal! As I left he said if I need more to just come back again. That $100 peso note went directly into his pocket. No invoice, no receipt, no nothing. No problem! Denada! I’m guessing if I went back out and got in line again he would have given me another Rx for another $100 pesos! I love this country!

I, as well as Ellen, take several non-controlled medications that still require a doctor’s Rx in the states to get. They are over-the-counter here as stated above so we got a good supply at about 1/3 the cost compared to US prices and no doctor’s appointment needed. Big savings!!!!!

I bought 2# of shrimp on my way back for $100 pesos ($14.00 US) and 2# of mahi for another $80 pesos. Given the economy at home I’m not sure I can afford to return any time soon.

Patty Peterson arrives tomorrow and our Mazatlan friend, Mazatlan Lee, will make the journey across the harbor to Stone Island, the trip to the aeroporto, lunch with us at Estrella del Mar on the ocean after we pick up Patty, and back to the RV park to check out our site and meet the girls. We are looking forward to a great time.

There should be a new video available from our sailing trip last Saturday. Please check it out.

Half of our group of 16 golfers backed out today so I did too. I was pressured into signing on for the outing in the first place and both of the high-pressure individuals who told me "you are playing golf on Tuesday" decided they were not playing today, so there was my "out".

I'm happy. I have some things to do that will be more rewarding than swinging 130 times at 12 different golf balls - and paying $100.00 for the privilege.

If anything exciting should happen I'll add it later to this post.

Here are the pictures from the last few days -


Sunday lunch with Lee at Te Amo Lucy's. Looks like we are in jail but the bars separate the open air dining room from the sidewalk.

The outside of the restaurant. Notice the heart shaped ficus tree in front. Te Amo Lucy means "I Love Lucy". The owners wife's name is Lucy.

I haven't put any dog pictures on the blog lately, so here are two from late yesterday afternoon


Swim with the fishes

The rest of these pictures are the best of what I took on the house tour. Most will speak for themselves, some with comments




The streets are very narrow in the old historic area and there is no space between houses. And most really do not look like much out front. But what a change after passing the front gates.

We see a lot of dogs on "roof" tops in Mexico. They can bark at possible danger like a guard dog, there is seldom any yard for them to be let out into, too dangerous to let loose or walk on the streets due to stray dogs. It's a safe place for them to be on their own.



The wall to the left is normal in Mazatlan. It's the outside wall or barrier that separates the real entrance into the home from the street. So what one normally sees just walking around on their own will give no indication of the beauty to be found on the other side of the wall. This is a very good representation.

The street view that give no real clue to the beautiful homes that are really there.





This bathroom is not really pretty. It's just informative to see how a 120 year old "restored" one looks like

The pictures above were from the old "historical" central part of Old Mazatlan.
The ones below are the new homes on the El Cid golf course in the Golden Zone area of Mazatlan






Ocean view from where I ate lunch after the tour.

That's it! Any questions?

Last night my neighbor knocked on our door and said he had tickets for he and his wife to take a tour of 6 "special" houses in Mazatlan. Three old historic homes, and three new contemporary homes. It was a benefit for the people of Mexico. A good cause and about 300 people paid to go. But his wife was sick and could not go and he did not want to go alone or waste the purchase price. He basically told me I was going to go with him. To make it short, Ellen said to go (she wanted me gone for the day), and Robin, our neighbor would not take no for an answer.

I got up at 6:00 am and we left at 7:30 am to make the trip into Mazatlan to begin the tour at a Country Club/Golf Course meeting point where the newer homes were located.

I'll keep this short. Nice tour. Good day away from the RV park. Ellen and I both enjoyed the absence of each other. Enjoyable tour of some of Mazatlan's oldest residences along with some of the newest. What a contrast in design. While all were great architecturally, huge differences in tastes. Good to be with some "new" people. And of course, the best weather a Northerner could ever imagine continued yet another day (after day after day).

Well, I played golf so bad last Tuesday for the guest day at Estrella del Mar, that they want me back tomorrow. Compared to me they all are "good" players. I said "no gracias" but they signed me up anyway. I'm going, I guess! I think I'll just have to go and enjoy the day. I really don't want to pay the money to be miserable for 5 hours, but the Margarita's after the play help ease the pain. The club at Estrella makes killer drinks. Additionally, I bought a dozen used balls last week and still have some left. Would not want them to go to waste!

Bob Chew, I put your name on one ball last week and hit it into the Pacific Ocean - it sank immediately. Hope that has no hidden meaning! I'll try again tomorrow, but you'll probably be "swimming with the fishes" again. Hey, at least I'm thinking of you! Brother Tim said you are coming down next year. Maybe one of the "used" bags of balls you buy will have your name on it? Wouldn't that be special!

No pictures to post today. I don't think the "tour" pictures would be interesting without actually being there. But I'll put them on the computer tomorrow and if any look good I'll load them up.

Buenos Notches

Today is Sunday, our third one here in Mazatlan, and our fourth in Mexico. We crossed the border on Jan 22 and this Thursday will end our first month SOB. It's hard to believe.

So far we are doing great. Haven't been sick or had any troubles. All drinking water used is bottled and all utensils, table surfaces, and our hands get wiped with antibacterial cloths before eating. It's all been good! We have even started to eat the unrefrigerated eggs - the only way they are sold in Mexico. Even the big supermarkets do not have them in the refrigerated section. The fresh produce truck that drives through the park daily sells them. The other morning 2 or 3 of the other RV'ers bought eggs so we decided to give it a try. Ellen ate two yesterday and survived so I had two this morning myself. So far I've made no trips to the bathroom so I think they are OK. What we have not had the stomach for yet is to buy the fresh chicken sold "unrefrigerated" by a local who comes to the park on a motorcycle. No Gracias!

Made a quick trip over to Mazatlan Centro to meet Mazatlan Lee for lunch at one of her favorite restaurants - Te Amo Lucy. Excellent food. Had a few other things to do while there but discovered Sunday is not a good day to get things in Mexico. Lee was going to help us some more but most places were closed. We just came back to our kids.

A local woman grills chicken in town every Saturday and Sunday. We drove by there today and the grill was smoking away. Bought two whole chickens. Boy are they good! As usual, if you could see the conditions the local restaurants operate in you would delay two weeks as we did before taking a chance. Like the eggs, as time goes by we are more willing to try new things. We are probably going to end up with the "revenge" after all as we let our guard down.

Yesterday, Valentine's Day, I took Ellen on a special sailing trip around the Islands of Mazatlan. It was great a great trip! Check out the web site micasaviajes.blogspot.com

Our neighbor Peggy offered to take care of the girls giving us the entire day without worry. We left the motor home at 9:00 am and got back around 5:30 pm. I bought a whole beef tenderloin at the Mega Store (a big competitor to Wal-Mart) two days ago and portioned it into 6 filets. Cooked two of them on the grill for dinner to finish off the day. A very good day it was.

It was a trip I'll tell in pictures -


This was actually the day before when a local "horseman", for lack of the proper term, was bringing his horses back to the area where tourists are "saddled-up" for rides on the beach. Ellen took the picture right from our site.


The area directly behind the RV park is full of coconut palms and very pretty to look at. The horses kind of roam the area.

This was also taken on Friday. We got a little "buggy" staying in the campground and decided to go to town for a few things. Had to find, on our own, a street vendor recommended by Lee for having the best los jaiba (crab) tostadas. The little family run (for 25 years) "curb side", two table eatery did not look very appealing, but as I said, we are getting more adventuresome. Lee told us it was "safe". Great food! We ordered two each and as soon as they were gone, we ordered two more apiece. $64 pesos! It was something - the cart was in the street occuping a parking space, one table was at either end of the cart and about 6 chairs lined the sidewalk. That was it! I'd go back.

This was a picture yesterday morning from the car as we were pulling away for the day. You can just barely see the top of Isabelle's head on the left. The two were side by side with the "you can't leave us" look, but by the time I clicked the shutter on the camera Issy looked away. It was quite a site.
More Carnaval "characters" on the street. They must be practicing or something.

Ellen and Terry, a fellow RV'er who wanted to go on the sailing trip, waiting on the Malecon for the company car to pick us up and take us way up North to the marina.

Lamp post signs advertising the Carnaval

The entire Malecon is lined with monuments. While waiting for our ride I walked a little to get pictures of a few.


This one - the Deer Monument- is interesting. Mazatlan was named after the deer that were found in the area hundreds of years ago. The Spanish work for deer is something like "mazat". So Mazatlan is "deer land" or land of the deer. Someone, hopefully, will correct the errors in what I just said, but the basics are here.


At the marina and heading for the ship. The marina is huge, and when finished, it will be the largest in Latin America.
Our ride for the afternoon - "Mi Casa" - a 44' Classic Newporter ketch

Permission to come abord Captain?

Ellen has her spot "marked" for the whole trip

Leaving the harbor and heading "out to see".

Getting our instructions on how to use the "head" by Kym, the second mate


Looking back at the Northern most point of Mazatlan just as we cleared the breakwater protecting the harbor

Look closely - they are everywhere!


A Brown Booby following the boat. There actually were several that followed us most of the trip. It seems the air currents created by the sails help keep the birds aloft with little effort required by them. They just floated above us and constantly dove into the water for fish. Fast as lightning!

The marine biologist Rick, and the boat captain Eduardo trying to decide if the odds for sighting a whale were better than those for sighting a cloud. The decision was made we might see a whale first.

Cerveza anyone?

Me and my Valentine

On the lookout for Manta Rays. We saw several large schools of them and some actually were "flying" out of the water. Quite exciting, and rare according to Rick, to see.

A young musician, Jason, and Kym "jammin" out on the water. This was a first for Eduardo and Kym (they are actually a couple) to bring an entertainer out on a cruise. This one was billed as a Valentine's Day special. We all enjoyed it so much I think they are already planing to do a repeat soon.

The waters off Mazatlan are the furthest South that California Sea Lions are found. This is their favorite rock.

One of the other passengers caught in a picture

Mazatlan from the sea


Peace be with you! Ellen at the helm. Chincia - eat your heart out!

Reflections

This was my spot on the boat

Jim heading for the head

We got up close to Deer Island off the coast of Maztlan and dropped anchor for a while. There is a nice sandy beach there and a fair number of other boaters and jet-skiers were visiting. Several of the passengers on out boat just jumped in the water while anchored.

Ellen with Terry

Terry listening to Eduardo tell one of his many, many stories

Captain Eduardo and Kym often steered the boat with one foot. I was having Ellen take my picture as I mocked Eduardo's steering method. He saw me and started laughing and came up to get in the picture

Heading home

Brother Tim - this one's for you. It goes by the name "fourbillion"