Driving to Mazatlan
We purchased a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan shortly before leaving home. It's very versatile as it seats 7, but the 2nd and 3rd row seats can be stowed under the floor to allow for lots of storage, or even for us to sleep in. Our plan was to drive to Mazatlan, and use the van to camp on the way. Driving down also allowed us to bring many items that we couldn't have brought had we flown. We had lots of stuff that belonged with the boat that we had been storing at home, so wanted to return it all to the boat, plus we were able to bring lots of goods that we simply can't buy here.
We started the drive to Mazatlan on Monday, October 22nd. On the way to Mazatlan we were able to sleep in the van the first 3 nights at rest areas. It was wonderful and we enjoyed the adventure, and freedom of not having to be anywhere at any certain time. We had a Coleman stove so stopped often at rest areas to make tea. We stayed at the Santiam River Safety Rest Area south of Portland (near Albany) on the first night, then at Dunnigan Safety Rest Area on the 2nd night (120 kms away from San Fransisco), then the Coalinga-Avenal Safety Rest Area on the 3rd night (300 kms from LA). After that we were ready for proper showers, some TV and Wifi, and Kim wanted to enjoy a bottle of red wine, so we reserved at the Days Inn in Indio on night 4, Motel 6 in Nogales on the Arizona side of the border on night 5, then Hotel California in Navajoa, Mexico on night 6. It's a 4000 km drive but we thoroughly enjoyed our 7 day drive. We stopped along the way at many rest stops as well as in Portland, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Nogales and Navajoa. Lots of wonderful scenery. It was a great trip and I'm looking forward to the trip home too!
On the BC Ferry
Douglas has a prime seat in the van but he preferred my lap
Stopped for tea at a rest stop in Washington
Walking the Piers in San Francisco
Shopping at the Piers in San Francisco
Kim making tea for us on the side of the road in Mexico
(No actual rest areas so we pulled into an empty lot)
We started the drive to Mazatlan on Monday, October 22nd. On the way to Mazatlan we were able to sleep in the van the first 3 nights at rest areas. It was wonderful and we enjoyed the adventure, and freedom of not having to be anywhere at any certain time. We had a Coleman stove so stopped often at rest areas to make tea. We stayed at the Santiam River Safety Rest Area south of Portland (near Albany) on the first night, then at Dunnigan Safety Rest Area on the 2nd night (120 kms away from San Fransisco), then the Coalinga-Avenal Safety Rest Area on the 3rd night (300 kms from LA). After that we were ready for proper showers, some TV and Wifi, and Kim wanted to enjoy a bottle of red wine, so we reserved at the Days Inn in Indio on night 4, Motel 6 in Nogales on the Arizona side of the border on night 5, then Hotel California in Navajoa, Mexico on night 6. It's a 4000 km drive but we thoroughly enjoyed our 7 day drive. We stopped along the way at many rest stops as well as in Portland, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Nogales and Navajoa. Lots of wonderful scenery. It was a great trip and I'm looking forward to the trip home too!
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| On the BC Ferry Douglas has a prime seat in the van but he preferred my lap |
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| Stopped for tea at a rest stop in Washington |
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| Walking the Piers in San Francisco |
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| Shopping at the Piers in San Francisco |
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| Kim making tea for us on the side of the road in Mexico (No actual rest areas so we pulled into an empty lot) |
Haul-out of Remember me for bottom painting and survey
Kim waxing and polishing the boat
Our boat was hauled out of the water at Marina Fonatur on November 5th, it was bottom painted and a survey was also done. The work was completed by November 9th then we brought the boat over to Marina El Cid for the season.
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| Kim waxing and polishing the boat |
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| Bottom paint and survey is completed |
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| Splashing Remember me after work is completed |
Our Sailboat, Remember me, is listed for sale
It was a very difficult decision, but we decided to list our boat for sale with Mazatlan Marine Yacht Sales this season. As you know plans often change, and we discovered we love Mazatlan, and no longer plan to venture to countries further south. Since we're using the boat in Mazatlan as a 'condo', we might as well live on land while we're here as it's cheaper. If the boat sells here we'll either rent a condo for the months we're here each year, or we may decide to buy a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom condo. We will make our decision when the boat sells. If the boat doesn't sell in Mazatlan, Kim plans to sail it home starting next June (2020), and we'll list it for sale there.
https://mazatlanmarinecenter.com/product/44-hunter-deck-salon-2006/
Kim took this photo from the top of the mast in the Sea of Cortez
Anchored at Stone Island
Leaving La Paz to head to Mazatlan
https://mazatlanmarinecenter.com/product/44-hunter-deck-salon-2006/
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| Kim took this photo from the top of the mast in the Sea of Cortez |
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| Anchored at Stone Island |
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| Leaving La Paz to head to Mazatlan |
Kim crewed for friends from Mazatlan, Sinaloa to La Cruz, Nayarit
Our friends, Dick and Ann, asked Kim to help them get their boat from Mazatlan, to La Cruz (approx 150 nautical miles). Dick and Kim left Mazatlan at 7:30 am on November 29th and arrived in La Cruz November 30th about 3:30 pm. They were able to do a little sailing with jib for about 6 hours out of the 32 hour trip. Kim thoroughly enjoyed it! La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a quiet and small fishing town with a population of about 1600 people. It is located in the state of Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta. In 2008 the harbour of La Cruz was renovated and is now called Marina Riviera Nayarit, a modern marina with 340 slips that can accommodate vessels from 31 to 400 feet. Once there you can enjoy art galleries, cafes, various international food restaurants, local charity events, plus local eateries and stores. They have a terrific market every Sunday morning too.
Time to leave Marina El Cid, Mazatlan
Dick backing out of his slip at Marina El Cid
Kim gathering the lines
Off they go!
Kim took this photo while they were underway
Kim celebrating their arrival in La Cruz
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| Time to leave Marina El Cid, Mazatlan |
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| Dick backing out of his slip at Marina El Cid |
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| Kim gathering the lines |
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| Off they go! |
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| Kim took this photo while they were underway |
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| Kim celebrating their arrival in La Cruz |
Trip to San Blas and Chacala with friends
On January 2nd we drove to San Blas with our friends, Donna and Sandy, and Jo-Ann and Andy. We stayed overnight in San Blas so we could go on the La Tovara Jungle Tour, then on January 3rd we continued on to Chacala, to relax on the beach. We had a lovely time but as it turns out we chose a pretty busy week to go there as many locals were off work that week.
Donna and Douglas relaxing at our Hotel in San Blas
Hotel Pasada Del Ray
We played poker and hearts in the evening
Very relaxing and lots of fun
Dinner at Restaurant la Isla Chef Tony's in San Blas
Breakfast at Cafe Yoley in San Blas
Cafe Yoley in San Blas
Heading out on the La Tovara Jungle Tour
We saw lots of crocodiles, and a few birds, but no
turtles this time
Crocodile cooling off
Looks like it's ready for a tasty human but apparently
this is how they cool off
Kim using the 'Tarzan' swing to get into the
freshwater spring at La Tovara
Kim entered the water, and Andy is in the water too
It was very busy there due to New Year holiday week
Lunch at La Tobara Restaurant and Bar
The freshwater spring is in the background
Breakfast on the beach in Chacala
Douglas traveling in style in Chacala
The beach in Chacala
Douglas always makes lots of friends
More friends for Douglas but he was just interested
in chasing his ball
Beautiful beach in Chacala
It's lined with lovely restaurants
Kim, Andy and Jo-Ann trying star fruit (carambola)
in Chacala
Coatimundi behind our hotel in Chacala
Hotel Simon Beach
They're a member of the raccoon family
Yes, it's a horse in the back of a pick-up truck!
We saw this while driving back to Mazatlan
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| Donna and Douglas relaxing at our Hotel in San Blas Hotel Pasada Del Ray We played poker and hearts in the evening Very relaxing and lots of fun |
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| Dinner at Restaurant la Isla Chef Tony's in San Blas |
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| Breakfast at Cafe Yoley in San Blas |
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| Cafe Yoley in San Blas |
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| Heading out on the La Tovara Jungle Tour We saw lots of crocodiles, and a few birds, but no turtles this time |
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| Crocodile cooling off Looks like it's ready for a tasty human but apparently this is how they cool off |
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| Kim using the 'Tarzan' swing to get into the freshwater spring at La Tovara |
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| Kim entered the water, and Andy is in the water too It was very busy there due to New Year holiday week |
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| Lunch at La Tobara Restaurant and Bar The freshwater spring is in the background |
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| Breakfast on the beach in Chacala |
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| Douglas traveling in style in Chacala |
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| The beach in Chacala Douglas always makes lots of friends |
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| More friends for Douglas but he was just interested in chasing his ball |
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| Beautiful beach in Chacala It's lined with lovely restaurants |
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| Kim, Andy and Jo-Ann trying star fruit (carambola) in Chacala |
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| Coatimundi behind our hotel in Chacala Hotel Simon Beach They're a member of the raccoon family |
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| Yes, it's a horse in the back of a pick-up truck! We saw this while driving back to Mazatlan |
Kim hospitalized in Mazatlan
In mid January Kim's left foot started to swell and a sort of blister appeared on his baby toe. He went to the Doctor and they thought he might have been stung by a stingray or jellyfish, or possibly been bit by a spider. He was prescribed antibiotics but after 4 days it was getting progressively worse. On January 21st we went to Emergency and Kim was hospitalized at Marina Hospital in Mazatlan. The doctor took x-rays to confirm the poison hadn't spread to his bones, and also took a culture to determine exactly what the root cause was. He was treated with very strong antibiotics via IV, and nurses cleaned it several times a day. The culture came back 3 days later and we learned it was Candida Albicans (a fungus). He was released after 3 days of excellent care, then treated for another 2 weeks as an out patient. It was especially hard on him as he wasn't allowed on the beach, in the pool, and due to the antibiotics, he couldn't drink alcohol either for nearly 4 weeks. I'm happy to report his foot is all healed now, and he's back to enjoying boogie boarding, tennis, pool volleyball, and playing ball with Douglas on the beach.
Kim's left foot - it was pretty nasty
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| Kim's left foot - it was pretty nasty |
Time with Friends
As always we spent lots of quality time with our many good friends in Mazatlan.
Upton return to Mazatlan we learned a dear friend, Jana, had passed away
A celebration of life was held in November which I attended with many of her friends
Releasing paper balloons at Jana's celebration of life
Dinner at Luc and Tina's rental condo
Moose was very happy on Kim's lap
Peel and Eat Shrimp at Cerritos Beach
Kim enjoying peel and eat shrimp at Cerritos
We took the dinghy over to Stone Island for lunch
and margaritas
New Year's Eve Party at Donna and Sandy's room
Jan, Donna and Tina
Luc and Tina at Diego's to watch Brenster
perform on the beach
Kim at Diego's to watch Brenster perform on the beach
Jan, Kim and Luc and Diego's Restaurant Beach Party
Jan's 60th Birthday celebration by the pool
with champagne and delicious cake
Thanks so much Jo-Ann and Andy for putting it together!
Eva's homemade Peanut Brittle made especially
for me for my Birthday - so yummy
Thanks Eva!
Having drinks with David, Tina, Luc and Baguette
at the volleyball beach ball bar for Jan's Birthday
Having dinner at Pancho's on the Beach with
Luc, David, Tina and Baguette
Baguette enjoying cuddles at Pancho's Restaurant
Jan and Tina at the 5 km walk for
Breast Cancer
Tina at the 5 km walk for Breast Cancer
Bob the 'butterfly' in the Machado
Jackie, Cyndie and Jan walking from the
Fishermen Monument to Marina El Cid
8.3 kms
(Clarence took the photo)
Andy, Jo-Ann, Cindy, Doug, Lane, Vicki, Clarence, Eva, Jan, Douglas and Jackie
Walking group arriving back at El Cid
Kim, Jan, Tina and Luc on the Malecon at
Olas Atlas
Movie night at Marilyn, Gary and Bill's condo building
at Cerritos
on Eva and Rene's boat for delicious
homemade Carrot cake
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| Upton return to Mazatlan we learned a dear friend, Jana, had passed away A celebration of life was held in November which I attended with many of her friends |
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| Releasing paper balloons at Jana's celebration of life |
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| Dinner at Luc and Tina's rental condo Moose was very happy on Kim's lap |
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| Peel and Eat Shrimp at Cerritos Beach |
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| Kim enjoying peel and eat shrimp at Cerritos |
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| We took the dinghy over to Stone Island for lunch and margaritas |
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| New Year's Eve Party at Donna and Sandy's room Jan, Donna and Tina |
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| Luc and Tina at Diego's to watch Brenster perform on the beach |
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| Kim at Diego's to watch Brenster perform on the beach |
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| Jan, Kim and Luc and Diego's Restaurant Beach Party |
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| Jan's 60th Birthday celebration by the pool with champagne and delicious cake Thanks so much Jo-Ann and Andy for putting it together! |
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| Eva's homemade Peanut Brittle made especially for me for my Birthday - so yummy Thanks Eva! |
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| Having drinks with David, Tina, Luc and Baguette at the volleyball beach ball bar for Jan's Birthday |
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| Having dinner at Pancho's on the Beach with Luc, David, Tina and Baguette |
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| Baguette enjoying cuddles at Pancho's Restaurant |
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| Jan and Tina at the 5 km walk for Breast Cancer |
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| Tina at the 5 km walk for Breast Cancer |
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| Bob the 'butterfly' in the Machado |
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| Jackie, Cyndie and Jan walking from the Fishermen Monument to Marina El Cid 8.3 kms (Clarence took the photo) |
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| Andy, Jo-Ann, Cindy, Doug, Lane, Vicki, Clarence, Eva, Jan, Douglas and Jackie Walking group arriving back at El Cid |
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| Kim, Jan, Tina and Luc on the Malecon at Olas Atlas |
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| Movie night at Marilyn, Gary and Bill's condo building at Cerritos |
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| on Eva and Rene's boat for delicious homemade Carrot cake |
Family visits this Season
On January 20th Kims cousin, Connie, and her husband, Ray, arrived from Vancouver to visit with us for 2 weeks. It was their first visit to Mazatlan. On January 24th Kims cousin Bob also arrived to spend a few days with us on his way to visit friends in Punta Perula. It was loads of fun showing them around. Although Kim was battling a foot fungus, we still managed to get out and do some sight seeing.
Dinner at Fat Fish with Connie, Ray, and their friends
Jack and Bob
Kim's cousins, Bob and Connie, at Marina El Cid
Connie, Jan and Douglas at the top of Faro Lighthouse
We did it! Climbed Faro and walked out on the glass
observation deck
Jan, Douglas and Connie at the top of Faro Lighthouse
Bob, Connie, Ray, Kim and Jan at the top of the Best Western Hotel
(Freeman Hotel)
Awesome view and lovely sunset
Having dinner on our boat
Thanks Bob for barbequing the chicken!
Kim and Connie
Dinghy ride to Marina Mazatlan to have dinner at
La Mona Restaurant
Ray, Jan and Douglas
Dinghy ride to La Mona at Marina Mazatlan for dinner
La Mona for pizza and beers
Connie and Ray - Panga ride to Stone Island
Connie and Ray on the panga to Stone Island
Ray and Kim walking the beach at
Stone Island
Kim's wearing a bag on his foot to
keep it clean and dry
Ray and Kim on Stone Island
Kim and Connie relaxing on Stone Island
Connie and Ray on Stone Island
English Breakfast at Via Condoti in Centro, Mazatlan
Connie, Ray and Kim on the water taxi at Marina El Cid
Connie, Kim and Ray on the malecon in Mazatlan
Connie and Ray in El Quelite
located 40 kms northeast of Mazatlan
Ray in El Quelite
Connie and Ray packed and ready to head home
On March 12th Amy, Tyson, Jessica and Connor arrived to spend 11 days/10 nights with us. Amy and Tyson stayed in a room at the Marina El Cid resort, and our grandkids stayed on the boat with us. They're 10 and 8 years old and lots of fun to be with. The girls went to Gaby's salon for pedicures on the first day. During their stay we took a day trip in our van to the quaint little town of El Quelite, we spent a day at the Waterslides, climbed Faro Lighthouse, spent a day at Stone Island beach, went for a dinghy ride, spent a day at the El Morrow resort to enjoy their amenities, had many long walks on various Mazatlan beaches, and spent lots and lots of time in the 2 pools at Marina El Cid. We had a really lovely time together.
Amy, Tyson, Jessica, Connor, Kim, Jan and Douglas at
El Quelite
We're standing in front of a mural in Restaurant El Meson de Los Laureanos
Brunch in El Quelite
Connor talking to the bird in the cage at
Restaurant El Meson de Los Laureanos
Connor giving his 'cool' pose on the beach
by Locos Locos Restaurant
Jessica, Connor, Jan, Douglas, Amy, Tyson, and Kim
on top of El Faro Lighthouse
Amy, Jessica, Kim and Tyson on the glass observation deck
at El Faro Lighthouse
Observation deck at El Faro Lighthouse
Kids playing at the park on the Malecon
Tyson, Amy and Jessica enjoying cool drinks
We walked from the Fisherman monument back to the
Gold Zone
Jessica and Connor playing bean bag toss on the beach
Connor driving us in the dinghy to Marina Mazatlan
Jessica in the dinghy
She got to drive the dinghy back to Marina El Cid
Connor having fun at the Mazagua Water Park
Mazagua Water Park
Connor and Jessica sliding down
Conor and Jessica on the Waterslides
More fun at the Waterslides
Waterslides
Tyson at the Mazagua Water Park
Family fun at the Marina El Cid
rocking chairs
Time for a cool drink and some rest and relaxation
Connor night snorkelling in the cold pool at
Marina El Cid
Connor and Jessica relaxing by the pool
at Marina El Cid
Connor sporting his El Cid T-shirt
He won it for highest score in darts!
Time for 'Catch the Baby' or 'Toss the water Balloons'
at Marina El Cid
Connor and Jessica showing off their
painted ceramics
Jessica relaxing in the pool at
Marina El Cid
Tyson hoisting Jessica so she could reach
a coconut
Connor and Jessica at Marina El Cid
Connor, Tyson, Jessica and Amy
Sunset in Mazatlan
Amy and Tyson
enjoying the sunset in Mazatlan
Connor, Jessica and Amy on the beach
Time for beach football!
Connor spoiling Douglas
Connor, Tyson and Jessica
Fun in the pool at the El Cid El Moro
Jessica and Connor
in the pool at the El Cid El Moro
Jessica, Connor, Amy, Kim and Tyson
Stone Island
Tyson and Connor
Stone Island
Connor holding a large Iguana
at Stone Island
Connor and Amy building a sand fortress at
Stone Island
Jessica, Connor, Amy and a new friend
building a sand fortress at Stone Island
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| Dinner at Fat Fish with Connie, Ray, and their friends Jack and Bob |
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| Kim's cousins, Bob and Connie, at Marina El Cid |
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| Connie, Jan and Douglas at the top of Faro Lighthouse |
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| We did it! Climbed Faro and walked out on the glass observation deck |
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| Jan, Douglas and Connie at the top of Faro Lighthouse |
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| Bob, Connie, Ray, Kim and Jan at the top of the Best Western Hotel (Freeman Hotel) Awesome view and lovely sunset |
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| Having dinner on our boat Thanks Bob for barbequing the chicken! |
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| Kim and Connie Dinghy ride to Marina Mazatlan to have dinner at La Mona Restaurant |
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| Ray, Jan and Douglas Dinghy ride to La Mona at Marina Mazatlan for dinner |
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| La Mona for pizza and beers |
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| Connie and Ray - Panga ride to Stone Island |
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| Connie and Ray on the panga to Stone Island |
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| Ray and Kim walking the beach at Stone Island Kim's wearing a bag on his foot to keep it clean and dry |
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| Ray and Kim on Stone Island |
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| Kim and Connie relaxing on Stone Island |
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| Connie and Ray on Stone Island |
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| English Breakfast at Via Condoti in Centro, Mazatlan |
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| Connie, Ray and Kim on the water taxi at Marina El Cid |
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| Connie, Kim and Ray on the malecon in Mazatlan |
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| Connie and Ray in El Quelite located 40 kms northeast of Mazatlan |
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| Ray in El Quelite |
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| Connie and Ray packed and ready to head home |
On March 12th Amy, Tyson, Jessica and Connor arrived to spend 11 days/10 nights with us. Amy and Tyson stayed in a room at the Marina El Cid resort, and our grandkids stayed on the boat with us. They're 10 and 8 years old and lots of fun to be with. The girls went to Gaby's salon for pedicures on the first day. During their stay we took a day trip in our van to the quaint little town of El Quelite, we spent a day at the Waterslides, climbed Faro Lighthouse, spent a day at Stone Island beach, went for a dinghy ride, spent a day at the El Morrow resort to enjoy their amenities, had many long walks on various Mazatlan beaches, and spent lots and lots of time in the 2 pools at Marina El Cid. We had a really lovely time together.
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| Amy, Tyson, Jessica, Connor, Kim, Jan and Douglas at El Quelite We're standing in front of a mural in Restaurant El Meson de Los Laureanos |
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| Brunch in El Quelite |
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| Connor talking to the bird in the cage at Restaurant El Meson de Los Laureanos |
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| Connor giving his 'cool' pose on the beach by Locos Locos Restaurant |
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| Jessica, Connor, Jan, Douglas, Amy, Tyson, and Kim on top of El Faro Lighthouse |
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| Amy, Jessica, Kim and Tyson on the glass observation deck at El Faro Lighthouse |
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| Observation deck at El Faro Lighthouse |
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| Kids playing at the park on the Malecon |
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| Tyson, Amy and Jessica enjoying cool drinks We walked from the Fisherman monument back to the Gold Zone |
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| Jessica and Connor playing bean bag toss on the beach |
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| Connor driving us in the dinghy to Marina Mazatlan |
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| Jessica in the dinghy She got to drive the dinghy back to Marina El Cid |
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| Connor having fun at the Mazagua Water Park |
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| Mazagua Water Park Connor and Jessica sliding down |
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| Conor and Jessica on the Waterslides |
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| More fun at the Waterslides |
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| Waterslides |
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| Tyson at the Mazagua Water Park |
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| Family fun at the Marina El Cid rocking chairs Time for a cool drink and some rest and relaxation |
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| Connor night snorkelling in the cold pool at Marina El Cid |
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| Connor and Jessica relaxing by the pool at Marina El Cid |
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| Connor sporting his El Cid T-shirt He won it for highest score in darts! |
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| Time for 'Catch the Baby' or 'Toss the water Balloons' at Marina El Cid |
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| Connor and Jessica showing off their painted ceramics |
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| Jessica relaxing in the pool at Marina El Cid |
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| Tyson hoisting Jessica so she could reach a coconut |
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| Connor and Jessica at Marina El Cid |
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| Connor, Tyson, Jessica and Amy Sunset in Mazatlan |
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| Amy and Tyson enjoying the sunset in Mazatlan |
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| Connor, Jessica and Amy on the beach Time for beach football! |
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| Connor spoiling Douglas |
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| Connor, Tyson and Jessica Fun in the pool at the El Cid El Moro |
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| Jessica and Connor in the pool at the El Cid El Moro |
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| Jessica, Connor, Amy, Kim and Tyson Stone Island |
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| Tyson and Connor Stone Island |
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| Connor holding a large Iguana at Stone Island |
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| Connor and Amy building a sand fortress at Stone Island |
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| Jessica, Connor, Amy and a new friend building a sand fortress at Stone Island |
