Week Three 12/20/08

Week Three December 14, 2008

Sunday Dec 14
Up bright and early Sunday to hit the road by 7:00am to Los Mochis, MX our half way point to Mazatlan. Sun just coming up so required a key to unlock the gate leaving resort. The 10 mile “washboard” road much faster w/o trailer, 30min’s verus the hour plus to get in. Arrived in New Kino proceeding to Old Kino. Got lost again in Old Kino, but quickly got directions, think we’ve got the route down now, first time recall was in the dark. Got short cut directions from people in the park for a quicker way to get to toll road 15 heading south some 60 miles of rural roads. Interesting agricultural communities. We quickly realize how blessed we Americans are viewing the “living standards” of these people. Anything that serves as a wall or roof can be a dwelling.

Once on the toll road, pretty nice 4 lane hwy, but lots of toll booths, probably ten to Mazatlan at anywhere from $6-$9 each. Pricy! But, provides safe travel, Then numerous small villages slowing traffic by the use of “Topes”, ie; speed bumps. Also, mini speed bumps called “vibrabores”. There are also Militia check points to control drug traffic. So can’t make as good as time as hoped. Seldom a shoulder on the hwy, so surface a pretty severe drop. Lanes are narrow. Lots of traffic concerns, cattle, horseback, bikes, cycles, pedestrians, dogs, etc., all in and out at a moments notice, some slow some fast, need heads up all the time. Passed one accident, truck & car.

Arriving in Los Mochis, tired around 5:00pm. Looking for Motel, quickly realized most don’t accept VISA or checks. Low on Peso’s and the local exchange on US dollar is 10 to 1 verus banks 12 to 1, so not cost effective to use American dollar. Looked for ATM machine to get Peso’s, but found being a Sunday, all were out of cash. Finally 4th try gave us $1500 Peso’s. Hungry, looking for restaurant. Found one off the hwy, we the only customer’s. Sunday slow or economy?? Waiter very nice, limited English, but after taking our order, gave us a brief Spanish lesson on the basics. Chicken and gravy dish, quite good. Back to motel, very interesting. Like a drive in storage area, truck in front, unit in back, curtains closes to enclose truck. No windows inside. Everything locked down, even ash tray glued to the table. But did feel safe with security outside. Room, basic sleep & shower.

Monday December 15, again an early start to Mazatlan. Arrived around 12:30pm,. “The Inn at Mazatlan”. Truly a “five star” place. Check in normally 4:00pm, but room was ready. Parking for truck “tight” but available and secure. Greeted warmly & help unloading, our room awesome ocean view, one bedroom, two full baths, kitchen, living room. Lunch ocean side. Afternoon, checked out the property, 5:00pm a welcome happy hour by staff. Evening walked the avenue and found restaurant we went to last time we were here where we had lobster.

Tuesday December 16, 8:30am breakfast appointment to tour property. Very nice complimentary buffet, gift package, low pressure sales presentation, but good knowledge about the property, declined any purchase. PM drove downtown to the open market. This is a 400,000 population community, so lots of traffic, and driving a little crazy! Area has really grown since last visit. The open market is an incredible sight, especially the meat and produce area. Raw meat carving in the open. Pointed to “fresh testicals” on display, vendor smiled. Purchased a couple NY Strip steaks and two chicken breasts. We had parked down by the beach, as the market center very crowded and little parking. Walked several blocks to market. Got disoriented down town, and trouble finding our way back to truck. Got directions, but took us several blocks away from our truck. Oh well, finally found. Went to Wal-Mart for shopping, then stopped for truck wash. Back to resort, quick swim & hot tub. Beautiful sunset with lots of beach activity .and para sailing Grilled steaks in on the George Foremen, not like our Wisconsin steaks, but ok.

Wednesday December 17, hung around resort. Breakfast across the street at Ricos, then got e-mails caught up. Tried to connect with George the man we met that owns a home a block from the Resort. He is from Alaska but lives here now. He has a beautiful home and offered to give us info about the area and places to see. He was not at home when we stopped, will try again. Shari pedicure, Bob to the pool. Spent day relaxing pool side and walking the beach. Dinner across the street at Mr. Aces, both a nice seafood meal. Live entertainment & cordial staff. Evening entertainment down by the pool, completing a Mexican Fiesta party sponsored by the resort. Enjoyed Mexican dancers and music.

Thursday December 18, breakfast pool side at the Inn. Then jumped into “Big Red” for a self guided tour of the north side of Mazatlan and the marina. Marina nice, with boats from all around the world. Observed a couple of “Island Packet” sail boats. Lots of new condo construction. Then took the shoreline road south, lots of monuments along the beach. Hit a detour and forced into the downtown area, not good for Big Red. Streets narrow, sometimes clearing by the width of a “finger nail”. Made it ok, but glad to be out of there. Back to the Inn for a 4:30pm three hour guided city tour by trolley. Guide bilingual Spanish & English. Trolley full, lots of families, mostly Mexican. Educational and informative. Stopped for a “Cliff Diving” performance. Ride up “Ice Box Mountain”, the “Beverly Hills” of Mazatlan. Stopped for an awesome view of the city with city & Christmas lights illuminated. Cruise ship in harbor as well. Allowed to enter the Cathedral in the midst of a wedding. Beautiful! Active city square across the street. Back to the Inn by 8:00pm. Pizza in.

Friday / Saturday December 19-20, Beginning to plan our departure from Mazatlan back to Kino Bay. “The Inn at Mazatlan” was a fantastic resort. Sometimes seemed like staff out numbered customers, good for us, but not sure about the economics, maybe cause a week before Christmas. Weather has been awesome, mid 80’s, sunny to partly cloudy, light breeze, no rain. Sorry Wisconsin! The city streets seemed very busy, but shops pretty empty. Locals say the economy is good here. A well as the housing market.
Hawkers on the street peddle everything. Timeshare presentations offering $200-300 in gifts or cash for a 90 minute showing. Some say they could pay for entire vacation doing one showing a day, just be sure to say “NO” at the end. Vendors say “NO” means “New Owner”. Well, we did two here for $320 in cash & gifts, low pressure and good value with a “NO” answer. Recommend Mazatlan as a good vacation spot. Beautiful area. Very friendly people. Back to Kino Bay, two day road trip. Concerns for safety in Mexico travel have proved unnecessary for us so far, but driving does require special attention.

End of week Three