A cruise ship arrived into the Mazatlan port early Friday ( Feb. 15th ) morning.  Certainly a sight for sore eyes.  It has been a very long few years since Mazatlan played host to a cruise ship.  This one was of German registry and carried just over 700 people in total.  It is on it’s way to Vancouver, Canada via San Diego and from Vancouver it will sail on Feb. 26th  towards Osaka, Japan on a 26 day cruise.

We can't express how happy we were to see a cruise ship in the channel. Adios, come back soon.

How perfect is that?

The local newspaper, the Noreste reported that interviewed passengers were very impressed with Mazatlan.

Interestingly enough talks are beginning this week between the Minister of Tourism and some cruise lines.

Cruise Ships May Return Next Year

Posted by Murry Page on 12 Feb 13 in Latest News, Local News | 6 Comments |  Print |

The Minister of Tourism, Francisco Cordova Celaya, said cruise lines are again looking at Mazatlán because the city has a new image.

Cordova said that he will be meeting with Federal Ministry of Tourism and Peage Michel, President of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and expects positive results from those meetings.

He noted that several cruise lines have said they are contemplating returning to Mazatlán this year. Cordova added that he will be meeting with representatives from Carnival, Holland America, and Princess Cruises in the near future.

 

On further research I was able to find that some cruise lines have already added Mazatlan to the 2013/2014 schedule.

 

Will these schedules come to pass, who knows!

But wouldn’t it be great if it does?

We are so very very lucky…last night just before sunset we were treated to 3 whales cavorting just off shore and then further and further away.  Colin first spotted them as he walked the girls.  None of us captured a photo but we certainly captured memories.

Tags: cruise ships, Mazatlan, Mexico, sunsets

Monday was our last full day with our Culiacan family and we spent most of the day just relaxing.

I decided to give Filomena some more business but I am running out of new things to buy from her.

So I ordered up some necklaces for the girls. I will have to get a better photo for you to see how cute they are.

There is always something musical going on around here.

I prepared a huge final dinner with fresh caught dorado.  We had a bit of delay as the young folk had gone into Mazatlan for some fun.  Finally dinner was over and it was time for some campfire music.  Bit by bit some of the rvers had drifted over and were ready for music. In the end there were about twenty of us. We didn’t start till 10PM which is normal for Mexicans but not for the rvers.  I think we got to bed about 3:00AM.  The evening could not have been more perfect, even the weather cooperated.

Isela sang, Heriberto played, they both sang and he played alone.

A marvellous time was had by all. Sorry we didn't get photos of everyone there. Just too much happening what with keeping the coffee made for some and the tequila flowing for others.

A special thank you to Tris for bringing the popcorn for everyone and to her husband Merle for sharing his very special Colorado ale. Isela and Heriberto almost drank him dry! They loved it.

Another thanks to Tris for providing the only photo taken of 'The Margarita Divas' performing El Quelite.

Before some folks drifted away Christian, John and Colin lit a mini hot air balloon and watched it drift over the beach higher and higher until it disappeared.

We used to do this in Acapulco over the holidays. Perhaps next year we will put up many lanterns at the same time.

After the lantern disappeared we continued the music.  Colin played a song or two.

Kevin played us a few numbers. Amazing as always.

We heard Maria perform for the first time. Wow!!

Linda and I are just the Doo Wap girls.

After just a few hours of sleep it was time for our traditional hotcake breakfast Tuesday morning, departure day.

Heriberto & Colin were suppose to cut the fruit for breakfast but hired some beach musicians to play for them instead.

A few more hours of music and then we had to say adios.

Our Mexican family left for Culiacan after 3:00PM and did get home safely.  They did not want to leave and there is some talk about Semena Santa.  Meanwhile Colin will be heading to Culiacan to attend the International Guitar Festival.

I think you might have guessed why it has taken me so long to finish my blog about this great visit.  I was/am pooped 😉

Tags: Carnaval, Culiacan, Family, food, friends, music

Carnaval Sunday  ( Feb. 10 ) was our first full day with our Culiacan family.  On putting this post together it was difficult as we all did so much that day.  We started with breakfast made by me but never even got a photo.  The weather could not have been more perfect, certainly not any hotter.

Christian had his first banana boat ride. He was the one in the back.

Isela would have preferred the ocean to be several degrees warmer but once she got in she was happy. Alejandra & Christian floated out there for at least 90 minutes.

A bit of an afternoon music lesson.

Finally we were all on the beach. The RV seems so far away.

Even Carmeh came out to play in the waves. Unless there is a crab involved, there is no way Caeli would go into the water.

Snacks, showers, more music and a perfect sunset.

I honestly have no idea who took this photo but thank you very much. A great memory.

The decision had been made earlier to forgo the Carnaval Parade in order to have a beach day.  However about 7PM we decided to get ready to head into town for dinner.  After a very fast and scary panga ride ( I think the driver was celebrating )  we got to the Plazuela Machado about 8PM just when the parade crowds were heading back.  We bumped into Isla friends Linda and Kevin who joined us for dinner.

At one point there were 5 Banda Bands all playing at the same time. Noisy indeed but oh so much fun.

"The Margarita Divas" were at their prime that night.

I honestly have no recollection of dancing. The photo does prove that it happened. Perhaps it was a good thing that Linda & Kevin had left by then. They did miss the really great band that performed right in front of our table for over an hour with all other music stopped. What a night!

This is the first video I have posted and I suggest you watch it with no judgement.  I wouldn’t want you to change your opinion of me 😉

If any one has a much quicker way to upload a movie to be able to post on a blog please let me know.  This took an hour but perhaps it was due to our current slower internet connection.

Tags: Carnaval, celebrations, food, friends, Isla de la Piedra, Mazatlan, Mexico, music, Stone Island, Tres Amigos RV Park

Where does the day go?  Where does the week go?  We have been busy with a variety of guests since January 31st and we have loved every minute of it.  Unfortunately after our Culiacan guests left late Tuesday afternoon, my body decided that enough was enough. I have been stopped in my tracks…literally!  That is all I can say right now.  I am now, very slowly, over the next few days planning to catch you up on our exciting life.

Life on the Isla has been perfect, the weather above normal which helped us entertain our guests.

Bob and Donna left here Feb. 7th and had a few great days in Alamos.  Unfortunately when they crossed into Nogales on Feb. 12th they were greeted with snow after a very thorough inspection by US Customs.  In addition to the schools being closed they reported that the palm trees were brown until they reached Tucson.

Mike & Terri Church did get their truck repaired and are now happily relaxing in San Miguel De Allende.

Marty & Stan got back to Montana with no further airline issues.

Chris in Monterrey is getting ready to head to New York ( my most favorite place in the world ) for a vacation.  I know that he and Juan are going to love it also.

Sadly Chris & Roger said adios this morning.  Only here two weeks and I think they did everything the Isla and Mazatlan had to offer in their short time here.  Certainly the local economy prospered.

Bob, Debra and Colin made sure the RV got out the gates safely. The best news of all is that Roger & Chris will be returning next February ( if not sooner ) and bringing some RV friends with them. We sure look forward to it.

Heriberto and Isela, along with son Christian and his girlfriend Alejandra safely arrived back in Culiacan about  7:40PM Tuesday. As we were on televideo a few hours per day while they were here with Heri  ( Heriberto’s eldest son ) in Mexico City it seemed like a very busy few weeks to me.  What?  Is that 14 people in 14 days????  No wonder my body is acting up!!  No wonder I might, just a slight possibility….be running out of vino blanco.

The party began the moment our Culiacan family stepped out of the car. It was only then that we discovered that only 4 of them were here for the Carnavale.  Heribertito was staying in DF as he had to work.  We had rented a 2 bedroom duplex here on the Isla for 50% of what the 2 local hotels were charging.  There are many places here on the Isla for rent at very economical prices.

We started our first evening with appies and lots of conversation.

Isela and Heriberto, a perfect sunset for their first evening here.

The second son, Christian and his girlfriend Alejandra.

Music and discussion around our fire pit which we did for the next 3 nights.

The first supper.....

Isela kept insisting on doing the dishes after each meal........as you can see I just wanted to party.

By the 3rd day I had to hire a few guys to tie her up so she would stay out of the kitchen.

...even our girls were worn out. Who ever heard of doxies falling asleep on top of the toy pile?

Stay tuned for more action shots……

Tags: Culiacan, Family, friends, Isla de la Piedra, pets, Stone Island, sunsets, Tres Amigos RV Park, US/Mexico border, vino

Our friends from Culiacan arrived mid afternoon Saturday to spend the Carnaval weekend here on the Isla de la Piedra.

We have been going non stop since then.  I promise lots of photos and fun times soon.

Tags: Carnaval, Culiacan, friends, Isla de la Piedra, Mazatlan, Mexico