Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone! We are home in Alaska. It's 15 below zero and we're headed into to Anchorage to buy provisions for tonight and tomorrow. "Party on" into 2009, but please have a designated driver available for transport.

Tequila Ranch and Las Moras

We’re at 30,000 feet and I’m already losing my tan .... Donna and the ladies left this morning, before us. We said our goodbyes at the Villa, and wished them all safe travels and a Happy New Year. After the ladies’ departure, Angel and I returned to our suite, where we called the bell desk for bag storage, and then headed down to the grill for our last margarita and lunch. At the grill we said goodbye to our loyal servers Jesus, Carlos, and Chris. With full stomachs, and a tequila buzz, we boarded the air conditioned bus for the 45 minute ride to the airport. We arrived at the airport about two hours before departure. Check-in was a nonevent, and the plane arrived and left on schedule..

Since I have a little time to kill right now, I’ll revisit our tour to the Tequila Ranch and Hacienda Las Moras … After leaving the village of La Noria, Marco drove us back toward Mazatlan, and to a slightly lower elevation, where we entered through the gate of the Tequila Ranch. The ranch is easy to identify as it is fronted on the highway by a live cactus fence. The primary crop for the “ranch” is blue agave. Marco told us that a mature blue agave plant is about seven years old. The agave “ranchers” harvest the “heart” of the plant when it becomes mature. This portion of the plant kind of resembles a monster pineapple. The leaves of the blue agave are discarded. The heart is processed and then the pulpy liquid is fermented for up to 11 months in a series of large wooden barrels until ready for consumption. The result is a high quality, smooth tasting, “Reposado” grade tequila. Now, we couldn’t leave the “ranch” without tasting a bit of the stuff. Marco had a simple and tasty margarita recipe that he shared with us; Reposado tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, and grapefruit soda … salt around the rim … that’s it! We each downed two drinks. Susan and I also had a “traditional” shot with a little lime and salt. The ladies bought a few “bottles to go”, and then Susan posed for a photo under a beautiful 200 year old tree, before we boarded the van. We were feeling no pain as we rolled down the road to Rancho Hacienda Las Moras.

Las Moras is a mile or so off of the highway, and accessed by a bumpy, dusty, dirt road. You should drive slowly if you value the underparts on your vehicle. Las Moras sits in a small valley. You first view it from a scenic overlook, and then from a small white chapel that sits on top of a hill before you head down to the hacienda. I believe the posted photos show this detail.

The ranch has several “cabins” that rent for about $280 US per night. This price includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Las Moras is also a working ranch … horses, cattle, chickens, turkeys, goats, and sheep … maybe more. It’s fun to walk around the grounds and view it all. We passed through the main house and interior sitting area, then wandered around the pool, restaurant, and bar, before seating ourselves at a table. We were still full from La Noria and Tequila Ranch machaca, tortillas, and drink; but politely ordered a bowl of guacamole, some chips, fresh salsa, and cervesas.

We left Las Moras about 4:30 and were back at Emerald bay at 5:00. The ladies had plans to attend the Mexican Fiesta at the Playa Hotel. Angel and I had a “date” with some coconut shrimp at Playa Bruja. It had been a wonderful day. Now we would have an equally nice evening.

muy triste

We are sad to be leaving this morning. Our dinner at El Capitano was fabulous last evening. We were joined by Marco and his lovely wife, Miriam. Here are a few pics from yesterday. I will post more when we get back to Alaska. It is muy frio there today.

La Noria

This was a tour day in Mazatlan. Donna had arranged for Marco to take us to an outlying village, La Noria; the Tequila Ranch; and the Rancho Hacienda Las Moras (I think I’m close on this one???).

Angel and I met Donna, Jerri, and Susan at the Villa about 9:00. Marco arrived shortly after. We loaded into the van, and drove east from Emerald Bay, soon crossing the north-south four lane highway that stretches between Nogales and Mexico City. Gringos have a near straight shot on this well-maintained toll road from the states to Mazatlan.

After crossing the freeway, we drive on past small ranches and “orchards” of mangos. Marco tells us that there are about a dozen varieties of mangos grown in the area. The different types provide fruit at varying times throughout the year. The small ranches in the area raise beef and animal feed crops.

We stop briefly at a small “drink distribution center”. Here you can buy aqua in the bottle, sodas, and beer. Marco grabs the large cooler, positioned between he and I in the front seat. I go into the building with Marco. He greets a friend and orders a variety of drinks. The amigo opens the cooler, places into it a large block of ice, and then grabs a dangerous looking 12 inch ice pick, and starts whacking away at the chunk until it is chipped away into ice cube sized pieces. I check the guy’s hands and arms for old scars, or new wounds. He has completed this act swiftly and with great dexterity, but I can hardly believe he’s never impaled himself. No evidence of error though. I ask Marco, “Quanto es?”. He says, “Gimme a hundred, amigo.” I pull out a hundred pesos. Marco pays his buddy. Marco gets change, and hands it to me. He then grabs the, now full cooler, and we’re out the door.

Back in the van, Marco points us toward La Noria, a small village in the lower elevations of the Sierra Madre. He explains to the group the different types of reptiles, mammals, arachnids, and insects that live in the area. Reptiles include corral snakes, rattlesnakes, and Gila monsters (large iguana-like, but poisonous lizard). Mammals include cougar, jaguar, wild hogs, wild burros, and coyotes. Scorpions, black widow spiders, and other flying, or crawling thingies top off the list.

I ponder my slow and painful “death by snake or insect bite”, while the van moves on. We pass the Tequila Ranch that we will be visiting later. Marco makes the ranch the second stop of the trip, so he’s not guiding “drunk on their butts” gringos through the quiet streets of La Noria. Smart move.

We soon arrive in la Noria. It appears to be a “sleepy little place”; little traffic, and few people on the street at 10:00 in the morning. The streets are clean. The buildings are brightly painted, and seem to be well-maintained on the outside. Marco pulls over to the curb in front of, what he calls, “the hardware store”. We disembark the van, and go inside. In the “hardware store we find three gentlemen. Two are engaged in work, one is not. One man is constructing a leather sheath for a machete. Another appears to be the storekeeper, and is manning the counter. The final man is sitting on a stool and talking to the others. Marco greets the men, and then walks behind the counter where he begins pulling out animal furs, leather sandals and purses, sombreros, and various and sundry other items for our perusal. He then guides us through a door and into a “back store” area where we find a leatherworking operation in “full production”. It all kind of “blends together” looking back through my tequila haze of yesterday, but it seems to me that we wandered about viewing several pieces of leatherworking machinery, things that slice and stamp; then visited a saddler; and finally watched a “master” sandal maker (14 pairs in a day) work his magic. We then returned to the front of the store where we purchased some craft items. Angel and I picked up a “wall hanging”; wood carving with colorful dyed leather. Donna bought a few leather purses, sandals, and I think, a mask or carving. I’m not sure what Susan and Jerri bought as I was busy taking photos.

After the hardware store, we walked to the local butcher shop, where they were grilling strips of beef to be ground into a stringy, but very tasty affair called, machaca. We watched them grind the beef, and then walked next door, where we observed a tortilleria in action. The tortilleria is where tortillas are made. This particular “factory” store was a two-person operation and nearly fully automated. The “mass” of corn-based dough is loaded into the hopper of a large machine. The machine “swallows’ the dough, cutting and flattening it into six or eight inch diameter tortillas, which are then transported on a belt into an oven, where they are quickly baked. At the “finished” end of the process, the tortillas are hand stacked, weighed, and paper wrapped into one kilo bundles for sale. Very efficient, and pretty cool to watch!

Marco next led us into what appeared to be a private home, with a courtyard and room for rent. He spoke to the Senora owning the establishment. Marco then headed out to the courtyard where he picked up a long bamboo pole. He used the pole to dislodge ripe oranges from the tree, which were then “juiced” to provide fresh drink for our late morning lunch. Marco’s first attempt at getting the fruit resulted in a mishap that bruised his ego, as well as his cajones. Somehow, the pole got a little “spring” to it, and bounced back, doubling him over with an audible “eeeeeahhh”! I missed a good photo opportunity, but we all had good laugh at Marco’s expense. Being a tour guide in Mazatlan is dangerous work.

After Marco’s “accident’ we gave him time to recover, then seated ourselves at nicely placed table inside. We were served warm machaca, cheese, frijoles, corn tortillas, and salsa. The food was accompanied by fresh orange juice and a sweet red cold tea made from a type of flower (the name escapes me right now). To me, it tasted like a cross between cranberry and pomegranate. After our meal we continued on our “walking tour” of La Noria, visiting another saddler, more sandal makers, and the town cathedral, before returning to the van.

Our last stop in La Noria was a “pottery guy”. We drove up a narrow dirt road to a modest home where we were greeted by a “slightly wild looking”, but very friendly fellow and his cute little boy. He invited into his “outdoor studio” and began to pull out a few pieces of pottery, while talking to us in espanol. Marco disappeared. The “pottery guy” kept on gesturing and speaking. He then uncovered some fresh, moist clay which he had us “smell” for approval. Donna had been there before, so she explained that the clay was pure and free of organic materials, which would make it of lesser quality. The fellow had me stand on top off and overturned bowl to demonstrate the strength of the finished product. Marco soon returned and helped interpret while the gentleman made a bowl while we watched. The “pottery guy’s” trademark is the form of a scorpion on his finished pieces. This is accomplished by slapping a piece of wet clay down upon an unsuspecting scorpion, then making “it” a permanent part of the artwork.

The “pottery guy’s” little boy is a cutie and he entertained all of us with his antics. A photo of the little guy and his puppy is included in this post. We all enjoyed our time with the “pottery guy”, and Donna added a few pieces to her collection. I should note that the “pottery guy’s” family is very poor. Donna and Brittany generously donated some very nice children’s clothing to the family. I am sure that this generosity is much appreciated.

La Noria is a “must see” tour if you are visiting Mazatlan. I will post the “remainder” of our tour when I return home. Today is our final full day in Mazatlan. We will be leaving for our “real home” tomorrow, about noon. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing and posting photos about Mazatlan, over the past month. Take care, and “check-in” in a few days.

The Pelican Brief

We're heading off on a tour this morning, so here's a short summary of yesterday's events:

Walk ... pool ... conversation with Donna, Susan, and Jerri ... Jerri and Angel request photos of pelicans ... Matt complies ... photos taken ... back to the pool ... lunch in room ... back to the pool ... siesta ... Angel wants to ride "public transportation" downtown in late afternoon ... Donna and the girls off on an afternoon city tour with Marco ... Angel and I grab the shuttle and city bus ... try Te Amo Lucy's ... damn! Closed for the Holidays! ... Walk from Plaza to Moreno Pizza ... order up a medium Mexicana ...chorizo and jalapeno with lots of cheese and the best tomato sauce in the world ... dos cervesas ... 160 pesos with tip ... walk it off ... run into Donna, Susan, Jerri, and Marco at a Mexican wedding ... Festiva! ... they are headed to Pedro and Lola's ... we bid them Adios! until menana ... we walk to the Mercado ... catch the Sabalo Centro to PB Maz, then shuttle home ... go to Kelly's Bar for Happy Hour ... this last three hours ... meet Sandy from Chicago ... he's pissed off his twenty something daughters and esposa ... they've left him to his Scotch on the rocks ... Angel requests the piano player ... he appears as if out of hibernation ... I give him 100 pesos ... we drink, he plays ... Sandy tells us his life story ... we drink more ... the musica plays on ... about 10:30 we leave Sandy ... the pianist has called it a night ... we follow suit ... tomorrow will be a busy day.

Christmas Day

Christmas day was how it should be, quiet and peaceful. We arrived at the pool around 10:30 and “settled in” for the day. I had met Donna, Susan, and Jerri when “staking out” lounge chairs. They had changed plans yesterday and didn’t make it downtown. Instead, they had gone to Senor Frog’s for dinner. Neither, Angel or I have been to Senor Frog’s, so I cannot report on the food, atmosphere, or entertainment from our perspective. However, Donna and her family have been to the restaurant two or three times this trip, and have loved it. It sounds like it’s a bit raucous and fun, with good food and balloons! Note: Generally, in Mexico, if your experience includes balloons, you are having a blast!

Today the girls were lying low; Donna had scheduled a pedicure at the spa, Susan and Jerri were looking at painting up a storm at the pottery booth. Also, this morning Donna had continued her commitment to exercise at the gym. The gym facility is beautiful and as I may have stated previously, free for time share owners at Emerald Bay.

Most of the morning, I read, while Angel swam a few laps. Once or twice, I joined her in the pool for a brief dip, after heating up in the intense morning sun. Donna returned from her pedicure around noon and reported that she done a little “horse trading” at the spa, exchanging a hat for a “shampoo and blow”.

At lunch, Angel and I split a mango margarita and a Cobb salad from the pool grill. Chris, our wonderful server, recommended pineapple vinaigrette for dressing. The drink and salad were perfect, and provided a light lunch. Donna and the girls chose to go to La Cordeliere for lunch. I think they had Angelo’s Special Salad (not sure of the exact menu item name). Their report on the salad was “thumbs up”.

We all had plans to be together this evening, as Donna had invited us to Christmas dinner at Angelo’s, at the Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan. Angel suggested that since we would all be “dressed up”, that tonight would be a good time for me to take photos. Donna and the girls agreed to meet us near the beach at 4:45 for a photo shoot.

At around 3:30, Angel and I “quit” the pool and went up to our suite to prepare for the evening. We met Donna, Jerri, and Susan for photos at 4:45. I first shot them on the grass with the ocean in the background, and then moved to the beach for a few shots. The light was good and I managed to get a few catches that they should enjoy. After shooting at the beach we walked up to the lobby, taking a few “keeper shots” along the way. The girls posed by the Christmas tree, and in the veranda seats at Kelly’s bar, for a few additional photos. Susan snapped a couple of pictures of Angel and me, with my camera; then it was off to the Villa to have a little pre-dinner vino.

At the Villa, Donna offered us a nice glass or two of chard and zin. Marco arrived at the Villa mid-way through the “wine tasting”. As usual, he was in good spirits and ready to go. Yesterday, and today, he had been busy with cruise ship passengers and family medical concerns, but still managed to have the energy to deal with us “Gringos” on Christmas night. Marco is a tireless worker and a good fellow. He is highly recommended as a tourist guide when you visit Mazatlan. I will post Marco’s contact information later, if he approves.

At some point, we all loaded into the van, and headed off to Angelo’s. Arriving at the restaurant, we hop out of the van. Donna invites Marco to dinner. He graciously declines the offer, and tells her that he will meet us outside the restaurant in about an hour and a half. Marco missed a wonderful dinner.

Inside Angelo’s, we were immediately seated at beautifully arranged table for five. On this night, the entrée options were limited to turkey, Chilean salmon, or New Zealand lamb chops. The usual menu has a nice selection of Italian dishes, as the restaurant name might imply. Donna, Susan, and Jerri ordered the salmon; Angel and I ordered the lamb. Our servers first brought bread and a small aperitif on toast. This was followed by a delicious pumpkin soup, and then the main course. The presentation was wonderful, and the food exquisite. The dinner included a fancy apple tart and ice cream as dessert. After the meal, Donna and Jerri ordered Spanish coffee. I opted for a “high octane” regular. We all chatted, laughed, and just “enjoyed” being in the company of one another. As this Christmas Day in Mexico came to a close, we were “family”. I’m hoping that your day was as wonderful as ours.

Christmas Eve

After many years of enjoying the holiday season in either Mexico or Hawaii, I still have a difficult time “appropriately recognizing” those special days of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when they suddenly appear on my vacation calendar. It takes some effort to “change gears”, as every day in a resort area looks much the same as another. You tend to fall into a routine of exercise, activities, food, and drink.

Yesterday, we had a slow start. I walked down to the internet café to post the blog and send out an email Christmas greeting to friends and family. I returned to the suite. Angel was up and about, so we toasted bagels for breakfast and enjoyed the morning sun from the patio. We eventually migrated to the pool. Angel went for a swim. I read for awhile, and then joined her in the water. After the swim we dried off and relaxed on the lounges, talking, and just “enjoying” each other.

We both remarked that we couldn’t believe it was “already Christmas Eve”. Angel and I didn’t grow up in Alaska. We experienced the first half of our” lives to date”, in a place of four seasons, and severe winters, Montana. So, we tend to associate the Christmas season with snow and cold. But more importantly, this time of year, we have a distant, but powerful, “sensory” connection to our family and a “higher power”.

At about mid-day, after Angel had been absent in the pool on her second swim, and I had ordered two Pacificos, from Chris our server, I was given a “reminder” of Christmas. Our beer had just arrived on ice, and in a bucket. Angel appeared out of the pool and was drying off. The “activities hombre” was announcing a dart tournament at the activities center, over the loudspeaker. I asked Angel what our “plans” were for the afternoon. She thought for a second, and then remarked “Well, I thought we would play a round of Blackjack at the activities table, but they’re not offering it today … and anyway, it’s Christmas Eve.” My interpretation … Okay, Senor Matt, let’s make sure we “respect the day”.

Now, I’d like to say that we dumped out the beer, turned in the towels, and slithered off into a corner somewhere, to reflect and pray, but that didn’t happen. Angel is “capable” of that, but I’m not that “good”. I am Angel’s “life work”, and for that, I’m sure she will be rewarded handsomely in the end.

We did spend a quiet, alcohol free, afternoon at the pool. We ran into Donna, Susan, and Jerri. Susan and Jerri were painting pottery. Donna had been to the gym, working out. They were planning on heading downtown to the market and plaza. On Tuesday evening they had gone to Pancho’s for dinner and drinks. They had a wonderful time and great food. They were also “in recovery” from the magnum Mexican margaritas they had consumed that evening. Angel and I confirmed Christmas dinner plans with Donna before the ladies left for downtown. We will meet them at the Villa tonight, and then Marco will take us to Angelo’s, where we will enjoy the evening.

Angel and I split a Baja Chicken Roll from the grill for a late lunch, and then left for the room about 4:00. We caught the 5:00 shuttle into town, so we could attend the 6:00 Mass, in English, at a local cathedral. The service was well attended, with mostly “Gringos”, and a few Mexican families. It was “very warm” in the church, so we sat in the rear to get a little bit of the evening breeze. About the time the service began, a “couple” seated themselves directly behind us. Almost immediately, I could smell the reek of alcohol and tanning lotion wafting over us. Angel didn’t seem to notice. She is blessed with an insensitive nose. I was gagging, and wanted to move. These folks were “stinking” drunk, but we stayed put. Needless to say, I didn’t “enjoy” the service, but I “gutted it out”, and managed to control my tongue through the experience. That’s what “being good” is all about … I guess.

After church we walked to Juanita’s for Tortilla Soup and Tamales. There, we met a man and his daughter, who were sharing our table. Through our conversation we found out that he was an Air Force pilot … B-2 Stealth … a nice guy. He had just made “Light Colonel”. Angel later commented that he looked like he was 20 years old, but he had told us that he had just four years to finish his “twenty”, so he had to be 35. We didn’t get his name, but “the Colonel” had completed two tours in Iraq. For this we thanked him, and for this we are thankful.

The food at Juanita’s was authentic Mexicana, and fantastic, as usual. The total bill, with tip, 100 pesos! Merry Christmas everyone! We love you all!

The Minnesota

We split nachos and Pacifico for lunch at the pool yesterday. The weather is holding while most everyone else is in the “deep freeze” in el norte. Emerald Bay is significantly less crowded this Christmas week than I remember from the past years. The economy is showing. Our afternoon was spent on the beach or at the pool, snapping photos, walking and swimming, and talking with Donna and her friends. Angel and I left the pool about 3:30 for another walk, and then hit the suite for a siesta. About 5:00, we went to the Deli to pick up some milk and cheese, and then returned to get ready for our evening out. Exciting stuff!

We caught the 7:00 shuttle to PB Mazatlan. The bus was less than half-full, and Ernesto, the driver was hot to stay on schedule, so we were at the Pueblo Bonito by 7:15. After arriving at the PB Mazatlan, we went inside and looked at the Holiday menus offered at Angelo’s restaurant, on premises. Angelo’s offers very nice dinners on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. We will be sharing Christmas dinner with Donna, Jerri, and Susan, at Angelo’s, so photos of the “event” and my “unbiased” opinion of the service, presentation, and quality of the meal, will follow. Angelo’s is a classy place, so I’m expecting my report will be a “glowing” one.

Angel and I left PB Mazatlan and walked toward Zona Dorada until we reached the Fiesta Inn and Fat Fish where we veered hard left, walking past the Minnesota Hotel and Restaurant. We walked down the street two blocks through a residential area, and then turned left into a large plaza. We were now on the grounds of a large cathedral. We had attended mass at this church in past years, and wanted to find out when the church offered their English service on Christmas Eve. The place was dark, and initially, there were no signs posted, that we could see, listing services. We wandered around the building a bit, and finally found a sign in espanol, that with a little careful interpretation told us English mass was at 6:00. With that chore behind us, we decided to walk back to the Minnesota for dinner.

The Minnesota is another “funky” and “very authentic” establishment. It consists of a small hotel, with pool, and a restaurant. The clientele consists of expats, Canadian and American “Snowbirds”, a few tourists, and Mexican families. I’m not sure what you pay for a room there, but I’m guessing somewhere in the $45 to $65 a night range. Nothing fancy, but the place is clean and well-kept. Angel and I discovered the restaurant a few years ago when we arrived in Mazatlan on Christmas Eve and there were few places open for dinner. We wandered through the doors of the Minnesota and found it to be a pleasant surprise! The inside seating consists of about eight tables. The décor is interesting and could be described as “Mexican gift shop eclectic” as everything on the walls or shelves surrounding you is for sale. Last night, there were a couple of male expat types seated at one table, and we were across the room at another. Shortly after we were seated and ordered our appetizer, a tourist family of five arrived, and they were seated between us and the expats. The atmosphere was quiet, fairly private, and pleasant.

Angel and I ordered the shrimp ceviche as an appetizer. We both then ordered marlin tacos. I had a Pacifico. Angel ordered a bottled water. The ceviche arrived on a large plate, accompanied by warm chips and saltines in a separate bowl. The presentation was not fancy, but the stuff wasn’t just thrown on the plate. The ceviche consisted of small ice cold pieces of raw fresh shrimp, diced onion, diced jalapeno, diced red pepper, diced cucumber, and chopped cilantro, all drenched in lime juice. The acid in the lime juice “cooks” the shrimp. The flavors blend together perfectly, and man oh man, is this stuff good on chips! The ceviche is a meal in itself, so Angel and I were thinking that maybe we had overdone it just a bit … and we had … but what the hey!

We finished up the ceviche and were licking our lime soaked fingers, when the marlin taco plates arrived. Once again, nice presentation, functional, but not overly fancy. Here’s the good part … all this stuff is made from scratch at the Minnesota. Nuttin’ out of the package at this place … very authentic … very good! Our marlin plates each had three marlin tacos in soft corn tortillas. The tacos are served “naked”, no goodies, but stuffed with cooked marlin. On this you squeeze fresh lime. Mmmmmm! Next to the tacos on the plate were two additional “from scratch” items, fresh quacamole and fresh refried frijoles. Both with a perfect consistency and temp, cool for the quacamole and warm for the beans. “Mixers” can add these to their tacos. You can also ask for fresh salsa, if you’d like. I like my tacos “traditional” when I’m in this place, so I just squeeze on the lime, and then dab away at the stuff on the side with chips.

What a great meal! And, by the way, the Minnesota keeps their 20 peso beer ice cold. The total for our meal at the Minnesota was 240 pesos (about $20 US). That included my customary 20% tip. Feliz Navidad!

Adios Amigos and the Hot Tub Experience

Yesterday started out cool and overcast. We went for our walk about 7:00, and then returned to our room to shower prior to meeting Drew and family for breakfast at La Cordeliere. When we arrived at the restaurant, Drew, Brittany, and the kids were seated outside. This was their last morning at Emerald Bay. Donna, and her friend Susan, soon arrived from the Villa and we ordered our breakfast. Angel and I ordered from the menu, the others had the daily breakfast buffet. The buffet is wonderful, with much of the food prepared fresh with ingredients of your choice. Angel and I only order off the menu as we tend to eat more than we need to when offered the “big spread”. The others in the group this morning are better able to exhibit self-control.

On this “final” morning for some, we engage in joyful conversation, “it was fun’s”, “take care’s”, and “safe travel’s” … until next year … all of it genuine and sincere. We’ve become good friends in our brief, but “condensed”, time together over the past two years. I’ve really enjoyed my time with the family … the pool, dinners, bird hunting, four-wheeling, joking and roughhousing with the boys, the smile of the “little Princess”, Brittany’s photos and conversation, and watching Drew be a great dad and husband through it all

I reluctantly say goodbye to the family. I offer “fist pops and man-hugs” for the boys and Drew. I give Brittany a hug and tell her “to keep these guys on the straight and narrow”. I will miss all of you as we go our separate ways, and I’m looking forward to our reunion next December. Angel offers her hugs and goodbyes to the family. She is thankful that Drew, Brittany, the kids, have “adopted” me in her absence.

Donna is “staying on”. She and I are the “lucky ones”, the privileged few, who have the entire month of December to relax and reflect. She is joined this week by friends, Susan and Gerri.

Angel and I stayed at the beach and pool for the entire day after breakfast. We completed our day in the dark, at the upper “hot tub”, polishing off a couple of happy hour margaritas. The “hot tub” was a “good idea at the time”, but proved to be a mistake in the end. We were seeking quiet and romance, but found annoying, but somewhat amusing, family strife. Some “new arrivals” were in the spa. The father struck up conversation with me early on. He was quite a talker. Then his wife arrived. She didn’t put much space between her words either. Finally, their somewhat inebriated early twenty something daughter arrived at the spa. Mom and dad “shutdown” while the daughter explained to Angel and me, the “family condition”. Mom was “step-mom”. Dad and she had just gotten married last January. They had done this informally, by running off without the blessing of the children from “both” sides. This trip was apparently a Christmas gathering to “heal” the January transgression … mom (step-mom), dad (step dad), and the kids from both families at a nice place … kumbiya. Anyway, the “whole thing” made Angel and I feel a bit uncomfortable, as we were learning far more than we wanted to know. I was getting requests for family counseling, so we excused ourselves, and silently left as the family continued to “yabble” with one another. They will likely avoid eye contact with us tomorrow at the pool.

Sunday

Yesterday, Angel and I started our day with a walk around Emerald Bay, and then settled in at the pool until about 12:00. At 12:30 we attended the church service offered at the resort each Sunday. We were joined by about twenty other tourists, a couple of employees, and a local priest who speaks no English. The majority of Mexicans are roman catholic, so this is the “only game in town” if you wish to attend church, and not leave the resort. The Mass is held on the veranda outside of Kelly’s Bar. On this Sunday, one of the bilingual tourists in attendance did a great job of interpreting the service for the congregation. Emerald Bay only lists the catholic Mass in the printed information they give you when you arrive. It would be nice if they would list the availability, locations, and times of services for non-catholic churches in Mazatlan. I’m guessing that a nondenominational type of service, if it were offered at Emerald Bay, would be popular.

After the service we returned to our room, jumped back into our pool wear, and headed downstairs looking for sun and lunch. We decided to try the new poolside grill. It had opened for business on Saturday. I grabbed a menu. We decided to try the Cinco de Mayo pizza … 120 pesos … chorizo, jalapenos, and cheese, with tomato; add on a couple of margaritas, por favor! When the pizza arrived, it was as expected … fresh out of the oven hot, perfect crust, four nice slices, and very, very tasty. The margaritas came as ordered … on the rocks, in tall salted glasses. We enjoyed our pizza, the drinks, and just “being” with each other.

Later in the afternoon, we left the pool and went over to the Villa’s to visit Brittany and the boys. I wanted Angel to see Brittany’s photos of their dogs and horses before the family leaves today. I watched Garfield II and “rough housed” with River and Range, while Angel and Brittany looked at pics on the computer. Brittany loves taking photos, and she has a number of “catches” in her collection that would award winners.

We left our friends about 5:00, deciding to take a short siesta before going into town for dinner. At around 7:00 we take the EB shuttle to PB Mazatlan. It’s not crowded, and we have our choice of seats. Arriving at PB Mazatlan, we walk a short distance down the street to the “Fat Fish”, a funky little restaurant where they do a nice job of grilling ribs and shrimp. We opt to sit inside to avoid the noise from traffic and enjoy a little privacy. When the waiter arrives, I order a Sol (beer) and Angel has bottled water. We both order the “house special”, your choice of ribs, shrimp, or fish with a baked potato and slaw. I get the ribs, Angel has the garlic shrimp. Total cost with drinks came to 185 pesos, 220 with tip. This was a “nice” meal for two, for less than $20 US.

We ended our day with a short walk, then a little TV in the suite. Another great day in Mexico!