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.