Mazatlan

We once again sleep soundly and are woken to the sound of room service knocking.  They are 15 minutes early (8:15 - requested 8:30-9) but they are busy and probably just getting a jump on things.  I roll over and wait for alarm to go off while Bernie sips his tea.

Today we slather on the sunscreen (using the 60 SPF now) so we don't get fried. There is a light breeze and the sun is out in full force and it can be misleading.

We meet Lydia and Marco at Vines and we head ashore.  Here in Mazatlan you dock at their industrial pier.  So you will see containers ready for shipping all over the dock.  Becausse of this it is not safe to walk to the gate so there is a small train shuttle with benches that shuttles people back and forth.  It is very efficient and fast and we have never had to wait for one. 

Once we jump off the shuttle we are ushered into the maze of the shops and people selling tours, taxis, tastings for tequilla, and time shares.  We focus and just keep walking to the gate.

We are heading back to Stone Island and we are heading there independently.  We exit the gate and turn left.  Keep walking till the end of the street (maybe 10 minutes if that).  You will see a Naval Base on your left when you come to the end and a path with fences on both sides. 

There is a sign that says Stone Island Water Taxi.  Just walk down the path and buy your ticket from the booth.  Today I paid more attention to the cost.  Written right on the wall is the price 30 Pesos for a round trip.  Which technically should be $1.50 US at the bank exchange rate of 20% but we rarely get that.  Here the conversion is $2 US for 30 Pesos.  No biggie we will survive.  Last week we paid with a $5 bill and got change back so that makes sense.  Again we wish we would of had more pesos instead of being hit with the exchange twice for the 3 weeks.

We walk to the Carmelitas again and we are welcomed and take four lounge chairs and two umbrellas facing the beach.  It is so beautiful here.

We get a bucket of beer and two margaritas! 

We spend the next four hours or so chatting with Lydia and Marco and enjoying the tranquility.  We do get some food but not much.

One tip is make sure you get the menu and keep it to track what you are spending. Again when you see the bill you may want to double check that they have not overcharged.

Aroung 2:30 we start making our way back to the ferry and there is a ferry that is just about to leave but waits for us.  The ride across the channel takes maybe five minues.

Note you can take a taxi to Stone Island (which is really a peninsula).  But a taxi will take a long time as it has to travel all away around the harbour and will cost a lot of money.

If you want to travel into town it is easy too and walkable.  In fact they have made it easy for tourists to head into town by painting a Blue Line on the sidewalk as soon as you exit the pier that leads you to downtown. 

Also there are many expat volunteers at the gate that can answer your questions without any pressures - seek them out.

Once back on board we shower and decorate the bottom of our shower with sand.  Bernie falls asleep while I read.

Tonight is the Most Travelled Cocktail Party and this voyage we have moved up again we are the fourth most travelled couple.  The party is like the other two, but the best part about the party is Colleena who is a hoot!  This time we get a picture wtih the new Captain who just came on board Captain Pomata. 

We head to the Horizon Court afterwards and the theme tonight is Italian Night.  It is busy up here even at 8 pm.  Food is very good and the waiters are quite attentive and helpful.

After the meal we are up on the sun deck to partake in the Love Boat Disco Deck Party that is always a good time.  We dance the night away and even make it onto the Kiss Kam - and Lisa Ball even calls out our name when we appear!  She is a sweetie.

Sidenote: the Intertaional Cafe is improving.  The other day I noticed a Head Waiter down there directing staff and overseeing them.  It improved imensely.  The staff are good but they need direction.  Lets hope it continues.

Duke our Cruise Director has fallen ill a few days ago and Lisa Ball the Entertainment Director had stepped in to take over. But today in Mazatlan Duke was sent home due to illness.  We wish him well.  A new Cruise Director will be coming on in Los Angeles.

Mazatlan - Relaxing Day

I had a night of minimal sleep.  Not really sure why but I was awake at 4 am and tossed and turned.  When Bernie woke at 8:30 he turned and said that we should just stay on.  I know he is right.  I need to sleep or I will not be a good travel companion and my patience will be minimal.  And we were here last week and had a great day and we are back next week too.

Bernie dressed and went out and I rolled over and feel asleep finally.

There is an Crew Emergency Drill happening and they make announcements that can be heard in the cabin so it is hard to sleep too much but I sleep in between announcements.

When I finally woke at 11 we both doned our bathing suits and lots of sunscreen and went up to deck 16 forward where there was no one and settled in.

It is very hot and we needed to cool off periodically in the pool.  Oh and the pools were cold but once we were in it was perfect and we were so very hot getting in so anything would of been cold.

The new group of dancers on board are practicing the Love Boat Disco Deck Party - boy that must be hot.

We relax in the sun for quite a few hours.  Lots of sunscreen!  I am not getting burned in odd spots like last week.  And there are a lot of people walking around with bad sun burns.

I wander around and take some pictures of the area from ship so that I can later put up more detailed information on where things are and how to get to it from the ship.

Around 3 we head back to the cabin to shower and tidy up.  We decide to head to the Happy Hour in the Wheelhouse bar.

Happy Hour means you buy one drink at full price and you get the exact same drink for a $1.  It is busy but not as crazy as it is when we are at sea where it is crazy!  Dominique takes care of us -- yes she has moved from Crooners to Wheelhouse this voyage. 

Jerry joins us for drinks.  I had the Captain's Bounty and after two I am feeling good!

Happy Hour last two hours which is kind of long.  It isn't like I can drink more than two drinks anyhow but I guess it gives people more time to enjoy a drink at least.

Even though we stayed on, there are a lot of activities happening if you want to stay busy. 

Things happening are Morning Trivia, Movie Jason Bourne, Pictionary, golf putting challenge, carpet bowl challenge, 80's music trivia, afternoon tea, and Mariachi sailaway party.

After happy hour we head back to the cabin to change for the evening.

The Most Travelled Cocktail Party is happening at 7 pm in Adagio.  It is exactly the same as last week.  We pose for a picture, we say hi to some of the officers and we take a seat.  Today we are sitting with Gidea the Crew Manager and the Future Cruise Consultant (sorry forgot her name).  It is nice to chat with them and we know so many people that they do.  We also enjoy learning more about South Africa.

After the party we decide to head down to Salty Dog again.  It is 8 pm so there is no problem getting in.  In fact for most of the meal we are the only people there.  The meal was really good.  This time I had the soup and grilled cheese and then the mini burger - but we can't finish it all, we are stuffed. 

Tonight there doesn't seem to be a lot happening but that could just be us as we were on last week so some things we don't want to see again. 

Events tonight are:  Showtime is vocal stylings of Rebecca Jean The Girl from Oz.  Love Boat Disco Deck Party Dance Class in club fusion, Comedy Showtime at 7 and 8:45 of A. J. Jamal, Effy is having a party, $500 Blackjack Tournament, Karaoke, Love Boat Disco Deck Party.

Oh it was Italian Night in the dining room.

For us we wander around a bit after dinner but we both agree to just call it a night and head back to the cabin to relax - but we are asleep just before 10:30.  Guess we needed it.

Mazatlán

Today room service is delivered right on time.  We tried the online order last night.  It was easy to complete and it is exactly like the paper one but no worry of it not getting picked up or taken. Once you place the order you receive a confirmation.

We dock early (7 am) but we are meeting up with Paula until 9:30.  Oh first I should apologize I have been calling Paula by the name Lisa by accident, even referred to her in my blog by Lisa yesterday.  I will go back and correct it later. 

But today I got it straight – we now call her Lisa/Paula.
We get off and jump on the trolley that takes you from the ship to the pier shops and gate. 

As soon as we step off the trolley we are approached by many people selling us tours, timeshares, taxis, tequila, t shirts and everything else as you walk the gaulette to the exit. 

But we make it, but if you are interested you can buy tons of things here.

Today we are heading to Stone Island.  Prior to today I did some research and found out how easy it is to go to Stone Island independently. The ship does have a tour here and I am sure it is great but we are looking for a totally different experience. 

So as soon as you exit the pier turn left, walk along the sidewalk for about five minutes. 


You will come to the end of the road and on your left is a secure area that looks like a military compound – obviously don’t go there. 

But straight ahead is a sign that says Stone Island and a path, walk down it for a few minutes and you come across a building that sells the tickets.  It was 30 pesos each for a return ticket.  We walk down to the pier and board the little boat (they have lifejackets). The ride is very very short.

When you get off the boat just follow the path to the beach and find a nice place to lounge and have a drink or food.

For us we stopped at Carlittas. Alex came down and talked to us and it looked good so we took up three lounge chairs and an umbrella.

Victors (which was recommended quite a bit on other sites) was just two restaurants away but it was not open today (it may just be open on weekends).

So this is where we hung out for the rest of the day.  Bernie got a bucket of beers, I got a margarita and we got food a little later on.

Service was great, food was good, drinks were cold and Alex even replenished the ice for our drinks too. There are clean washrooms here too and even a shower.

When we were ready to go we just walked back to the pier and a boat was there (but I am sure you would not have to wait long).

We got off the boat at 3:05 and we were on board the ship at 3:20 so it is not far.