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Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Pulmonia tour of the city with Willie.

 

Yesterday we were off on a city tour with Pat's long time good friend and pulmonia driver Willie.  We'd heard good things and we were not disappointed.  We we were picked up just after 10am and off we went.



Erika up front and Abby and I in the back.  

Willie is a fountain of information and he pointed out the most expensive hotels in the golden zone as we passed through.  The traffic was medium but by Thursday he said it will be packed due to Semana Santa or Easter week...the biggest holiday in Mexico.  However, he will continue to do tours.  
A gorgeous day as we rode along the malecon.  

Here we're at the south end where the fishermen bring in their catch. Willie explained the monuments and what they represented.  Do I remember everything...nope!




                      My favorite statue!


          The statue that celebrates woman.
This is the shield of Mazatlan and Willie explained the significance of all the pictures depicted on it.  


The first school in Mazatlan, restored after 140 years.  Primara Josepha Ortiz de Dominguez.







Photo op with El Faro in the background. 


Willie thought we should have our photo taken with the beatles.  Why are there statues of them here in Mazatlan?  Ask Willie because it's quite interesting!


Turning up into centro...what a beautiful street. 


We had a quick stop at the Cathedral and I took a couple of photos but we were quiet as many people were praying. 

Catedral Basilica de la Immaculada Concepcion.  Built between 1866 and 1899.  Home of the Roman Catholic Diocese. 

The church sits across from Revolution square...need something to drink?


Another beautiful old restored building.  

We are now on top off Ice Box hill where you have the most spectacular views of Mazatlan.  In the far distance at the north end of the malecon you can see Valentinos. 


The Tres Islas. Isla de Pajaros (birds) Isla de Venados (deer) and Isla de Lobos (wolves. 

You can see Olas Altas or large waves.  Garbage or basura is a big issue here in Mexico.  

Next stop back into centro and the flower ladies.  


Exquisite and so fresh....need a wreath?


And....now the shrimp ladies.  Big, medium, small and cleaned or uncleaned. 

I asked Willie to pick a favorite Mexican restaurant and he chose Chayito's Cenaduria which is the downtown and first Chayitos.  


Willie's a funny guy and we had a great conversation about family at lunch.  

We started with chips and excellent salsa and I ordered a bowl of guacamole too.  By the time I got my tortilla soup with chicken I was almost full.

Erika, Abby and Willie had enchiladas suiza or chicken enchiladas in a creamy red sauce.  Most of the girls enchiladas came home with us.  Delicious. 


After lunch we could have gone back to the Pino Suarez market for a walk around but...we were full and tired so we headed home.  Willie decided we should see the Mazatlan Convention centre mural which is at the Cerritos or north end of town just past the Liverpool mall.  
According to the Guinness Book of records this is the largest mural in the world.  A three dimensional mosaic of the work called the Sea of Cortez.  Eric and I came to see it just after the convention center  was opened in 2010.  Impressive. 
The convention center is artwork in itself and can hold up to 4500 people.  

And we're done and heading home.  The tour was almost 4 hours including lunch and we saw much more than I took photos of.  We traveled from Cerritos to the very south end and the ferry docks, up the mountains and into centro.  Very worthwhile for all of us.  I may know where a lot of things are but I don't know the significance.  
  
Willie bought us a bag of Mazatlan marshmallows when we were in centro.  Delicious and very coconutty.  
Thanks for a great tour Willie...I'd recommend you to anyone who wants to know something about the history and beauty of Mazatlan!





Sunday, March 24, 2024

Liverpool for some shopping and then Torres for dinner.

Yesterday Erika, Abby and I were off to the Liverpool Mall.  I was there a few times when it opened years ago but haven't been in a long while.  But....ladies like to shop. 😁

We needed to catch the Pradera bus and it came, I didn't see the sign and we missed it.  At the same time a pulmonia driver was hot to give us a ride so...we finally got in.  13 pesos each for the bus and...150 pesos for the pulmonia ride.  Ridiculous but what can you do as it was a spur of the moment thing. 

A stop in Starbucks for a coffee and fruit drink for the gals and we were off to shop.  A high end mall with lots of North American stores.  As Erika and Abby are six feet tall  I didn't think they'd find anything but....I was wrong!  American Eagle is one of their favorites and they both found a few things and me too in another store.  We finished up with a pizza to share and...a bus ride home...13 pesos each😁

Here we are heading off down the street for dinner at Torres.  Abby's wearing her new jumpsuit.  

Three long legged people and me trailing behind!


We arrived at 5 as happy hour is from four to six.  Margaritas for Abby and Erika. 

That's my mojito.

A beautiful venue and the sun was just setting. 

Abby and Erika shared calamari and a shrimp/octopus ceviche...very good but they said not as good as the one at La Marea on Thursday. 


Erika finished up with a wedge salad and Abby's chicken sandwich and fries went home with her. 


I had a tuna salad and was disappointed as the tuna was dry and a bit tough.  The one Diane had at La Marea on Thursday was much better. 

Eric loves Marlin tacos so that's what he had. 
As always the wait staff is friendly and efficient.  We had a long happy hour and then dinner...no problem, stay as long as you want.  Surprisingly it was not very full for a Saturday night.  Perhaps they were between flights as it is a short stay time share resort.  

A lovely evening trek home and....it wasn't even 8pm.