Day 24

The bus picked us up at 8:00 am to take us to breakfast and a tour of the city of Mazatlan. Breakfast was a fantastic buffet at the Riviera Hotel overlooking the beach. We were treated to fresh squeezed orange juice, lots of fresh fruit, custom built omelets and dozens of other foods. 

Tail gunners Jan and Ray in front of the hotel.

Afterwards our bus took us along the 23 kilometers of beachfront including a stop to watch the cliff divers dive 45 feet down into a treacherous cove. There were several other stops along the way including the old harbor where cruise ships and ferries dock. 






James, Phil and Archie trying on hats.



 







Then in the downtown area we took a couple of walking tours. One was walking through the “Mercado Centro”, which covers a full city block. It is like an indoor flea market that has aisles of everything from souvenirs, clothing, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and fish. Everyone came back to the bus with bags of stuff that they bartered and shopped for. From there, we had another walking tour of one of the central squares where there was a museum, the opera house, restaurants and a unique leather mask art gallery.  



 


The last stop on our tour was at the shrimp market where there were barrels of fresh shrimp. Our guests loaded up on giant shrimp and we headed back to the RV Park. 







 
When we arrived, Luis the barber and his daughter were waiting for us to give haircuts to those that were in need of one. Our social hour gathered around the haircutting. 

Ray and Jan

Day 23

The Morning was spent by Clary and Conrad changing the wheel seal on our Rig. Great thanks to Conrad for his expertise and willingness.

Later, in the afternoon, we were treated to a wonderful production by the children’s shelter of the Salvation Army. The children were great in their singing and dancing.  The setting was at the Mazatlan marina, and it was well represented by those at the Marina and our group.

Mary Jo, Lynda and Jack enjoying the festivities.

Entertainers at Las Serapes.

Our Mexican fiesta was held at Las Serapes that evening. We were bussed there and had a meal of a typical Mexican buffet.  There was a show put on for us after supper. The singing by some of the entertainers was wonderful. 

Clary and Lynn

Day 22

After settling into our luxury motorcoach we headed toward the Sierra Madre Occidental, inland from Mazatlán. Today we explore several towns in the foothills.

There is some major road construction taking place in this region. From the international airport, a bypass will provide a direct route to the Emerald Bay resort region, north of the congested city. A new highway east to Durango will complete a commercial artery to Durango and on to Galveston, Texas in the United States.

We took the original highway toward Durango. As it climbs from the coastal plain the curves began. This is the kind of road to make us appreciate having an experienced local driver. As beautiful as the scenery is, it would be hard to enjoy if we had to concentrate on driving our rigs along the road.

Colorful Malpica

Our first stop of the morning was the town of Malpica. Here we walked down a cobblestone street past brightly painted houses.

Fresh Pan Dulce

Our noses announced that we had arrived at the bakery. Fresh Pan Dulce (sweet bread) was cooling on racks after coming out of the brick oven.

You might think we had not eaten for a week (not a likely chance on this tour!) the way folks anxiously bought the delicious breads.

Creating Tiles

One of many designs

We walked across the street behind an unassuming small house to learn how unique floor tiles are colored and manually pressed using a long lever. This artisan has been practicing his craft for more than thirty years.

Along the road to our next stop, the city of Concordia. We stopped at a local furniture manufacturing operation. Beautiful cabinets, chairs and tables are built using a variety of local woods. Many of the pieces are hand carved with nice designs.

In Concordia, our bus parked across the street from an enclosed area where dances and festivals are celebrated, and right in front of the municipal jail. Several of us could not resist the opportunity to walk inside, past the bars – perhaps recalling our mis-spent youth?

Our guide led us to the municipal building where there are a series of murals depicting the history of the region from the time of the Aztecs. On display is one of the few petroglyphs from pre-Columbian times. A local reporter took a number of pictures to go with a story about tourism in the area. If any of you happen to read the local Concordia newspaper, let us know if you recognize our picture.

Street in Copala

We visited the town square and church. In the square is a huge rocking chair celebrating the furniture industry in the region. Several people climbed onto it for a picture opportunity (anyone remember "Edith Ann").

We left Concordia behind as we climbed higher into the Sierra Madre to Copala, once a thriving mining town dating form the mid-1700s.

It was past mid-day when we arrived at Daniel's Restaurant, a lovely open-air venue. The tortilla chips disappeared fast and our Mexican lunch filled the remaining hollow. But wait, there was more. The specialty of the house is a Coconut-Banana-Cream Pie. Somehow, everyone found a place for one more bite.

St. Josephs – Completed in 1774

Incredible Masks

After lunch we strolled up the street past quaint homes and shops to the town square. On the edge of the square is a place specializing in something unique. An artisan creates fantastic masks of colorful leather. The designs are quite unusual and reminiscent of costumes from Cirque du Soleil.

Ken & Carole

We returned to our homes on wheels late in the afternoon. We all were tired but enriched with another facet of this culture.

Day 21

“On the Road Again” but not with Willie Nelson, but with 38 wonderful Adventure Caravaners. As everyone wakes, there is the hustle and bustle of hooking toads and trailers as plans are being made to leave the beautiful beaches of Las Glorias and make our way to Mazatlan.   

 

As we travel along the highway, it is obvious that modern farming co-exists with old fashioned methods.  Cattle are being fed in feed lots, and close by a cowboy is herding a group of cattle or goats. 

Airplanes are spraying the crops and fertilizer is being incorporated into the irrigation systems.  At a rest stop just outside Guasave, Rico, a local, said that a frost had killed a lot of the farmers' corn and vegetables.  We begin to notice evidence of the frost the farther we traveled. 

Several hours later, we crossed the “Tropic of Cancer” just before we arrived at our destination, “Las Jaibas RV Park” in Mazatlan.  After getting situated in our new Park, we settled down to enjoy our Social and make plans for tomorrow.

James and Gail

Day 20

We left at 8:45 AM via ride share for an optional tour to Bird Island.  We were divided into three groups into panga boats for an adventurous ride to the Island.  The boat ride took about an hour.  Enroute we saw many species of birds i.e.  pelicans, cormorants, cara cara, herons sitting in trees along the water route.  But what an awesome sight awaited us once we landed and began walking around the Island. 


 



 

 
Numerous species of very large and small birds were spread all over the Island.  Some of the largest nests many of us had ever seen were everywhere. Birds where everywhere the eye could see.  Many birds were nesting, others had already given birth to 2/3 chicks.  Some nests had several eggs in the nest with momma sitting on them.  There were a few nests where momma had left the nest briefly, and we could see the chicks alone.  Some of our group had brought along their bird books and were able to identify and tell us about some of the birds at this very special Island.    

  

After we left and got back into the pangas, we set out for Shell Island.  We had a nice lunch prepared by the Staff of the RV Park.  After lunch, it was like a treasure hunt with many walking all over the Island to find shells.  There was a great variety of shells and many had remembered to bring some bags to hold their new treasures.  

We got back into the pangas and back to the RV Park. Casa sweet Casa. We ended the day with a Margarita Social, plenty of goodies to munch on, and some Information given to us by our Wagon Master on other trips available from Adventure Caravans.   

Mari and Mark

Day 19

This is our first time we are on a caravan or into the interior of Mexico, for that matter.  According to fellow travellers, the road standards have improved, although we are taking toll-roads wherever possible.  Some of them even have shoulders, but there is construction and detours.  Closer to Mazatlan, the roads are better, but tolls are higher.  Free roads are narrow and many potholes.  Water is quite accessible where ever we went, but we had to buy potable water and bottled water to drink.     


The staff at Adventure Caravan was very accommodating, helpful and knowledgeable.  We were lucky to have double staff because the 30 day and 49 day tours were joined until the 30 dayers leave us to go back toward Nogales again, and we cross over on the ferry to the Baja.  We enjoyed the comraderie of some very nice people.  A trip to remember for some time to come.  If we ever go on another caravan, we will be going with Adventure Caravans.


Two days ago, we had some life lessons on how not to go around traffic circles and also got a taste of  good White Lightening from Tennessee.  Smoooth.

 
 


Today was to be a free day. Some of us went into Gusave to get some needed things with Horatio.  

 








Tonite, we had a seafood dinner on the beach with Mexican music and dancing.   Fun for all.