By this Author: kwtraumer

The last two days we’ve been very lazy. Getting most of our steps in walking to and from the laundromat twice. Return is over a kilometre, not all that far but in the heat and humidity, the 1/2 hour walk takes us an hour to recover. We spent a lot of time resting, reading, eating and hanging out at the beach.

I finished A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman and was thankful my hat and sunglasses covered my weepy eyes. Such a glorious book.

Dave and I on our way to dinner

The iPhone photos I took didn’t do justice to this massive moon that appeared over the hill. Trust me it was gorgeous!

Reading: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, 5*
Listening: The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves. Still.
Notable Nourishment: Red pepper cream soup
Bevvies: Jose Cuervo Agave Azul

After 8 days, we finally made it to the beach. Due to the high winds, swell, surf, and sheer laziness we didn’t go into the ocean. Instead we lazed about in the shade and read our books, for hours

The rest of the day was spent drinking, eating, and hanging out on the balcony.

Why do we spend so much time on our balcony - look at these views

Monday was back to Rico’s for some delicious breakfasts

Napping, reading, eating, and you guessed it more time on the balcony, where we watched both the sunset and the full moon rise

Reading: Ghost Hunter by Jayne Ann Krentz- a fine paranormal romance. Looking forward to a new book tomorrow!
Listening: The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves. Still.
Notable Nourishment: Rico’s pastry, yummy
Bevvies: Whiskey cream-vodka orange-way too much ice resulting in a very watered down drink. It’s been very tough to get beverages here without ice.

We started the day with a plan to go shopping. By the time we were finished breakfast it was 11:30 and we decided it was too late to go. Neither of us was particularly upset about postponing the trip. Instead we donned our swimmers and headed poolside. We stayed in the shade for several hours braving gale-force winds. Now obviously I’m exaggerating, but they must have been at least 30kph.

We didn’t brave the unheated pool. It sat in the shade most of our stay and we figured we’d never warm up once we got out of the pool. So true to our all-inclusive vacation habits, after several hours of reading and nearly falling asleep we ordered food to our loungers. Did I happen to mention we were sitting at the iguana bar. As soon as the food was delivered we were joined by these three beauties. I was fine with them until the big guy started staring at my toes. When we didn’t give them any food I think he saw my toes as a little treat.

We ended the day with a lovely evening at the Argentinian El Patio.

Saturday we were determined to go shopping down the Golden Zone. Up and ready by 8 we had a going away breakfast with Becci and her mom Karen (who’d just celebrated her 80th birthday). Now Karen and Becci are amazing. Both went parasailing and zip lining during their week long stay. I need a little bit of their energy!

We had a disappointing walk down the Golden Zone. Prices were high, staff were unfriendly, and we were jumped on multiple times by people wanting to take us for a time share presentation. On offer this time anywhere from $150-$500 for participating in the “hour-long sales presentation” we know having done these in the past, it’s time you never get back. Sure the money sounds good, but it’s difficult to get at the end and it’s never an hour.

Virtually empty handed, we returned hot, exhausted, and a little grouchy from our adventure. But 5km under our belt, we felt fairly virtuous as we headed out to La Cascada for dinner.

Reading: In The Woods by Tana French . I finally finished this super dense book. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Listening: The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves. Still.
Notable Nourishment: Guacamole with the iguanas
Bevvies: Whiskey cream-like candy in a cup!

We couldn’t wait for our day’s activities. Unfortunately our plan, the ballgame, started at 8 pm- late for us!

So, we did some chores, which included 2 roundtrips of slightly over a kilometre each way to have our laundry done. Now, as I mentioned earlier, normally I wouldn’t worry about the distance; but it’s the weight, the knees, the weather and the loads that I was worried about! We made it with only one problem: one of us got a little grumpy! And maybe it was me!

Thankfully we had plenty of time for reading or else I think I would still be in my funk.

After a long wait, we finally left the resort at 7 pm for an 8 pm game. Yes I agree this might as well have been midnight. The game started promptly at 8 and was very entertaining, from the million vendors, to to ill-chosen music such as “we want some p****ay” and “motherf****** p***” (nope not the clean versions). The baseball was excellent with a solid win for the good guys (Venados).

We left at the 7th inning stretch and we’re home shortly before midnight! A great evening. Only downside, we road both ways in a pulmonia and though I had my hair tied, it was a massive 80s metal do by the time I got home!

Reading: In The Woods by Tana French
Listening: The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves
Notable Nourishment: Room service and leftovers!
Bevvies: Tecate, now I know I said I’d never drink it again, but it was the beer on offer, and the default serving is a double pour in a massive plastic cup!

November 2 is an important date in Mexico, Diá de los Muertos or for us anglophones Day of the Dead, as I understand understand a period when the veil to the spirit realm is thin and the spirits of adults (children are the day before) can rejoin their families. This is a time of celebration.

We were able to join this year’s celebration. Our resort arranged a night out for us with dinner and view of the parade. Due to road closures we left 3.5 hours before the parade start time. This turned out to be a great time to get to the malecón: right at sunset.

We spent some time in Liverpool Alley, a very cool little street, with the Beatles, a mini, and a red phone booth.

For some reason there is also a very large Marilyn

Then it was dinner time! And of course, when in Mazatlán we eat camarones - shrimp. Poor Dave allergic to shrimp had to make due with chicken.

The loudest restaurant band played during our meal. It was so stressful and unfortunately as soon as they started most conversation had to stop. They had probably 20 brass instruments all amped up!

The parade started fairly soon thereafter with a few floats, a lot of dancers, and many people on the streets enjoying festivities.

It was a great evening even if our driver got lost so many times on the way home!

Reading: In The Woods by Tana French
Listening: The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves
Notable Nourishment: Shrimp fajitas
Bevvies: Negra Modelo