Friday, February 3, 2017 Mazatlan

Today we awoke to pea soup fog as we entered the harbor at Mazatlan. Fortunately, it semi-cleared just in time to reach the pier. We are overlooking a major shipping port, with containers, new cars, cargo ships, you name it. A fascinating place to sit and watch for a few minutes. Very busy place.

Sam tested her ankle. It didn't take long to determine she was not going to be very mobile today. So we spent the morning in the ship infirmary, looked after by a gang of Aussie nurses! They determined that a fracture was not indicated, so they wrapped it up and suggested ice/elevate/stay off it, etc.

So instead of walking all over Mazatlan, as we had planned, we took a city tour van which worked out to be a better choice. By the time we started out, the fog had rolled back in so we not able to see what we heard were great views from atop a hill. But eventually the fog disappeared and we enjoyed nice, warm sunshine! Our driver took us all around town, the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the Mercado, the Gold Zone, Malecon “boardwalk” and more. This is not a resort town, although there are some luxury hotels at the far end of the beach. The city actually reminded us of our trip to Greece! Narrow streets, lots of traffic, shabby buildings, open air markets everywhere. We were amazed at chicken, beef, shrimp, fresh-cut fruit, just “out there”. That would never stand in the USA! We did some shopping, using now-mastered negotiating skills. I bought a silver ring (pure, they say) at the jeweler shop owned by the driver's cousin (just kidding).

We departed Mazatlan about 5:00 PM. Nice pasta dinner in the Lido Restaurant. Great sunset! We are expecting to arrive in Puerto Vallarta by 8:00 AM in the morning.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Crew lifeboat exercise

Brand new cars ready for shipping out