The advantage of leaving the Baja earlier than planned was plenty of time to explore Mazatlan, and as a bonus take a side trip to Durango (separate post). I’ll let the pictures do the talking, but it should be clear that a great time was had.
Our first night we anchored out and had a chance to enjoy Isla Pierda and a hike up goat hill (yes there are free range goats).
We wanted shrimp pizza from Benji's but the place was shutdown (for good or for the summer I don't know), so we took in a view of Strikhedonia from Chivas (Goat) hill instead
Checking out the Mazatlan harbor
After walking the beach we settled on lunch at El Velero (sailboat). Which was a great decision, from the good food to the live band to a nice woman from Canada who joined us. A great welcome to the mainland.
Looking down at Isla Cardones
A beautiful sunset anchored off Chivas Hill
Do we love food, yes. Does Mazatlan have great food, yes. Did we have happy bellies, oh yes!
Huevos Motulenos at Guy y Gus has become a "welcome to Mazatlan" tradition
Marina Mazatlan hosted a Posado (Christmas Party) for the cruisers. Great friends, amazing food, a door prize that will be feeding me soon, and good entertainment watching the pinata come crashing down. So. Much. Fun.
We are all for Christmas parties in shorts and dresses
Down goes the piñata and in come running the kids for the candy!
Jean, Deena (NellieJo), and Jess needed a snack break while on a shopping excursion
Jean enjoying a nice wine and a fabulous meal at Kua
The Tiradito was so good @Kua
Birria street tacos, um hell yeah
Needing to work off some of the calories, we took to hiking up to El Faro (lighthouse). For those looking to do this hike, you can take the “green” Sabado Centro bus to the end of the line and the hike starts only a few hundred meters away. As a bonus you can board the bus here too and since it is the first stop you are guaranteed a seat!
The lighthouse that only cruise ship passengers can visit, blerg
Fantastic view of old town
This new attraction was added since last fall - it is probably safe, right?
It is a long way down...
Jean chased everyone away for her moment, just kidding
Looking over the harbor, Chivas (Goat) hill, and Isla Piedra (Stone island)
Last year I saw the Nutcracker so this year we opted for the Gala Navideña: Un Sueño en Navidad (Christmas play) at teatro Ángela Peralta. We were a bit late for good seats but still enjoyed a fun play and memorable evening. Side note, Hector’s Bistro was a perfect pre-theater dinner, even without reservations they squeezed us in and we had an awesome meal!
There was a flash flood while we were picking up tickets for Gala Navideña, lucky for us we stayed dry
That is a lot of water from the flash flood, we had to make some detours to find a way to the bus stop in order to keep our feet dry
Checking out the orchestra before the play began
Joseph and Mary arriving while the dancers mesmerize us with their dresses
Awesome, can’t wait to see you guys soon!!
Headed south Sunday!