Virtual Travel Is the Cure for the Mind- Day 4

Day 4 — Journal Journey on Carnival Cruise Line — Mazatlan, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas to Mazatlan, a very scenic and historical island with lots of artifacts, statues, and unique restaurants on almost every corner. Lots of stores to shop for clothing, gifts, souvenirs, and anything else a tourist desired to purchase. Taxis, buses and mopeds at your service for traveling around the town or walking was possible. Our journey from Cabo San Lucas to Mazatlan was smooth and quick on Carnival Cruise Line. Went to bed in Cabo San Lucas, awoke in Mazatlan, Mexico. Here today and gone tomorrow!!! Sailing along!!

Mazatlán is a Mexican resort town along the Pacific shoreline in the state of Sinaloa. Sandy beaches lined the 13.5 miles long boardwalk, and it’s renowned big-game fishing area. In its Historical Center or Old Mazatlan, 19th-century landmarks include the performance hall Teatro Ángela Peralta and the towering Immaculate Conception basilica. The modern district of Zona Dorada is known for nightlife and hotels. The weather was perfect 73°F, 81% Humidity with a population approximately 502,547 plus!

Mazatlan is a destination that combines sun and beach with the architectural richness of its historic downtown with details and finishes of neoclassical and French Baroque, which provide it with a unique beauty among the many Mexican tourist attractions. Traversing Machado square were gardens and its kiosk. Mazatlzan had lots of activities and possessed the beauty of its natural attractions — its paradisaical beaches, rich in marine fauna, the weather, the friendly people along with their the culture, lots of activities, sports, architecture and the nightlife made it a favorite to visit while on our cruise.

As we were nearing Mazatlan, there were tons of announcements regarding our pending arrival and all the details needed to explore Mazatlan. Thankfully, unlike Cabo San Lucas, the ship docked at the port so we were able to leave and return to the ship as we pleased. We operated on our own schedule which provided the opportunity to canvas Mazatlan leisurely.

Begun that morning like all the others with our usual ritual, bathroom details, checked the day’s ship itinerary, pray and flew out the cabin door ready to take on Mazatlan with our the gusto that belied our spirit. Exercised, ate breakfast and off to the oasis!!

As we navigated our way through security to exit the ship along with hundreds of other passengers, we spotted a Hop On, Hop Off bus and purchased to tickets and off we went to explore all the sites in Mazatlan. All was perfect, us , the weather and the tour guide. As we traveled through the four designated tourist’s stops, the tour guide explained the history of each site in detail and then permitted us to exit the bus for pictures. Since this was a Hop On, Hop Off bus, passengers could exit the bus, check out the local site, and then board the next scheduled Hop On, Hop Bus, no extra charge.

There were no familiar faces from our ships but yet a warm comradery was extended from other passengers. The tour guide was new and our trip was his first. He was very informed and engaging. Not only was he knowledgeable but caring and personable. He shared the do’s and don’ts while traveling around Mazatlan. Encouraged all to purchase from established merchants and not street handlers for quality merchandise.

Along with all the beautiful sites, souvenir shopping spots, there was a mountain diver who plunged into the ocean as the tourists looked on. (See photo below.) Many had died or injured themselves doing this dive in the past. Of course, we tipped them as they requested, that was there purpose in taking the dive.

The Hop Off, Hop On bus had four designated stops before returning to the dock/port. Above are the many pictures taken depicting the diversity along Mazatlan beautiful edifice in it’s splendor. We decided to hop off at the fourth stop and walk around the town, along the beach and check out the stores and all this area had to offer. By the end of our walking tour, we hoped aboard another Hop On, Hop Off bus and returned to the port where the ship was docked.

As we returned to the dock, we discovered that there was a hugh flea market a with tons of stores, entertainment and restaurants. There was much to do locally right off the ship but we discovered it upon our return from the tour. We had much time before the ship’s sailing so we checked out the entire flea market which was about three blocks long. There had to be at least 500 vendors at this flea market.

Along with the Hop Off, Hop On bus tour there were many more excursions to be had, i.e. Canopy Adventure, Beach Resort Getaway, Sierra Madre & Mexican Lunch, City, Malecon, Cliff Divers & Cruise with open bar, Stone Island Paradise, Culinary Excursions, Beach Excursions, Cultural Excursions, Easy Activity Excursions, Fishing Excursions, Golf Excursions, Hiking Excursions, Nature Excursions, Nautical Heritage & Wildlife Cruise, Top 10 Best of Mazatlan & Mexican Show, Mini Speed Boat & Beach Escape, Vip Catamaran Sail to Goat Island, just to name a few excursions to give an idea of the array of choices to be had by all passengers.

We returned to the ship after a full day of shopping, sightseeing and discovering Mazatlan, starved to death. We took no time to eat, to much to do and see. Also, Mazatlan had a high end jewelry store where I purchased two charms for my keepsake bracelet.

Expediently aborad the ship, we made a mad dash to the dinning room and discovered that this was dress up night for all dining passengers. We were not about to go and change but remained in our casual clothes that fit in just fine.

After we ordered our meal and ate, the waiter delivered a birthday cake and a bottle of wine to our table and to our surprise for my birthday. The night before when they were suppose to have delivered the cake we were assigned to a different table so they held it until we returned to our usual table. That was flattering. Since we had already ordered dessert, the waiter advised to take the cake with us and we did along with the wine. See the video below!

We took the cake back to the cabinet, and immediately made our way to the theatre for main stage productions, “Heart of Soul”, “High Seas Karaoke” “Carnivall Quest”, and ’50 & ’60s Music Party with Chloe.

The shows were over and my bed was calling me loud and clear. Even though my husband had eyelid issue also, he fought sleep further as he made his way to the top deck to checkout the sights as the boat sailed along.

I said, “goodbye” and prepared to go to bed!” He gave me a kiss and exited the cabin while I checked out the new schedule while removing my new nightly friend off the bed so I could sleep. My body sunk into the mattress as my eyes screamed to be closed and off to sleep I went until the next morning.

In conclusion, four days on the seas and each day had it’s own personality and wonderment had made the trip thus far memories to cherish for a lifetime. Hope you had enjoyed learning about our journey and the history of Mazatlan. Experiencing another’s culture is an eye opener. My husband was pleasantly surprised of the ports and all it’s splendor.

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