Christmas Cruise...Part 2

Okay, it's finally time...for part two of our week on the Mexican Rivera. I'm sure that you've all been sitting on the edge of your seats, waiting for this update...and no longer do you have to wait. Just to be warned...there are even more photos in this...it's just too darn hard to pick only a few highlights from a couple of days...we packed so much into each and every day and I want to share everything (whether you want it or not!)!

So we are now up to December 21st...our second full day at sea...another beautiful day, even warmer than the day before, so you can imagine we took advantage of the sunshine and the day without a schedule or plans! We did see some land as we cruised along in the morning and it was neat to see, minimal, but beautiful with the island, blue skies and clouds...oh and we even saw a few whales during that time, gray whales, which are different than the humpback whales we have along the Pacific Northwest coast line.

Of course, we enjoyed some time in the pool and of course, some time to soak up a bit of natural vitamin D - it was a great day! Jayden especially enjoyed the pool time and someone (I won't mention names, but a photo might reveal their identity!) did a bit of line dancing by the pool after lunch! As I said...a great day!

I can't tell you how much Jayden enjoyed her "big girl" cousins, Sam and Syd...she was with them every moment she could get...and they were such great sports about her tagging behind them! Thank you, girls!!

Feet aren't quite long enough to reach the water!

So...just jump in...and boy did she go for it...she didn't want to get out! Sydney and I had so much fun with this little "fish" who had no fears in the water!

Enough said...and I won't mention any names!! LOL

Talk about GORGEOUS sunsets...we had probably one of the most incredible sunsets I think I've ever seen before...it was almost unbelievable...and it seemed just when we thought that would be it...it kept getting better and better!

Did I mention that they had "mixology" classed during the week? Well, they were great fun and I found myself at three of the four classes as did my mom...we are now experts (ha - at least at tasting!) and looking to find some of the mini martini glasses to have some fun tastings with friends!

Before dinner we all went to the show...which was really neat, it was Leo Ward, an illusionist and he was great and put on a wonderful show! Dinner was nice...another night of being waited on...we were all get REALLY used to this!



Okay...our first port...whoo hoo! We arrived at Mazatlan around 8 am and although no one had planned excursions, it didn't stop us from having a great day! We headed into town (the Golden Zone) for a bit of shopping, some margaritas (did I say that...so early in the day?!) and whatever else we could find! My brother and his family headed out to a beach for the day, so it was just 8 of us on our little adventure. We shopped it a bit, wandered around some and then found Pancho's where we decided we'd have lunch. There was about half an hour's wait, so we went to the beach (right in front of the restaurant) and "shopped" and bartered for a few items before being called for lunch. Something I had requested for this day...my birthday...was fresh guacamole and margaritas...and that is just what we had...and it was awesome! I must tell you that Josh decided I was going to do a shot (never had before!) of tequila this day...and so it ended up that he, Mandy, Rick and myself all did a shot...and it was pretty smooth - much easier to do than I thought it would be...not that I want to do it again, but I'm glad I did it! We enjoyed a great lunch while the vendors literally climbed the rock wall to our table to sell us their wares...it was quite entertaining!

I love all the wonderful colors and creative products they sell...it's something I could photograph for a VERY long time...everywhere I looked, it seemed to be calling my name to photograph!


As I said...the guac and margaritas....yum!!

My mom, isn't she absolutely beautiful! I admire and respect her so much...I can't even tell you how much!

The "shot!"

We did it!!

Jayden had her hair braided right after eating...and it was so darn cute when they finished...I'm always amazed at how quickly they can do the braiding...and she was good and patient with them as they worked on her hair...Jess and Sean stayed with her (see below) while the rest of us headed a bit farther down the beach)...and they said she almost fell asleep while they were doing it!

After lunch, the rest of us headed to the beach as we had bartered (during lunch) for some parsailing...for Josh, Mandy, mom and myself...looking back on it...is bartering really a good thing to do when you do something like this? Actually, it all worked out just fine and my mom - for the first time - parasailed over the ocean waters by Mazatlan...it was great to see...she never ceases to amaze me! And, this was a first also for Mandy...so was the first to go and she loved it...and I think would do it again, in a heart beat, if asked! I had done it before (with Josh in Hawaii...years ago!) although not by myself, so that was a bit unnerving...I'm not fond of heights (and you ask why I did it?!)...but even by myself, it was great...the views from above (yes, I had a camera...my little waterproof point and shoot...took photos and video) were incredible...really something to behold and worth the fright I experienced!! Josh, was the last...and when he took off, we thought he was going to end up in the water...it was a bit slower getting him up, but he did it...and enjoyed it as much as the rest of us!


Mandy coming in for her landing



Mom comes in for her landing...she hadn't really gotten in the harness good before taking off, so it looks like she's just dangling...don't worry, she was secure!


And me...just taking off (gee, not my best side...why did I pick this photo??)


And...Josh...mr. cool, ready to go flying!

Then, it was time to head back to the ship and we'd taken a van to get into town, but on our way home, we took the Pulmonía, open air cabs, which were a blast to ride in (safely might be another issue!)...we needed two to get us back and our drivers were racing each other along the way...I rode with my mom, Jess and Sean...and Rick rode with Josh, Mandy and Jayden...in the end, we lost, but it was down to the wire...and fun along the route, back and forth until we actually stopped at the red light...when Rick's didn't!! LOL



If only I had more time...the colorful and interesting streets, businesses, people and homes...I have to return someday when I have more time!

Some time after returning to the ship....

Jayden is wearing her great grandma's glasses...she looks pretty darn cute!

The kids with some of their purchases from Mazatlan...the guys had so much fun with the masks and the girls are darling in their dresses (we bartered a "3 for deal!")

Back on the ship that night...we went to another show (comedy) and then off to dinner...only this evening we were at a reservation only restaurant on the ship...part of our package with our room, so we enjoyed an amazing meal at the Pinnacle! During dinner, I was surprised by Rick with a little box as a birthday gift...it was a stunning new ring...I was shocked, not expecting anything at all, let alone this beautiful new ring! It's larger than my other one and lots brighter...since then, it keeps "flashing" me and I'm still amazed that it's on my hand! Boy, talk about a great birthday...everything about it and I don't know that it can be topped...definitely one to remember!!

Sam, Jayden and Syd...waiting for the show!

What a great looking couple...just waiting to be seated for our dinner!

Shocked and amazed!

Okay, admittly, I did a bit of "playing" with this photo...but couldn't resist as Josh was a bit shocked when his 22 ounce steak arrived...obviously, his eyes were bigger than his stomach! He did come pretty close to finishing it...not sure how!

Part 2 comes to a close (I'm sure you're saying, PHEW!!) and in the next few days, the next edition will be posted...keep your checking back!

A video of my mom coming in from parasailing....


Mandy and Jayden dancing...