Eric rides to Celestino while i go to ladies lunch!

Last Tuesday while we ladies went for lunch Eric took a ride up to Celestino Gazca.  He went north on the free road and then came across to Estacion Dimas, got onto the toll road going through an army check point which is not normally there but with all the cartel nonsense the army was sandbacked in with troop carriers.  Makes you feel really safe! North on the toll road took the Celestino exit over top of the toll road and into the village.  He road down to an area by the water and parked the bike.  He took a walk to look at the beach and see if he could find a restaurant.  When he got back to bike and was getting ready to leave a car pulled up at high speed and four guys jumped out.  Turns out they were young guys and they started walked really fast towards him...first thought oh, oh what's this about.  When they got closer one guy started saying photos, photos.  It turned out that they wanted photos of the bike.  Eric said " no espanjol"  but one on the young guys spoke perfect English and said they'd like some pictures of the motorcycle.  He had grown up in California and was sent to live with his grandmother in La Cruz when he was young.  

It turned out they had just finished their graduation with the robes etc. in La Cruz and were heading to the beach.  The guy second from the left spoke perfect English.  Eric showed them how everything worked and it was really interesting to them as the Tiger is run by a computer screen.  There are lots of small bikes in Mexico but most of them aren't sophisticated.  They wanted to get pictures of themselves on the bike so Eric said " sure, go ahead."  They also wanted to know what it would cost.  Eric said the way it sits about Triumph Tiger 900 is about $20,000. US with all the boxes etc.

They're all checking their phones to make sure the photos of themselves are good.  The little guy on the right was too short to touch the ground on the bike.  They wanted to know if Eric knew any Spanish and he said " comida" which means lunch and they all had a good laugh.  They wanted to know where he was from and he said 🇨🇦  Canada.  They likely don't see many Canadians and certainly not this year.

Eric had shrimp tacos here with great big shrimp inside.  Lunch was a bit slow as they had a wood fire to boil the shrimp.  It was pretty well the only place that was open. 

You just never know who you'll meet when you're out on the motorcycle.  Just a real nice group of young guys who like motorcycles.  They were surprised that Eric was out riding by himself.  

He went back the free road and came back through Marmol to the toll road wind so he didn't have to pay the toll.  Always a new adventure.  

 

La Marea for ladies lunch and we had fun!

 Yesterday we had our last " large group" ladies lunch of the season.  By next week we'll be down to five and many of our lunches had 12 to 13 ladies this season.  Yesterday we were seven and we were going to La Marea which is located at the south end of Mazatlan perched up high on a hill next to the Observatory.  It has almost a 360 degree view of the surrounding landscape and is a lovely place to have lunch.  Lots of people are driven up just to take pictures. Ruth didn't come but she was kind enough to order us an Ariga or red truck to take us to the restaurant.  In the earlier years we used to travel by red truck a lot but in the last few years not so much.  The weather was lovely yesterday until....the sea fog rolled in!

Susie, Me, Marion and Mary.  I took a picture of Marilyn, Mar and Cathy but it wasn't flatteering so ....I left it out!

Coming onto the malecon and it's socked in.  

Looking forward and there are lots of people enjoying the day. 

The landscape is changing and there are more and more towers along the beach.  Hope it doesn't end up looking like Miami!

Here we're heading up the hill. 

The road winds around through houses and ends up behind the Observatory.  I could hear the caged birds screeching when we arrived.  

Looking northwest and I thought the photo was better in black and white. 

We're out of the auriga and heading up to the top viewing area and the restaurant. 

A good area to sit.

Looking south east down to the harbor. 

The street is below and there are a huge amount of steps to get there.  You can the stairs on the left.  Up ahead the causeway goes out to the lighthouse which people climb up to see how fit they are!  New this year is a zip line the goes across the water from the Observatory to the top of the lighthouse.  That's not on my " bucket list!"

We started out on the top level of the restaurant but in the end it was just too cold, windy and uncomfortable so we came down to the second level and it was just lovely.  We were pretty much the only people in the restaurant.  

That's Marilyn and in behind you can see the Mazatlan marina where the cruise ships, ferries and cargo ships dock.  

We ordered drinks first and then lunch and in no time we were served.  Marion ordered fish and chips.  Good with a very light breading but...no tartar sauce. 

Fish and chips for Mary too. 

Marilyn said that since she was leaving on Sunday she was having coconut shrimp.  I told her to smile and so....

.....she did!

Very good and nice light coating on the shrimp. 

Mar ordered and Asian bowl...it had a name but...I don't remember. 😁

Looks appetizing. 

Cathy and I each ordered a different sushi roll.  Crunch roll for me and the La Marea roll for her.  Filled with different seafood, vegetables and wrapped in rice.  We enjoyed every bite. 

Crunch roll. 

Me carefully getting half of mine onto Cathy's plate. 

Everyone happily eating. 

Nagiri for Susie.  With eel and tuna I think. 

Susie's not a big eater so that was just the right lunch. 

No one down the other end of the restaurant but that will change over the day.  It isn't a restaurant you can just walk into so you need a car or transport of some kind.  

As not everyone was prepared to walk down the 150 or more stairs we had asked the auriga to come back for us at 2pm.  That gave us lots of time to eat, drink and be merry!  All in all it was a very relaxing afternoon and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  Lovely view and venue, good service, good food and lots of time to relax and chat.  

Cargo ship coming in to dock. 

Back up the stairs to the top and there is lots to see.  

Marilyn and Marion coming up from the lower level. 

Lots of pleasure boats moored here.

The commercial docks.  You can catch a ferry to La Paz here. 

I'm guessing that's all new cars waiting to move to a dealership somewhere. 

The auriga driver was waiting to take us home and Susie said he was asleep so maybe he just waited for us. We were very generous with our tip so with the fare both ways that was probably a good days wages.  The tourists are thinning out right now so there isn't as much work for them right now.  By mid April it will be Semana Santa or Easter and things will be hopping again.  Above is one of the many beautiful statues along the malecon.  We enjoyed our ride home and everyone had a really nice afternoon.  Next week we'll have a teeny tiny ladies lunch!

A quick trip to Concordia with Frank and Sandi.

 We''re coming to the end of the season and lots of our friends will be leaving by the end of March.  Frank and Sandi have been our " out of town" travel and lunch buddies over the season.  They are heading back to Phoenix on the 28th so there was time for one more road trip last Friday.  We went to Concordia back in December by ourselves after we couldn't find anywhere to eat in Copala.  Alejandro's restaurant in Copala is a favorite but it has only been open for tour buses this season.  All the cartel violence has kept most people close to Mazatlan this winter. We've done quite a few trips but we've been careful to pick where we go and stay away from the northern towns like La Cruz and Cosala as they are too close to Culiacan which is the hot spot.  Lots of problems here in Mazatlan as well.  

Here we are heading out of the Cerritos area toward the Mazatlan bypass and you can see the Jeep right behind us. 

We exit the toll road at Villa Union to head east inland to Concordia.  

Lots of truck traffic here as there  are on ramps to the toll road heading north and south. 

You can see a Mexican lady with her " sunbrella" and  a little child on her hand.  Very busy as this is the retourno to head east. 

Turn right up ahead to head south...we'll go straight through. 

Lots of hills and up ahead was a very heavily loaded truck and there was no where to pass. 

Horses in the shade and not much to eat out there. 

A little roadside clothing store along the highway next to the entrance to Concordia. 

It was too early for lunch so Eric decided to head into Mesillas for a look see.  Mesillas is where they have the furniture stores for all the woodworking shops in the area.  Concordia is known for it's furniture making. 

As soon as you enter Mesillas the road wide, concrete and has sidewalks.  Signs of a prosperous town. 

One of the many "muebleria's" or furniture stores in Mesillas.  As well as locally made furniture there is also fine furniture from all over the world.  In years past we came into town and got out to look around.  On Friday it was too hot and we got into a " traffic jam" at the end of town.  Eric had read there was some sort of a furniture expo but it was unclear exactly when it was happening.  Hardly a soul to be seen until we got to the end of the main street. 

In the past we went around the town square and then back the way we came. 

This is the main church and there were lots of people up on deck.  A large shiny tour bus was parked there and the road around the square was blocked by little booths.  We stopped and got off and eventually went back the wrong way until we hit the main street.  Not much traffic so no problem.  Eric read it was " Carpenters Day" and the people at the church were there for a carpenter blessing ceremony!  All a bit odd.  

Back out of town past the furniture stores.  

We went back the way we'd come and into Concordia for lunch.  

 One way streets here too.  This time we're going the correct way!

Parked in front of El Granero where we like to have lunch.  A very large, gracious building which must have been a hacienda in it's earlier life.  

Frank and Sandi parked farther down the street. 

We made our way to the back of the restaurant and sat outside where it was shady and there was a slight breeze blowing.  Inland the temperatures are usually around 32C so it's warm. 

We have enough Spanish to read the menu and order.  They always bring chips, warm refried beans and a couple of kinds of salsa.  Very tasty.  Eric and I have developed a liking for Topo Chico which is a carbonated mineral water and good with lime.  It's so easy to get dehydrated on the bike as " it's not air conditioned!" 

Everywhere you look there is something to see.  Fine furniture, paintings and even the family tree of the history of the owners of this building. 

Sandi spotted this beautiful orchid growing out the back so I took a picture.  Growing in the sun and shade in dry sandy soil.  At home many of my garden club ladies work hard to hold orchid plants over the winter and then get them to bloom...Easey Peasey here!

Isn't that pretty?

We all had really good meals.  This is Eric's Camarones El Diabla or spicy shrimp with rice and salad.  All the meals were under 200 pesos or $14 Canadian and...even less in US funds. 

I had pescado empanizado or breaded fish.  Very good, especially with some salsa on the rice. 

Frank took our pictures and I must have been asking for my phone back!

Frank tried Tuna carnitas which I almost ordered and...will next time.  Tiny pieces of tuna fried with peppers and onions.  He said it was really tasty. 

Frank got the carnitass with a green salad and a large portion of guacamole.  

Sandi opted for a burger with fries.  Some times we get tired of seafood every time we eat out.  It's getting more and more interesting to eat in Mazatlan as more and more ethnic restaurants pop up. 

On the left a picture of Frida Kahlo a Mexican artist and folk painter from the early to mid 1900's.  She led a very interesting life.  I read a very interesting docu-novel about her called " The Lacuna" by Barbara Kingsolver.  A very interesting read about her and her sometimes husband Diego Rivera.  

Lunch was done and ....a very good one it was!  Lovely place to eat, good service, excellent food and great service.  We've eaten here many times over the years and this day the meals were the best by far! Maybe a new cook..who knows. 

One of the many beautiful old buildings in Concordia. 

On past visits we've wandered the square and taken pictures of the church and the " giant chair" that everyone likes to sit in and have their picture taken.  

Buen Viaje ....have a good trip!

We were off home after a really nice outing.