Pulmonia tour of the city with Willie.

 

Yesterday we were off on a city tour with Pat's long time good friend and pulmonia driver Willie.  We'd heard good things and we were not disappointed.  We we were picked up just after 10am and off we went.

Erika up front and Abby and I in the back.  

Willie is a fountain of information and he pointed out the most expensive hotels in the golden zone as we passed through.  The traffic was medium but by Thursday he said it will be packed due to Semana Santa or Easter week...the biggest holiday in Mexico.  However, he will continue to do tours.  

A gorgeous day as we rode along the malecon.  

Here we're at the south end where the fishermen bring in their catch. Willie explained the monuments and what they represented.  Do I remember everything...nope!

                      My favorite statue!

          The statue that celebrates woman.

This is the shield of Mazatlan and Willie explained the significance of all the pictures depicted on it.  

The first school in Mazatlan, restored after 140 years.  Primara Josepha Ortiz de Dominguez.

Photo op with El Faro in the background. 

Willie thought we should have our photo taken with the beatles.  Why are there statues of them here in Mazatlan?  Ask Willie because it's quite interesting!

Turning up into centro...what a beautiful street. 

We had a quick stop at the Cathedral and I took a couple of photos but we were quiet as many people were praying. 

Catedral Basilica de la Immaculada Concepcion.  Built between 1866 and 1899.  Home of the Roman Catholic Diocese. 

The church sits across from Revolution square...need something to drink?

Another beautiful old restored building.  

We are now on top off Ice Box hill where you have the most spectacular views of Mazatlan.  In the far distance at the north end of the malecon you can see Valentinos. 

The Tres Islas. Isla de Pajaros (birds) Isla de Venados (deer) and Isla de Lobos (wolves. 

You can see Olas Altas or large waves.  Garbage or basura is a big issue here in Mexico.  

Next stop back into centro and the flower ladies.  

Exquisite and so fresh....need a wreath?

And....now the shrimp ladies.  Big, medium, small and cleaned or uncleaned. 

I asked Willie to pick a favorite Mexican restaurant and he chose Chayito's Cenaduria which is the downtown and first Chayitos.  

Willie's a funny guy and we had a great conversation about family at lunch.  

We started with chips and excellent salsa and I ordered a bowl of guacamole too.  By the time I got my tortilla soup with chicken I was almost full.

Erika, Abby and Willie had enchiladas suiza or chicken enchiladas in a creamy red sauce.  Most of the girls enchiladas came home with us.  Delicious. 

After lunch we could have gone back to the Pino Suarez market for a walk around but...we were full and tired so we headed home.  Willie decided we should see the Mazatlan Convention centre mural which is at the Cerritos or north end of town just past the Liverpool mall.  

According to the Guinness Book of records this is the largest mural in the world.  A three dimensional mosaic of the work called the Sea of Cortez.  Eric and I came to see it just after the convention center  was opened in 2010.  Impressive. 

The convention center is artwork in itself and can hold up to 4500 people.  

And we're done and heading home.  The tour was almost 4 hours including lunch and we saw much more than I took photos of.  We traveled from Cerritos to the very south end and the ferry docks, up the mountains and into centro.  Very worthwhile for all of us.  I may know where a lot of things are but I don't know the significance.  

  

Willie bought us a bag of Mazatlan marshmallows when we were in centro.  Delicious and very coconutty.  

Thanks for a great tour Willie...I'd recommend you to anyone who wants to know something about the history and beauty of Mazatlan!