Thursday morning and Trudy and I are on our way to the Observatorio. Thursdays are 2 for 1 and since the cost is 450 pesos each we can share the cost at only 450 pesos for two. Off to get on green bus and ride it all the way to the end down by the ferry dock.
The blue dot is where we are in the Cerritos area and the red dot is where we were headed. When we got on the bus is was crowded even out our way. Lots of left over tourists still here from Carnival heading downtown.
This blurb came off the net. The renovations were completed and it was inaugerated in March of 2021.
We walked up the hill from the bus and almost walked by the entrance to the observatorio. Upon entering you buy and ticket for the tour and start with recorded presentation of the history of Mazatlan and the observatory.
Gorgeous plantings everywhere and all very colorful and tropical.
Do you see Trudy?
The lighthouse in the distance. We were told that they are going to build a zipline from the lighthouse to the entrance of the Observatorio which is a distance of almost 3/4 of a mile. Yikes!
The funicular that takes you 12 at a time to the top.
We are now on top after a ride up.
We started off with a tour of the very large aviary which houses parrots, macaws, lovebirds, toucans and flamingos. We were told that these are all rescue birds.
Our tourguide said this was a parakeet but I think it's a lovebird. It actually belongs to this young man and he called it to him. Many of the birds were quite friendly and were happy to land on heads and pick off your glasses if you weren't careful.
Still finishing breakfast and oblivious to people walking by.
Next up was a tour of the actual observatory and a chat about it's history. Although it was never a house it has been set up as one to show the history of the area.
Flappers!
An old coffee grinder.
The walls are covered in old photos of the Carnival parade, the historic district and the celebrities who visited in the early days. Mazatlan has a very long and rich history.
Trudy is a cyclist and I'd love to see her ride this one!
All the equipment to keep an eye on things.
The coffee table has guns under glass.
The old cash register.
The views from the top are spectacular and would be amazing at night.
Looking up at the ceiling.
Now we are at the sky bar where we had a drink....sin alcohol. Lemonade for me and pineapple juice for Trudy. Imagine watching the sunset from here.
Happy me.
Overlooking the ferry dock and Stone Island. Lots of places to sit and relax.
After our drink we were free to wander around and revisit some of the attractions. Trudy thought she'd like the chandelier out in her garden!
The very rare and elusive Toucan. A zoomed shot from outside the aviary.
This is the cactus and agave area. It looks like they are in holes in concrete but it's actually perfectly raked white sand. Many interesting plants that Trudy and I as gardeners are not familiar with.
Isn't this one interesting.
Unusual and very beautiful.
Massive leaves.
After finding our way down from the top we were off to find some lunch. A long walk over the hill to finally get down to the malecon. We walked for about an hour past Olas Altas until we got to the seafood restaurants on the beach.
This is the Continuity of Life Statue with the dolphins.
Beautiful.
This is where the fish boats pull up to unload their catch and where our lunch will come from...almost there!
One of the many Carnival statues.
The pelicans were busy begging but were being ignored.
Pick a restaurant...any restaurant as it was now after 1pm and we were hot, sweaty, hungry and tired.
A bottle of water and a fried fish. Pargo or red snapper. You don't order this if you are afraid of bones or don't eat fish skin. Trudy and I both ordered the same thing.
Trudy says " Yum, yum!"
This is what was left on my plate...a bit of rice and a pile of bones.
Trudy was much more tidy with her lunch and her fish still looked like a fish. She also got a coconut dessert from a passing vendor but my hands were too greasy to take a picture! Orange colored vanilla coconut which she brought home with her for later. She said it was chewy but good.
So...all in all a very full day. What did we think of the tour? The tour guide was a young woman who was very fluent, the gardens and exhibits were excellent and all round good experience. As far as the cost I would say that 450 pesos for two people is plenty. After having a tour it would be nice to go back and just wander through on your own which you can do.
A good day!
