Mazatlan

 Port #2 is Mazatlan. 

We have been to Mazatlan a few times and love to go back to our favorite hidden gem, Stone Beach. 

But first we go to town because my sister's love to go to the central market to look at the food. When you get off the ship you will get a shuttle to the entrance of the port where there are indoor shops and out door vendors. The outdoor vendor has the best tequila, but we buy some when we are coming back. My favorite?  Cinnamon tequila. I love cinnamon flavored things and know this is hard to get, and it's a reasonable price. I think I paid $36. There are other flavors available and he has plenty of samples. A few more hundred feet there is another indoor market with plenty of vendors. But you can always stop there on the way back. As soon as you head out you will see a ton of Taxis.  This is what they look like and what they are called. 

Pulmonia taxi

Only in Mazatlan will you find the Pulmonia taxi. Mazatlan's Pulmonias -- the open-air "golf cart" looking taxis -- were invented here; are unique to The Pearl of The Pacific; and make a very enjoyable way to get around Mazatlan Mexico.

They are usually around $20 to get to town. However, one of my sisters makes friends with a local and now we are following him down the block to his Pulmonia hoping we don't get into a Dateline episode. So my sister makes a new best friend and he only charges us $10 to get to town. Then we go into the local market just a few blocks from The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. 

The Mercado Pino Suarez is the main open-air market in old town Mazatlan. Easy to get there as many bus lines pass by the front or back of the market. One of the market has a number of meat vendors who have everything you might want (and probably a few things you don't, like whole pig's heads).

I'm not gonna lie to you. I'm a vegetarian and can't stand the meat smell or looking at all the dead things. So I bypass that to more interesting stalls. My sisters like to look and say "wow, look at size of those green onions!" 

I decided to check out some vendors for some slip on sandals that won't slip on water, because when I was in the Enclave on the ship, I almost bit it like 10 times. Between the small pool/jacuzzi and steam rooms the floors are pretty yet. If anyone is going to fall, it's me! And I'll probably do a cartoon fall where my legs will spin around a few times before I'm flat on my back. 

I hate to bargain! There I said it. Some people love it, some people hate it. That's why I hate car dealerships and turn into a Karen because I don't trust anyone. So there are some cute slip on sandals and the seller starts out at over $20, and I'm thinking ...Dang, I can buy these cheaper at Penneys. 😀 Since I'm not in the mood to haggle, and can't speak Spanish, I walk away and go into "3 Hermanos" a block away. It's a shoe store on the corner and I find some cheap slip on sandals for...... Wait for it........$2.50. No haggling, great price and out the door. I showed my daughter when I got home my best bargain and she said...."Oh, those are prison sandals" . 😐 In case you are wondering, they look like this. 

I wear these in the Enclave, at the beach, to the ship's pool. I definitely got my moneys worth! And I don't slip or fall anywhere. Bonus. 

Now onto Stone Island which is right by the ship. The Pulmonia's are everywhere, so $10 to get back and he drops you off at this rocky driveway. There are no signs pointing so just start walking to the right. You will see a little booth which sells tickets for $2 roundtrip. You get on a little motorboat, put on a life jacket and go across this little canal which takes about another 5 minutes. When you get off, someone will try to sell you lounge chairs and umbrella for $10  for a day. But we want to just walk down to the beach and pick a restaurant. So you turn to the left, look for the walkway, walk past a few houses and wha-lah, you are at the beach. Probably a 5 minute walk to the beach. What restaurant to pick? Well we just walk a little ways and don't want to pick the crowded one because we think it might be the ships shore excursion. So we pick a random one where the locals are. We order Margaritas, Chips and Guac, and sit back, relax and listen to the waves. 

The weather is in the 80's and we just enjoy the relaxing afternoon soaking it all in. The vendors will come to you while you are sitting at the table, but I have to say, we got the best deals there more than anywhere else. I like to buy earrings and just put them on right there. I think we all bought jewelry because it was such great prices. Even entertainment comes by and we know they are trying to make a living or just extra money and so we love to tip them to show we appreciate it. 

There are many vendors on the beach and one has these GI Joe looking action figures with a parachute looking attachment, so my one sister decides to walk down and get 3 for her grandkids. After eating, drinking, laughing, relaxing and shopping, we decide to walk back to the ship. Down to the beach, walk along the water, take the motorboat back and we decide to walk back to the ship. It's literally a couple blocks. Then into your last shopping experience and this is where we buy the tequila. Try his samples as they are very good. 

The ship has a production show called "Rock Opera" which is amazing to say the least. Princess has the best shows for sure. Tried a new drink tonight. "The Butterfly"  Changes colors as they pour it and you stir it, found at "Good Spirits at Sea" . 

#Travel #Cruise #vacaylife #podcast #Cruisingtheworldpodcast #MexicanRiveria 

Cabo San Lucas

 First stop....Cabo San Lucas.

This is a tender port, which they now call "water shuttles". It's always a bumpy fun ride to shore. 

This is my 3rd time to Cabo by ship and I've always wanted to do the boat ride over to the famous landmark Arches. So I decided to wing it and go with a vendor when I got off the ship. A friend was there to help negotiate the price from $20 to $10 and our other friends from the ship joined us. 

Louis, Esel, Kristine

We did the "Glass Bottom Boat" so we could see the fish. 

Along the way we see Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) and El Arco, a natural archway in the seacliffs, and Scooby Doo!

And a lot of wildlife along the way. 

The boat tour will ask you if you want to go to El Médano beach where there are great restaurants to eat at, and they will pick you up later to bring you back. Not bad for $10.00

Seas the Day

 Sea Day and we are going to chill in the Sanctuary. 

Biggest secret ever! When you get on the ship on embarkation day, RUN, don't walk, to the Sanctuary, which is at the front of the ship top deck. This is what happens if you don't. They are sold out and there is a waiting list. 

The chaise lounges are $20 for a half day and $40 for a full day. It's adults only, no kids, beautiful view at the front of the ship, and you have a healthy menu you can order special items from. They have changed it to Bento boxes and healthy drinks. There is a private jacuzzi at the front with the best view of the ocean right in front of your eyes. You really feel like you have escaped. 

Sooooo.....the chaise lounges were sold out. Usually you wait in line, someone comes to take you through the Sanctuary so you can pick out your lounge and reserve a particular space. I put ourselves on the waitlist and then had a lightbulb moment. How much are the Cabanas? The Cabanas are $140 for 1/2 day and $20 more for extra loungers. Max is 4 people, so $140 + $40 (for 2 lounge chairs) would be $180 for the 1/2 day. I'm like....hmmmmm.....$90 a couple. That's do-able. I asked my  sister "Hey, you wanna do 1/2 day for $90 a couple. 

Here's what you get.

• Couch
• 2 Chairs
• Mini Fridge Fully stocked 
• 1 bottle of wine/ Perrier water and various sodas
• T.V with Head Sets
• Secret Healthy Menu
• There were actually 4 lounge chairs in our cabana. The photos were the day of reserving them. 
• Secure area for locking up your stuff.
• Robes and slippers
• And the best of all...... dah dah duh (horns blowing)  AFTERNOON TEA!!!!

Afternoon Tea is my favorite. Tea, scones, finger sandwiches, desserts w/chocolate chip cookies. 

For 4 hours you have escaped to a whole new world with calming music, excellent service, great food and the beautiful blue ocean as your view. 

Don't judge our empty plates. 

After a relaxing afternoon, we get ready for the night and try out some of the fancy drinks around the ship. Our favorite? Spirits at Sea where the uber cool bartender tells stories about the exotic drinks they are making. My mission is to try every one of them. I came pretty close. 

Oh the Menu? Your welcome. 

#GoodSpirits #cruiselife #Cruise #travellingtheworld #vacaylife

Mexican Riviera Dec. 2022 on the Discovery Princess

 Getting ready for our first real cruise post Covid and boy am I ready!! No testing is required or proof of vaccination. I'm going to bring a mask anyway for the crowded elevators because I don't want to catch anything. 

• MedallionClass app loaded on the phone and Green Lane Ready w/a QR code. √
• Luggage tags printed and taped to my bags. √
• Medallion came in mail. I ordered the ships crest. √
• Bags are packed. √

My Medallion. I ordered the Discovery Princess Crest. 

We are driving to port which is about 1 and 1/2 hours away, and leave our car in the parking lot next to the ship. No air flights this time which is nice, because it takes a lot of stress out. 

We ordered the Princess Plus package which include wifi/ pre paid gratuities and the beverage package. I'm not much of a drinker but I'm going to try Good Spirits and some new drinks on this cruise. 

The Ports are :

Cabo San Lucas

Mazatlan

Puerto Vallarta 

Who is going? Well, me and my husband, two sisters, nephew and his wife, husbands co-worker and family, friends, and extended family on my nephews side. First time with this many people we know. It's usually just me and my husband, but now that my family has become addicted to cruising like me, they are more interested in getting together and cruising together. 

The Piazza on Deck 5

Me and my sister Lisa

I've always wanted to go on the ship during Christmas to see all the decorations and what it would like. This was a great time to go as it was pretty quiet. We went early December before Christmas break. I believe there were about 100 kids on the ship and the cruise after was going to have over 1000. That's my big secret for you. Shhhh.....Don't tell anyone. 

First day Embarkation:

Grabbed a coffee and pastry from International cafe so I'd have energy for the day.

Waited for the opening of rooms so I could drop off my suitcase and unpack. 

Grabbed a drink and headed up to the Sanctuary to book a lounge. 

Grabbed a drink and headed up to the Sanctuary to book a lounge. 

Dani & Johnny 

Went to sail away party to watch the dancing, band play and try to stay warm. 

Lisa, Lori and me. The 3 amigas. 

Dinner time in the Main Dining Room w/friends and family

The Princess Love Boat 

This is the New "Princess Love Boat" dessert. I remember is used to be chocolate looking and I'm sure I have previous pictures of this. But it tastes just as good. 

Showtime : Comedian of the night. I always love the comedians!! They are the best. 

Tomorrow is chill Sea day before Cabo, so I can stay up as late as I want!!

Goodnight zzzzzzzz