Wednesday, January 29, 2020; Mazatlan
The ship was in the process of turning around in the Mazatlan harbor when we pulled aside our curtains in the morning. We were the only cruise ship in Mazatlan today. Ben and Janet had an excursion to learn how to make Salsa and how to dance Salsa, so they had breakfast in the buffet. George and Dave also came up to join them. Franklin and Betty were about a half hour behind.
Ben and Janet’s excursion began with a bus ride to the Golden zone to the Royal Villas Resort, which was the venue for Karla and Anna’s Dancing Chef Salsa and Salsa tour. We had read several positive reviews on Trip Advisor, so we thought it would be a good excursion to try. True to the reviews, it turned out to be fun and interesting. We were well lubricated with a supply of Margaritas and learned how to make a traditional Lime Margarita and a frozen Strawberry Margarita. Then our two chefs walked us through preparing a spicy red salsa, pico de gallo, tangy green salsa, tropical salsa, Oaxaca guacamole and a Rompope Dessert Salsa, served over ice cream. Then there was a introductory Salsa dancing class where we learned the basic steps and a short sequence which we danced to the music. The most important thing to remember was to make figure 8’s with your hips and have fun. We were voted “Sauciest Couple” by the panel of judges of our peers from the ship.
After the cooking and dancing, we had free time at the resort, which was on the beach and had a nice swimming pool, lounge chairs and umbrellas. It was very relaxing and fun. There was also wifi in the hotel lobby so we could catch up on some emails.
The return trip to the ship was paid for by the tour, but instead of putting us back on the bus, we got into cabs. We boarded a cab with a Canadian couple from the Yukon Territory. The cab driver gave us a nice guided tour of the Golden zone and stopped to allow us to take pictures of seasonal giant paper maché sculptures celebrating Mardi Gras in the Americas. There were sculptures from all the South American countries, and most of the Central American countries, but none representing the USA or Canada.
The driver then took a detour so we could tour the old town of Mazatlan, which is very popular with American expatriates. The Canadian couple got out of the cab and elected to walk back to the ship from there. It was probably less than a mile to the ship. We got a nice private driving tour, and then ended up back at the ship in time for afternoon tea.
We met up with the rest of the family for tea, except for Franklin, who was apparently prowling around the pool deck. We then attended the afternoon trivia and won aluminum water bottles. Dave and George had joined Ben and Janet after dropping Betty off in her room for a nap.
The whole family then met at dinner. Franklin had won the wake show drawing last night, and a shout out that George had written for Betty was read out announcing her birthday and how successful her kids were. The hosts had said they recognized Betty and did say some nice things about us. Aussie Rich remembered that we had won the Beatlemania Trivia and said we were a very nice family.
After dinner, we attended the early showing of Jennifer Singer’s second show which featured all new songs. She did put on another good show. Ben and Janet then took over getting Betty ready for bed, giving her another shower.
There was a Mexican Night Deck Party, but it was a bit cool and breezy on the pool deck, so it was mostly just the Cruise Director’s staff that was dancing in the lights. We hit the buffet one last time before retiring, and saw a Chinese couple walk off with a whole loaf of French bread from the cheese station, along with about a pound of grapes and pound of blue cheese. You’d think they were going on a picnic with a half dozen other people in the countryside.
Tomorrow, the ship makes its last port of call in Cabo San Lucas. The ship arrives at 6am, but sunrise isn’t until 7:30am and most businesses won’t be open until after 9am. Ben and Janet have an excursion booked for a UTV adventure at 8:45am. The ship leaves at noon for Los Angeles, so it will be a very short port call, especially since they will have to use tenders to get everyone to shore and back.
