Cruise 2001 Mexico

We were lucky enough to experience some fantastic sun sets while on our cruise along Mexico's western coast. Here's our ship, the Vision of the Seas, with a great sunset in the background.

Christmas Eve was a "formal" night, so we took advantage of being "all dressed up" to take some pictures. Angie and I are in front of one of the Christmas trees in the centrum.

Our first stop was at Cabo San Lucas on the tip of Baja California. John snapped this picture of Jennifer, Angie, myself, and Kevin on the waterfront. What looks like a light house behind us is actually "Seafood Mama's" restaurant.

John was looking for a sun hat. I thought this looked pretty good myself, but Angie and Jennifer nixed it.

This little girl stayed after Angie from the time we got off the tender until we stopped at Soloman's for lunch. She finally managed to sell Angie several turtle whistles for souvenirs. Later she brought her younger sister back to pedal chewing gum, and we shamed Kevin into buying some.

At Cabo, we stopped at Soloman's right on the waterfront and had nachos, fried shrimp, and beer for lunch. Really hit the spot!

On the three days we were at sea, a Mahjong game seemed to spring up each afternoon in the Solarium. As for myself, I managed to get the better part of two books read. Of course we broke for "Tea time" and occasional french fries from the "cafe" fairly regularly.

The day after Christmas we stopped at Mazatlan. I stayed on board and read while John, Jennifer, Angie, and Kevin explored the town. John snapped this picture of Jennifer showing off her lobster lunch. When they came back, Angie didn't seem too impressed with the town.

This vendor kept after Angie to buy this braided hat as a souvenir of Mazatlan. Angie kept telling him that it wasn't big enough. He finally gave up. John got the picture of the "negotiations".

Angie was really wanting a coconut to bring back home, but couldn't figure out how to get it through Agricultural Inspection. That $10 is in pesos, so it was about one U.S. dollar. Sugar cane was even cheaper

Each night after dinner there was live entertainment in the Masquerade Theater. On this night we got there early and claimed the most choice seats in the balcony. Here's John, Jennifer, Angie and Kevin with the stage in the background at left.

At Puerto Vallarta we hired a "cab" and took a tour of the place. This street in what the driver called "Gringo Gulch" is the site of the Elizabeth Taylor - Richard Burton home. It is so large that it is on both sides of the street, and the pink "bridge" connects the two parts of the house. It is now a museum, owned by a California couple we were told.

Mismaloya beach on the south side of Bandaras bay is a beautiful spot. This is where Al and Carol Assid have their Mexico hideaway. (See http://homepage.mac.com/alassid/album2.html) Had I known we were going to be here, I surely would have gotten their address and dropped in on them!

At Mismaloya, John was busy taking a picture of this Iguana, so I snapped the both of them. Afterwards some of the men "lounging" around told us it was their pet, and they charged for pictures. We pleaded pecuniary insufficancy, and they finally gave up.

Last Stop was at Chico's Paradise up in the Sierra Madres. It's a short drive from Mismaloya and quite scenic with the mountains and a cool stream. Good food too! On Al's site you'll find a picture of him and Carol at the same place!

Angie and I have just finished breakfast in the Winjammer cafe and are deciding what to do next. John and Jennifer showed up shortly after this. I think I could get used to this life!

In between Mahjong games, ping pong was known to break out if the table was vacant. Here Angie and Kevin play a game.

Of course everybody has to get a picture of everyone at the dining room table along with the waiter. Since we were all dressed up this night we did too. Here is Jennifer and John Ho, Sebastian, our waiter from Chile, Angie, Kevin, and myself.

All good things must come to an end. After leaving the ship in San Diego, we wandered around the town a while and found a nice seaside park. I snapped this shot of the Vision of the Seas tied up at the San Diego Terminal from there.

Leaving San Diego, we drove around to La Jolla and up to Dana Point, both very pretty areas. Here is Angie at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. We went in and acted like we were just some more lost guests looking for a wedding or anniversary party. Great view. Quite a place. I can truthfully report that the "other half" is doing well !

Sunset behind the Vision of the Seas

We were lucky enough to experience some fantastic sun sets while on our cruise along Mexico's western coast. Here's our ship, the Vision of the Seas, with a great sunset in the background.