We awoke early and headed out to cross the border at the truck crossing in Nogales. We stopped for breakfast in Green Valley and arrived at the border around 7 a.m. AZ time. We really lucked out as there were only two other people there when we went through. It still took half an hour while we wait for the computers to do whatever it is they do. But soon we were on our way without incident.
Hard to believe how empty this crossing was!!
There were only two ladies there from California who were moving to PV. It was their first trip and they were anxious to know where to stay and what to expect on route. We did our best to put them at ease and gave them some ideas on where to stay.
Each year, you will recall, we stop for a while in San Carlos. This year we have decided to visit Ajijic
(Ah-hee-heek) instead, as San Carlos was hit pretty hard by Tropical Storm Jemina. We wanted to see what damage the town had sustained, so decided to drive into town for lunch and check it out. .
This is where the street going into town was washed out. They had rebuilt it by the time we arrived, but the sides of the roadway were still washed out.
There used to be an overpass here. You can see where it just drops off. Most of the cleanup has been done, but the rebuilding hasn’t begun.
We went to visit our favourite restaurant (La Palapa) and luckily they survived. They did lose a large portion of their beach however.
We pulled in for the night at the Holiday Inn in Ciudad Obregon. The two ladies from the border crossing showed up behind us. (Lynn and Meagan)
The next morning we were up and on the road early. We enjoy this part of the drive, past all the beautiful fields of crops around Culiacan and then up onto the Maxipista for the final run into Mazatlan.
At last, we arrive in beautiful Mazatlan. We checked in to (where else) the Holiday Inn
The temperatures were in the high 30's and the humidity was in the high 90's. It was really hot!
Right after we checked in, who showed up but Lynn and Meagan (The border ladies). They really did take my recommendations to heart. They said they were happy to have had someone to guide them. (there are a lot of flea bag hotels along the way) So we all had a drink and watched the sunset
The following day we went to see our friend Rosie and dropped off a bunch of clothes and such that we had brought down to give to the poor. Rosie was happy to see us and Bob got his $6.00 haircut for $4.00. We then went to the condo we are renting in November, to unload a bunch of stuff from the car. (Paul was kind enough to let us leave stuff there over the summer and to give us to key to offload now, on our way to Ajijic.) It was so hot and humid we were just miserable. We went back to the hotel and hung out at the pool.
The next morning we headed to Ajijic. Unfortunately, I was sick with heat stroke and had to take a gravol, which caused me to fade in and out of sleep and poor Bob had to drive 90% of the way. The road from Mazatlan to Tepic is very boring but from Tepic on to Guadalajara it is quite beautiful as you climb from sea level to over 5,000 feet.
We arrived in Ajijic and checked into the lovely Nueva Posada which isn't new at all.
The next morning we met with Bob's friend Dave for coffee. Dave was great and brought us an info package on where to eat, shop and what to see and do. He was off to PV for the next few days. We then left and took a drive into Chapala where Bob went to talk with a realtor from Caldwell Banker about rentals. This guy sent us back to Ajijic to a place called Villas del Sol. We walked in, talked to the owner (Jerry from Toronto) and agreed to rent a two bedroom, two bath detached cottage for the month. We rushed back to the hotel and checked out and were moved into our new 'home' by 1 P.M. on day one!
The complex has a manager name Chuy and a night watchman named Manuel. We have a lady who cleans once a week, Leonora and the gates are locked at night.
We were sitting outside after settling in and two of the neighbours came over and introduced themselves. They are Danny and Sonia who hale from Buffalo and who have sold all their belongings and moved down here for good. They came in July and are renting one of the newer condos in our complex. They are really nice folks. Shortly after meeting them, a car rolled up and out spilled four more neighbours. This time Canadians. Barb and John, by way of Wales and Helen and Albert by way of Scotland. These guys are out of Guelph, Ontario and have moved here full time now too. They are just great people and once again, we have been blessed with great neighbours. We had happy hour that night and the following day, we invited them for appy's at our place. They have been a great source of information.
The grounds are lovely. We have grapefruit, orange, avocado, pomegranate and lime trees at our disposal.
We also have a mirador. (rooftop patio) Here are some pictures from ours.
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The Neighbours who live in the fourplex across from us also have a mirador. It is bigger than ours and affords an even better view. This is looking at their building from our mirador.
This is
This is the view from their mirador. That's Sonia.
This is looking at our mirador from theirs.
This being Canadian Thanksgiving weekend we were delighted to hear from Tom and Rhonda and wee Max. (Son & daughter-in-law and grandson on the Smith side) Max at 4 3/4 months cut his first tooth and without wasting time, cut the second tooth the following day. That's our boy. We were even more delighted to learn that they are planning to visit us in Mazatlan in February. Wee Max (who really isn't wee at all for his age) will have his own passport. Why not? he's done everything else early on.
After our Thanksgiving meal which consisted of the worst chicken I have ever cooked, we spent the next few days exploring our new surroundings.
This is one of the main streets "Colon" which is filled with shops and restaurants.
"Tangos" restaurant located on this colourful street, proved as good as everyone said.
This church in Ajijic was built in the 1500's
Here is the Ajijic pier and boardwalk
This is Lake Chapala
This is "Mi Mexico" a lovely shop with great decor
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There are fabulous maniquins everywhere throughout the shop.
These are the gardens of the Lake Chapala Society. It is an organization that is a support system for the 'foreigners' i.e. American and Canadian ex pats.
After exploring Ajijic, we also explored Chapala. Both towns are along the Carretera which runs along the Lake from East to West. As we have Lake to the south and mountains to the north, it is a fairly narrow, lengthy area where the towns are located.
This is the pier and boardwalk in Chapala
Chapala Church
Chapala lakeside park
This is just a picture of a funky flower bush. Anyone know what it is?
This weekend we took a tour into Guadalajara. Guadalajara is a large sprawling city, with over 6 million population. It is about 55 km from here and we rode in a mini van with our guide Rosa and driver Carlos, along with two expat ladies from Florida.
Our tour was of the Centro Historico. This historical centre is built around 4 plazas that for a Latin cross with the Cathedral at it's center.
Government House where we saw the fantastic murals by Jose Clemente Orozco
These murals depict Hidalgo wanting the revolution. If you get a chance, go on line and check them out. They are very graphic and scarey.
The cathedral
Hidalgo holding the broken chain, representing the freedom he fought for.
After an extensive tour of the downtown hisoric center, we were set free. Bob and I headed for the market. It is the biggest market we have ever seen. It is 3 stories tall and built around a center circle, not unlike a bull ring. There is so much 'stuff'', you can't take it all in. We just laughed and laughed. Then we got to heck out of there and went for lunch at a cafe.
After lunch we met up with the others and hopped in the van for a drive tour. We saw the Avenida de los Americas which represents the three continents of North, Central and South America.
Beautiful statues everywhere
We stopped at this park for ice cream and then headed home.
Well, nos amigos, that's it for now. It is hard to believe we left home nearly three weeks ago...
Hasta Luego
C y B
