5C's Que Pasa

Thanks to you all and the 62 votes I received plus more via email, a decision has been made.

The UTV/Razor often referred to by us, as Put – Put  ( that name came in 3rd ), has a new and final name. Turtle, a very good suggestion came in second. With more than double the votes the winning name is Grasshopper 😀  Simply perfect. A special thank to the person who suggested the name.

Looking forward to taking Grasshopper out for a run later today. He still needs to be taken out to the beach but that will come in time.

Semana Santa is over. But tomorrow is the beginning to Motorcycle week. The Mazatlán International Motorcycle Week, or “Semana Internacional de la Moto Mazatlán,” is a yearly event held in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico. In 2025, it will take place from April 23-26, coinciding with Easter week. The event draws bikers from around the world, featuring bike shows, concerts, races, and various other activities. It’s a celebration of motorcycle culture, with a focus on camaraderie, adventure, and the thrill of the open road.  Thousands upon thousands of bikes are expected.

“The Mazatlán International Motorcycle Week is an annual event where ten of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from Canada, the United States, Mexico, and other countries ride to Mazatlán to enjoy the weather and many associated events!

During the week, there are many organized events that take place.

The events include concerts, beach parties, freestyle shows, regional tours, stunt rider competition, biker girl competition, tattoo competiton, bikini competition, and after hours parties!

The highlight of the week for many is the Saturday Grand Parade Down the Malecon where thousands of motorcycles ride from Olas Altas to Punto Valentino on the Malecon!”   Just another fun week here in paradise 😎

My significant spot up on the rock has become so special. There were many names suggested that appealed to me but fortunately it was your vote that made the decision. Three suggestions were almost tied but the winner won by one vote. I really love ” Contessa’s Corner” but then all of your suggestions meant something unique to me. You all put so much effort and energy into your proposals. It truly means a great deal to me and my heart that you were all part of this decision.

Taken at sunset Monday the 14th.

I had been simply sitting on my homemade brick stool enjoying this wonderful moment that Mother Nature was painting when Colin came up behind me and asked if I had seen the heron?

I had to stand up to see it. Such a special gift. It flew off just seconds later. FYI that is a tuna boat with the bright lights in the upper right area of the photo.

….but she was a bit blurry 🙁  Definitely the stage in my life to get my eyes checked since my cataract surgeries the end of last August. By now there will be no further changes to my vision as a result of the new lens implants.

This post happened last Monday, April 14th. I had the perfect start to the day. We always take Didi ( so much easier, faster and very inexpensive ) to travel about Mazatlan. As we were sitting in the car my ears perked up. Could it be? Way back since our RVing days in Acapulco where we experienced many wonderful musicals times ( almost every evening ) with the other RVers, my favorite song has been Under the Boardwalk. Only it was being sung in Spanish!  It just doesn’t get much better than that. Great start to the day.

….and in Spanish. So sensual 😎

This specialist was referred to me by general medical professional, Dr. Garcia. There is no normal for a doctors office here in Mazatlan. This was on the second floor of a building in a multi block area of medical offices, laboratories and pharmacies. We soon figured out that this was the general waiting room and we had to find a sign on a door for the eye specialist.

I only had to wait about ten minutes before being ushered in the office. Dra Diana Raya, asked me the usual information re my past eye history. She then checked me on three different machines. Bottom line, the lenses that were put into my eyes back in Kelowna this past August give me perfect 20/20 eyesight. While 20/20 vision is considered normal, it doesn’t necessarily represent perfect vision. However both of my eyes are in great condition she said.

The usual 1, 2 or 3 choice re best vision. Funny thing is that she gave me a card to check my reading once I had made those important choices. It was in Spanish and I understood most of the words. Life is so good here. Oh and of course I could see them clearly. Looking forward to picking up my glasses next week.

As you know I have been using readers since my eye surgery and it appears that my left eye requires ‘help”. So I have the choice of using regular eye glasses for walking around the house and using the readers as I have been doing. Or I can go back to progressive lenses which I have been wearing for many many years. Not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I have been wearing eyeglasses since I was three years old.

Next stop was a quick trip by Didi to Pancho’s Restaurant on Av. Gaviotas for breakfast. Haven’t been here for a few years.  I kept changing from readers to sunglasses and back and forth. Sigh!

My Eggs Panchos’s which were delicious until I spotted the ham sticking out.  There was no mention of meat on the menu which is why I chose this item. They re did the dish for me.

Collin had a Spanish omlette.

The large “mountain'” is El Faro. From here in the Golden Zone you need to go around it and to the left to the Isla de la Piedra at least by water. There are two other ways to cross via passenger ferry.

Today was Monday, day 2 of Semana Santa. Lots of Mexican tourists everywhere. This huge extended family were all cramming to get into this lancha which they eventually did. Most entertaining.

So many beach activities to choose from. I did this once many many many many years ( really yes –  that very many ) in Barbados. Once in a lifetime is enough.

So I decided to go with progressives. That will work for both my reading and my computer use plus I will have be able to measure soap for the washing machine and chop veggies, read a recipe, etc. However because my distance vision is good I can simply sit out outside and watch the ocean or go for a walk on the beach. However at a restaurant I will need glasses ( or readers ) to read the menu.  They were supposed to be ready Wednesday but it has been Semana Santa and therefore only a 3 day work week. I never got the call so I can’t tell you yet how the glasses are working.

But I can tell you that the medical system here is fantastic. No longer than a one week wait to see your specialist of choice. 800MXN ( 56.00 CAD/ 40.00 USD ) for the consultation. I am using my own frames, my favorite teal ones and the cost for the progressive lenses are 2350MXN  ( 165.00 CAD / 118.00 USD ). Much much less than we would pay back home in Canada to see the eye doctor and considerably less to buy new lenses.

So what next – Monday was a busy but really great day!  Did a bit of local shopping. Trying to  get some driving chair covers made. A work in progress.  Next a quick trip to Soriana via Didi. I have actually run out of wine this trip. However I got a good tip from a friend about a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc “Vina Maipo”. I can afford the price per bottle but it certainly isn’t a great Canadian or American vino blanco. My taste buds will have to adapt. Who knows when we will cross a Northern border to replenish the wine cellar?

So back to the Playa Sur Embarcadero with our 12 bottles wine. Four Didi’s used this day for a total of 218 MXN / 15.00 CAD. Well worth every peso. Of course this is when we were treated to our private concert on the boat back to the Isla.  Reposted for you just below…..loved all the music today.

Took three nice sunset shots this Monday but only sharing one right now.

Taken from my new you know where – oh yes the names are to be announced soon. Too busy enjoying life….

I was more into a point and shoot mode this week and now that I look at my photos I am sad. What I was hoping to see did not transpire. I am getting closer to ditching my iPhone and going back to my camera for what I want to see on my blog. The photos here are just a glimpse of this special week.

Fortunately the high tide turned into a perfect beach for those traveling here to enjoy their annual Easter vacation on the Isla.

The purpose of this photo is to show you that the lifeguards have a special tool at their disposal this year. On the right in white is a lifeguard seated on a see doo and he is using it to herd these folks closer to shore. It has been fun watching him zip back and forth along the shore. However I think he is have the best time ever.

Lots of various watercraft.

Personally I think there have been less folks on the beach but others disagree. Most days have been overcast but usually the sun comes out for a few hours in the afternoon. Friday I counted 3 banana boats on the water and 12 sitting on the beach! But today most were zigzagging back and forth. Hopefully the local restaurants will do well this week. It has been a difficult year for them.

Mazatlan has been very busy.

I think it was Thursday night there was a spontaneous party and the streets and to be shut down to traffic.

Mexicans certainly know how to party.

I was very happy with the sunset this evening.

About 2 minutes after getting back into the RV I had a look out the door and ran  ( well walked fast ) back to my special place.

The colors in the sky changed quickly. The Baja Ferry never sailed this evening – at least not as of 8:30PM

Just one of the many party boats crossing in front of the ferry.

Perhaps tomorrow I will take a bit of a walk along the shore. I had a medical treatment on Wednesday that created an allergic reaction and I have been homebound. No worries, I am already up and about again. This is different Semana Santa for me this year but I am so happy to call this home.

Happy Easter to you all.

I had a medical appointment Monday in Mazatlan ( that post coming soon ) and on the return to the Isla we were the only passengers on the lancha – literally accompanied by our own personal band.

When the video moves to the front of the boat you can see an all yellow and white house. We are directly to the left of that house and you can even see our RV.

Just another day in paradise 😎

Today, Palm Sunday, is the first day of Semana Santa. I have read that the hotels here in Mazatlan are over 85% occupancy. Higher than during Carnival. Great for the local economy. Elsewhere I also read an article that Easter week is expected to bring 3.6 billion USD dollars into Mexico 😀  Looks like we are living in the right place in today’s world.

Mazatlan itself has brought in 14,000 military people of various types to protect the city for the week.

Unfortunately Mazatlan is experiencing extreme tides right now. This is creating high high tides while low tides in most areas are sill keeping  the upper areas covered in a layer of salt water.

High waves and high tide.

Usually at this time of year, pop and mom duos are creating one or two and sometimes more small palapas to rent out for shade for a daily rate to the many beach visitors. Because of the extreme tide this is not happening – perhaps a few but not the very many that normally happen.

Our two very tiny papaya trees are doing very well. Today we moved them into even more sunlight.

Between the poopy water ( from the sewage plant at the base of El Faro ) or perhaps a few of the local restaurants dumping their sewer into the Isla bay or ??? it is not pleasant to walk along the Isla beach this past week. Now with the extreme high tide it is even more difficult. This morning we saw some metal structures battered down flat into the sand.

Just barely enough space in the sand for the girls.

Semana Santa on the Isla is known for its umbrella to umbrella and person to person occupancy on the beach. Hopefully nature will help it all work out as it should. Normally there is little space to walk the beach but now with little actual sand this will be an even greater challenge.

The market that we all shop in here in Centro. Photo from 1902.

It will be interesting to see how the week ahead pans out.

Sunset tonight complete with a sunset party boat coming back to dock in the harbor and a lancha heading back to Mazatlan with the final one of the day coming back to the Isla.

Ocean side. We have had huge waves all day.

Sunset, Mazatlan side. When we arrived in October, the sun would set very much to the left of this photo. It will be an interesting summer.  I did sit up in my special area to take this photo this evening.

Voting still open.

New color for us.

I was going to post yesterday about Tuesday but my photos were super huge ( too big for the blog ) and after a few hours ( despite even more time with Colin’s help I gave up ). So no blog post yesterday. I was so frustrated. This morning Colin had a new suggestion so I will see how this blog post works out.

Same hibiscus but a larger flower. That peachy yellow is so unique.

Thanks of all who have voted for the name of our UTV and for the name of my new west facing viewing area. Not many votes though. Don’t be shy to vote. It means a lot to me. One person said they thought I meant I wanted them to vote for the Canadian election 😥 So please read my last blog post and VOTE.  Just send me an email contessa549@gmail.com if you don’t want anyone to see your votes. Once I get a few more votes I will post the results. Hey Colin, did you vote???  I have three Kelly’s who have not voted and many other good friends and blog readers. Que Pasa 🙂

Huge jellyfish taken on this beach a few days ago by my friend Dallas who does wonderful photography.

Nothing has changed re us getting our personal electrical meter. If it does not happen soon then we will forced to look for another location here on the Isla to live. Very sad as we have put so much love and energy, not to mention pesos, into this location.

Quite the size. Glad I never brushed up against it in the water.

Tuesday I had an appointment with Dr G, my GP, here in Mazatlan. It was time for me to get involved in the local medical community. This is the time of year that I start making appointments to get sclerotherapy in my leg veins and to see a dermatologist for my face spots. I also wanted to get my eyes checked since my cataract surgery last August.

I now have an eye appointment for vein treatment] and for the eye check.  I have been having trouble with the dermatologist. Dr. G gave me the name of one but she is so young and has no online media presence and finally when I spoke with her, she does not have the equipment to do what I usually get. Simply direct spay liquid nitrogen works for me.  Have spent thousands on lazer, IPL and other forms of treatment. Today I was given the lead on another dermatologist but I don’t see her until May 7th. That is not a complaint, most of us have to wait a year or more. I am only waiting because Semana Santa is approaching and she is taking time off. However with four people I know who have used her I feel confident in my visit with her.

Love my new blooms this season.

Sadly there was a very well known and loved dermatologist here in Mazatlan but she died suddenly last fall. Dr. G says that there is a lack of good or well known dermatologists right now. Hopefully I have discovered the one 😉 He is a great doctor and agreed that my many hours of sleep once we arrived here was exactly what I needed. I lamented about weight gain and needing exercise but he said to just relax and my body would let me know when I could proceed.

He mentioned that we now live in a different world or a new world  and that we should learn to live each day to the fullest. None of us know the future. Sitting and drinking wine while enjoying my vista sounded like a great idea to him. So there you have it…..”sit and enjoy your view and drink vino” ! Doctors orders 😎  Like I said –  best doctor ever 😉

Mellow yellow.

Colin and I have dinner in the oven, smells so good. Took an hour of prep but we will enjoy this for a least two main meals and a lunch or two, one at least in the form of a burrito. Meanwhile now that I am back at the computer I am enjoying a Cosmopolitan. Ha! I have had this natural cranberry  juice since November, time to use it up 😎

I may have mentioned to you that I have run out of vino. Someone I have known since 2010 and who is now a neighbor suggested a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that could be found at Soriana. So from our wonderful MD we took a Didi ( Uber ) to Soriana.

The annual Artisanal Market from Oaxaca is set up in the parking lot for the month of April.

From nuts to mole and much more. We bought a bottle of pistachio favored mezcal. Great taste testing. I did feel a wee bit dizzy even though they were tiny taste shots.

I want, I want, I want. Such beautiful craftsmanship.

Thank you but no gracias, no scorpions for us. Great idea for a gift though.

By now we were rather hambre so I noticed a nearby restaurant just at the edge of the Soriana parking lot. Hopefully some of you recall that this entire area used to be an RV park and we had camped here many many years ago.

So we impulsively made a decision to have a quick lunch. The menu is huge and we wanted to sample it all. Please give this place your time for a meal. You will not regret it.

Colin had an enormous shrimp burger and they asked him if he wanted the shrimp whole or chopped up.  It came with a wonderful salad and fries. He has to be honest, the ketchup was not very good. I begged for a bite and have to say ‘ best shrimp burger ever ‘.

Meanwhile I chose the Queen Tuna which was tuna slices bathed in a special house sauce, crowned ( not my word but the word on the menu ) with cooked shrimp and a dollop ( massive and yummy ) of caramelized onion and mounted on a toast with avocado bed. I am ready to order this again tomorrow. What else have I been missing  in my life. Only 150 MXN accompanied by a 99 MXN perfect margarita. The tuna was melt in my mouth perfect.

I was ready to go home but we had to move onto Soriana and purchased some basics including vino blanco. Guess I need to shop there more than once every four years 😎

From my yet to be named area. VOTE!!

Thank you Dallas for this great photo! You have come a long way as a photographer.

Make me happy my friends and please vote as per above.

The first vote will be for our new wheels mentioned in this blog post.  The second vote will be for my new sunset ocean view seating area – which is still a work in progress but discussed in this post and also here. Your votes on the suggestions submitted to us by yourselves will guide us in making a decision.

Please vote on a name for what we have been calling ‘ Put – Put ‘ from the following suggestions by making a comment.

~ Grasshopper

~ Dune Buggy

~ Lizard Blitz

~ Verde Vroom

~ C’s Lime Beast

~The Turtle

~ the Bomb

~Cool Jewall

~ The Chuckle Chariot

~ Emerald Buggy

~ Put – Put

Next help choose a name for my very special area overlooking the sunset, also by making a comment.

~ Contessa’s Happy Spot

~ Contessa’s Dream

~ 4C’s Sanctuary

~ El Cielo de la Condesa ( Contessa’s Sky )

~ El Cielito de Condesa

~ El Corazon de Condesa ( Contessa’s Heart )

~ Casa Canadiense

~ Contessa’s Happy Place

~ Contessa’s Heaven’s Gate

~ Contessa’s Corner

~ Sunset Serenity

So happy to welcome a long time blog reader to Mexico. She has done all her paperwork including visiting a US Mexican Consulate and crossed yesterday into Sonora. Don’t know if she got temporal or permanente? She is very happy to be living here now in Mexico. I think her favorite parts thus far are the loud music and hummingbirds 😎  A huge amount of work on her part but so worth it. Not an easy move from eastern USA. Very happy to have been able to help her.

Colin’s photo of the April 2024 eclipse here in Mazatlan. Perfect for our 2025 April calendar.

The boys coffee morning hang out. We have known these fellows Randy and Merle ( not Andy on top right ) since 2009. Look at those socks.

Hope you had enough syrup for your wafflles Merle. Love your very special smile.

Great photo taken by Tris as they flew out of Mazatlan on April 2nd.  So sad they had to leave two months early but oh what a great photo of the Isla. Shipping channel on the right along with El Faro and we are on that bay on the left – you can see the long stretch of the isthmus that we are on ( just about mid photo ). How fortunate we are to be living here.

Not a great sunset this evening, but I managed to catch one of the last few shrimp boats coming in. Shrimp season is officially over. Prices will now be sky high for shrimp. We stocked up.