Author: Contessa Jewall

How time flies when you are having fun

Contessa Jewall16 Comments

But really how did it get to be March 1st?

We have done a family beach walk together now for a few days. Colin walks to the far end of the beach and I leave about 15 minutes later and catch up to them on their return. So happy to say that I can walk to El Velero and back.

They are mindful of us going in this direction. When they walk/run in the other direction they go wild and almost out of control. Here they walk nicely and come back when we call them ( a piece of a small treat helps ). The yellow house mid photo at the top belongs to an RV couple from RV 2.  At this point the house is not quite ready to live in. Meanwhile they continue to live in their RV in RV2.

I guess on this day I walked to the end of the beach. I had to sit down and rest for a bit.

Carlie is always first in the water. She does have a  green collar on but it is difficult to spot. We have lost so many leashes and collars this season. Time to stock up once we get to the US.

I was still sitting on the rocks when Ciela started to bark that she had found something we needed to see. Colin beckoned me over. It appeared to be an eel or a snake struggling very hard to get out of a hole in the sand.

It was a a challenge to keep the girls from touching it. But we stayed to watch the struggle and this is what it looked like when it came out. I have Goggled eels and there is not much known about how they breed and hatch. So perhaps this was a newborn!

We left right after it started moving along the sand. Apartments are being built everywhere on the Isla. 1200MXN per month for a place right on the beach with electric and wifi is a very good price indeed.

So much colour wherever you look.

El Velero to the left and new apartments for rent for 1200MXN are right behind Puesta Del Sol. One of the longtime rvers from the back row have rented the top apartment on the right. They have two balconies, one always in the shade. Another two have also rented apartments starting in November but on the causeway.

I took this snap shot as the brown umbrella in the middle had just flown off the table because of a wind gust.

Dad looks so proud of his girls.

This sunset is from February 19th.

What do you think of the size of these photos? Would you prefer them to be smaller like below?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bit of this and a lot of that

Contessa Jewall7 Comments

It remains cool for this time of year. There is a lot of wind and it has a chill to it. However compared to what is happening north of the border we are not complaining. Many who had planned to leave within the next few weeks have decided to stay and wait for some warmer weather. We are here as planned for another 31 sleeps. I have been spending more time inside but with all of our windows I can see the ocean, the sand and what is happening out there. There is just one day that the girls did not get to the beach cuz it was too cold for them to go into the water. They had a walk at Amaitlan instead.

We have come to the conclusion that the veggie truck that goes to the RV parks and home to home, street to street is charging us more than they do the locals. About three veggie truck vendors back, Miguel left the business of driving around in his truck and instead set up his garage like a grocery store. He aways has fresh veggies and will bring in anything special that you might like. We simply say that we are going shopping at the garage. This bunch cost 78 MXN/$4.24USD/$5.77CAD.

Having said that, we do try and support the local veggie truck guy now and then. But this small amount cost us 48MXN/$2.61/USD/$3.55CAD.

Last Wednesday we went to a cocktail party. One of my friends had invited 50 of her closest friends to meet her daughter and her fiancé. Truly a lovely couple and the party was great. Sadly they are only here for six full days and the weather has not been its usual perfect self. Then Saturday afternoon we went to a fund raiser benefiting special needs students here on the Isla. There was live music, an auction of many original paintings and a client auction. Colin surprised me by biding on a lovely full size fleece throw. One side had puppies and the other teddy bears. Carlie has claimed it as her special blanket. I borrowed it for a nap today and it is very snuggly. Colin took new friends into Mazatlan to show them around and came home with all kinds of goodies.

Colleen’s lovely winter home and some of her friends. It was nice to catch up with other people who live on the Isla.

Colleen, Katia ( my masseuse ), myself after enjoying some tequila and sadly I only met the lady in front and don’t recall her name but like the rest of us she was happy. That is an original mermaid painted wall with my dear friend in the middle.

Colin snapped the joy of the moment. Yet another painted wall in the background. It truly was the best party since we arrived.

Fundraiser at Chivos. A perfect place right on the beach. Live music by Barefoot Bob.

I am sitting bottom middle. I would have preferred to sit in the sun but after thirty minutes it likely would’ve been too warm. The fellow sitting with the white hat mid left is Nathan Koenig, a documentary filmmaker and archivist. He was right there in the midst of Woodstock and was a part of creating the Woodstock Museum. There are many fascinating people who winter here on the Isla.

Carnaval is over but there are still quite a few folks who have stayed over in town. We always enjoy watching families coming to the beach. Colin is planning on heading to Culiacan to see Heriberto and possibly the guitar festival. Plans are up in the air re dates. Our greatest problem these days is that we have run out of relish, first time ever. Also we only have one more can of vegetarian refried beans left. I have been experimenting with a few new recipes. Oh and my very old falling apart beach sandals were stolen on the beach today. Hopefully the person who took them will get some use out of them. I will pick up a pair of cheap flip flops tomorrow.

One final Carnaval photo. Have you ever seen fireworks that go sideways? It was spectacular.

We have been unable to stop the girls from barking when people come over. Once they get to know someone they still bark but only once or twice.  We definitely have dachshund security.

One of our nicer sunsets this past Thursday, February 23rd.

Thanks for checking in.

 

 

First Parade Carnaval 2023

Contessa Jewall5 Comments

The theme of Carnaval this year was Deja Vu. Some of the floats carried Carnaval Queen’s as far back as 1973. There was a float dedicated to getting a man on the moon. Another float was all about the hippie era of peace and love. There were floats from Egypt, China and Brazil and likely more places. Here is a collage of the many floats taken from a variety of areas. Colin and I watched the entire parade on TV and some of these are photos I took from the TV. Just scroll though the photos and enjoy the colour, the LED lights, and the energy. Every person on each float has to keep dancing, waving, smiling for close to three hours. Between the floats are dancers relative the theme of each float. We thought that they were excellent this year but they are very difficult to photograph as a they never stop moving. So many huge smiles. These photos are in no particular order. This first one is carrying the Queen of Carnaval 2023.

 

So many people watching the parade.

Some of the former Carnaval Queens from years past.

Carnaval Queen 2023.

King of Carnaval 2023

 

 

The following photos are from the MS Carroza Official Bandams Mazatlan Carnival 2023. Sinaloa loves Banda, MS stands for Mazatlan, Sinaloa. The crowds went wild as this Banda playing float passed by.

 

 

 

Fireworks cruise 2023

Contessa Jewall6 Comments

Once we loaded two wagons right outside the RV park we left promptly at 8:30PM. Colin is in the first wagon standing up.

We were delivered back to the RV Park at exactly 12:30AM.

A borrowed photo from online showing just a few of the 500,000.00 people in Olas Altas waling to see the show.

Only 47 of us on a boat that holds 70. Lots of room to move about.

A few of our friends. The boat was decorated with balloons and flashing lights.

The above two were taken from higher up in the Olas Altas area.

The above were were taken by Colin.

It was a fun adventure and everyone had a great time. One of the best ways to see the fireworks.

 

Carnaval in Mazatlan

Contessa Jewall13 Comments

That means Banda music to excess, plenty of lights, tons & tons of beer, two breathtaking parades and the 125th anniversary of the Carnaval fireworks, loads of parties and people galore.They say that there will be at least 1/2 million people on Olas Altas alone tonight to see the spectacular  pyrotechnics.

We saw this Monigote a few weeks ago being transported to where it will be placed along the parade route.

Every year there is a theme to the Carnaval. This year it is Dejavu, Dreams of a Carnival (Dejavú, Sueños de un Carnaval). Apropos considering that this is the 125th anniversary of the start of Carnaval here in Mazatlan. Mazatlan is said to be the 3rd largest Carnaval in the world after Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans.

In no particular order and taken from  a variety of public websites.

The amazing thing is that they look wonderful during the day but at night they have a special sparkle. LED lights galore.

In addition to the fireworks and the parades one thing that stands out are the giant Monigotes. They start going up about 10 -14 days before the start of Carnaval. They are usually construction out of wire and covered with a thin cloth and then covered with paper mâché and painted.

Lots of effort to place the Mongiotes.

So much detail.

Sorry to cut this short but we are off to see the fireworks tonight with 47 friends 😀

This is a link to an interesting article about the giants.

 

 

 

 

Sunset after sunset

Contessa Jewall5 Comments

They have been getting nice but I recall them much more colourful in past years. But the world’s climate is changing and affecting many different areas.

My friend is in Tucson for a conference and never expected snow this morning. She will be getting back to the Isla as soon as she can.

Interesting cloud formations in the last two. This was a sunrise photo taken by Kathleen.

A favourite.

Don’t miss the post I did yesterday morning even though it was two days late.

Love these two. All four us had a long peaceful walk on the beach yesterday afternoon. They have changed so much in the last year, so very well behaved.

They seem to get longer every month…

Always something to post about

Contessa Jewall6 Comments

Then it was to have been published yesterday but I forgot to hit publish 😳

Initially this was to have been published Monday but I ran into some production issues.

I saw this photo on FaceBook yesterday and made a screen capture to share with you. I really like it.

What you are looking at is the entrance to the Mazatlan port. Looks to be a narrow opening but the cruise ships and large freighters get through. To the bottom left is El Faro with the lighthouse on top and to the right is Chivos Island. The green at mid right is Stone Island/Isla de la Piedra. To the left and on top is the port and all of Mazatlan.

I am not giving up posting but I have decided that I don’t need any more stress in my life. Colin has picked up making many meals, doing the dishes, cleaning, grocery shopping and walking the girls. So not fair to him but I really appreciate all that he does and he knows that I do 😎  At the moment my priority is getting thru each day with as little stress as possible. Of course there is my daily knee exercises and on going kinesiology.

Remember a few weeks ago the girls ate/destroyed one of my bougainvilleas.  I replanted it with this one but it lost all its flowers two weeks after we planted it. We now have nice healthy flowers.

I am up to my elbows in the fireworks cruise that I am organizing which is for this Saturday evening. At one point I was worried that it might not happen due to a lack of eager participants. Now I am getting new people everyday and will have to start turning folks away. This is the 125th anniversary of Carnaval here in Mazatlan and the fireworks are supposed to be incredible. I have people from Mazattan renting a van and driver to get them here and then pick them up afterwards. The cruise leaves from and returns to the Isla. Another couple who are thinking outside of the box will spend the night in a hotel here on the Isla.

A sunset from a few weeks ago.

The weather has been cool and often foggy during the day. We are happy with our down duvet at night. Tonight we are going down to 12C/53F I do try and walk every two days with the girls but sometimes 3 or 4 days pass by. Once Sunday comes I should be much freer. Gosh I haven’t read a book for over a week 😥

The large stone that Stone Island/Isla de la Piedra was named for.

Wasn’t that a super Super Bowl yesterday. We only started watching just after half-time. We missed the half time show and will watch it soon as we taped it. And of course we have only seen 50% of those very expensive commercials, thus far! Which commercial was your favourite?

Another great photo by Sue on their visit here.

Colin has had to see three chiropractors in the past 9 days. We certainly hope that yesterdays treatment will fix him up!! Each has helped just a tiny bit but it has not hit the jackpot yet. Gosh he will be 73 in July and I will be 70 in May. Much much too soon for physical issues. We plan to keep working on our bodies as the best is yet to come. Egypt and another visit to Venice and who knows where else.

We have had very few happy hours but are still doing out Saturday night game night.

Wednesday the 15th of this month is when we have to pay our annual one month non refundable deposit for next season. This is the first time that under new management that the deposit is non refundable. Our first season here was 2009/2010. We can’t believe that this is our 13th year here at Tres Amigos. I was only 57 and Colin 59. How fortunate we have been to be here annually except during Covid year. On April 8, 2024 there will be a complete solar eclipse best seen right here in Mazatlan. I think that there is a great possibility that we will be here on the Isla for five full months next winter. That means we get to enjoy both Semana Santa and the eclipse.

The twins have become more ‘twinning’ lately.

Colin shared these with me the other day, seriously 🙄

 

 

Fishing anyone?

Contessa Jewall7 Comments

A few weeks ago on January 19th, I woke up and looked out the window. There was a cruise ship coming in.

And very slightly to the right of us a group of fishermen were pulling up a fishing net onto the beach.

I had just gotten up and was not dressed to go to the beach. So I will let Fred Wicks photos show you what happened. He was right in the thick of the action.

This was the largest haul any of us can recall in all the years that we have been here.

So many fish.

They were mostly toro.

More fish than what their containers could hold so they started filling the bottom of their boat. Great to watch from our RV but much more exciting seen on the beach. Thank you Fred for sharing your photos.

This next wee link came from Sue & Mike who visited us last week. After Colin had dropped them off at the ferry Sue look this 40 second video before they boarded the ferry. The girls are hilarious as Colin tries to get them away from the net. Colin is wearing a yellow shirt.

Hmmmmm….

Contessa Jewall2 Comments

…I do not recall showing you the December 2022 calendar photo. I love my chocolates, both the milk chocolate and the dark chocolate.

January 2023 calendar photo. For some reason the original photos of my 2023 calendar are back in Canada. So this is a photo of the actual January calendar. The top two photos are of the girls as we drove down the horse road to the RV park back in November 2021. They were very excited. Bottom left is our friend Miguel who takes his horses out on the beach most days to offer rides to tourists. Here he was just returning home ( long horse road ) from the beach. Everyday we get his wave and big smile as he passes our RV site.

A bit of this and a bit of that

Contessa Jewall4 Comments

Carlie continues to do well with us cutting her breakfast into two servings, served 60 – 90 minutes apart.

Colin rearranged our yard a bit including moving one of the chaises to the back 40. The girls like sitting back there to watch the birds.

As you know that after getting my MRI and x-rays I  sent them to my family doctor. The first time she referred me the orthopaedic ‘committee’ but they refused the referral saying that they needed to see the actual film online. I made that happen. Then the committee ( this is new to me, what happens is that all referrals in BC are sent to a small orthopaedic committee ) then decides how to handle your referral, how long can you wait to see a doctor, etc. not to mention the actual surgery. Well they refused my referral for a second time. They insist now on only seeing X-rays and the tests done in BC and within a certain amount to time prior to your referral.

So now I have to wait to contact my doctor and ask for an x-ray referral. Due to the shortage of medical techs, never mind nurses, pharmacists and doctors, everyone has to wait a minimum of 4 weeks before they can have their xray. Then that is sent in another referral by my doctor to the orthopaedic guys and then I can wait up to a year to see someone. Then another long wait for surgery. We did pay for my knee surgery here three years ago but we are not in a position to do that again this winter.

January 25th sunset.

In the good news department, Eric our RV tech here in Mazatlan, has taken apart our Blue Ox tow brake and was able to replace the battery and all is now working properly. It was a very common inexpensive battery. Blue Ox said that when it stops running there is nothing we can do but purchase a new one at about $2000.00USD. That the battery cannot be replaced. They sure have a great business/scam going.

The girls love napping together and surveying the beach activity.

My knee is still a bit swollen but not as bad as before. However it hurts every time I go up and down the stairs. I chanced a beach walk today and I had a bit of pain but it was so wonderful to be back on the beach. Yes I am still doing my kinesiology exercises daily. I have another online session tomorrow.

We had some company from back home (Holiday Park Resort )this past Friday ( January 27th ).Sue and Mike on the left and their sister in law Cheryl visiting from Edmonton.

The plan was to sit a bit and then go down the beach for a drink. Once they sat down they did not want to leave. They said it was the perfect beach day and they just wanted to stay where they were. The girls had a picnic lunch and in addition to wine and beer I provided a wee snack. Sadly it was a bit cool because of the wind but we managed and enjoyed our great vista,

*****Someone contacted me about photos and beach access from both parks here at Tres Amigos before Christmas. I have the photos done but I just can’t sit at the computer too long. That is also the reason that my posts have been sparse. I have lost my contact information for you. Send it to me again either by email or make a comment on this post.

Last night we played MexicanTrain but it did not go well. Too many of us were newbies. We will try it again another night.

Wish you were here as I am once again organizing the Carnaval fireworks cruise. I did not want to but Colin really wanted to go one more time. We still have some spots remaining.

January 26th sunset. Tonight we had 7 boats in the bay.