Author: Contessa Jewall

One of the new RVers, Fred took this photo of us starting out on a walk.

Full fridge before Christmas.

Snapper with lime.

Dorado topped with thin slices of pineapple – very yummy. Large zucchini on the grill and potatoes.

Broken toilet seat. We were very lucky to find one on Amazon.mx that fit. None our size to be had anywhere in Mazatlan.

Right in the middle of a large intersection. This fellow was just working on his own, no one to direct traffic around him nor hold the ladder.

What is this all about?

The red tractor was pulling these three wagons up the road right next to us from the beach and he got stuck. So he had to get the blue tractor to pull him and the wagons through the heavy sand.

This is the same area that all the vehicles get stuck in unless they are a 4 wheel drive or know how to drive in the sand.

Found some hidden wine. That is the girls colourful toy box in behind.

Three ships in port on January 10th. Tourism is all back to normal here in Mazatlan.

We so enjoyed watching them leave, that we invited folks over for happy hour to see another three cruise ships leave the very next day, January 11th.

I was heading to physio that morning and saw them all lined up.

On the return to the peace of the Isla. I forgot to take photos of our happy hour but a great time was had by all. Always fun to watch the huge ships leave.

Last sunset of 2022.

Sunset bird chase.

They become so very intent on their task of following the birds.

They really are  body surfing the waves which were over their heads. Ciela on the left.

Great end to their beach walk.

Plus the Canadian consulate reached out to those of us who are registered with them.

I have no idea how the news spread so very quickly. The mercado was shut down very quickly.

Centro and other parts of the city were shut down rapido.

Wow, Soriana’s parking lot is empty.

Not much activity on the beach today.

All entrances to Mazatlan were blocked off so no one could enter the city from any entrance especially the Federales, National Guard, etc.

All of this chaos was because the government re captured EL Chapo’s son.

This is the entrance off of HWY 15 to the Mazatlan airport. From the news article “after Guzman’s capture’s they reinforce security at the exits of Mazatlan”.

This is the exit to Isla de la Piedra enroute to the airport. The turning lane on the left as you look at the photo. The overhead sign on the left indicates a turn to the Isla.

Yet another block to the airport. As far as we can figure out the cartel wanted to control the airport so that El Chapo’s son could not be flown out of Sinaloa. We have read that he has been transported to Mexico City, we have no idea from where or how. All major airports as well as schools in Sinaloa have been shut down until further notice.

Thank you Audrey for sharing this sunrise photo. So glad you were up early and shared this with us.

There were so many different types of clouds last Thursday that the sunset was also spectacular. I took these photos.

The colours kept changing. A sunset party cruise ( they certainly got their moneys worth ) crossing in front of a shrimp boat.

Sailboat in the bay, shrimper and a cruise ship heading north.

Very early December some new folks to Tres Amigos asked about going to a special restaurant before Christmas. So on December 17th a few of us went to Gaia.

The Plazuela Machado was all decked out in Christmas lights and this cute display train. It was so wonderful to get out and about. At this time I had no idea that I would not have to have surgery so I was soaking everything in.

All BCers, Kelly and Fred, Patrica and Dennis and Gary and of course ua

Our favourite band, Los Cryps, was playing at Gaia. However there is no longer any space to dance, yet Kelly and Fred found a place to do their thing.

I did have physio on December 22nd and again on the 24th. The first time I only received two types of this electrical stimulation to my knee as well as an ultrasound treatment. On the 24th I also received knee exercises to do at home. For which I am grateful as I do them daily.

There are a few areas set up to sell fruits and veggies on the Mazatlan side of the Embarcadero as well as the fish market. First time that we have seen bamboo being cut up and prepared to sell.

I took a few close ups of the pelicans that hang around the embarcadero.

Yellow!!!

Green! Interesting tip of his beak.

Always fun to pass a cruise ship on the lancha as we head back to the peace of the Isla.

Clever marketing. This fellow had obviously made arrangements with the lancha captain to entertain the very full boats going back and forth on the 24th.

He also sang and I was surprised that a few of the people on the lancha knew what he was singing and joined in. He did well in tips as we disembarked.

December 27th.

December 28th.

We had eight sailboats in on the 26th, not a great sunset. But every sunset is special in its own way.

This RV came in the afternoon of the 26th. I meant to get a better photo of it but I never left the RV. It was a young couple with three children ( one maybe 4 or less??) and a dog. I wondered where they had spent Christmas Day. They did leave mid morning the next day. Of course I wondered how far they were going and where they would stop for the night. I bet they are on the way to South America. I will let you know where it came from once one of my detectives gets back to me.

It was time for snuggles.

No idea where Carlie was but she loves to nap in their crate.

When did Santa drop all this off? Big surprise to us both 🙂

Looks like Santa caught me have a very very tiny nap!

The carrot with dressing casserole on top was made mid afternoon. We had extra carrots and stuffing so two casseroles were made. This is, believe it or not, Is our old convention microwave. We needed two ovens to cook our meal. This one was outside. Talk about decadent! We plan to gift the old convection microwave to someone who needs it.

Meanwhile the new convention oven inside the RV ( now installed) was cooking the potato dish and the stuffed tofu turkey.

Aunty Ferne gave the girls colour coordinated small balls to play with and we gave them peanut  butter bubbles which should be fun. I got a lovely blown water glass from Guadalajara and two of my favourite style day dresses. Colin got two fun baseball caps and a few dozen new colourful socks.

Yum yum and so many left overs. Of course we had a few other veggie sides but this was the main attraction.

I was well enough to do a walk and it ended up being so wonderful. I have really missed seeing the girls running.

They truly love the beach and would likely spend all day out there if we let them.

Only one paw down – both of them. They love to chase the birds and turn on a dime as the bird changes direction.

We invited Dianne and Bob, who purchased our old home in Holiday Park to join us. They are currently in RV2. Can you see that Carlie is in the air?

That is a tidal pool where the girls are and they are learning to be careful as they have been in over their heads a few times.

They seem to have no fear and even run into the ocean and the waves. We do have to watch them carefully. Today the waves were higher than usual and Carlie was being been pulled back into the ocean so she stopped paddling and started leaping forward. Colin was close by and would have rescued her. Happy that she is figuring it out on her own.

The beach was busy and it was pleasant watching all the families come and go.

The twins bring us such joy. We can’t believe how much their behaviour has changed and grown over the past several months.

Happy December 25th.