Pal2010: Pat & Al in Mazatlan 2010

Tuesday, Feb 23 2010 A Surprising 29C with clear blue skies ... as usual

Just hitting the pool and sun. The last 5 days have been clear and could not ask for anything better except an occasional cloud to cool off. Sat on the beach for awhile today, periodically under the palapa and enjoyed the sounds, the smells and the view. Will miss it but also will enjoy getting back home to all that white stuff. The weather forecast looks better so that is a welcome home gift.

Lots of new "Gringos" coming in daily [mostly on Sundays and Momdays] and all very white! We were the same way when we arrived 29 days ago.

Managed to get another free golf round tomorrow from Linda Kennedy who is employed by Estrella Del Mar as a sales rep but whom has become our friend first and foremost. She will meet us after our round and we'll have lunch together at the clubhouse ... with a few cerveza thrown in I'm sure.

We are hoping to get back to Villa Union for one more kick at the cat for the last few goodies we want to take home, but not sure if we'll make it.

We have met so many friendly people and a large majority are Canadians. We will probably do one more posting before we leave so all you kiddies get on the edge of your seats for the grand finale.

Thanks again for all the fun emails we've been getting from y'all! It is really fun to hear what's going on in everyone's lives while we are so far away.

AND, Happy Belated Birthday to Sharon Dorosh [we're not telling how old she is [53]. And Happy upcoming birthday to Carol Munroe - Al's sister. We're not telling how old she is either [65]. Upcoming March B'Days of Sheila Coutts [52] and of course Patricia Ryan [49] the youngest of all her friends!! And best wishes to anyone we've missed - forgive us, we're old!!

Talk to you probably one last time before we leave. .

Love ya guys,
Al & Pat

Sunday Feb. 21, 2010 29C

Hey Guys!! WE see it’s still warming up there … which is just GREAT news as we arrive home Sat. Feb. 27th – 33 days I think after we left. We could not get a direct flight home (we did going down and it was 3 hours 45 minutes … ya gotta love those direct flights!) so we have to overnight in Edmonton. We don’t leave here until 4pm so we’ll have the whole morning to say Goodbye.

I think we’re getting ready to come home, but we will *certainly* miss the view, and the temps. Probably the hardest thing will be putting on clothes again – pants, sweaters, socks, coats, boots, mitts, toques … yup, keep those high temps coming!!

We’re catching some of the Olympics, but only in the evenings we’re home, and we only get US satellite here so we only get the US slant on things. You know, it’s just no wonder these people know nothing of the ‘outside’ world! Their news sucks, big time!!
I have been going online and reading newspapers to keep up with local news, plus the Internet keeps me informed of whatever I ask. Thankfully our curlers are doing great!! Sounds like their our best bet for medals! Too bad.

Al & Pat

martes, 26 de enero de 2010

Pat & Al in Mazatlan 2010

Hello Everyone of our Very Best Friends & Relatives!!

Today is our first day of being here in Estrella del Mar, Mexico which is 17 miles south of Mazatlan. This translates to 30 minutes drive because only the crows fly in a straight line.

We were VERY tired when we arrived yesterday afternoon - Jan. 25th. Our flight was delayed to 11am, from the original 9am due to illness of pilot - we figure he was probably just hung-over. The flight was an uneventful (thankfully) 3 hours and 45 minutes ... and all of a sudden, below was GREEN grass and tons of gorgous hibiscus, purple/red/yellow bougainvillea and numerous other colored unnamed flowing plants ... mixed in amongst the palm trees.

Within less than 10 minutes, our shuttle drivers had whisked us, along with our ton of luggage, into the van and 10 minutes after that we turned in Estrella del Mar. We then drove for about 8 minutes till we arrived at the hotel desk, checked in and received our keys, and were driven to our condo. It's pretty nice guys.

So we of course had a look around inside, found that our groceries - most importantly our BEER - had not arrived! Oh well, peeled off our already too hot shirts and shorts, put on cooler stuff, and headed for the beach which we can see from our 3rd floor condo. We were barely down to the pool when two ladies (who *may* have enjoyed a cocktail or two) invited us to a 'get-together' around the pool. Everyone in Phase 2 (more about that in a minute) and anyone wandering through, were all invited. Bring your drink and come meet your fellow condo owners/guests. Knowing that we had found a bottle of Vodka in our fridge we hustled back to our condo, and met the man who was delivering our beer!! BINGO!! Headed down to the pool only to be greeted like long lost friends and a TON of food as everyone coming brought along appetizers (yummy). This took care of dinner for us - shrimp, veggies, chicken, cakes, pies, breads, pickles, salsa, cheeses, and on and on.

Everyone here is either American (seems like a lot from Colorado, but dozens and dozens of Canadians of the best kind - WESTERN Canadians!! Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Vancouver Island and lots we can't remember. It was just tooooooooo much fun and what a great start.

Now for the funny part - when these people found out we are staying for 5 weeks ... THEY mistook us for people with moola and really poured on the charm!! AND the soft sell. The VERY best of this is we are getting golf passes and other promised things. Will see what happens, but we have been having a good giggle over it all.

We slept good with glass doors open to the pounding surf. The surf was pretty wild last night and actually kept us awake for a while. It truly sounded like a horrible winter wind ... just howling and then something we don't hear ... crashing ... almost like a cannon shot! Al actually got up and closed the glass doors which only lasted until I woke up sweating and opened the doors. If you close doors, you need to turn on the air.

Anyway, got up this morning before the sun which rises about 7am. Mazatlan is one hour behind Regina. Puddled around here before walking down the beach to the Golf Club Restaurant for breakfast. We met one person and it's about 7 city blocks from here to there. Ocean has settled down today and is quite lovely. Breakfast was great and then we walked next door to the club house, examined their gorgeous golf clothes, talked to the golf pro about lessons, and headed home through the golf course. Oh my GOD ... this place is HUMUNGEOUS ... and gorgeous! And we managed to miss one turn so had to scoot across the fairway to get home. And sweat? Wowzers ... it will take us a few days for our bodies to manage the 'cool' setting.

Spent all afternoon in and out of the gigantic pool, which we shared with 6 other people. It's amazing how private this place is. We've had appies of fresh fruit (fresh has a whole new meaning here), cheeses, and a couple wine/beer. Not sure what we'll do for dinner yet, but we have food in our fridge now so not a problem. The sky is incredible.

I shall now attempt the upload some pictures, and then some videos on Youtube.