Cruise 2025 Day 4

 

Good morning Mazatlán. 

This picture was taken at 7:57 from our balcony.

We went to the buffet for breakfast and since we were in a hurry,

we did not take any pictures of our breakfast. 

I did fill a paper cup with an assortment of nuts and fruit to take.

What I do remember is the ship turning its direction 180 to get into the docking site of the Harbor.

Then moving right to get right up the docks for disembarkation. I also remember a lot of military police at the dock to assure our safety. We got to the Princess Theater and showed our passes and got our assigned group number. Then each group was taken to the exit area on deck 4. Everyone showed their Princes Medallion to check out. We followed our group leader to the bus that was waiting for us.

If you didn't take an excursion with Princess, you exited at different place. You would have to do a lot of walking to get the area where you could take other public transportation. You had to make it back in time before the ship left and there is not a guarantee that they will wait for you. If you miss the ship, 

you would have to rent a car and drive to get to the next port!

All the buses were air conditioned and comfortable. Our tour guide was named Gina. She explained that all the tours were approved by the cruise line. The ship knew where we were at all times. Each time we got on the ship, she took a count of people. Every place we visited has been reviewed by the cruise line. If you booked with the cruise, they would wait for you is you got separated.

Gina had a fun personality and made us all laugh while giving us facts of our tour.

The Faro lighthouse sits on top of the mountain 

and looks out at the Sea of Cortez.

There are tours that can take you up to the lighthouse, 

but not with the cruise ship.

La Sirenita y el Amor statue is behind me.

Also known as the Little Mermaid of Love.

This is Liverpool Alley that brings light to the music of the Beatles.

Can you see the Yellow Submarine in the back of the picture?

The red photobooth next to the last Beatle?

Next stop was to see the cliff divers.

There were a lot of vendors in the area,

Mazatlán means place of the deer.

This is the Venadito statue.

There are many statues on the Malecon but, we only drove

by a few. There is a walking tour of this area.

There are many excursions-tours to choose from the ships list

as well as other private tours to take.

We really wanted to see the Cathedral, so we chose this excursion.

Our next stop was the Old Town Mazatlán and the Golden Zone.

the home of the Baroque-Gothic style Cathedral

 Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

It is located in the heart of the historic district.

A Basilica is a title given by the Pope.

The guide reminded us that we are visiting 

a cultural and religious place.

We were allowed to explore as long as there was no service going on.

The beautiful Cathedra Basilica and was built between 1855 and 1899.

It reminded me of the art history class I took in college that explained the architecture of the different periods in history. This cathedral is patterned after the Baroque Revival (1580-1750) It also has features from the Gothic period with the beautiful flying buttresses, the many arches that offer support and the flow of the dividing rooms in the church. This is one thing they stayed in my mind from my art history

classes I took in 1977 and 1978. Gothic puts an emphasis on letting light, and height. Baroque emphasizes the inside structure to define the interior. Both are beautiful!

I was not raised as a Catholic, but as a Methodist.

I did visit my grandma's church and never really understood

seeing Jesus on the cross because he rose.

I didn't understand why the Virgin Mary was there 

and why she was called virgin when she had more children.

But that was my young mind and now I can appreciate

the symbolism of the Catholic church.

There is a story and a purpose to everything in the Bible.

In the picture above and below, you can see the stain glass windows.

If you look closer at the top of the window, you will see a star of David.

The church needed more funds and the Jewish community gave then

the funds they needed and the Star of David was the thanks.

There are 28 stars.

We wish we could have spent more time here, 

but we had to be back at the bus at a certain time.

Next we headed to the Zona Dorada, the Golden Zone, an area with modern shop, 

restaurants and high rise hotels. We stopped at a place that sold jewelry 

on one side and tequila on the other side. They had a wine tasting bar.  

Here I am with Gina who was giving samples of a drink

made with coconut and chocolate tequila mixed.

She was pouring samples from the glass she had.

You can see me holding the little sample cup.

It did taste good, but I only took a taste.

Our next stop was the Hotel Playa Mazatlán for lunch.

The hotel is on beach property.

After the performance, we were free to go to go to the beach, 

use the pool or shop.

We decided to go to the beach first. The water was warm.

Then we decided to go shopping for souvenirs. 

We took a few pictures on hotel grounds first.

We bought our souvenirs at a good price! 

I got another Nativity to add to my collection.

Restroom visit at the hotel before going on the bus.

Time to go

We passed this sign after we left and lots of people were there.

Gina airdropped this picture to out phones.

The Seafood shops. We stopped by so that Gina could get some fresh shrimp to show us.

Lots of coconuts!

Back on the ship around 4:40

We went to our room to wash up and then headed to the International Buffet for dinner.

I chose the turkey with the trimming. Hubby got a mix of things. 6:00 pm

Enjoying the art gallery next to the photo shop.

Time for the show!

The show was great!!! The music had the sounds from updated Latin beats.

They started with Gloria Esteven's The Rhythm is Gonna Get You and the Conga.

Hubby and I got to hear her in concerts in Los Angeles in the late 1980's.

 Despacito and Havanna. It was an exciting, fun show!

After the show hubby went back to the room. I walked around and watched

people dancing at the Plaza. Then I went up to the 16th deck and

watched a little of Top Gun on the large screen. The weather was so nice!

I knew we had to get up early and headed back to our room a little after 9.

It was a fun day!

Mazatlán Today