March 23-24, 2007

Mazatlan to Topolobampo, MX (on the ferry dock) (click on map-good view!)

Catching up



March 23
Touring the Countryside

This was a bus trip tour that should have been “optional.”

Beginning at 9 am, we climbed aboard the bus and headed south—or was it east. You know it’s going to be a snoozer when the guide spends the first 20 minutes talking about the government housing you are passing by.

First stop: Manuel the adobe brick-maker. The only surprise here is that we weren’t offered the opportunity to buy a brick. Never know when you might need another wheel chock. Moving down the road, the tile maker was next. Interesting, but not one of those things you really need to know to function in modern society. We now have another trivet—for only 20 pesos. This could show up in YOUR Christmas stocking!

Next, the bakery. Of course we bought a few rolls. Then another ½ hour ride to our lunch destination in Copola, where lead is mined. Just don’t breathe too deeply.

The restaurant was famed (“world famous”) for its banana cream pie, which we passed on, feeling that we would be tempting la turista to strike us down. It was not famed for the view of a brush covered hillside. The village had some cute shops with some nice ceramic pieces, but it was utterly deserted. How do they pay the light bill?

Crawling back aboard the bus, we painfully inched our way back to the park driving through the heart of town. I know that I overuse the phrase, but this trip WAS a long road to a little house.

A great dinner (shrimp coco loco and mango shrimp) at the Mazatlan Inn. Terrible service, but wonderful food with new friends.

Final comments on Mazatlan: A very vibrant area, with tourist opportunities at a reasonable price. Construction—residential and commercial all over. The place is booming, as was Chihuahua. Sure seems like there is plenty of work in Mexico. Drivers are absolutely crazy, disregarding whatever traffic laws exist, passing on the shoulder, over double lines, etc. Contrasting world, with at least 50% of the population living in wooden/tin/adobe shacks along dirt roads. Much of the population uses footpower, pedal power, horsepower or motor bikes for transportation. Car usage is probably the exception in the areas we have seen. Intercity buses are sleek. Intra-city buses are beat up. Graffiti is almost everywhere, and is of very poor quality.



"Hola to Senorita Carly..."


March 24, 2007
Mazatlan to Topolobampo

The long, long road

Up at 6:00, we were ready to go by 7. Finally pulled out of the park and began the return trip up the coast, through Los Mochis to Topolobampo, where we would catch the ferry. Prior itineraries had the trip leaving from Mazatlan, but it was deemed too long a ride (17 hours vs 8), and the ferry was getting a bit creaky. It is now kaput. Instead, we drove back over the most boring road of the trip (280 miles in 8 hours), while pretty much exhausted. Wished we had a final free day in Mazatlan to veg, instead of the banana cream pie tour.

Ahoy there!

All day drive today from Mazatlan to Topolobampo to catch Ferry to LaPaz. Will board ferry at 10 pm and “sail” at midnite, arriving in La Paz at 8 a.m.