Live and Life from Koningsdam on her Mexican New Year's voyage

[Sir PMP]

 John en Maria een Gelukkig en Gezond 2023:

 

Groeten uit Scheveningen.

 

[sailingdutchy]

14 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Hey Tony, Dankjewel en Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar aan jou en je familie toegewenst / Thanks and a Happy New Year to you and your family!

 

If you are boarding K-dam next Friday, you'll have to swim to deep water somewhere off Baja California, my friend, since she'll be arriving in San Diego next Saturday 😉 We are going home that day, although Hawaii sounds perfect right now!

 

Safe travels from Ontario and you'll never know, perhaps we'll run in to each other! If we didn't have a fairly full car, I'd offer to pick you up at your hotel and drive you the very long distance to the Broadway Pier! We'll leave K-dam in good hands for you!

 

LOL you are right John I was a day off we will be Friday in San Diego very close to the pier and visit the Midway  than on Saturday we can walk to the terminal . Sorry I will not be able to meet up with you this time

 

BTW if you are going to the PG again would you mind asking if this is the same Douwe ..........this from the K'dam in 2019. We had some fun than in the Grand Dutch Cafe with him .

 

 

Love your blog 

 

Tony 

[Copper10-8]

41 minutes ago, sailingdutchy said:

 

LOL you are right John I was a day off we will be Friday in San Diego very close to the pier and visit the Midway  than on Saturday we can walk to the terminal . Sorry I will not be able to meet up with you this time

 

BTW if you are going to the PG again would you mind asking if this is the same Douwe ..........this from the K'dam in 2019. We had some fun than in the Grand Dutch Cafe with him .

 

 

Love your blog 

 

Tony 

That's him Tony, Douwe aka Dylan! My dad was from Den Helder and had a brother by the name of Bouwe

[mexylopez]

On 12/29/2022 at 10:11 AM, julia said:

Wow...  looks like the Koningsdam is packing some "Cruise Critic royalty" this week!!  I'm following along, anticipating our 35 night South Pacific sailing in February!

I’ll see you on the 35 day South Pacific!! 🙌🏻

[julia]

1 hour ago, mexylopez said:

I’ll see you on the 35 day South Pacific!! 🙌🏻

Yes!   Please join our VERY active roll call!

[Copper10-8]

SAT 31 DEC 22 - Day Three – Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur

 

Koningsdam arrived at the tip of the Baja Peninsula at around 10:10 AM, took onboard the Cabo pilot, and was assigned the primo anchorage #1 in the Bahia de Cabo San Lucas closest to Cabo’s marina which meant a shorter tender ride. The other nice thing was, we would be the only cruise ship in Cabo, which meant a lot less people in town, yeah Baby! Even before dropping anchor, K-dam hard-working sailors and “boatmen” lead by their experienced bo’sun, Yacob, went into tender operations from the mid-ships starboard side tender platform, rigging said platform, in addition to manning and subsequently splashing several ship’s tenders. As usual u Cabo, K-dam was also using two Cabo shore-side tenders with a capacity of about 55 passengers each, local captains who don’t mind opening the throttles on their boats once away from the cruise ship/and or breakwater.

 

Jutting out from that 1,000-mile-long Baja peninsula where the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) meets the Pacific Ocean, Cabo San Lucas is separated from the north by Baja’s desert interior. At the tip of the peninsula lies a rock formation known as El Arco (“the arch”). The sea around Cabo is home to a wide array of marine life, including large sea mammals such as grey and humpback whales. The area is frequently referred to as “Los Cabos” (the capes) which identifies the two communities at the end of the peninsula, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Cabo San Lucas is the main resort area on the western side of the peninsula while San Jose del Cabo, 18 miles to the east, is the more laidback, colonial community. The combined population was once 200 people, but that has grown to more than 50,000 today. The term “Los Cabos” also includes the almost unbroken line of hotels, golf courses and luxury condominiums in between both communities.

 

Maria and I started our morning off with a leisurely breakfast of one classic poached egg, no sauce and a bowl of oatmeal. We received excellent service inside Club Orange, this time from Andy who hails from Central Java and is a talker, fun guy to talk to!

 

Since we did not have any excursions in Cabo, we took our time onboard and waited until “open tendering” was announced by Diana at around 1:15 PM, when we went downstairs to the A-Deck gangway. There was a happy reunion there with about five-six security guards who had at one time all worked for me on various HAL ships. It was really good to see supervisors Jade and Rod, in addition to guards Mike, Eduardo, Jose, and Gemalyn again! We subsequently took our seats on Tender No. 6 for the quick ride to the Cabo Marina while being chased by big seals looking for fish scraps.

 

Once off the big pier, you could really tell that there were a lot less tourists walking around the marina. Our M.O. in Cabo the last couple of years has been to stroll the perimeter of the marina and find a place to have a couple of cold ones and a bit of lunch. That place for the third time in a row has been Carlito’s Cantina Bar & Restaurant right smack next door to the faux Cabo lighthouse, still inside the marina. The place has a thatched roof, is open to the Malecón in front, and the interior is covered with the colors of NFL and NCAA football teams; in other words, a typical authentic Mexican looking décor The food is excellent however, and the drinks aren’t bad either! We shared a plate of Nachos and three chicken enchiladas, while washing it all away with an ice cold Pacifico cerveza and an evenly cold Strawberry Margarita while doing a serious case of people watching as they walked by in front, and a Carlito’s employee’s endeavors to lure more trade bait to come inside. And listening to 80ties music. Life is still good!

We bid farewell to Cabo once again and took the tender ride back to K-dam, this time on a hired Cabo tender. Cabo hasn’t changed over the last several years, unless you’re talking about continued development of hotels and condos down the beach.

 

Unfortunately, K-dam experienced two medical emergency responses today, one this morning on the sports court, and the second one on that same tender platform after we returned. Here’s hoping both guests are improving although we learned later that one had to be transported to a local Cabo San Lucas hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superyacht "La Dacga" - 2020 Dutch-built (Damen) 252-foot superyacht has an Ice Class hull and is IMO Polar Code compliant. It offers accommodation for 12 guests and 35 staff, and amenities like two certified, operational helicopters with helipad and hangar, two beach lander tenders, two expedition RIBs, two snow scooters, a three-person submarine, and the full laundry list: gym, wellness and spa, pools, a treatment room, and Observation Lounge. Belongs to Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov but has recently "gone dark" prob due to sanctions 

[Copper10-8]

SAT 31 DEC 22 - Day Three – Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur (Con't)

 

We had no specialty dinner reservations tonight so decided to have our pre-New Year’s Eve celebration dinner inside Club Orange around 8 pm. Our steward this time was Ngurah who goes by “Nugi”. We both had the Veal Medallion which were excellent. On each table inside Club Orange tonight were party favors (top hats for the guys and tiaras in the form of a crown for the girls).

 

The New Years Eve party tonight basically was at two separate locations; the main one with the most folks in attendance was located at the mid-ships Lido Pool on Deck 10, starting at 9:00 PM. A second party was scheduled inside the BB King’s Blues Club on Deck 2. At the pool, one of the hot tubs was filled with numerous bottles of champagne on ice, there were Dutch “Appelflappen” (apple fritters) to be had. The area aft of the pool had been cordoned off and was reserved for D.J. Byron and his equipment, as well as for the Rolling Stone Rock Room Band. K-dam’s ship’s bell had been removed from its normal spot on the bow and had been repositioned on Deck 11 port side aft, overlooking the pool. Lastly, the big screen used for movies poolside had been turned into a giant digital countdown clock.

 

Maria and I arrived poolside around 11:15 pm and found a nice spot on Deck 11 starboard side aft overlooking the band and pool where most guests had gathered. Cruise & Travel Director Nick was the master of ceremonies, looking pretty resplendent in a bright read three-piece suit with matching bowtie. At around 11:40 or so the Beverage Dept. guys made their appearance with trays upon trays of filled champagne glasses which were dully handed out to the crowd. At about two minutes to midnight, approx. 20-25 passengers of various ages took up position on both sides of the inner walls of the Lido pool, and during the final seconds of the countdown up including the strike of midnight, that entire group jumped into the pool, most of them fully clothed. Lots of kisses were exchanged by couples, families and crew, champagne toasts were made, well-wishes were spoken, the ship’s bell was rung, and Auld Lang Syne was played by the band.

 

We hung around for another twenty minutes or so, and then made our way downstairs to the BB King’s Blues Club where we took in the music of the band by the same name. All in all, a festive and fun atmosphere and a nice way to ring in 2023! Tomorrow (Sun) will find us in Pichilingue, the port city for La Paz, the capital of the state of Baja California Sur. See ya then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

2 hours ago, Sir PMP said:

 John en Maria een Gelukkig en Gezond 2023:

 

Groeten uit Scheveningen.

 

 

Hartstikke bedankt Meneer uit Den Haag en dezelfde wensen jouw kant op! / Thanks very much gentleman from The Hague and the same wishes coming your way!

[erewhon]

@Copper10-8  Wishing you both a very Happy New Year.

Enjoying your blog, as always very  informative.

[Copper10-8]

7 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Superyacht "La Dacga" - 2020 Dutch-built (Damen) 252-foot superyacht has an Ice Class hull and is IMO Polar Code compliant. It offers accommodation for 12 guests and 35 staff, and amenities like two certified, operational helicopters with helipad and hangar, two beach lander tenders, two expedition RIBs, two snow scooters, a three-person submarine, and the full laundry list: gym, wellness and spa, pools, a treatment room, and Observation Lounge. Belongs to Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov but has recently "gone dark" prob due to sanctions 

 

Spelling error crept in - her name is "La Datcha" meaning a country house or cottage in Russia 

Edited January 2, 2023 by Copper10-8

[Seasick Sailor]

@Copper10-8

Happy New Year Maria and John!

 

So Konigsdam is where Nick went, and a promotion to boot. We had him on Rotterdam last Dec/Jan. Our trivia team, including @Sharon in AZ , and @richwmn always knew we'd get one answer correct: "BELGIUM"!

[Copper10-8]

SUN 01 JAN 23 – Day Four – Pichilingue/La Paz, Baja California Sur

 

After leaving Cabo, Koningsdam entered the Sea of Cortez / Gulf of California proper and sailed a northerly course until reaching and rounding Isla la Partida. She then entered the Bahia de la Paz and docked at her berth in Pichilingue harbor at approx. 7:30 AM. Pichilingue is referred to as the entry point to La Paz and is a deep-sea harbor with a commercial as well as sports fishing fleet. It is also the start and/or termination point of the Pinchilinque-Topolobampo or Pichilingue-Mazatlan daily ferry service on one of Baja Ferries’ drive on-drive off vessels. The one in port today was the all-white Baja Star. Seems like a favorite route to Mexico’s mainland for many North Americans judging by the amount of (U.S.) California plates on cars waiting to board as well as some with Washington State and even British Columbia plates. What a drive, eh!

 

La Paz (“peace”) is the industrial and political center of the region and, despite being the capitol and the second largest city of the region, it is still tranquil and traditional. Many shops still close for siesta. Local people are friendly, good-natured and hospitable. It’s a real Mexican town, has an air of timelessness and is a perfect place to relax. The strong presence of commercial fishing and increased tourism are the foundation for the town’s development. La Paz is laid out in the classic grid pattern with streets radiating from the northwest which faces the waterfront. Our view across the harbor was that of the brown (desert) colored rolling hills that surround the port of Pinchilingue.  

 

We had our usual breakfast inside Club Orange around 8:45 am – no waiting this time; Host Suzie (her real Thai first name is Suchittra, hence “Suzie”) took us to our by now familiar elevated table adjacent the two hardworking chefs, where we partook in an excellent breakfast, served by Nugi.

 

We were last in La Paz eight months ago on Zuiderdam, so the plan today was to do our own thing in town to ring in the new year! We had received a recommendation from a crew member about a local restaurant on La Paz’ Paseo Alvaro Obregon by the name of Bismarkcito, a kinda combo German/Spanish mixture. Off we went to the A-Deck midships gangway, through the little maze outside of local vendors, in and out of the terminal, to where there were three taxis lined up. Maria speaks fluent Spanish, me not so mucho, so she asked the first cabbie how much to the Malecon in La Paz. With a straight face the dude tells us “Treinta y Cinco” ($35). Mind you, that same crew member had told us $15 one way, so $35 amounted to Robo en Carretera Mexicana / Mexican Highway Robbery. We made a crisp about face and, as we did so, the cabbie apparently seeing a sure thing disappearing now told us “Treinta” ($30) but off we stepped about twenty feet to a waiting and complimentary (bus) shuttle arranged by the Port of Pichilingue and HAL.

 

On board we met our guide, Raquel, for the approximate 25-minute ride down the coastal road to reach La Paz itself with one stop at popular Playa El Tocolote / Tecolote Beach, where about ten of our shipmates left the bus to get some beach and sun time. Playa El Tecolote faces Isla Espiritu Santo, a fourteen-mile-long uninhabited island. We continued to our own stop at the local La Paz municipal / tourist bus terminal, also off the Malecon. We walked about three blocks – many places in town were closed due to it being New Year’s Day – and reached Restaurante Bismarkcito. This turned out to be a busy place with lots of local families and their kids which is always a good sign. Gave our names to the hostess who, after about 8-10 minutes came to get us to take us to our table. We each ordered the fresh seabass which came with white rice and a salad and was very good. Some of K-dam’s crew including our NL concierge Vinnie, arrived a bit later and got a table behind us. Overall, a nice local experience! Interesting place! We took the stroll back to the bus station and then left La Paz proper and took the coastal route back to Pichilingue terminal passing a valley containing cardon and cirios cacti, elephant trees and thorny chollas. The bus returned us back to Koningsdam at approx. 3:00 PM, enough time left to browse the vendors set up outside the small terminal building

 

All aboard today was at 4:30 PM however, unfortunately around 5:00 PM, there was a medical response P/A announcement which turned into another unfortunate medical disembark for one of our fellow guests and a drive to the local La Paz hospital/ Hoping he/she is doing better! This resulted in an approx. one-hour delay before K-dam was able to shove off her berth and sail northbound in Hernan Cortez’ mar towards Loreto, our next stop.

 

See ya then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

01 JAN 23 – Day Four – Pichilingue/La Paz, Baja California Sur (con't)

All aboard today was at 4:30 PM however, unfortunately around 5:00 PM, there was a medical response P/A announcement which turned into another unfortunate medical disembark for one of our fellow guests and a drive to the local La Paz hospital/ Hoping he/she is doing better! This resulted in an approx. one-hour delay before K-dam was able to shove off her berth and sail northbound in Hernan Cortez’ mar towards Loreto, our next stop.

So, we decided on a real leisurely dinner tonite and that was at the New York Deli & Pizza on Deck 10 midships where we each had a couple of Pepperoni/Cheese slices, followed by some real Italian ice cream at “G” Gelato one deck below.

Post dinner, we chose to go to the Main Stage for the 9:00 PM presentation there of BBC Earth Planet Earth II in concert. The “concert” part consisted of the ship’s Lincoln Center Stage classical musicians accompanying the footage. This movie, just like the initial one, contains some amazingly stunning footage of different animals inside their natural habitats throughout the world. The funny part is that the audience starts picking sides on which animal to root for as it fights for its life as in the lone marine iguana hatchling being feverishly hunted on the beach of Fernandina Island (part of the Galapagos Islands) by a den of racer snakes that seem to be everywhere on, or a field mouse being stalked by an owl. You find yourself cheering for the underdog as they escape their seemingly doomed fate. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it (if you have small kids, there are no scenes of animals eating other animals).

After the BBC performance, we called it a night nice and early because we have a 7:00 AM excursion tomorrow (Monday) in Loreto, going to the Mission San Francisco Javier de Vigge-Blaundo up in the Sierra de la Giganta Mountain range.

See ya then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

Greets from Pancho's in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico!

 

[Copper10-8]

On 1/1/2023 at 7:09 PM, sailingdutchy said:

 

LOL you are right John I was a day off we will be Friday in San Diego very close to the pier and visit the Midway  than on Saturday we can walk to the terminal . Sorry I will not be able to meet up with you this time

 

BTW if you are going to the PG again would you mind asking if this is the same Douwe ..........this from the K'dam in 2019. We had some fun than in the Grand Dutch Cafe with him .

 

 

Love your blog 

 

Tony 

 

Goeie avond / Good evening Tony

 

We had dinner in the PG tonite and told Douwe / Dylan about you joining K-dam on Sat for the Hawaii roundtrip. He was exited to hear about you, remembers you from your 2019 voyage, and says he will buy you a cup of coffee in the Grand Dutch Café 😉 

 

 

[albingirl]

On 1/1/2023 at 10:53 PM, Copper10-8 said:

That's him Tony, Douwe aka Dylan! My dad was from Den Helder and had a brother by the name of Bouwe

We've met him and he's just a lot of fun!

[highscar]

Any chance of getting a picture of the glass supplied for the cola machine?     Thanks in advance.  

[dchip]

14 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

Greets from Pancho's in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico!

 

I enjoy your cruise threads so much. Always great info and photos. Thanks and a happy New Year. Cheers!!!

[sailingdutchy]

10 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Goeie avond / Good evening Tony

 

We had dinner in the PG tonite and told Douwe / Dylan about you joining K-dam on Sat for the Hawaii roundtrip. He was exited to hear about you, remembers you from your 2019 voyage, and says he will buy you a cup of coffee in the Grand Dutch Café 😉 

 

 

 

That's very nice John from Douwe , we will look him up for sure in the Pinnacle Grill and look forward to a Free "kopje koffie"  / cup of coffee at the Grand Dutch Cafe . ( It's the best "Cup of Joe " on board ship ! ).

Have a few more very nice days on board ship , love reading your blog ! 

Cheers, Tony 

[Copper10-8]

9 hours ago, highscar said:

Any chance of getting a picture of the glass supplied for the cola machine?     Thanks in advance.  

 

 

The glasses for the "AMC Movie Theater"-like coke machines are X-Large size plastic tumblers. The price is $8.00 a day for unlimited use. There is a little catch; the package can only be ordered on Day 1 and/or Day 2 of the cruise. The two machines are located on Lido Deck / Deck 9, port side, directly opposite the Lido Bar 

 

 

 

 

 

[highscar]

@Copper10-8thank you. I have pre- ordered the pkg.   

[Copper10-8]

MON 02 JAN 23 – Day Five – Loreto, Baja California Sur

 

During the night, Koningsdam sailed on a northwesterly course still inside the Sea of Cortez towards our next port of call, that being the pretty and sleepy town of Loreto where we anchored around 7:00 AM. Our shore excursion this morning required us to meet on the starboard side of the World Stage show room packed and ready. That time does not leave you one heck of lot of options for “brekkie”, but we found one and presented ourselves at 6:20 AM bright eyed and bushytailed in the Lido Market which starts breakfast operations at 6:30 AM. After a breakfast of scrambled eggs, a patty snausage, some tators, and lots of coffee, we strolled over to the show lounge where K-dam’s shorex manager was holding court. After about a 10-min wait in the holding pattern, our color and number sticker were called and we were on our way down to A-Deck with a free tour of I-95 in crew country, until boarding our tender from the mid-ship’s tender platform.

 

Today will be our second, and final, tender operation of this cruise. Personally, I like tendering. I know it can be a hassle at times having to go get tender tickets and there’s some wait time but, once on the tender, it gives you a true feeling that you are on a sea journey. Besides, if you have a chance to sit by any of the door openings, you have a great opportunity to take some descent pics of your ship.

 

The historic town of Loreto, known as “Concho” (“red mangrove”) in the indigenous language, is the oldest of the permanent European settlement in Baja (“lower”) California. Established in 1697 by Jesuits, Loreto, framed by the majestic Sierra de la Giganta Mountain range, was the capital of Baja California (Baja was not yet divided into a North and South state then) until 1830 when the administrative center moved to La Paz where it remains today. Loreto’s current population is about 20,385 inhabitants. The main draw in the Loreto region is the water. Lots of sports fishing takes place here mainly for Yellowtail, Sailfish, Sierra, Dorado, Marlin, Wahoo and Roosterfish. The local fishing fleet forms the basis for the economy. Loreto is also famous for another thing: In 1752, the Jesuits built the Mission de Nuestro Senora de Loreto Concho, the oldest known mission in Baja. It has since been repaired many times due to earthquakes and floods but still stands as a symbol of the emerging colonial era in the Californias.

 

Our excursion today would take us to another mission, the Francisco Xavier de Vigge-Biaundo known locally as El Mission San Javier, located about 23 miles west in the Sierra de la Giganta mountains (the mountain chain of the giant). This is the general name given to the mountains that form the backbone of southern and central Baja California. After arriving at the central town pier at about 8:30 AM, we met our guide, Linda as well as our driver, Fernando. Our group of 45 persons was asked to take our seats inside a modern looking full-size coach, complete with seatbelts and they would come in handy! At about 8:45 AM, off we went down Calle de la Playa and yet another Malecon. We briefly entered Mexico’s Highway One which runs from the U.S.-Mexico border at infamous Tijuana “T.J.” to the tip of Baja at Cabo San Lucas, but shortly after made an exit stage right and the adventure began.

 

It would take us about 20 miles and an hour and a half journey to San Javier, still some bumps and “water crossings” along the way but nothing compared to our last journey there which was in April 2007 and was basically “off road” trip inside four Econoline vans. We first followed a dry riverbed for about 40 minutes before we started climbing the mountains proper on a newer and wider paved road which was an interesting experience, especially during those times when we encountered opposing traffic.Looking out the window on my side, the view of a potential 200 feet free-fall into the ravine below was an attention getter.

 

Sitting all the way towards the right front of the bus, I found myself looking for material to use as a parachute and wished I would have paid more attention to the safety brief by Linda (you know, the one about tray tables and seatbacks having to be in the upright position for landing, etc.) Nothing but good things to say however, about driver Fernando. The man knows how to operate a large bus! The mountain climb part of the trip took about 25 minutes, and we then entered a lush valley with lots of palm trees which led us to the community of San Javier, population about 120 and set in a deep arroyo. It basically has one cobblestone street that leads from the primary school to the awesome looking mission with adobe homes and fruit orchards in between. The story of the mission is also an interesting one:

 

Italian Padre Francisco Maria Piccolo established the mission on May 11th, 1699, when the inhabitants of the area high lands were “Guaycura” Indians. The temple was built between 1744 and 1758 overseen by Father Miguel del Barco. Having just climbed the new road from Loreto, I can only imagine how back in the mid-18th century, materials to build the structure had to be hauled up there by mule on an even narrower trail. The missionary's objective was to convert the local Cochimi Native Indians to Christianity. Among the most striking missions in the region, the façade includes a series of interesting windows and was constructed in three distinct styles: Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-classical. Inside, the gold-painted main and left and right-side altars with original paintings, recently restored, are amazing. Unfortunately, six of the paintings from the left side altar were stolen in the 1920ties by rat bastards and never found again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

MON 02 JAN 23 – Day Five – Loreto, Baja California Sur (con't)

 

Linda then took us to the area behind the church where we found a great looking very old olive tree closely resembling a banyan tree. We then walked the 80 yards or so down Main Street to one of two restaurants in town, Restaurant Palapa San Javier, owned by a husband and wife and had an excellent local lunch consisting of a cheese quesadilla, beef machaca wrapped in a flower tortilla, beans and a slice of goat cheese, washed away with a coke and/or cerveza. Good stuff which also marked the third day that we’ve had a local Mexican lunch without any subsequent visit(s) from Montezuma and his compadres (must be on vacation in Hawaii). Life is still good!

 

Had a small chat using high school Spanish with the only copper in town from the Policia Municipal de Loreto subdelegacion San Javier. Talk about leading a quiet life! The ride back down to Loreto was pretty much uneventful but still very interesting with a photo stop to take a pic of Koningsdam waaaaay in the distance.

 

After being dropped off at the pier around 2:00 PM, we decided to take a shuttle back to Mum. (Last tender back to the ship was at 3:30 PM)

Koningsdam heaved her anchor around 4:00 PM and sailed in a southerly direction for some scenic cruising of the Sierra de la Gigante Mountain range, before heading for the Mexican mainland and our next stop at Mazatlán in the state of Sinaloa. Our dinner was in Club Orange where Maria had the Grilled Salmon with Capers and Dill, and I had the New York Strip Loin with Steak Fries. Also, had a really good cup of Frijoles Negros soup.

 

9:00 PM brought us back to the Main Stage for the second performance by the Step One Dance Co. in “Musicology” Think of this show as those six talented performers “wrapping themselves” into musical instruments like the guitar, the piano, the organ (mind of his own), etc. Another very entertaining performance. With lots of energy and great dancing! Right afterwards, we caught the final moments of comedian Brendan Vestal’s act in the BB King’s Blues Club, before calling it a night.

 

Buenos Nachos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bennybear]

1 hour ago, Copper10-8 said:

Good stuff which also marked the third day that we’ve had a local Mexican lunch without any subsequent visit(s) from Montezuma and his compadres (must be on vacation in Hawaii). Life is still good!

Glad he’s not visited you, but praying he’s not visiting Hawaii,  mahalo! 

Edited January 6, 2023 by bennybear

[leerathje]

You are heading to Mazatlan?  Things are not good there.  Apparently El Chapo's son was arrested in Culiacán, and violence has broken out all over Sinaloa. (Culiacán, Mazatlan, Los Mochis and Guasave)  The Mazatlan airport is shut down.  The Canadian govenment is reccomending Canadians not travel there. 

 

Take care!

 

https://globalnews.ca/news/9390464/mexico-drug-cartel-arrest-canadians-violence/

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ovidio-guzman-arrest-violence-1.6704936

 

L.

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by leerathje