Port of San Pedro and Los Angeles

Thursday, Sept 25

Why take a bus tour of Los Angeles when our ship docked right beside the USS Iowa, a World War II warship?!?

The ship is huge and awesome, and you can take your time going through it. 

 The large, handsome captain’s quarters alone make the tour worthwhile especially since the suite contains Franklin D. Roosevelt’s large bathtub.  Sadly, I was a-snooze   when it came to taking pictures.

I was also very impressed with the thickness of the walls protecting the navigation bridge.

                                        Galley for Crew

                                        Mess Hall for Crew

Med center for injured crew

The Iowa was updated to carry missiles for the Persian Gulf war.

Now I want to watch some warship movies.  Nine 16 inch guns blasting smoke and fire, anti-aircraft tracers streaking, and enemy planes exploding; very exciting!

The plan is to open the ship up overnight guests!  Can you imagine a dinner in the officers' mess?

There’s also a World War II merchant ship here in San Pedro for us, if we ever come back.  In grade 8, I loved Nicholas Monserrat’s book about corvettes and merchant ships:  The Cruel Sea.  Might have to read that again!

AVENA at PAULITA’S in Laredo

Bryan and I already have had cereal with milk for breakfast.  Now we just want some coffee and a pastry to share. 

Paulita's menu is in Spanish only.  The waitresses speak only Spanish.

“What’s avena?” I wonder aloud. 

“Let’s try it,” says Bryan.

Since it comes with bread, butter, and jelly, I figure we can’t go wrong.  There’ll be something to eat, no matter what.

The waitress sets a bowl in front of me.  It looks like soup!  Bryan tastes it. 

Avena is oatmeal porridge!!!!  I'll be having the toast.

Bryan pronounced the avena nice and hot, creamy, and sweet, but not too sweet.

     

MAZATLAN, Mexico

Sunday, Sept. 28

Los Cabos was damaged so badly by a hurricane 2 weeks ago that it was taken off our itinerary.  Instead we docked in Mazatlan.

A shuttle took us to the port gate, and we walked for about 20 minutes through a nice residential area 

                                            to get to the city ‘centro’.

In the cathedral, I asked for permission to take a picture 

of this little girl because she reminded me of the girls in First Communion dresses in the 1970s.

Nestor said the Mercado has improved a lot in how the meat and fish are presented since he was last there about 10 years ago.

                                       trimming cactus leaves for nopales

There are restaurants on the second floor of the Mercado: 

Diana even bought a dress at the Mercado.

There's an upscale bakery/restaurant near the cathedral.  When I was checking out all the many choices, 

another shopper pointed out one item which she said was very good and only found in Mexico.  

So, naturally, I ordered coffee and the

Helado de Guayaba:  Delicious!

I enjoyed Mazatlan.  Shopping was fun.  The vendors kept assuring us everything was “just about free”! 

Diana got right into the bargaining and also bought a couple of nice necklaces!

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico

Monday, Sept. 29:  Puerto Vallarta:  

Taxis are cheap here, but we had a real adventure because Nestor took us to the Old City on a public bus!  30 pesos for 4 passengers J

 The walk along the Malecon makes PV a very special place. 

 I loved the public sculptures:

A Mexican street vendor urged Bryan and me to sit down and watch the pole spinners with him.  So we did.  And paid.

These dance performers invited me to take a picture with them.  So I did.  And paid.

Hey, if you think I’m complaining, I’m not.  Everyone has to make a living.

The crown at the top of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Church is held in place by angels –  the crown is a replica of the one worn by the ill-fated Empress Carlota.

An old woman was selling dolls outside the cathedral and she would not bargain!  “I made these, madam,” she said.  “70 pesos for the smallest, 80 for the next size, and 200 for this one.”

We crossed onto the Isla but it was too hot and humid to shop.

When we got back to the ship, a grumpy man in the elevator exclaimed, “As far as I’m concerned, the Mexicans can keep their heat.”