¡Adios!

Farewell to Mazatlán and to my favorite spot, Stone Island. I am now back in St.Paul, Minnesota, still yearning for sun, surf, and sand. From now on, please check my Visual St. Paul blog.

A Change of Pace

Who has more fun at a beach than children?

Aquarium #7-The Acrobat!

Do you see what I see? Perhaps standing on your head would help!

Camera Critters-Aquarium #6

This scary critter was in an area filled with turtles. They must have developed a friendship! To see some more interesting critters, click here.

Aquarium #5-More Fish

On Sunday I'll show you an amusing little creature.


No human being, however great, or powerful, was ever so free as a fish.
John Ruskin

Aquarium #4

Despite knowing that the glass and lights would cast a reflection I couldn't resist snapping photos of some of the colourful tropical fish.

Aquarium #3

This beautiful peacock strode confidently among the other birds and spectators...amazingly friendly!!

Aquarium #2

The Aquarium also had a small aviary containing all kinds of birds: quail, duck, geese, parrots, macaws, and a host of others.

“It is the beautiful bird which gets caged”-Chinese Proverb

Aquarium #1

The Mazatlán Aquarium is a small but very pleasant facility. During Samana Santa the city was filled with vacationing Mexicans, many of whom brought their families to this pleasant little spot.

Easter Bunny

Camera Critters-Newfound Friend?

I never did figure out whether I was supposed to buy him or eat him?! To see and enjoy more photos of critters from around the world, Click Here.

My Mexican Neighbors

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin......i love you.
"What a Wonderful World"

More vendors

Another Day at the Beach

Stone Island is my favorite beach in Mazatlán. After a short boat ride, the beaches, coconut grove and many restaurants, especially Lety's and Carmelita's, offer a pleasant, relaxing day. The many vendors are a constant presence, but they're polite and friendly without being aggressive. I'd like to buy one of everything from them because their work is hard and arduous.

Fishermen's Day

I love going to the area where the fisherman and their boats are kept. Watching the activity in the area gives me a different feel for the city. The boats they use are called pangas. Here is a brief description of them: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...

The Panga is the Central American/Mexican version of a skiff. The term "Panga" was used historically for any small boat other than dugout canoes. Today it usually refers to an open "semi-dory" type skiff. Pangas form the backbone of the small-scale fishing effort in Mexico, Central America and much of the Caribbean.

Pangas are usually between 19 and 28 feet in length, with capacities ranging from 1 to 5 tons and powered by outboard motors of between 45hp and 200hp. They are planing hulls capable of speeds in excess of 35 knots.

The hulls are made of Fiberglass or FRP, heavily reinforced by numerous bulkheads and usually have bow and stern enclosed flotation compartments.

In the hands of an experienced operator they are considered extremely seaworthy. Most pangas are expected to have a working life of between 5 to 10 years if properly maintained.

Who Could Be Sweeter

One of the best things about the Mexican culture is the way I have observed that children are treated. They are included in almost all activities, and I see them everywhere: in restaurants, in the plazas, at family gatherings, and many other public places. No-one has refused me when I asked if I could take a picture. Beautiful, isn't she?!

A Moveable Feastday

Camera Critters--A Dog's Life

Isla is a shelter dog who was adopted by a resident of Stone Island, Mazatlán, México. She spends her day roaming the beach, visiting residents and sunbathing tourists until her owner comes to collect her and take her home. When she was in the shelter my husband who volunteers there often walked her. When we recently went to the beach to relax, sunbathe and eat good food, Isla recognized him and spent the day with us. A dog's life!! For more Camera Critters photos, click here.

El Faro, the Lighthouse

My son is flying from Minnesota to Mazatlán to visit for a week, arriving on the fourth of April. One of the favorite activities for some people, but not for me, is to hike up to the lighthouse on that very steep hill. I'm going to challenge him to hike to El Faro. Do you think he'll do it?

Recipe?

The Mercado has everything one needs to maintain a household: clothes, shoes, notions, baked goods, canned food, spices, vegetables, fish, chicken, beef...you name it. This fine specimen was in the meat department. I should have asked for a recipe.

“If you knew how meat was made, you'd probably lose your lunch.”
K. D. Lang quotes (American Singer, b.1961)

Theme Day-Temple of San Jose

"If I were going to convert to any religion, I would probably choose Catholicism because it at least has female saints and the Virgin Mary." - Margaret Atwood (Canadian)

The church of San Jose (known in Mazatlán as a "temple"), located on a rise of land at the foot of an area called Icebox Hill, is said to be the oldest church in the city, built in 1837 and completed 5 years later. The beautiful mosaic background and statues form a side altar in the small church, and the bottom photo is the main altar, made of wood.

To see more "yellow" theme day photos from around the world: Click here to view thumbnails for all participantsf