Guaymas and Copper Canyon
March 31st
This cruise apparently doesn't stop at Guaymas too often. Seemed like the entire town turned out to see the ship come in. We were greeted by a marching band complete with majorettes! We visited a couple little shops on the pier then spent the day reading, relaxing, eating, etc. More locals came to watch us leave. The entrance into the pier is very narrow. Captain did a great 3 point turn missing all the channel markers, little islands and ships.
We have had such a smooth ride this whole trip. I am extremely grateful. But I still take a Dramamine when we are sailing. I'm not taking any chances.
April 1st
Next stop was the port of Topolobampo. I have not idea what it looks like because we left in the dark and came back after dark. It was our Copper Canyon day. This trip was the major reason Doc booked the cruise. We were up at 3:00 am. There was a very nice breakfast waiting for us in the dining room. We left the ship and boarded very comfortable buses at 4:30 am. Nearly 2 hours to the train station and I managed to sleep most of the way which is very unusual for me.
We boarded the train for a 6 hour ride up through the mountains. The seats were not as comfortable as the bus but they weren't bad. There was plenty of leg room. Not long after we got settled in we were served coffee and a box breakfast that included yogurt, apple juice, sweet roll, banana, and granola bar! Wow!
We had a guide on board to point out interesting things along the way and provide the history of the area. The mountains are lovely. The time seemed to go pretty fast.
We arrived at the Copper Canyon area and were taken by bus up to a resort for a very nice lunch with views of the canyon. The Tarahumara Indians are the locals. The women and children had their wares laid out for us to buy. They weave beautiful baskets in all shapes and sizes that they sell for very little money. They are also very shy. They do not look right at you. They permitted me to take a picture but looked away as I took it. I felt so badly I only took one but it turned out nice.
We were then treated to some native dance and shown a couple games that the people play. it's Holy Week and they celebrate all week long. In fact, the guide told us we may not see the dance because often the Indians are too drunk to perform. He told us they all die young because of the amount of alcohol they drink. And they make it themselves so it's not as if it was introduced by 'civilization'.
We had 3 choices from there. A hike along the canyon rim, 250 steps down (and back) to see a native house built in front of a cave, or stay at the hotel. We chose the third option. We had a beautiful view of the canyon and also many birds in the bushes. We say several kinds of humming birds coming to the multiple feeders hung on the balcony.
We boarded buses back to the train station. The train was not there but there were several bus loads of people wandering around in the sun and dust. We waited in the nice, cool bus and watched them. When the train arrived there was a mad dash and crush of bodies trying to board. We all had a car and seat assignment so there was no need to hurry so we stayed back from the crowd and avoided the crush.
Back on the train and headed home we were given free Margaritas (in very small glasses but who am I to complain?). Then they came through selling them and other drinks/beer/wine. We got to see the view from the opposite side of the trip up and it was much more interesting but unfortunately it got dark before long. We were once again served a box meal. This time a big ham and cheese sandwich on a croissant, apple, juice and a Snicker's bar.
Once again the time went by more quickly than expected. After it got dark, however time started to drag. Because we were following a passenger train we stopped frequently. The starts and stops were accompanied by hard jerks. Not much fun. The passenger train finally pulled onto a siding so we could pass. I was so tired and the ride was getting uncomfortable. We finally arrived at the train station we left from so many hours ago and boarded the nice comfortable buses. I was once again able to sleep.
We arrived at the ship around 11:15 pm to a surprise. Many of the officers from the ship were lined up to greet us and we were given champagne to toast our return! They were serving a prime rib dinner with live entertainment. Doc and I chose to go straight to bed though. But that was such a pleasant surprise. There were even people on deck applauding our return.
It was a long, sometimes uncomfortable day. Some of it was quite beautiful as was the canyon. I'm so glad we went but would I do it again....no way!
This cruise apparently doesn't stop at Guaymas too often. Seemed like the entire town turned out to see the ship come in. We were greeted by a marching band complete with majorettes! We visited a couple little shops on the pier then spent the day reading, relaxing, eating, etc. More locals came to watch us leave. The entrance into the pier is very narrow. Captain did a great 3 point turn missing all the channel markers, little islands and ships.
We have had such a smooth ride this whole trip. I am extremely grateful. But I still take a Dramamine when we are sailing. I'm not taking any chances.
April 1st
Next stop was the port of Topolobampo. I have not idea what it looks like because we left in the dark and came back after dark. It was our Copper Canyon day. This trip was the major reason Doc booked the cruise. We were up at 3:00 am. There was a very nice breakfast waiting for us in the dining room. We left the ship and boarded very comfortable buses at 4:30 am. Nearly 2 hours to the train station and I managed to sleep most of the way which is very unusual for me.
We boarded the train for a 6 hour ride up through the mountains. The seats were not as comfortable as the bus but they weren't bad. There was plenty of leg room. Not long after we got settled in we were served coffee and a box breakfast that included yogurt, apple juice, sweet roll, banana, and granola bar! Wow!
We had a guide on board to point out interesting things along the way and provide the history of the area. The mountains are lovely. The time seemed to go pretty fast.
We arrived at the Copper Canyon area and were taken by bus up to a resort for a very nice lunch with views of the canyon. The Tarahumara Indians are the locals. The women and children had their wares laid out for us to buy. They weave beautiful baskets in all shapes and sizes that they sell for very little money. They are also very shy. They do not look right at you. They permitted me to take a picture but looked away as I took it. I felt so badly I only took one but it turned out nice.
We were then treated to some native dance and shown a couple games that the people play. it's Holy Week and they celebrate all week long. In fact, the guide told us we may not see the dance because often the Indians are too drunk to perform. He told us they all die young because of the amount of alcohol they drink. And they make it themselves so it's not as if it was introduced by 'civilization'.
We had 3 choices from there. A hike along the canyon rim, 250 steps down (and back) to see a native house built in front of a cave, or stay at the hotel. We chose the third option. We had a beautiful view of the canyon and also many birds in the bushes. We say several kinds of humming birds coming to the multiple feeders hung on the balcony.
We boarded buses back to the train station. The train was not there but there were several bus loads of people wandering around in the sun and dust. We waited in the nice, cool bus and watched them. When the train arrived there was a mad dash and crush of bodies trying to board. We all had a car and seat assignment so there was no need to hurry so we stayed back from the crowd and avoided the crush.
Back on the train and headed home we were given free Margaritas (in very small glasses but who am I to complain?). Then they came through selling them and other drinks/beer/wine. We got to see the view from the opposite side of the trip up and it was much more interesting but unfortunately it got dark before long. We were once again served a box meal. This time a big ham and cheese sandwich on a croissant, apple, juice and a Snicker's bar.
Once again the time went by more quickly than expected. After it got dark, however time started to drag. Because we were following a passenger train we stopped frequently. The starts and stops were accompanied by hard jerks. Not much fun. The passenger train finally pulled onto a siding so we could pass. I was so tired and the ride was getting uncomfortable. We finally arrived at the train station we left from so many hours ago and boarded the nice comfortable buses. I was once again able to sleep.
We arrived at the ship around 11:15 pm to a surprise. Many of the officers from the ship were lined up to greet us and we were given champagne to toast our return! They were serving a prime rib dinner with live entertainment. Doc and I chose to go straight to bed though. But that was such a pleasant surprise. There were even people on deck applauding our return.
It was a long, sometimes uncomfortable day. Some of it was quite beautiful as was the canyon. I'm so glad we went but would I do it again....no way!