Mexican Riviera Cruise

We (Mike, Dad Hale, Brad and me) flew from Salt Lake City to Long Beach California on what was suppose to be an early flight. We arrived at the Salt Lake City airport in plenty of time (thank you Niccole for the night stay and ride to the airport). All went well and the flight was on time until we boarded. The crew gave their "in case of an emergency" speech, the plane was pressurized and we pulled away from the ramp. We were just a short distance away when the pilot returned us to the entrance. There was a man 10 rows back of us that had had a heart attack! The cabin was depressurized, the doors open and police, paramedics, and airport personnel rushed in. Meanwhile, another guy across the aisle from us stood up, talked to the stewardess and left the plane. He returned a few minutes later with a bottle of water and took his seat. They finally took the heart attack victim out in a wheelchair with oxygen and wires attached to transport him to the hospital. Things seemed to be returning to flight mode in the plane again. The doors were once again closed, the cabin was pressurized and the pilot prepared to begin the taxi procedure. About that time the second man stood up again and said that he had to get off, too. He was having an anxiety attack!! So once again the plane was depressurized, the doors reopened and he left! Brad said that if one more person requested to leave, he thought we should all get off and find another flight! However, that didn't happen and we finally were on our way an hour late, but nonetheless our vacation had begun!

We arrived in Long Beach and we had a shuttle waiting for us to take us to the pier where we were to board the ship. We knew we would be early getting there but there was a porter at the dock to take our baggage and we were told we could get the registration done and then get in a VIP line that would allow us to board early. We were to line up no later than 11 o'clock or we wouldn't be able to go on until the original designated time. He said we could leisurely have lunch on board and just relax for a while. Sounded great to us! We went through all of the preliminaries and then went to stand in line. We stood and stood and stood. People were still disembarking from the ship from the previous cruise. We ended up standing there for over 3 hours! VIP treatment?? Finally the gates were open and we were allowed to go aboard at 2:30 p.m. after a long and hot wait. We got more of a suntan there than on any other part of the cruise.

Although we had an eventful and slow beginning, we did have a great vacation! We spent the first 2 days at sea. It was cloudy and rainy but we were able to do a lot of things on board and just took that time to kind of wind down. We spent Wednesday in Puerto Vallarte where we went on a tour of the city and later went on a "Sunset Sail" The sunset was beautiful and we took some great pictures; however, as it turned out it was a 2 hour "happy hour" for the rest of the passengers. They had all the beer, taquila and margueritas that they could drink. We felt a little out of place with our water and Diet Coke. We were teased and labeled as the boat's "designated drivers". But we didn't mind the chiding. Thursday we were in Mazatlan. We took another city tour and went through the Sierra Madras. It was really hot and humid but we were glad to have an air conditioned bus. We got to see a lot of countryside and it was a lot of fun. Both days we were able to have authentic Mexican lunches. We are now definitely "hooked" on the real stuff!!
We visited old cathedrals, towns, businesses, an adobe factory, a furniture factory, and a bakery. None of them are like our big factories and businesses. We are talking almost a third world feeling. Friday we were in Cabo San Lucas. Mike went snorkeling and the three of us just stayed on ship, enjoyed a late breakfast, played cards and relaxed. When Mike returned we got off the ship and went to the marina by tender boat. We had made arrangements to meet my brother, David, who lives in Cabo. We looked and looked for him but after about an hour and a half we gave up and returned to ship. Apparently he had been searching for us as well but we just didn't make connections. I felt badly that we had both made the effort and didn't even get to visit for a few minutes. Saturday we were at sea again and we returned to Long Beach for debarkation Sunday morning and it was all too soon over. We spent the remainder of Sunday and Monday in Long Beach and then flew home on Monday night. (Thanks Marc for meeting us at the airport!)

It was a great vacation and we learned a lot about our neighbors south of the border. We only wish that some of the rest of the family could have come with us! Maybe next cruise! Let's set spring of 2010 as a goal! Who is up for it??