11-Day NCL Cruise

It was so much fun. Now it seems like a dream since I am back to work trying to catch up on everything. I found out about the cruise just three weeks before departure and the ship was full. I was put on a waiting list and after a few days, NCL called and said there was an opening. I called my mom right away and said, "I hope you're free because we're going on a cruise."



We got on the cruise ship in San Francisco which was great because there was no travel time before boarding, yeah! At least good for me because Mom had to drive up from Laguna Hills. The itinerary was to head south along the Mexican Riviera including the ports of Topolobampo, La Paz, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. I was ready to go!





Topolobampo
After three days at sea we arrived at our first port, just a spot on the map. The actual town we visited was called Las Machis some 20 minutes from the dock. There had only been a few cruise ships stop over the summer, so the locals just looked at us funny, a little suspecious, not sure what to expect from these rich foreigners.

La Paz
The next port is located just north of Cabo San Lucas on the inside channel. It was a bigger city and very clean. We took a private van tour of the city and he took us to see the cathedral, pottery makers, weavers, and then along the beach front where we stopped to get our feet wet. We were part of a murder mystery dinner that evening and it was so much fun! I was a Russian KGB agent.
















Matzatlan
Next we stopped in Matzatlan and took a guided walking tour of the old town. We started along the beach and then along the old streets and buildings that are pretty much deserted now. They are beginning to revitilize the old section with shops and restaurants, etc. and it will be really nice when they are done. We saw the cliff divers, a very old bakery (great cookies), the history museum and plaza, the opera house and cathedral. We had lunch at a restaurant next to the plaza which was part of the tour. So fun and relaxing.












Puerto Vallarta
This day was definiately the highlight of the trip for me. I signed up for a tour with Randy Gardner and Leon and LeeAnn Nelson to go zip lining and repelling. What a day. First we took a Zodiac at high speed about 20 minutes across the bay to the mountains. Then we boarded an open bed truck to go up in the hills. Honestly, it was just like the Disneyland Indiana Jones ride and I was sitting at the end next to the tailgate holding on for my life. THEN we got on the donkeys to go higher up the mountain. There were several zip lines (I think 6), one repelling line alongside a beautiful waterfall, and then one free-fall down a cliff. Awsome stuff! I knew Dad had always wanted to do it so every time I'd yell, "This one is for you," or "Here we go again!" I have lots of pictures on CD but Randy has them so I'll get them posted later.

Cabo San Lucas
Our day in Cabo was relaxing as we took a boat out to the arches and then had access to a very nice resort for two hours with a very nice lunch provided there. We enjoyed the beach but also enjoyed the quiet of the pool away from the venders and crowd. It was the exact beach we were at as a family where we rented the jet skies. That evening it was fun to see everyone dressed up for Halloween.











All week we played games, laughed, ate every few hours, and attended the fantastic shows in the evening with singing, good comedy, acrobatics, dancing and magic. The picture above is our whole group, many new friends and those from home. You see Skidmores, Gardners, Nelsons and Haywards. Two more days at sea heading back to San Francisco and I think we were all ready to get back home.