Bottom Fishing Mazatlan

On November 23, 2016November 22, 2016 By Rick McIn food, McCharles family, travel, travel MexicoLeave a comment

10 years ago at our LAST family reunion in Mazatlan we enjoyed some great fishing.

This time we hired Captain Johnny with the Aries Fleet out of Marina El Cid. We departed at dawn.

In a simple but functional boat, Johnny took us north up the coast to some of his favourite spots.

Our bait was a combination of frozen and LIVE shrimp (extra $35 / 200).

Immediately we began to haul up dozens of small Snapper like this.

It was soon obvious that everyone was catching far more fish than me … despite my unique technique on the reel. 🙂

Rob and Yvonne finally broke into the beer and selfies.

Johnny moved us around many times. If we went more than 5 minutes without reeling in a fish, it was time to go.

Within a few hours we had 80 or more fish in the boat. Johnny got us back to Marina El Cid at 1pm.

We kept perhaps 10 fish: Snapper and Trigger. For a few bucks one of the guys on the dock cleaned them.

The scraps went to catfish or pelicans.

The excellent restaurant at the marina was happy to cook up half our catch at no extra cost.

Mom opted for salad.

A good day.

Spanish Coffee

On November 21, 2016November 24, 2016 By Rick McIn food, travel, travel MexicoLeave a comment

Quite the performance. And delicious. 🙂

Malecón of Mazatlán

On November 19, 2016November 24, 2016 By Rick McIn travel, travel Mexico1 Comment

The Malecón (boardwalk) of Mazatlán considered one of the longest in the world. Its length is about 21 km along the Pacific coast. Along the Malecón are high cliffs, monuments, gazebos, old buildings, hotels, etc. …

Paseo Olas Altas is my favourite section.

This trip I’m slumming with suitcase tourists, staying in a penthouse suite in El Cid Moro.

But my usual accommodation is the Belmar on Paseo Olas Altas. It was old when Hemingway was here. Perhaps the cheapest ocean view digs in town.

Yesterday I walked from El Centro to El Cid along the coast. Perhaps 20km.

La Concha restaurant, Mazatlan

On November 16, 2016November 24, 2016 By Rick McIn food, McCharles family, travel, travel MexicoLeave a comment

Our go to breakfast place. The El Cid all inclusive food package offers at least a dozen different restaurant options. But this is our favourite.

Trip Advisor ranks it #20 of 329 Restaurants in Maz.

arrived El Cid, Mazatlan

On November 15, 2016November 15, 2016 By Rick McIn McCharles family, travel, travel MexicoLeave a comment

Travel Advisor ranks it #5 of 80 Hotels in Mazatlan, Mexico. #familyreunion

Yvonne got us upgraded to a penthouse atop the high El Moro tower. Suite!

el-cid

I needed a vacation from Bermuda. 🙂

Chagas disease – 10+ million victims

On May 30, 2012 By Rick McIn health & fitness, things getting worse, travel, travel MexicoLeave a comment

Have you heard of Chagas?

Chagas Disease: “The New HIV/AIDS of the Americas”

I hadn’t.

That editorial, published in a journal dedicated to neglected tropical diseases, was picked up by the NY Times, the Daily Mail, and more.

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Chagas disease … is commonly transmitted to humans and other mammals by an insect vector, the blood-sucking “kissing bugs” …

The disease may also be spread through blood transfusion and organ transplantation, ingestion of food contaminated with parasites, and from a mother to her fetus. …

… It is estimated that as many as 8 to 11 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they are infected. …

Is Your Dentist RIPPING You Off?

On May 1, 2011April 27, 2011 By Rick McIn health & fitness, product complaints, product endorsements, travel, travel Mexico5 Comments

Your brain surgeon should be very well paid.

But why should a dentist be a millionaire?

by Sarah Lorge Butler for CBS MoneyWatch.com:

Cost of the (2) crowns: $1,395 apiece. Cost of foundation fillings, or “cores” to put the crowns on: $326 apiece. Total bill, if you’re scoring at home: $3,442.

His dentist sold him membership into an office savings plan for $319 for the year. So that saves him 20% on all dental procedures and gives him two free cleanings. Knock off 20% (but add back in the $319) and we’re down to $3072.60 on this bit of drilling.

When I look at this bill, I wonder why I obsess about the weekly price fluctuations of Cheerios or the shrinking size of a can of tuna. All the economical choices a family makes in a year can be wiped out by a trip to the dentist. No wonder people are going to Thailand and Mexico for dental work. …

Is $3000 over-priced for 2 crowns?

What is the cost for the materials?

How much are those working on your crowns paid?

How much does the dentist pocket?

If we knew those numbers, I’m guessing that we’d agree our dentist is ripping us off.

There are over 1000 comments on that post, most feeling ripped off.

A stranger recently contacted me for advice on my dentist, Dr. Lorenia Estrada, in La Paz, Mexico. I enthusiastically recommended her.

If you suspect your dentist is ripping you off, get a quote from Mexico. … The only down side is that you have very little recourse if unhappy with the work there.

Thanks Dana.