San Carlos, Mexico Trip

Planning

Here is a listing of the things you need to be aware of when going  into Mexico, beyond a border town:

• Have insurance for your car. We got ours through AAA (American Automobile Association).

• Have a passport. This is not important when going out of the country, but necessary to get back into the good old U.S.A.

• Money is important to have. Get it through your bank, but you have to tell them a few days in advance. We should have gotten ours through Bank of America, but at the last minute, they could not get it for us. We were able to exchange it at the border at a good rate through a Cambio, money changer. You can do it at any bank in Mexico.

• To leave the U.S.A., you simply drive out. Coming back is a bit of a wait, as the lines can be long.

Entering Nogales

Being our first time into Mexico, we did not take the truck bypass route. As a result, we ended in the heart of Nogales, during the early morning rush hour. Our friend, Forrest Wellington was driving and it was a little tense. After all, there are a lot of crazy drivers there, along with a lot of crazy pedestrians.

Andrea checking out the visitor's center with friend, Bonnie Wellington. In spite of the U.S. Travel Advisory warning against going into Nogales, Mexico because of drug gang violence against each other. We went through Nogales anyway in order to pass through and get to San Carlos, Mexico.

Terrain in Magdalena, Mexico (icon on cliff face) is similar to southern Arizona. We kept saying, "It's just like home!"

Pelicans and seagulls outside or window at our timeshare in San Carlos

Here is a closer view of the birds

A view from our balcony

The other view from our balcony. We had it all to ourselves!

Ahhh... what a place to relax!

This is one of the exciting places in San Carlos. This is where it was supposed to be happening.

"What else is there here? Have we seen it all, already? Isn't there more?"

Just like Tucson, only with a lot of water!

Ai caramba, look at the prices for tamarind! Oh, only pesos, and for a kilogram (2.2 lbs.)

VIDEO: In the supermarket in Guaymas, Mexico. Click here.

Walking the beach, Andrea spots a blue heron fishing

VIDEO: The blue heron, not moving. But it is real. Perhaps you can see its head turning. Click here.

VIDEO: Andrea combing the beach. Click here.

VIDEO: the scene down the beach as the early morning fog clears. Click here.

Every night, we had such great sunsets. This is one of them.

Andrea's husband Gary with Bonnie and Forrest Wellington in Guaymas in front of the statue of the 3 Mexican presidents from Sonora, Mexico

Statue at the new Port in Guaymas. The port is under construction and this was the best shot.

A view of the church in Guaymas, from the port

Stopped for lunch at the Cobacha Restaurant (has a thatch roof) in Guaymas

Here's a hot couple at the Cobacha! Well, at least the hot sauces are hot--really hot!

VIDEO: Having Lunch at the Cobacha with live entertainment, click here.

Of course, we had to make time for some "real" Mariachi music

Andrea and Gary on the beach

VIDEO: Lots of vultures flying overhead. Maybe there is a message there... click here.

Andrea riding through the desert and along the water

VIDEO: When you are not leading, the view remains the same. Riding in the desert and along the beach. Click here.

A cactus that we do not have in southern Arizona.

Gary with Forrest and Bonnie enjoying a bowl of ceviche made with shrimp and squid

Eating at the best restaurant in San Carlos, Heaven's Door. Prices were very reasonable, but not cheap! This is half of the shrimp stuffed with crab meat dish, consumed by Forrest by the time Andrea could get her camera out.

The captain and crew as we head out to dive with the sea lions. We expected an adventure, and got it!

There they are, lazing in the sun as we approached. Unfortunately, Andrea was so busy in the water that she took no videos of the sea lions. She swam with the sea lions, which numbered between 20 and up to 40 at a time. She was the first in the water and the last out of the water. She loved her experience, swimming with the sea lions!!!

Andrea and a couple of others in the water with her. The dark shapes in the water around them are the sea lions.

Back home, the view on the side of our balcony looked like a artist painted it.

Andrea eating tacos from, J.J.s, a roadside stand. It was surprisingly tasty and good, with lots of special condiments. And no, no one got sick!

Here is a shot from the outside of J.J.s as we leave

Andrea singing "Yesterday" with the karaoke machine at the restaurant. No one wanted to start, so she volunteered. She got the party going!

One more look before leaving San Carlos

VIDEO: One last look at our timeshare as we get ready to leave. Click here.

VIDEO: on the road back through Hermosillo to the border. We did not shoot any pictures of the soldiers or the border guards. Did not want to attract any undue attention. Just a series of shots along the road back, listening to music. Click here.

Remember, we all work hard, but life is not only about making a living. It's about LIVING!

Call us today or click here and Andrea will be glad to share some of her adventures!

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