A day at the beach.....

Mazatlan was our beach day. We scheduled a tour with a tour company before we left for the cruise. It included a fairy ride, transportation to the beach, lunch and two activities. Nice huh? The kids thought it was amazing, and these picture represent what they thought of the trip...




Live starfish and coloring on the beach.......
The little dots in the water are Lindsey and Jacob.... the kids loved the ocean.

All of us on the boat ride (except Dave who took the picture)

Jacob always takes care of his sisters, its really awesome.

It looks like a resort or like an amazing day. The real story was...

We lost my Mom exiting the boat. She got confused on our meeting place. It was horrible. We had to have new cruise cards printed because you can't exit without them and she had the twins cards. Luckily after an hour of frustration we verified she had left the boat. We almost missed our prepaid tour (which we later know might have been a blessing).

The tour guy then tells us he is getting taxi's to take us to the boat. The "taxi's" where actually pick up trucks with benches in the back. Then we get to the boat. It was horrid. The drive around the bay was totally long and there was nothing to see at all. Then we arrive at a little dumpy dock where they take you on tractor pulls to the beach area. Around you is poverty. Huts and shacks and trash. It was sad. We got to the beach, which was beautiful, and began unloading. Quickly we are attacked by vagrants agressively selling stuff. Not a moments peace. I felt panicked all day trying to watch my kids in the water, watch my stuff from people surrounding me, constantly saying no to all these people selling stuff. The restaurant was dirty. I could not eat a single thing, nor could I feed my kids. Then Sydney had an accident so I had to use the nasty bathroom. While running my screaming child to the bathroom some man is following me agressively trying to sell silver jewlery! Seriously. Not a good time! Screaming translates in spanish to mean leave us alone, right- apparently not?

Then at the last moment without warning they tell us our boat is leaving. We are running everyone and all our belongings on the tractor. My mom is missing and in the bathroom. Jacob is covered in sand from head to toe because we literally pulled them out of the ocean and my sister literally ran up and jumped on as it was driving off. It was crazy! I think the day took ten years off my life. Later back on the boat, kids bathed and me getting my diet coke with lime by the pool I wondered why we ever left. Heavenly. I had never appreciated the food and drink and clean surroundings so much!

Atleast we got good memories and pictures and a story we will not soon forget!