The Drrons shoot a killer and other delights.

[drron]

Now walking to the new theatre.

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The citrus grove.

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[drron]

The art around the new theatre and the theatre itself.It was built in the lifetime of FLW.

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Pictures of the student accomadation.They have to design and build it themselves.The first picture is a structure built in 1937 and as it looks now.

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And that ends our tour of Talliesen West.Reccomended if you are into buildings that are different.Also if you want to see a few of Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings it would pay to visit here first.If you take a tour here they will take that price off a year's membership to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation making it $US69 at present.For that free admission to all buildings run by the foudation plus free admission to the Guggenheim New York.
Now another break as early tomorrow we are off on a 2 day train trip sans computer.

 

[amaroo]

Admirer of FLW's body of work. We live in a FLW inspired knock off from the late 50's - they did a pretty good job. Still looking good.

 

[drron]

After our visit to Talliesen West it was time for some exercise for mrsdrron-visiting malls and walking.
First stop was to a centre at the corner of Frank Lloyd Wright boulevarde and Scottsdale road that had both a Nordstrom Rack and an Off 5th but also a spire by Frank lloyd Wright.

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The spire was part of a plan for a new civic Building for Phoenix that he gave the city for free.They did not take up the offer.
Outside the Nordstrom Rack a nice floral display-

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Then a drive south on Scottsdale road to the Fashion Centre Mall.It is having a major refurb.this sign caught my eye-

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After that a visit to the Tanger Factory Outlets where fortunately mrsdrron was able to find several items that she liked at Talbots.Up until then virtually all purchases had been for me.

 

[drron]

Then time for dinner.Another of our favourites-P F Changs.Unfortunately the closest to our hotel was in a trendy area near the Uni of Arizona.Parking had to be in a parking station but fortunately validated by the restaurant.We started with their northern style pork ribs and followed with Mongolian beef and scallops and shrimp in a lobster sauce.All very good.

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Lastly a couple of shots of the hotel-Sheraton Tempe Airport.I had been too tired on arrival to take any pics.

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We had been upgraded to the Club floor.The lounge though was a typical US lounge so after a quick look in the evening decided evenings weren;'t worth it.Very limited options at breakfast so just had fruit.Also had issues with the keycard which was needed to access club floor-would constantly fail to work in the lift untill one time I met a maintenance fellow.You had to wiggle your card up and down and then it worked.An OK stay but when not needing more nights for LTP I wouldn't stay again.

 

[Denali]

Only good thing I found about PF Changs was that 8 layer chocolate cake. I saw a girl about 5 stab her dad with a fork because he dared tried to pinch some of her cake

 

[drron]

So up early the next morning and leave hotel at sunrise.

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Google lets me down as their cheapest gas station nearest the Rental Car location was no longer operating.Then had to find another.Dropped the car off with no problems.Shuttle to PHX.You enter Terminal 4 at the AA Main Cabin check in.What a shambles.Fortunately a little further on the priority queue is very short and we are soon booked onto our Mazlatan flight.A tiny delay as we did not pronounce Mazlatan the Phoenix way.We look around the airport shops and have a coffee and a bite to eat at Starbucks.Then to the Admiral's club.As usual nothing much.
A funny incident when 2 women sitting together opposite us have a little exchange-
"Why aren't you replying to my Facebook message?".
"Because I am on Instagram."
OK I'll go to Instagram."
She's bl**dy well sitting beside you why dont you just continue talking!

So to the flight.
AA 5811. PHX-MZT. ETD-1000. Push back-1005. Take off-1018. Seats 2D,F. CRJ 900.
ETA-1308. Landed-1301. At gate-1304.
We were in the 2 seats next to each other in the J cabin-same as domestic F but technically an International flight so called J.Still doesn't allow US elites into the AC if in Y as for that considered a domestic flight.Not much room-

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Quite an AA lineup for takeoff.The Southwest queue has to wait for us.

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Nearly there.After take off a good view of Phoenix.

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After crossing the mountains some productive areas but mostly arid land.

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[Deleted member 29185]

A funny incident when 2 women sitting together opposite us have a little exchange-
"Why aren't you replying to my Facebook message?".
"Because I am on Instagram."
OK I'll go to Instagram."
She's bl**dy well sitting beside you why dont you just continue talking!

What's the world coming to? Fancy having to communicate with voice in this day and age. Quick, sue FB and Instagram for irreparable damage to the vocal cords.

 

[drron]

This flight became a lesson in non status travel.I was fling with my BAEC number in.Although I have enough TP for silver (OWS) I have only had 3 BA flights so just OWR.Mrsdrron flew with her AA number in to keep her points alive.She has no status with AA.
So when it came to the meal time we were the last pax asked for our choice even though in the middle of the cabin.There was 1 seving of salad left otherwise a cheese and ham croissant.Mrsdrron got the salad.This is what they looked like.

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Mrsdrron had 1 or 2 mouthfuls of her salad,I merely felt,smelt and broke the croissant in 2 and decided not even to taste it.The croissant smelt stale and was very soggy.I think takes our award for worst meal ever on a plane.So the lack of choice ended up being no problem.
Mostly very dry country we crossed.Something being stored in the first pic.

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We got to the coast just north of Mazlatan.

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Our hotel turned out to be right in the middle of this picture on the beach.

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[drron]

Now Mazlatan harbour.

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We continued flying south for a while past an industrial area and a golf resort on the coast.

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We then did a 180 landing to the north.

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The DFW AA flight was just leaving-an hour late.
AA had not loaded enough Mexican Immigration cards.Here the lack of status hurt.Everyone else in J got one but only one left for the 2 of us so I had to fill in a form after landing.Fortunately there was obviously a hold up with the economy pax so it didn't cost much time.Immigration was easy.So straight to baggage carousel.
Turns out everyone else in the J cabin was on our cruise as well as some down the back including one of the Expedition staff.
Again lack of status was triggered as we had to wait quite a while for our bags.

Was a little worried about getting to our hotel by taxi.However no problem.You go to the taxi counter,pay your 400 pesos,get a voucher and go out and give it to your driver.A little hairy the drive into town but soon at the Holiday Inn.

 

[drron]

Another lesson in loyalty schemes on arrival.We arrived just before 3pm to be told no room available.Handed over my confirmation and she rechecked-Oh you are a gold ambassador.I will ring housekeeping.Yes your room is available and here is the voucher for drinks at the bar.
It was much better than I had expected.The room-

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A good bathroom though only a shower.

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Great views.

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And fly pasts by the local Bomber Command-

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[drron]

The view from the other side of the hotel.

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We had drinks at their rooftop bar.Not bad,reasonably cheap and good views of the sunset.

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Mrsdrron was happy.

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Dinner at the hotel.You got complimentary corn chips and salsa and I started with a mixed cerviche-fish,shrimp,octopus and scallop.A huge serving but very nice.

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For mains Mrsdrron had pasta carbonara as most local dishes were spicy.I had a steak covered in cheese and spices.Served with 2 sorts of chilli.One yellow which was very mild according to the waiter and one green habenero which was spicy.Problem with my dish was the habanero had zero heat but the yellow one exploded in my mouth with a distinct burning sensation.Needed a glass of wine and a few glasses of water to put the fire out.

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[drron]

A good night's sleep and a lazy morning.Checked out just before midday and got a taxi to the port.I had researced the fares and it should be 150 pesos.i had decided to give a 50 peso tip.The driver though said 170 pesos so he got a 30 peso tip.I am generous.Transport drops you at a small "Cruise Ship Terminal" and the Explorer was some distance away.So a porter to shift our bags through Immigration and on to the Silversea staff and then a "tram" to take you to the ship.
View from the balcony.

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So when in warmer climes we usually have a Medallion suite as without all the cold weather gear it certainly is large enough but also has a tub which we prefer.A soak in a warm bath is great for those arthritic joints after exercise.

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But also a separate shower.

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We also like the medallion in warmer climes as it has a larger balcony than the silver suites.

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[drron]

After unpacking we had lunch and a while later the safety drill.I am sure they are supplying smaller lifejackets!
Not long after that it was time to leave Mazlatan.

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An impressive headland.

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Well it would have been if it hadn't been quarried.
The ferry terminal across the river from Mazlatan

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The cross river ferry waits for us.

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Building on the breakwater.

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City side ferry terminal.

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[love_the_life]

A good night's sleep and a lazy morning.Checked out just before midday and got a taxi to the port.I had researced the fares and it should be 150 pesos.i had decided to give a 50 peso tip.The driver though said 170 pesos so he got a 30 peso tip.I am generous.Transport drops you at a small "Cruise Ship Terminal" and the Explorer was some distance away.So a porter to shift our bags through Immigration and on to the Silversea staff and then a "tram" to take you to the ship.
View from the balcony.

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So when in warmer climes we usually have a Medallion suite as without all the cold weather gear it certainly is large enough but also has a tub which we prefer.A soak in a warm bath is great for those arthritic joints after exercise.

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But also a separate shower.

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We also like the medallion in warmer climes as it has a larger balcony than the silver suites.

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Not into the Adventurer suites drron?

 

[drron]

Not into the Adventurer suites drron?

I have yet to find them.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Not into the Adventurer suites drron?

That's a big NO from me !!!

 

[drron]

Leaving the port behind.

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We were given a flying send off by pelicans with blue and brown coughies.

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[drron]

And more birds-

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[drron]

For the Welcome dinner we dined with the Hotel Director Zoran Jacimovic.We have cruised with him before.An interesting fellow with good company and the time just flew.So much so I remembered to take only 2 shots of the food.The appetiser-beetroot carpaccio which was very nice and the dessert.

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A restful nights sleep and in the morning it was zodiac briefing time and a lecture by Chris Habard on birds.Several cruises with him now and we get along famously.He looks for birds and I look for lizards!
After lunch we anchor off Espiritu Santo.So the beach from the ship then the ship from the beach.

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Some rather large oyster shells on the beach-apparently a source of pearls 100 years ago but not the quality of the Japanese and Pacific pearls.

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There were some nice rocks and clear water.

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Mostly covered with crabs.

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