TRAVEL AWAITS: Why This Luxurious Sedona Resort Is Perfect For A Long Weekend

This article was originally published in Travel Awaits on January 12, 2023.

There are only 11 long weekends in an American calendar year, and we all want each one to be a precious break from the humdrum of everyday life. If you want one that will be the utmost in rest, relaxation, and reflection (or even romance) think no further than the L’Auberge Resort in Sedona, Arizona. My husband and I found seven undeniable reasons why it was the perfect gift to give ourselves.

Location, Location, Location

Sedona is a popular tourist destination. Massive red rocks in all sorts of fanciful formations overlook many city views. I have always thought that the whole area deserves to be declared a national park. My husband and I consider it an attraction second only to the Grand Canyon in the state. Only two hours away from our home, we take our guests there when they have a day to spare. Having a picnic, taking hikes (short or long, easy or difficult), shopping and other activities become extra special in such a lovely setting.

Dining there is a sheer delight. On our several trips to Sedona, we have collected ten awesome dining experiences with unforgettable views: the more upscale Mariposa, Hideaway House, Creekside Bistro, Salt Rock Kitchen, and The Hudson; or the more affordable Canyon Breeze, Mesa Grill, Sound Bites Grill, and even the branch of “fast-food” chain Wildflower Bread Company.

In addition, Sedona is an epicenter of sacred vortexes (how locals want it spelled), a central location from which to spend time hiking in nature, exploring nooks and corners, and enjoying personal reflection. Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon are the best-known magical spots. Actually, when you simply practice mindfulness, anywhere at all will do—even the sublime creek in L’Auberge.

The Loveliness and Luxury of Lodging

We gave ourselves the chance to stay at this unique place nestled in Oak Creek Canyon, a river gorge often described as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon, and under many large, stately, Biblical sycamore trees. We own timeshares in Sedona and have stayed in various hotels and resorts, but our membership did not include this most luxurious lodging option available. To reach this heavenly spot you descend along L’Auberge Road. At the bottom, your vehicle will be handled by valets. A shuttle van allows you to get back up to Old Sedona anytime.

We usually go up in summer, but this time we visited in the fall, and the sycamores’ leaves had turned yellow and gold. Even if it was a bit on the chilly side, the loveliness of the scenery more than made up for it. Amid the rustling of the leaves, the rushing of the waters, and the chirping of the birds, the experience became unforgettable:

The 5-bedroom premier Creekhouse makes the most luxurious getaway for a family of 10 to 12. But we stayed at one of the charming Creekside Cottages (there are 14 plus two Creekside suites). It is situated on the banks of Oak Creek and we had a spacious private deck looking over to the creek and the sycamores. The unit is unlike any room we had previously stayed in. It gives a feeling of being one with nature. There was even a romantic, private outdoor shower that I imagine would be awesome in the warmer months.

It is very well-appointed and endowed with luxuries like a 65-inch very smart TV, a wood-burning fireplace, and premium-brand appliances. I loved the bedside desk/tray table which I used often for writing. The King-size bed was luxuriously comfortable with all the pillow sizes and shapes that I needed for an elevated upper body.  I never had to request more as I usually do. The armchairs and coffee table were quite comfy. A dining table served both as a place to share food and as a big study desk for laying out papers.

There are 46 other cottages: Vista that have legendary views of Snoopy, Giant’s Thumb, and Elephant Rocks (nine have telescopes), Garden, and Spa Cottages with jetted tubs, two of which have Peloton bikes. And there is a Main Lodge with 19 deluxe lodge rooms and two suites. But we will always stay at a Creekside Cottage.

The Chef’s Cuisine

Fine dining at Cress on Oak Creek is nationally recognized. In fact, we discovered L’Auberge when a friend who was there for a residential art program invited us to experience dining there. Just as she expected, we fell in love with the chef-inspired meals served along the enchanting creek bank under the sycamores.  A year later we went back for an anniversary dinner.

This time, however, we not only dined. But it was a bit chilly, so we opted to dine in the enclosed dining room. Still, we could feast on the fantastic view of the creek and the sycamores. A musician was in the waiting area playing his ukulele violin. When he did “La Vie en Rose,” I was moved to sing. It’s my all-time favorite French love song.

Whenever it’s on the menu, I order French onion soup, and I was delighted when it came—so gooey-good I devoured every single bit and ended up so full that I struggled to finish the striped bass entrée. But I could not resist it; it was perfectly golden-crusted at the top, buttery soft inside, and had a thin layer of savory good fish fat to boot. I decided to book lunch for the next day, too, which made another delightful meal. The mushroom bisque soup had such an exquisite smooth taste.

Totally satisfied, I asked to talk to Chef Shawn. I expressed my appreciation for his creations. He thanked me sincerely. The next night we tried Room Service. I love the food at L’Aueberge. In fact, we were also very pleased with the Mexican fare at its sister kitchen, 89 Agave Cantina just above L’Auberge in Old Sedona.

Esoteric Experiences

There are other L’Auberge programs that deepen appreciation of the Sedona mystique. Beginner classes like Crystal Introduction and Meditation, Sound Healing, Chakra and Energy Healing are available for free. We participated in The Qigong and Meditation Beginner Class, and the Vortexes and Hikes Talk by Paula, the lady in charge of the L’Auberge metaphysical program. Especially arranged private experiences including Shinrin-Yoku, 7 Flutes for 7 Chakras, Soul Energy Medicine, and others are also available for a more personal and deeper journey of discovery.

The session with Paula inspired us to take a hike to the Airport Mesa Summit to experience the upward and downward vortexes there. As she suggested, we also looked for the heart-shaped pads of prickly pear cacti on the trail. In fact, other hikers began to follow us when they found out what we were looking for. These special cacti had stopped growing heart-shaped pad versions in the recent past, but have reappeared this year!

And you should not miss the stargazing opportunity offered at the large veranda above the cottages near the Main Lodge. At 30-minute intervals, a guide points out the many stars and constellations to see. Stargazing with my husband became a romantic experience in the middle of the night.

The Relaxation Response

I tried the Signature Facial and my husband had the Arizona Apricot Scrub at the famed L’ApothecarySpa.  In a Phoenix spa, I used to have a monthly facial but it negatively impacted my chin, so I stopped. Here I was told that only once per change of season is recommended. I hope the time will return when people compliment how my skin glows. I brought home the maintenance serum.

The gentle massage was a very warm experience for my husband, too; but I guess spa pampering is not as much of a guy thing. I loved the luxurious waiting area, the special cookies and tea servings, and the dressing area complete with all that you need. I can only imagine how it would be during summer when they do all those facials and massages under the sycamores beside the creek.

Aesthetics and Art

L’Auberge even has the Le Galerie Art program in partnership with the Goldstein Gallery of Sedona. At strategic spots on the trail connecting the cottages in the property, there are five large sculptures that add to the natural beauty and delight your aesthetic senses. It was the “Pastoral Dreamer” at the Peace Garden that most impressed me. He appears to emerge from the ground in an extremely restful, contemplative pose, making me want to do the same, so relevant for a weekend getaway! At the Main Lodge, at the Creekhouse, and at the Restaurant/Center, there are plenty of paintings adorning the walls. Some are available for purchase.  

Creekside Connections

I was just told that they have launched a new program called "Creekside Connections." It was not available when we were there. This offering includes one-of-a-kind activities like tarot readings, vortex cocktails, a private workshop on “Unleash Your Visions,” and others that can be held between and among friends for an experience that deepens relationships. This is something my husband and I are looking forward to.

We have gone to L’Auberge for our Anniversary, my birthday, and at Thanksgiving. Next time we will go to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I am usually a very frugal person, but sometimes a luxurious getaway like what a L’Auberge experience can provide over a precious long weekend is the best gift we can give ourselves.

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9 Unique Food and Dining Experiences I Loved in San Francisco

  

TRAVEL AWAITS: 9 Unique Food And Dining Experiences I Loved In San Francisco

This article was first published in Travel Awaits on Dec. 16, 2022

San Francisco usually makes it to the list of the Top 10 Best, Most Exciting, Fun Cities in the World. I had flown to this great City by the Bay a few times when I was still working for computer companies in Manila. But since those were business trips, I really didn’t get to experience what makes the city so top-notch.

It just so happened that my eldest daughter Trisha and her family now live in Livermore in the Tri-Valley, only about an hour from the city, but our visits have mostly been social events. When my youngest daughter April (based in Melbourne, Australia) had to train at her company’s San Francisco head office, we found the chance to explore the area. Trisha’s daughter Daniela who worked as a scientist in a San Francisco company volunteered to take us on an unforgettable two-day tour.  

Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf: Clam Chowder and Sourdough

She took us on an Uber ride to Pier 39, pointing out the floral door around a lovely door, the famous Carousel Ride, the wooden boardwalk, many exotic shops, the huge heart, the giant crab sculpture, and the great bay views. But when the barks, honks, grunts, growls, roars, moans, or whatever else  they call those sounds grew louder, we knew we were approaching the seals that have made the unique pier home for years.

Pier 39 is in the famous neighborhood called Fisherman’s Wharf. We spotted colorful street art, a view of the mystical Alcatraz, and old WWII ships on display.

But it is best known for its restaurants and food outlets. We avoided those offering crabs because that’s what was planned for dinner. But my granddaughter insisted we stop for snacks at the Boudin Bakery for their remarkable flagship sourdough bread perfectly paired with classic clam chowder. At certain times you can even see the bakers at work through a 30-foot observation window and ask questions (and get answers) through a two-way intercom system.

Ghirardelli Square, Chocolates, and Chocolate Ice Cream

A walk past the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park would usually give you a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge, but this day she was hiding. The road took us up to Ghirardelli Square, a lovely shopping area with captivating arches and classy shops. We entered the lower level and went straight up to the Marketplace at the second level. And there we bought plenty of chocolates to bring home. We also could not resist the different versions of chocolate in decadent ice cream!

Roman-style Pizza and Craft Beer Downtown

Afterward, we met April for lunch at Delarosa, a popular pizza place near her office on Market Street. It was buzzing with activity, just like a festive Italian party, with all the millennials taking lunch breaks from their high-tech jobs. That’s what the restaurant is known for: “Communal-style all-day dining, 7 days a week.” Their interpretation of great craft beer (and also Italian and Californian wines and other craft cocktails) paired with their Roman-style pizza has definitely made a mark with the young and the young-at-heart.

Chinatown and Dim Sums

Another Uber ride took us to Chinatown. Whoa! Beyond the Dragon Gate unfolded an area bustling with alleys filled with all kinds of cultural products from the East: Home décor, gadgets, souvenirs, produce, baked goods, dry goods, etc. We found plenty of cocktail and karaoke bars, food joints, etc. as bright-red round lanterns hanging over the streets contributed to the festive atmosphere. Ornate buildings and temples made for great photo-ops, too.

Then she led us to her favorite little bakery, Good Mong Kok. There are no tables or chairs. You fall in line, order your dim sum selections—and eat, standing, outside on the sidewalk. They are truly exceptional (and inexpensive) dim sums. We ordered so much that, reserving our appetite for the grand crab dinner that night, we took home a lot for next day’s breakfast. San Francisco’s Chinatown is America’s oldest and the largest outside Asia. Don’t miss this unique experience.

Vietnamese Roasted Crabs and Garlic Noodles

At last, it was time for the grand crab dinner! Crustacean is the sister restaurant of Thanh Long, the classic Vietnamese restaurant that has served its famous roasted crab with garlic noodles for ages. Thanh Long blossomed into a multi-million-dollar empire after the family arrived in 1975, fleeing the Communist takeover of South Vietnam. It was hailed as San Francisco’s first Vietnamese restaurant, regularly patronized by celebrities such as Harrison Ford.

A friend— the CEO of the computer company that supplied equipment to the organization where I oversaw automation—introduced us to this culinary experience. She treated me and my young daughters to this popular spot in the late 1980s. Since then, my children have gushed that it was the best meal they have ever had anywhere in the world and have dreamed of going back. I took them to the more accessible and upscale sister restaurant that was added to meet the huge demand. Yes, we each devoured one huge crab, complementing bites with oozing forkfuls of divine garlic noodles. Do this at least once in your lifetime.

Fashion, Technology, and Little Delhi

San Francisco is also a fashion mecca, so the next day my granddaughter took us to some favorite stores. First was Uniqlo (whose brand ambassadors included tennis icons Djokovic and Federer) to see what all the fuss is about this Japanese brand. We discovered the company secrets in plain sight: great designs and outstanding materials. Afterward, she took us to JINS, another Japanese brand for fashion eye frames frequented by millennials. I found some styles for me (I guess that, at 74, I still feel 34). The store closed in August 2022 as online sales soared.

Finally, it was time to pick up April for lunch. Curious, I wanted to see the secrets of Zendesk, one of the most successful innovative high-tech companies in customer service (Uber and Airbnb are two of its biggest clients). We discovered some reasons. The creativity of every employee is unleashed with modern food/bar areas on every floor, with pantries filled. There are nooks for two, areas for bigger groups, and even a creative studio. Desks/chairs are for every style of working: standing up or slouching over a laptop (my preference).  

Lunch brought our focus back to our happy little family. April chose Little Delhi and my husband could not agree more. They both love Indian cuisine. Classic dishes enjoyed by the people of New Delhi for decades are offered at this modest but impeccably themed place. Even the taste of Old Delhi, famous for its layered parathas – a type of bread fried on a griddle and made without yeast—is served here. Daniela and I found some great options and we all had a great time.   

Matcha in Japantown

After lunch, Daniela took us to a place I never knew even existed: Japantown. It is a sprawling, two-wing two-level mall of everything Japanese: Décor, gadgets, clothing, art, food, cosmetics, etc. I loved the imposing giant pagoda at the entrance, the wall mural of colorful Japanese umbrellas, the red bridge/stairs connecting the two floors, replicas of temples, and other Instagrammable spots. Daniela had to get a specific cosmetic item, best for Asian skin, at an outlet, but it was at the store selling matcha ice cream in tons of different flavors where we lingered the longest. I had the green tea version, of course—four scoops!

The Filipino Homecoming In Max’s

Finally, for dinner, we met the rest of the family at Max’s, that classic Filipino restaurant we have loved since my children were born. It is known as “The House that Fried Chicken Built,” with as many as 170 branches in the Philippines.  I have tried to replicate their whole fried chicken, which is not breaded, crispy on the outside, and moist inside, but I have failed each time. There are already 14 international branches of this successful restaurant, including six in the US, five in Canada, and others in Australia, Dubai, and Kuwait. With other authentic Filipino favorites in their menu selection, it was a trip back home, a family feast of Filipino food. I understand that Filipino cuisine is gaining popularity. This is where to try it.

Dessert and Merienda at Auntie Em’s

Right after lunch, Daniela took us to Auntie Em’s Fine Foods and Pastries just next door. Actually, from this store, she ships to me items that I love. It specializes in Filipino delicacies for desserts and merienda (snacks). I took the chance to buy a dozen of my favorite ensaymadas to bring home. And there are others like kakanins, empanadas, leche flan, bibingka, haleya, etc. You must sample those made from ube (purple yam). The spate of Internet articles about it probably indicates that items made from it are also gaining popularity.

We owe these nine amazing food experiences in San Francisco to one of the best tour guides we could ever have. Our millennial granddaughter not only knew the city (and its food) well, but she lovingly gifted us with her precious time and wonderful company.

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7 Amazing Experiences in San Diego's HIstorical Liberty Station

TRAVEL AWAITS: 7 Amazing Experiences In San Diego’s Historic Liberty Station

This article was originally published in Travel Awaits on Nov. 22, 2022.

There is no other place like it: a historic landmark turned into a rich and rewarding experience for the whole family. And in a city blessed with great all-year-round weather. Liberty Station was built from the buildings and grounds of the Naval Training Center (NTC) in San Diego, California. Of the original 300 buildings, 64 make up the Station; all but 10 have been restored and repurposed. From its inception in 1923, and before it closed in 1998, the NTC turned two million recruits into naval servicemen who went on to serve their country.

The NTC Park, the Ship that Never Sailed, and Gate One

One of the naval servicemen who were trained here was my cousin, an electrician who worked on many “classified” nuclear submarines. All those ships are memorialized in two rows of black blocks lining each side of the Naval Training Center Park bordering Liberty Station. Large naval guns line the front. The NTC Park is now a place for family sports, walks, and just watching the underbellies of planes as they take off from the nearby San Diego International Airport. 

The ship through which the naval servicemen all underwent rigorous training is fondly called Recruit, the ship that never sailed. It stands as a proud memorial near NTC Park. At the northern end of Liberty Station is Gate One, the only gate left open past curfew then and now a non-pedestrian entry. Attached to its two sides are former prison cells. And, as you enter the gate, you will see a large anchor, the mainstay of the Station logo, outlined by flowering shrubs on an expansive green lawn.

Liberty Public Market: The Former Mess Hall

There were, at its peak, 40,000 servicemen who took their meals at what is now the Liberty Public Market. It has been repurposed as a hip dining area with 22 food stalls serving different cuisines. Almost everything is left near its original state. In fact, in the section called Mess Hall, where there are bars providing refreshment options, the murals painted by artists/naval recruits are still on the upper walls.  There are also local sellers of crafts, clothes, and jewelry.

North, Central, and South Promenade: Former Parade Grounds

The old central buildings are laid out in two rows between what were once parade grounds which have been fittingly landscaped as wide spaces for family events. There are three sections: North, Central, and South. Sidewalks are provided all around the manicured lawns.

The North Promenade has an 88-ft pine tree that dazzles with bright lights for the Christmas season, beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving. The historic white church, where many servicemen were married and their children baptized, stands at the South Promenade. Behind the Dick Laub NTC Command Center is the Central Promenade. There is a reflecting pool, a rose garden with great history, and three outstanding art installations: “Facetime”, “Tesselation”, and “A Dime to Call Home.” Between the Central and South Promenades is a Greetings mural for an Instagrammable souvenir photo.

The Arts District and Historic Decatur Road

The Arts District on Historic Decatur Road, the main artery of Liberty Station, is home to art galleries, studios, artistic venues, art societies, and museums where families can have fun or stage events. In one building there are three museums: the San Diego Watercolor Society which hosts workshops in and exhibits of the medium, the New Visions Museum for quilt and textile artists, and the New Americans Museum dedicated to the experiences of people like me, immigrants to this land of promise. And you will love Hugo Crosthwaite’s murals that adorn the covered walk from the Liberty Public Market to Barracks 41. Most buildings have these walks fronting the promenades and varied artist’s chairs provide occasional resting spots.

^{A Lot of Entertainment and Exercise Options}

^{Entertainment options include The Lot, formerly the Luce Auditorium where recruits enjoyed concerts, comedies, and more. It is now six cinemas featuring the latest movies with a bar/lounge in front. A 9-hole golf course, near Gate One, has surprisingly reasonable prices by California standards. There is a variety of fitness centers available across the property, including Point Loma Sports Club in Bldg. 210, which was once the Gymnasium. An original mosaic artwork of a sailor waiting for the bell has been kept in the entryway. Other centers include Spark Cycle, Fitness Together, Club Pilates, Yoga Six, and more.}

^{All year round, special events are hosted at Liberty Station. A current one is “Octoberfest” and soon “Halloween at the Station.” An annual “Salute the Season” is coming up to include the Holiday Tree Lighting, the Hannukah Menorah lighting, and a Nutcracker Tea Party. Last summer, the Arts District put on the outdoor Summer Music Series. Individual vendors and businesses also sponsor their own events. An Events Calendar is kept so you don’t miss anything. And next year there is a year-long celebration of Liberty Station’s Centennial.}

^{The Shopping to Love}

^{For me, the ultimate entertainment option is shopping.  Since there is a preference for locally owned businesses, the shops make for a very interesting variety.  I started at the stalls in the Liberty Public Market and ended at the Sea Hive, a collection of 30-odd retailers. There are 21 other shops, but I spent a lot of time at Pigment.}

It is a curated plant and garden store. I had been looking for suitable options for several projects at home in the nurseries of Home Depot or Lowe’s. At this wonderful store, I found many interesting possibilities. There is a beautiful plant with yellow stems (my favorite color; the plant lady said there is also a red variety). The store has separate sections, each focusing on a pigment color: pink, salmon, or yellow. I loved the neon section because I had long been looking for neon plants to brighten my living room. Another section had varieties of hanging cacti for my pergola. 

Hydrating, Snacking, and Dining

After walking around the Promenades and the Arts District, my husband and I had an intimate dinner at the posh Solare on Historic Decatur Road. An excellent charcuterie board accompanied by red wines for cocktails, followed by divine swordfish and sea bass entrees. We finished with coffee and chamomile tea, skipping sinful dessert.

The next day we lunched at The Presley, a new restaurant added to the over 50 restaurants, cafes, and food vendors around Liberty Station. I loved the ambiance, especially the romantic almost boho nooks around the spacious gardens outside.

Children will love Mini Donut Place. But it was at Moniker General where my husband lingered. We loved the nook called “Better Together.” He would have also liked The Stone Brewery, makers of craft beer and the biggest eating place in Liberty Station but it was closed for renovation. But its brewing stations were visible from large display windows.

Quality Lodging at the Station

We stayed at the comfortable Town and Place Suites by Marriott at the extension area of Liberty Station, surprisingly quiet even if it was beside the San Diego International Airport. It was also right across from the Spanish Landing Park. The Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton was also there while The Courtyard by Marriott and Homewood Suites by Hilton are both on Laning Road at Liberty Station.

Prized Residential Neighborhoods 

There are prized residential areas at the north and south ends of Liberty Station. I imagined that they are expensive pieces of real estate but now that I have seen Liberty Station, I’d say they are well worth it. Just like any American neighborhood, the usual national chain businesses people love to have near their homes are there.

So Many Exciting Day Trips from Liberty Station

There are already many resources for a rich and rewarding family experience at the Station. But if you have more than a weekend, or if you like packing your days with activities, there are other exciting places to explore. Old Town San Diego is only ten minutes away; downtown San Diego with Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Seaport Village, Seaworld, Gas Lamp Quarter, and other landmarks is five minutes more.

The same is true for the Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma, which honors the 16th-century explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and has the Old Point Loma Lighthouse built in 1854. The two-mile Bayside Trail has spectacular views of San Diego Bay and the Coastal Tidepool Trail leads to the unique ecosystem in Southern California.

The Women’s Museum of California, previously part of Liberty Station, is just 15 minutes away.  Its educational center at the Jacobs Center in Euclid provides interactive workshops on the history of women who pushed for necessary social changes through grassroots activism. I especially loved the delicate pink flowers cascading from the roof line.

And, at just five minutes more, La Jolla including the Cove, Scripps Park, and the Children’s Pool all cover a coastline on a steep grade from the restaurants and shops of downtown. Part of the La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve, there is ample wildlife, including the popular seals’ colony. Activities include snorkeling, open-water swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, and coastal walks.

And just when we thought we’d seen everything, a Glider Port In Torrey Pines caught our fancy. Liberty Station is just such a great place for a rich and rewarding family experience.   

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10 Fantastic Places to Celebrate Fall in Beautiful Calgary      

TRAVEL AWAITS: 5 Diverse and Colorful Towns around Mazatlan

The original article was published in Travel Awaits on April 1, 2022.

We drive down every year to Mazatlan and having a car here has been handy for quick trips for shopping, eating out, and even going to the dentist. But it has also enabled charming day trips to diverse towns around the city. Since the resort where we stay also arranges tours discounted for “owners” like us, we have been to five towns in four winters here. And there are five more to discover.

El Quelite

El Quelite, north of Mazatlan and only about 30 minutes away, is one that many people rave about. Approaching it, large bougainvillea bushes of many colors and a bright yellow arch mark the entry to the lone street. Colorfully painted homes line both sides and at a plazuela, a statue of a man playing the game ulama, an ancient sport being revived, stands out.

We found all the vehicles parked around El Meson de Los Laureanos. We soon discovered why it is the town! You won’t believe the art and decor, the roosters and horses, all the colorful nooks and corners, all the thriving plants, and the warmth of the people inside. It was the energy of Mexico in a nutshell, including some of the best Mexican food you can have.

We were immediately served the traditional Sinaloan snack, coyotas. After the barbacoa de res (beef), carnitas de puerco (pork), and cordoniz (quail) a la parilla (grill) with arroz, tortilla, frijoles, salsa, and pico de gallo, we were also served with a selection of Sinaloan deserts like candied papaya, squash, and sweet potatoes and leche quemada (burnt milk).

Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to visit the small chapel to the right of El Meson!

El Rosario

El Rosario, just an hour south of Mazatlan and with a population of about 16,000, is a Pueblo Magico, one of 132 selected by the Ministry of Tourism for exemplary beauty, history, and/or culture. It’s the hometown of María Lucila Beltrán Ruiz (1932–1996), the acclaimed Mexican singer of Ranchera (popular Mexican genre) music, movie, and TV personality, best known for "Cucurrucucú Paloma."

There is a Museo dedicated to her. Just across from it, you will find Las Ruinas, what remains of the parochial temple that crumbled circa 1931 when Minas del Tajo started to mine a large silver belt they discovered right under it. The town’s faithful painstakingly transferred the beloved church, stone by stone, to this present site. A lagoon was created by flood waters from the 1935 Super Cyclone at the old entrance to the mine and near the former site of the temple. Today it’s a recreation area called Isla del Iguanero.

A visit to the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, built from 1758 to 1771, will be a delight. See its elaborate baroque style and behold its intricately gilded altar. You will also enjoy taking souvenir photos at the colorful town sign, with the pair of huge golden wings, and the monument to Lola Beltran at her plaza!

Pro-Tip:  Have lunch at the House of Lola Beltran and do a quick trip to the Museum of Regional History of El Rosario, built in what was formerly the Municipal Prison.  You will find out that the town was one of the wealthiest in Mexico and that its mining industry led to the founding of the port of Mazatlan.

Stone Island

Technically, Stone Island is a small peninsula jutting off the southern part of Mazatlan, created in 1936 as an ejido, a communal land for cooperative farming. A road connects it to the airport road but we were told it is very bad. So we drove to the last stop of the Green Bus and boarded a panga from the Playa Sur Embarcadero for a short ferry ride.

The lack of irrigation systems ended the agricultural project so the townsfolk turned to fish. Soon they discovered that the island’s beaches were calmer and warmer because of its protected location.  Enterprising residents constructed ramadas and palapas, and today there are about 50 food establishments, four hotels, and about 8,000 residents.

As soon as we were let off from the panga, all forty of us were brought to the Playa Sur Ramada by a three-carriage contraption pulled by a tractor. My husband and I immediately rented an ATV. We were having a ball until our vehicle stopped dead in its tracks almost at the limits of where we were allowed to go. While waiting to be rescued, we marveled at the miles and miles of glorious beach running alongside a seemingly endless coconut grove, said to be one of the largest in the world.

Upon our return and after lunch, there were many things to do besides swimming and snorkeling: horseback riding, jet skis, banana boats, and kayaks, napping in hammocks, snacking on fresh oysters, shopping for local crafts like bags, jewelry, clothes, or colorful ceramic art, hiking the inner island or the coconut grove, playing volleyball or soccer, or having a massage. But at 2:30 pm a horn signaled the trip back home.

Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to play with the large iguanas. They are, they say, harmless.

La Noria

Last month we won two seats at the Tequila Tour that goes to the small town of La Noria, population 725, just 35 minutes away. On the way there, we stopped at a very small village called Puerto de Canoas where the fascinating Mexican dancing horses are housed, trained, and taken care of. They belong to the Azteca breed and have become mainstays of the Carnaval de Mazatlan.

This was followed by a trip to La Vinata de Los Osuna, the 130-year-old and only tequila and mescal distillery (with the largest blue agave plantation) in the state of Sinaloa. Its product is labeled “100% Blue Agave” because the term tequila is legally reserved for the nearby state of Jalisco where the plant grows best.

Our last stop was La Noria, a lovely colonial village founded in 1565. Some mines are still operating; but it is better known as home for many traditional crafts, most especially pottery-making and leatherwork, including saddles, sandals, and belts. A plazuela features the colorful town sign and the antique church of San Antonio.

Pro-Tip: If you want to bring home a bottle of “tequila,” take the Extra-Aged one. It is so smooth.

Durango

Of the many discounted tours offered by the resort, we chose to buy the tour to the city of Durango even though we had to wake up at daybreak and return long after sundown. The driving time to the mountain city, at an elevation of 6,168 feet, is two and a half hours. With a population of almost 600,000, it is the capital and the largest metropolis in the Mexican state of Durango.

The trip goes through the Carretera Interoceánica (Interoceanic Highway) that begins at Reynosa, just west of the Port of Brownsville, Texas, and ends near Mazatlán, connecting the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. It shortens the time between Durango and Mazatlan by 6 hours, crossing the Sierra Madre Occidental through 63 tunnels and over 115 bridges. The Baluarte Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge stretching 3,688 feet with a span of 1,710 feet at the center, is the most spectacular. With the road at 1,322 feet above the valley below, it is the highest cable-stayed bridge in the world, the highest bridge in the Americas, and the third-highest bridge overall. It opened to traffic in 2013.

A hospital designed in 1899 was restored and transformed into the Bicentennial Convention Center, and a series of huge murals were created by 20 artists depicting moments in the history of Durango on its grounds.  At the entrance are two statues: one of Pancho Villa and the other—of John Wayne! He is their other folk hero who filmed many Western classics in two villages with dusty streets, teeming with cowboys, saloons, sheriffs, and dancers.

With close to one thousand historic buildings, in architectural styles ranging from neoclassical to Baroque to Gothic, Durango’s Old Historic District is like a huge open-air museum, earning the distinction of being a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The Plaza de Armas at the center leads to the Catedral Basílica de Durango built from 1685 through 1787 in a blend of architectural styles and with many outstanding features, making it one of the most beautiful landmarks in northern Mexico.

But the highlight of our tour was the Pancho Villa Museum. The Museum gives an ample peek into the abandoned child born in Chihuahua, Mexico, who became a mountain bandit and then a revolutionary hero, robbing the rich to give to the poor. The Museum is housed in a magnificent 18th-century building which was the Government´s Palace in the mid-19th century.

Pro-Tip: If you have the time, ride the Telerifico, a cableway (one of only four in Mexico) that connects two hills, at a length of 750 meters and a height of 82, for a stunning view of the city’s mountainous terrain.

We have been treated to a variety of amazing experiences around Mazatlan and we have yet to visit five others. La Concordia, Copala, Cosala (another pueblo magico), and the villages of Chicayota and Barras de Piaxta. They will be the subject of a sequel to this article.

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