DAY 19---ENSENADA, MEXICO

Our position at noon today is docked in Ensenada, Mexico.  It's a very hazy day and 68 degrees.

BACKGROUND INFO:

        Ensenada is the 3rd largest city in Baja California, following Tijuana & Mexicali, with a population of 280,000.  The city is an important international trade center and home to the Port of Ensenada, the second busiest port in Mexico.
        Because it is just 67 miles south of the US border with a 4 lane toll road and 2 lane free highway connection, it is a natural destination for tourists on short vacations.  It's also a short cruise destination out of the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.

        There are many universities here and an important biotechnology hub with numerous research institutions.  Agricultural crops in the 3 valleys nearby include: grapes, olives, tomatoes, wheat, alfalfa, asparagus, green onions, and broccoli.
        In addition to money generated by the docking of cruise ships, fishing accounts for a large part of the economy.  More than 90 species of fish are commercially fished here.  A large percentage of all catches are exported to East Asia.  Tuna here is exclusively exported to Japan.

LAST NIGHT:

She said this was her best side.

                          Some nice skies this evening with the sun coming through the clouds.

                                 The theater as people arrive for the Seven Seas Society party. 

                                    Orchestra playing and they are serving caviar and shrimp.

This is Reymark serving the caviar.  Then Jacques, the Seven Seas Society party host and also cruise consultant, mentioned another couple had the most nights sailed on Regent and then mentioned Rebecca and I as the second most cruised on board now.

After remarks from the Captain and Jacques, Andy, the cruise director, introduced the production cast who did a special show for the SSS party.  Songs from Abba and very well done!!

     We wished our Toronto friends an early happy Canada Thanksgiving.  It is today, 10th.

                                                          We both love this Greek salad.

Well, they did bring us some miso glazed sea bass but it was overcooked and tough.  So we sent it back and had Dara bring us some miso glazed black cod (the menu item).  It was good.

               This is a very delicious white chocolate croissant pudding with berry ragout.  

TODAY:

        I was up at 5:30 to call Regent's reservations in Miami when they opened to make changes and confirm our Prime 7 reservations for the up coming world cruise beginning on January 7th.  Then back to bed but didn't sleep after that.  We get more free ship's phone time then we can ever use.  And the connection is crystal clear.  I talked to my mother the other day.

This is the boat that will transfer the port pilot on board.  Every port has a pilot who has knowledge of all the possible hazards, currents, and other safety issues.  He advises our Captain during the docking procedure.  The pilot arrived at 9am right on schedule so we should be docked by 10am.

                       As we sailed in there were these little seals lounging on this buoy.

                                                     The sea wall to protect the harbor.

                                        This is a dry dock for repairing ships out of the water.

    

                                                         Some commercial fishing boats

                            Huge Mexican flag.  It is 47 feet by 82 feet and on a 160 foot high pole.

The Carnival Miracle cruise ship is in port with us again today.  It was with us in Cabo and another port earlier.

                                                           Looking down from deck 12.

Long walk to go into town.  It is a rather cool day, so I thought.  I wore a sweat shirt and walked into town.  Did not need the sweatshirt!  I was off the ship for exactly an hour.

                                                                        MS Mariner

                                       I discovered that there was not much to see downtown.

I was wanting a 250 mg Z-pac antibiotic.  I stopped at 5 pharmacies (seemed to be one in every block).  Only one told me I needed a prescription.  The others were ready to sell it to me but they all had 500 mg packs.  One guy said they did not sell 250mg tablets in Mexico.  So I finally bought 6 tablets of the 500mg azitromycin for $15.

                                                                  Three troubadours 

                                     Yes, McDonalds and a Starbucks to left across the street.

                                                             A small concert venue.

                                       Not sure what this was.  They probably call it art.

        We will be back here again on Oct 16th & 26th.  May do the tours I have booked then.  Hope it is a sunny day.  

        Siva will be delivering our pigs in a blanket and my Makers Mark Manhattan this evening at 6pm.  We have a dinner reservation at 7pm in Prime 7.  Looking forward to that.  The production show tonight is "Broadway in Concert".  We may try to attend this one.

        We will be sailing tonight at 7pm and will have another day at sea tomorrow enroute to San Francisco where we will be on Wednesday AND Thursday.