DAY 35---ENSENADA, MEXICO (AGAIN)

 

                               We are back in Ensenada, Mexico, again today.  Docked here at 8am.

LAST NIGHT:

While the three of us were having our cocktails and pigs in our suite I heard the pilot boat.  So we went out on our balcony and it was right below us.

This beautiful bouquet was delivered yesterday evening.  Note on it said from the housekeeping management team.

                                                        We enjoyed dinner in Prime 7.

Murphy about to serve the Caymus cabernet I ordered.

                                                           Michale was our assistant waiter.

                                                 Jeff ordered this "poke" for an appetizer.

Rebecca and I had the "surf & turf" again.  6 ounce filet with 3 spicy creole marinated shrimp.  Jeff had an 18 ounce porterhouse steak.  He also had two desserts!!  We closed Prime 7 as a couple we had cruised with before, John & Robin, we at the table beside ours.  She was a retired flight attendant and he had been an airline pilot also.  Robin was always on the treadmills like we were.  Funny as when they were seated Robin was looking at me and I at her before I said, "I think we know you!"  That started a two hour conversation.

                                    Prime 7 chef Keegan came out to say hi after dinner.

Paul is the new Mariner Lounge bartender as they rotated the bartenders for this cruise.  Viktoria is now at the pool bar.

TODAY:

        Rebecca staying on board and did her treadmill time then watched the streaming of her yesterday's soaps.  Jeff and I met in the theater at 8:45 for our "Taste of Mexico" tour.

                                                      Selfie of us waiting in the theater.

                   We had this bus for our tour today.  There were only 18 of us on the tour.

This young lady was with us as we exited the port area because she said Sahib did not yet have clearance papers to enter the port area.

Sahib was our guide today.  He is 24 years old and a junior student at the University here studying physics.  He said he will then get his masters degree as the government pays them to get a masters.  He was the most entertaining and best guide I think I have ever had on a Regent cruise.  Very enthusiastic and funny guy.  Jeff and I really enjoyed him and the tour experience.

This was the first resort in Ensenada when nothing else was here.  Now it is a cultural center.

Next we drove for an hour out of Ensenada to the valley Guadalupe to experience a cooking school.

                                 This school was out in the middle of nowhere but very nice.

                           No sure but think this was a new, small chapel by the school.

                                                           This is where we all sat.

               In the Guadalupe valley they produce grapes for wine, olive oil, and some fruits.

            We were served margaritas during the school and this is where they were made.

                                                                         Old oven

                                                                          Entrance

The woman instructor spoke and demonstrated from behind this table.  She was very good and started by showing us how to make salsas. 

             Showing us the ingredients for salsa and explained the different kinds of peppers.

                              We already had a bowl of salsa and some chips when we sat down.

                                                             Sahib took a selfie with us.

                                               We started by making some guacamole 

                                                                 My makings started

Next we made a chicken enchilada.  Corn tortilla, cooked shredded chicken, lettuce, green salsa, cheese, and creme fresh.

              This is the enchilada after I got it all rolled up and with rest of ingredients on top.

I put some of my guacamole on top also.  It was very good even though it may not look so good.

Next was a beef tostada.  Tortilla then put refried beans on it.  Then added the shredded beef, lettuce, cheese, creme fresh, and some red salsa.

                                                              Voila!!!  My tasty tostada.

                              Some more photos of the grounds.  We really enjoyed this place.

Next part of the tour after we drove back into downtown Ensenada was to a tequila tasting.

                                                               Our new Mexican friends

        First we were told how tequila was made.  Then there was a tasting of 6 different kinds of tequila.  I had a sip of the first shot.  Jeff did shots of all of them.  The tour was to continue for 40 minutes of free time to shop in downtown.  Jeff and I just walked back to the ship which was not far.

        We were back on board by 1pm.  Rebecca was waiting to have her Atkins bar until we returned and we would all have lunch.  I had enough to eat during the tour so told her to eat her bar.  Jeff was going up to the pool grill for more food!

                                                 My laundry comes back in this nice bag.

        At 6:00 this evening there is the Captain's Welcome cocktail party in the theater.  Cocktails and canapes while he introduces the senior officers.  I told Siva we would not be doing our cocktail hour in the suite.  Instead we will pick Jeff up on the way down to the Mariner Lounge at 5:45 for cocktails and canapes.  We will skip the Captain's party.

        Dinner tonight will be up in Sette Mari.  I ordered chicken parmesan for Rebecca and Jeff.  I will have my usual veal parmesan.  We saw Grace, sommelier, last night and I ordered another special bottle of wine.  She will be working in Sette Mari tonight so can serve us the 2017 Amarone.

        The production show, "Tuxedo" is at 9:30 which we plan on attending with Jeff.  Hope to get a front row seat for it.

        We sail at 4pm and will have a day at sea tomorrow.  Arriving at our anchorage in Cabo San Lucas by 10am on Friday, which is Jeff's 45th birthday.