Day 6 - Acapulco

Day 6 - Acapulco

Our day at Acapulco was planned to be short. The ship was sailing out at 1 PM. Since we're not early risers, we hadn't even planned to go into the port, but curiosity got the better of us. With a quick breakfast at Topsiders and the kids headed to the clubs, Ken and I ventured off the ship.

We stopped at the DEL SOL shop to buy a few t-shirts for the boys. We love the color changing shirts and buy them on each cruise. We've been impressed with how long they last.

At first we were going to walk into town. We had forgotten the map the ship provides and didn't realize how long a walk that would be. After chatting with a few taxi drivers, Ken negotiated the $3 / person fee to get us to town.

There were two sections: the Mexican (old) and the American (old, but more modern). One of the significant differences was that the new section allowed high rise hotels right on the beach. Acapulco was once the place to come for the jetset crowd. After living in Mexico for a number of years, my brother, Timmy, recommended Puerto Vallarta over Acapulco. I think we'd agree with him on that one.

The taxi driver dropped us off at one of the big shopping mall. The entire drive, the taxi driver kept talking about a wonderful silver factory that offered 1/2 off the regular prices for silver. We found out later that it was a place for poor quality that would change color while you were it! The maill we visitied was very similar to a mall in the states . . .including a Starbucks! And you know I had to get my ice tea which I'd been missing on the ship . . .lol. We spent all of 10 minutes walking around and seeing stores we didn't even want to enter (although the hush puppy shoes looked tempting).

Ken and I headed outdoors. Ken wanted to walk a bit. That lasted about one block when the heat hit us. It had be rainy and cloudy earlier, but as soon as the sun broke through, the combined heat and humidity was overwhelming. We continued walking and looking for a taxi. The buldings were concrete high rises with open air shops on the first floor. They were your typical tourist traps with every thing from t-shirts to sand toys to tacky souveniors.

After crossing the street at a crosswalk (crossing the street was taking your life in your hands with the wild white and blue painted VW bug - the old one - taxis fly down the streets), we waited on a curb hoping one of the ancient bug taxis would stop for us. Seeing so many of the same type of taxi made the place look like a set from an old movie instead of bustling metropolis.

At last a taxi stopped for us. Ken bargained for a ride, and they said, "No" and drove off. We were getting sweater by the minute . . .LOL. Another bug taxi pulled up, Ken negotiated his price, and we got in. There was NO air conditioning!! Ken and I had decided to head to the flea market in the old side of town to find a few trinkets. It was interesting to drive down the streets of an old Mexican town. Again, lots of open air stores in concreat buildings, but now they sold more every day wears. The one I liked the best sold various kinds of popscicles. I saw a mom with her two children purchasing different colored icy relief in one of the stores. You could see the excitement on the children's faces. It reminded me of going to our Gelato store at home.

After a number of near misses with other vehicles and pedestrians, we arrived at the flea market. It was just what you would expect: spacious, open air vendors full of every colorful trinket imaginable. And there were colorful characters there as well. The first one met us and opened the door of the taxi to dislodge us from our tight quarters. He ended up being our guide (for a price) through the market. Ken was looking for a new belt and I was just looking.

Ken loves to bargain and he's really perfected his skill. Admittedly, I'm not very good at it b/c I get impatient with the process. I like shopping for bargains, but I really don't want to argue about it . . .LOL. Ken, on the other hand, enjoys the process. He is always willing to walk away and find the item somewhere else. He had decided on a price for his belt. The first vendor would not come down so he walked away. He found another vendor and after walking away, the vendor rushed after his and gave it to him for the price. We went through the whole process again with a vase and plate that I selected. I messed it up by getting impatient (the ship would be leaving soon!), but we still got a pretty good deal (Ken says he would have gotten his price and I agree . . . I was more patient on future buys).

We asked our market guide for a taxi and he wanted more than double what we had paid for a much shorter distance. Ken decided we should just walk the 10 blocks back to ship (okay, it might not have been 10 blocks, but in the heat, it seemed at least that far!!). We had to go BACK through the Mexican area I thought was a bit scary. Well, we always seem to have exciting adventures. As we walk by the open air shops and folks standing to pull in buyers, Ken said, "Hola" to everyone. He was having a grand time as I tried to hurry to ship. I must say, everyone was very friendly and cordial. Ken had the right idea.

After boarding the ship, we checked on the boys and headed to the pool to cool off. WE were waiting to pull out at 1 PM and were suprised we didn't pull out until almost 2 PM. DCL was on a schedule to get to the Panama Canal. They had paid a special fee to be taken through the canal at certain time. Turns out, some friends were on the horseback riding excursion and they got back 45 minutes later than scheduled. DCL had to wait for the 25 people since it was one of their excursions. Rumor had it that if we left late there was also a financial penalty. When the ship left Acapulo, it was flying. It was very rocky for the rest of the night. The adult pool at quiet cove looked more like a wave pool! One of servers at dinner missed dinner b/c she was seasick!

Tonight was our special dinner in PALO, the adult only restaurant. It is a treat to have a classy dinner in a classy place with just Ken and I. Since the boys weren't locked in to their clubs this trip, we asked them to go to dinner without us. They did a great job taking care of each other and behaving well.

Well, our dinner was spectacular! This was the first time we'd been at PALO before sunset. PALOs is located on the top deck at the aft (or back) of the ship. It was stunning to watch the sunset while we enjoyed an opulent dinner. Sunsets on the open sea are extra colorful. With the bit of clouds hovering, the hues of gold and pink streaked through the sky. Usually I get their fillet minion, but this time I tried the lobster and crab ravoli. I was glad I did. Ken and I look forward to the chocolate suffle with chocolate and vanilla creme. I realize I could make these at home, but it is such a treat each time we come to PALO.

After a filling meal at PALOs we checked on the boys and headed for bed. Both boys stayed out late and had a blast.