All good things must come to an end

Really?! - what a stupid saying! I must admit that this vacation sadly had to come to an end. But we have such a wonderful life - I feel lucky to have "good things" all the time - mostly good friends and good food - and here's to it never coming to an end!

This was on our second to last day - we went as a group (only because the surf was small) to see the Petroglyphs about a 20 min (actually 45 min!) drive away.

The gang 

Just one of the many petroglyphs

Wow.

Another amazing meal in Cardon

This may not have been our actual Final meal but it was a highlight! Molcajete -these large stone bowls served with all grilled ingredients then topped with a simmered tomatillo sauce. Shrimp, chicken, steak, nopales, zucchini and cheese- wow! Fresh tortillas alongside of course. 

Molcajete getting HOT

Grilling shrimp and chicken

Molcajete served

Ok, I guess I should mention the surf too

Rich in the ocean and my kind of surfing in the pool

Our balcony

Ok, we did more than just eat - we hung out by the pool and hot tub. Richard surfed a couple times every day and napped a little.

Done surfing for the day

And then we went to bed with the moon rising and woke to our next wonderful meal!

Did I mention the food at Cardon?

The best part of the food they made and served us at Cardon was that it was fresh local ingredients cooked over an open grill - nothing too too fancy - although they did make some pretty spectacular meals and all of them were just right.

Pots bubbling away on the stove

This fish on the grill was delicious. First Oscar put down foil on one side and then spread with some butter. Next he put the fish on and clamped down the grill cooking it first with the foil side up to get some nice grill marks. Then he finished cooking it foil side down. When almost done he made a mixture of mayonnaise, yellow mustard and a little soy sauce which was drizzled over the fish. Finally it got topped with some fresh cooked tomato salsa - It was great! I was a little leery of the yellow mustard - I'm a dijon girl myself - but I would have never guessed if I hadn't seen it happen. All served with rice and a fresh salad it was a perfect meal. The second time we had the fresh pargo was below and when I saw it on the menu "Curry Fish" I wasn't really looking forward to it as I was picturing some sort of overcooked stew - but no! It was the fresh fish grilled again then topped with a tasty curry sauce and to lighten the dish some raw julienned carrots and beets! I'm telling you the food was amazing!

Fresh Pargo over hot coals

Grilled fresh fish with curry sauce

Did I mention Lobster night?!? Yes, fresh caught spiny lobster grilled with garlic butter. Would you care for a second one? Don't you want to live here?!

Surfing and EATING at Cardon

Did I mention I loved the food?! I really have no complaints - I know - can you believe that? It's true! Thanks to our fantastic chef Oscar who prepared our amazing dinners every night.

Chili relleno lunch

In the cucina with Oscar

Did I mention that we basically had 5 meals a day? First meal is self serve fruit, yogurt and cereal. Then comes my favorite breakfast about 8:30am. Then noon is a full hot meal - this day was Chili Rellenos roasted with diced vegetables in a cream sauce. And snack time - every one groans and says "oh not another meal!" but did we skip snack time? Hell NO! It was too good to skip- so get your first cocktail started and fall in love with this days ceviche - a fresh local fish called Pargo - kind of like a red snapper, topped with a little lime juice, soy sauce and black sesame seeds and don't forget the avocado or aguacate! Heaven. And our cocktail of the trip - curtsy of Leslie - a great surfer gal we met here with tons of style - Crystal e Nada Mas - which to our translation was tequila with lots of lime juice topped off with mineral water and ice - no sugar, no sweet and sour crap! Salud!

Surfing Cardon!

Our next stop was about 60 kilometers north to Cardon Surf Resort - and let me first say this was no surf "camp" - it was a Resort! Only 8 rooms all with views of the surf break. When Richard first said he wanted to go on a surf vacation I said fine - but no camp. Cardon met all my wishes and more! I really couldn't have wished for better rooms, pool and the food! Every day they made fresh tortillas, guacamole and salsa - and a special bowl for Rich and I since we hate cilantro! That's right - Señor Ricardo e esposa sin cilantro! Love it!! We all ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together every day at this huge table and it was amazing! We started off as a bunch of strangers with a love of surfing and ended up friends. Ok, I'm not a surfer but I do know the language, dude.

Richard's first day of surf

Guacamole everyday!

 Can I just share with you my favorite meal? Breakfast or Desayuno! Eggs any way you like then served with fresh hot tortillas, beans and salsa. And how about some chilaquiles? - which are crispy tortillas in a spicy tomato sauce - don't forget the fresh avocado! If only I could get this served to me every morning...

Desayuno - my favorite meal. 

Another day at the beach in Mazatlan

 Our first day of wandering around the town got us our first taste of fresh coconut water - the nice man at the beach serves it to you cold with a straw. Then he takes it back and whacks it up and carves out the meat for you- refreshing and delicious! The second time we had it I got it the traditional way which has lime juice squirted on top and salt sprinkled over - I didn't think I would like that since I don't use much salt but it was tasty too!

Man fixing our coconut snack

Here's lunch looking at ya

Lunch that day was a whole fried local fish - no idea what kind! Served with fresh salsa, limes, tortillas and of course a beer - I mean what is a vacation without a refreshing beverage at lunch?!

Boat ride to Isla de las Piedras

Rooftop lounging at Casa Lucila