Small boats

This is not about travel on a plane, train, Truck, or even a car. No this is about how we transfer people and small supplies from one ship to another. If you look really close you will see a large ship in the distance that the small boat it headed to. Most of the time it is easy, however if it has to be done in foul weather it can be dangerous, and will need well trained people only. So far I have only been a passenger on one of the boats, but hope to be part of the crew of three someday. I will be leaving to ride the boat on the 17th of Dec. to go to one of the larger ships to be hilocoptered to shore to go home. Until then I hope you all had a nice turkey day..

Returning to work

Well the time to go back to work has once again arrived. Step one is to drive to the airport intime to make my flight. It has been raining all day so the roads are wet and driving is just a bit slow. Left the house really early to give time to stop along the way to pick up last minute items and eat lunch. Drive went smoothly and arrived at the airport two hours before the flight was to depart.

The flights from Louisville to New Orleans went without problems. Called the hotel I was booked in for a pick up and find out it was already on the way to pickup others. Went out to the waiting area and sure enough here it comes. Problem was it was a van that could hold only about ten people and they were 18 of us.. I took one look around and decided I was not waiting for it to go to the hotel and back again, so jumped on with both bags. Put one bag on the floor between my legs and the other on my lap and I was ready to go.

Hotel check in was the easiest I have every seen it my company had a rep. sitting at a side table with all our keys so I skipped standing in line with the people from the other company and had my key within a few min. Told I was on the late morning Helicopter the next day so did not have to be down until 9am... Seeing that it was already 11pm I was happy to hear this.

The next morning I was down in the lobby at 7 am to go get breakfast and to my surprise found the first group just leaving, seems fog delayed the time of the first flight. Had a good breakfast at a Denny's just around the corner, and returned to the hotel to await my turn to start the final leg back to the boat.

The bus with the remaining 12 going to the boat left the hotel at 09:35 going to the heliport. Before getting on the helicopter we first had to sit through a safety brieafing reminding us of the correct way to board and what to do if something goes wrong. Takes about 30 minutes. Then we all walked out to the heliport taken our bags, we each put our own bags into the cargo hold then boarded the chopper.

The ride to the boat was about 1.5 hours long with one stop to fuel. This to me is the longest of all the flights because you have to wear hearing protecting because of the noise, this also makes it impossible to talk to anyone so you just sit and look at water, lots and lots of water.

Once we land on the first boat ( thats right more to come ) we go into the helicopter room exchange safety grear with the crew that is leaving and wait for our bags. All bags acounted for we go to the bridge for another safety meeting on how we are going to be transported to our boat. The boat I work on has a helicopter deck but it is not certified so we have to go over by small boat four at a time.

When my turn comes to go I head over my bags get in the boat, once all are on, the boat is lowered and off we go. To get on our boat first the small boat has to be hooked up and raised to a level that allows us to step right onto our home for the next five weeks.

Guardalajara Last stop before returning to States

The last two days of the trip we spent in Guadalajara doing the total tourist thing. Went to see as many of the Historic sites as we could with the amount of time we had ( the ones that were open)Walking around a big city again was a shock to the system, ( 8 million people live in this city)seemed like if you stopped to look at something you were bumped or pushed. This is not done to be rude it is just that so many people are they that when you stop others have to adjust fast. Did come to the conclusion that I do not want to live in any big city again.

The sites in this city are worth the visit, I loved the old buildings and fountains. Hope to go back someday and get time to see more of the Museums and artist sections of the city. From the book I had it shows nine different places in and around the city that I found of interest, only went to two. Of the two we did see we still could not see it all. I figure it would take at lest 10 days to hit all the places in one visit, and that would still be pushing.

Several things I would not repeat if I go back. First I would want to stay at a different Hotel, The Holiday Inn was to costly ( NICE ) and the restaurant service left a whole lot to be desired. Check out one place that sound interesting, Hotel Francis, built in 1610. Even if it is not up to most (U.S.) standards I think it would be fun to stay in at least one time.

As all trips go we did have to leave and return to the states. Everything went like clockwork except for having to stand in line at customs for over an hour to reenter the country. I will never understand why it takes so much longer to come back to the states that to enter other countries.

Back home now getting ready to head back to work. Will update the blog about that in a few days.. ( Maybe )

Town of Jocotepec

The third town we visited is Jocotepec, but locals just call it Joco which I like better. I found this town most interesting for the people, Just setting at an outdoor coffer cafe I was able to watch and enjoy the people in the town Center.

Seemed like all the locals knew each other and no one was in a rush to go get someplace else.

Walked around town looking at different houses and walking into the local stores. Love the fact that none of the fast food places like McD's or 7/11 have made it into town yet. Want a drink go to the corner Mom/Pop place and you will find what you want and a little local color to go with it. Each little place is just a bit different from the last. The houses can not be judged from the outside.!! More then once I looked at the outside and thought this place is too small and run down, only to find out that behind the wall is a lovely house as well as a garden. That is not to say we did not also see some run down small places because we did, all it means is not to judge a place from the outside. Like the old saying " Do not judge a book from its cover " well this is the same.

We did not get a change to check out too many restaurants, but the one we did eat at was good, also had some interesting items on the walls. Everything from swords, knifes, to pistols and rifles. It is my belief that most if not all came from the family that now owns and runs the place.

If the Town itself was not enough just outside the town a new park is being built next to the lake. It has a nice long walk, trees with places for picnics, succor field, and plans for a sand beach. It is already a nice place for families to spend time together and will be even better in the future.

As things stand at the moment Joco and Chapala are neck and neck for first place with me. This is however a town were you want to know or at least willing to learn Spanish. Not as many folks here that speak a lot of English.

Visit Chapala

After looking around in Ajijic for the first few days it was decided to check out a Town to the East called Chapala. We did not have a car with us and did not want to rent so, got on one of the local buses and for 7 pesos went to Town.

This Town to me was so much more Mexican, or at the very least less gringo like. It feels more open and has built along the lake front. Walked around and spoke with people several times on different days, always found everyone to be friendly.

One of the best meals we had was here in Chapala, met with some friends we made for dinner at a local place near the lake and had a great time. The food was good but what made this the best meal was the company of friends and the music of the band. This was a experience I will not soon forget.

If we do decided to go back to Mexico and stay for a longer time this is one of the places I would like to stay, Maybe rent a small home close to the water.

Vacation in Mexico

Hi to myself, I do not believe anyone esle even know I have a blog. This time I feel like writing about my first vacation in years. I just returned from two weeks in Mexico. First the flight to Mexico was great, no problems that count and it took less then ten min. to clear customes....

First took a Taxi from the Airport in Gaudalajara to Aijijic, 30 min tops. Stayed at a B&B see photo... This was a nice enough place, only problem was if you stayed in there was nothin to do. No television and if like me you do not have your computer with you no internet. Have to say the price was right and it came with breakfast which was very good on the days it was served.

Toured Ajijic for the first few days and found out that even through you do not have to speak Spanish, I wanted to see and feel an area that had more of a Mexican feel. Did love some sites and sounds of Aijiic..

Food was great and people frendly ( both Mexican and expats )

Decided to try the Bus system and go to Chapala, not too far away. See next post... ( yes I will... LOL)