M/S Paradise - Day 3

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

When we awoke on Wednesday, we found the ship docked in Ensenada. Erin and I had planned a horseback ride, so after breakfast, we disembarked and boarded a bus headed for the hills.

I was surprised to see that the Ensenada area is very similar in geology and climate to Santa Barbara, so we felt right at home! It was an absolutely beautiful day, more so since the weather forecast had called for rain.

Upon arrival at the Ranchos Los Banditos Stables, we mounted our trusty steeds, Erin on Shadow and Karen upon Molito. They were good ponies.

Our main cowboy, Miguel, brings out some horses!

Erin and Shadow (the only horse with an English name)

Karen and Molito

Fast Friends



Shadow and Molito were fast friends, too!

We rode up to a ridge with really spectacular views of the bay and the town. Our cowboys were fantastic, galloping along our trail and encouraging pokey ponies. Molito and Shadow didn't need much encouragement other than our own. Erin did a great job of keeping a hungry Shadow from munching a few mouthfuls along the way.

One of the cowboys. He rode along side, and also did little tricks.

The end of the trail.

We enjoyed some really good soy "chorizo" tacos before heading back.

Erin's legs were sore from all of her stair-hopping the night before, and the horseback ride didn't help, so she didn't feel like shopping in Ensenada. It gave me a chance to try out the jacuzzi on board, as well as the jacuzzi tub in our stateroom!

Mike and Kevin went to Ensenada in the afternoon and spent a few hours together. It was good for them to get some one-on-one time.

After joining back up, Mike and I had a great time just hanging out and talking into the evening. Erin again enjoyed quiet time in the room and Kevin was off with his new friends. None of us much felt like dinner, so we skipped it.

Mike and I wandered into the art gallery at some point during the evening. Having spied an artwork the day before, and not wanting to participate in the auction, Mike threw his credit card down for a piece that he very much wanted. It is a Optical Art piece by contemporary artist Yaacov Agam. It is impossible to show a photograph of the piece here, as it is a geometric "agamograph" or lenticular lithograph. I suppose you'll just have to come visit to see it! It is to be delivered to our home in the near future.

Another fun thing that happened on the cruise is that we met up with some friends from the neighborhood! They are vacation stalkers, as we ran into them the last time we went to Maui! We caught up with Cristi at the Karaoke bar (no, we didn't participate!) on Wednesday night.

Erin, Mike, and I did hit the the magic and comedy show that night. It was a good show. The magician, Bobby Borgia, was very good! The comedian wasn't as good as Lowell Sanders, so we skipped his spicier show.

Another late night, another deep sleep.