The port of call for today was Puerto Chiapas, our first stop in Mexico. We arrived before 8am, and we were cleared by 8:30am. No doubt about it, the weather was going to be another hot and humid day. There were a lot of clouds, but not as bad as yesterday. There was a chance that we would see blue skies.
We had the best seats in the Pinnacle Grill at breakfast…..right at the window above the gangway. Many officers lined up on the spacious pier, while the excursion groups filed off towards their waiting buses. Today, the tour folks were exiting from the forward gangway.
A local dance group arrived to put on a performance. They were dressed in traditional Mexican costumes, which consisted of long pants or skirts, long sleeve shirts, a blanket sarape over their shoulders, and wearing strange-looking straw hats. Considering the temperature was already in the 80's, they must have been melting dressed as they were. When the dancing began, it must have been unbearable, but you would never know it. They continued dancing with the help of a band for at least one hour. Now the funny thing is that we could not hear the sound of the music, as we were inside the ship. We can only assume that the dance moves matched the "Mexican Hat Dance". Standing way behind this group, were a half dozen of our crew members, mimicking their dance, trying to keep up with the beat. Interesting what you can see from our vantage point.
We don't know how many folks there were on tour, but we suppose that Valerie, the Cruise & Travel director, had done a good job explaining that there is very little to do and see in this port. There was a drive to a coffee plantation for 7 hours, a trip to ruins & nearby Tapachula for 4 ½ hours, and ruins with a chocolate factory for 4 ½ hours. Or you could see Mayan stone carvings with a stop at the chocolate factory for 4 hrs. The prices ranged from $80 to $200 per person. There used to be a mangrove boat ride with a stop at a banana packing factory, but that was not listed. Nor were they listed for our last two ports.
So we left the ship around noon, having completed computer work. From our veranda, we faced the opposite shore of the harbor. What a treat we had watching the bird show which included pelicans, frigates, vultures and hundreds of gulls. Not only that, a beach across the way was filling up with locals, who were already in the water by 8am. Most of them did not wear swimsuits, but shorts and t-shirts…including the young girls and boys.
Once we left the gangway, there was a desk set up where the local authorities took our health forms. Then we were free to explore the area. Just as we entered the huge palapa, another folkloric show was about to begin in the central pit. This was a different group, and they were accompanied by a marimba player on the xylophone. The ladies danced first, then were joined by the men. Most all of the onlookers were locals here for the day we assumed.
This space was surrounded by many shops, mostly boutique-type. There were souvenirs, ceramics, clothing, and most of all……jade and amber jewelry. In the one and only air-conditioned store, we found a beaded three piece jewelry set in blues and purples, different from yesterday's choices. About four of the shops were closed.
Walking out the back of the palapa, we came across the taxi and bus stop. There was a shuttle running to nearby Tapachula for a 30 minute ride each way. Last time we did this, it was $5 each way. Today, it was probably more, but we could not see the price on their sign. Going a bit further there was a portal that led to the main highway. From here on out, it was desert. Hot and dry as can be.
Following the well-landscaped walkway, we enjoyed the shade of the many palms and indigenous trees. One of these trees happened to be the cashew. Several years ago, while on the mangrove tour, the guide stopped to show us the fruit of this tree. It resembled a smooth-skinned orange fruit, but had a seed growing on the bottom of it. That seed turned out to be a cashew, which is not a true nut at all. The fruit was used to ferment into a liquor, while the seeds or cashews were leached then roasted. If they were eaten raw, they can be toxic. We have bought fresh cashews while in Brazil, and found they tasted much different than the roasted and salted ones we love.
As we approached the smaller palapa, we expected to see many folks under the overhang drinking beer and eating nachos. Well, there was no one there, and the place looked completely closed. Now we wonder if it was due to today being a holiday, or did they not survive the Covid war? There was no one round that spoke English, so we could not ask. The pool was still there, and filled. However the water looked murky, and no one was in it. The lounges were still scattered on the lawn, and there were people from the ship in them. Don't really know why, other than it was someplace different. If they were waiting for bar service, they would have a very long wait.
Since there was nothing more to do here, we headed back to the air-conditioned ship. On the way, we spotted a group of locals touring the pier area with a guide. Or they were there to see the ship up close and personal.
Lunch was a light one with snacks in our room with lots of diet soda. Even though we were out and about for over an hour, we were hot and thirsty. We worked on photos, as enjoyed the view of families having fun, as well as the bird show……all from the veranda. When the sun began creeping up on our veranda, we had to head back inside.
The Captain came on at 4:30pm with his late afternoon talk, and said tomorrow's weather will be much the same as todays. The next port will be Huatulco, a fairly short distance away. The ship left the port around 5pm, and this time the Captain blew his horn several times. Seems the locals on the beach and pier were urging him on to blow it. They loved it. As we got out of the breakwater, we could see the strong waves crashing the seawall along the coast line. Bet there is a dangerous riptide here, and you will see no one in these waters, or even on the beaches.
Our TV is still having problems with freeze-frame. Since no one else has complained, it must be our TV. Or the satellite connection is not tweaked correctly. By the time they figure it out, we will be on our way home.
We discovered that the online menu was posted on the Navigator site, but not on the room TV. Checking it, we found that it was spaghetti and meatballs and prime rib night. And that's what we ordered, along with starters of araccini meatballs, salads, and entrees. Absolutely no room for dessert.
Bill And Mary Ann
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Report #120 Puerto Chiapas, Mexico 8am-5pm Saturday April 16, 2022 Sunny, Hot And Humid 85 Degrees
