In late November 2013 I began a trip by bus up the coast, then by train through the "fabled" Copper Canyon, and again by bus into the U.S. at Tucson.  Here are some notes and pictures of that trip.

San Blas, a few miles further on.  Came across a photo session in the old fort.  Saw lots of wildlife on the lagoon tour, including many crocs.  I assume the swim area was safe, but I opted out.

Mexcaltitán de Uribe.  This turned out to be an amazing place.  A man-made island just off the coast, which you get to by a fifteen minute boat ride down a lagoon chock full of birds.  (Clearly I did not take this photo - but alll the others are mine).

This being the height of the Christmas holiday season, the restaurants were going wild.  This guy playing with his shrimp introduced himself, and told me my worries were over: he was the only doctor on the island, which meant he was given food and drink everywhere he went.  And because we were going to be such good buddies, the same hopitality would be extended to me.  And it was.  And we ate and drank the night away...  

And what a change it was.  Maxatlán was hopping.  And I was no longer the only tourist in town.

But Mazatlan was not my style.  Too many tourists, too much hustling, too big.  I didn't linger.