Day 6 – El Fuerte

3/23/2006 – Day 6 – El Fuerte

Since it was dark and late last night and after breakfast this morning, we begin to explore Pasada Del Hidalgo Hotel.  Check out this fountain in the courtyard.  By the way, El Fuerte is purportedly most famously known for being home to Zorro.

There are  number of courtyards in this hotel.  Check out this one.  Surrounded by a walkway live trees and flowers adore the area.  We are not in one of these rooms, but imagine sitting out under the stars in the courtyard.  Relaxing!

Now this is where our room is, under the roof overhang. 

Check out the pool area.  The bar is behind us with tables in front and to the left of us.  We will meet here for a cocktail and 3-piece mariachi band. 

We are going on a river float ride.  Well I am Carmen is staying behind.  As we head down the Hotel entrance to the road; I get a picture looking back up to the entrance.  Check out how steep the entrance ramp is. 

As usual out by the road I am taking pictures of flowers.  Check out these cactus flowers. 

Now this cactus is interesting.  I see the cactus and it has an unusual piece, so I ask the tour guide about it.  Apparently, it is a caterpillar and disguised so the birds will not find it.  Wow!  Now that is different.

I am off to the boat float while Carmen is going to walk around town.  Here I am with my boat mates getting ready for ramming speed to take out the other boats.  Well okay, I’m told that’s not what we are going to do.  Take all of the fun out of a boat ride.  LOL!

It is not a race, but we are ahead of the others.  We are seeing birds and I think there was an otter or two, and that is about it for animals.

After several miles and about an hour on the river we are docking and departing the RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat).  As you can see, the dock is small and we have to take turns.  But everyone is back on dry land without any mishaps. 

Now while I was on the water, Carmen was running around town.  She went to some of the other hotels to see how they look.  Now I like blue and this would be perfect for me.  I really like the vibrant colors and I’m sure that is why Carmen took the picture.  

Now this is a courtyard.  Look at all of the flowers and colors.  Wow!  Imagine waking up to this each morning coffee in hand and relaxing in a chair.  

Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón is the name of this chapel.  Carmen was able to get the full view from this angle since there was some sort of ceremony going on while she was there.  Still its in good shape for being built in 1673.

Inside the church, as with many Spanish heritage churches, the architecture is simple with clean lines.  The dais is adorned minimally, but the alter is as ornate as can be.  Very nice.  

Carmen went to the nearby El Fuerte municipal building.  Of course she went up to the second floor to take the picture, as I would have.

Carmen couldn’t figure out what was going on here.  Is it cowboy fiesta time or is everyone getting ready to go to a rodeo?  Carmen said they were there for awhile.  We’ll never know and the sign doesn’t help.

Near the cowboys, were these police.  Carmen was very carful when she took this picture.  It’s a good thing she didn’t get arrested, I had sneakers and a cheap belt so I would not have been able to come up with bail.  And I wasn’t giving up my camera.  LOL!  Carmen was also surprised that one of the police was a woman.  She also said that there were other police with rifles on other street corners.

Walking around a little more Carmen found the Museo El Fuerte or Museum of El Fuerte which is located inside the historic fort of El Fuerte. 

Inside museum is a statue of Zorro.  As I mentioned earlier Zorro is said to have come from El Fuerte. 

The tour group met at a restaurant in town for lunch after our boat ride and Carmen's trip around town.

After lunch we toured more of El Fuerte.  We have seen some unusual food items on our travels, but at one of the outside markets we saw these skinned rattle snakes for sale.  Anyone for rattlesnake tacos?

Speaking of street foods, here is one of the food venders that we have seen. 

At happy hour before dinner, we are serenaded by a Mariachi band.  And who should also show up?  None other than Zorro, with his rapier and whip. 

After dinner, a local troupe of dancers once again entertained us.  The men and women perform several traditional dances from the area. 

Later, dancers asked people from the tour group to join them.  Yes, Carmen goes up before all of the male dancers are taken.  

While Carmen is back in the room packing for tomorrow’s early departure, I am running around the hotel taking pictures.  Did I mention that the hotel appears to be one or more haciendas?  

Tomorrow we will get back on the train and head back into Copper Canyon where we will stay at a hotel overlooking the canyon.