Hermosillo is a large bustling city of around 600,000 people and is the capital of Sonora province. I'm sure it has attractions but it was far too busy for us.
But we did go into Hermosillo, looking for Walmart (there are two!). Usually it would be on a major interchange on the outskirts of town. Not in Mexico. Here it is in the middle of town on a square with Sam's Club, Home Depot, and a couple of other US chains.
We did a bit of shopping and headed south for San Carlos, a tourist resort just to the north of Guaymas.
| The Totonaka RV campsite was fine with over 120 spaces and
emptying fast. We had a choice of over 100 and so were able to find some
shade. Folk were from all over North America, from British Columbia to
Florida, and many had been there for weeks. |  |
 | Across the road
is a stony beach which we walked along, but there is probably more sand at
low tide. San Carlos
is in the distance here under the twin peaks. |
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There are some condos (holiday flats) here but most are nearer and out the other
side of San Carlos. |  |
 | We stood and watched the pelicans fishing. They
alternated between flying at about 50-100ft and then folding their wings and
diving in to catch fish, and skimming the waves mere inches from the
surface. Very elegant for what appears to be such an ungainly bird. |
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At one point there were five flying in line astern. We just selected two. |  |
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We took the bus into Guaymas which cost all of 12 pesos. This boat was
moored in the harbour but it takes people out for evening trips. |
| These fishermen were sorting and cleaning the night's
catch, so clearly there is still commercial fishing here, and though there
were a number of boats moored on this wharf many looked as though they
were out of service. But who can tell if they look like this? |  |
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The quayside had some interesting seats including a whale or two, sea lions
and this crab. |
| The church is very pretty but there was a service in
progress when we arrived so we went and had a drink at a small pavement
cafe. I thought that there were a lot of plump Mexican girls until we
realised that the office nearby door belongs to a gynaecologist. |  |
 |
The inside of the church is relatively plain but has a very light and
spacious air. There are lots of statues with folk gazing up at them
presumably praying so we didn't wish to intrude. |
| Around the corner is the municipal palace full of Grim
police. We know this because their blue shirts all had 'GRIM' on the back.
Some sort of municipal unit I think. |  |
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Woolworths may be dead in England but it seems very alive in Mexico. |
| The local transport seems to be run using 40 year old
ex school buses from the States. We know at least one came from San Diego.
This is one of the better ones. Its route is in stuck on letters. Ours was
just scrawled on in white paint. It also had about a dozen broken windows
and was driven by a madman. They have two speeds - stopped and flat out! |  |
 |
I was told I could have a bimbo when I was in Mexico. It's actually a brand
of bread. (And the thing on the left is part of an anchor!) |
| RVers are very friendly and one of the couples on the
site took us up to the viewpoint on the other side of San Carlos. The views
here are very spectacular. |  |
 |
It is very popular with Americans and Canadians who buy winter homes here.
We looked in one estate agent's window - the prices are in US dollars and
well outside our reach. Actually we've seen resorts like this all over the
world. I suppose they do bring work to the neighbouring communities. |
| This is not a good picture but note the house on the
top of the hill. |  |
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The same house from the back. It must have spectacular 360 degree views. It
is owned by a couple of Texans and goodness knows what it is worth. |
| Another similar property is being built the other side
of the bay but it's view won't be as spectacular whatever they do. |  |
 |
We were leaving the following day so six of us went out to dinner. This
stone cooked 'surf and turf' was supposed to be for one but each couple had
one between two. It was excellent. So too were the 'happy hour' margaritas -
buy one get one free. It was a good job we only had to 'roll' next door. |
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