Food, What's On Your Bookshelf?

Will the Last Canadian Heading Out This Way Please Turn off the Lights?

Retirement Reflections

Richard and I just returned from a two-week stay in Mazatlan, Mexico. Our biggest takeaway was how many Canadians were there at the same time. Seriously, at the pool, on the bus, at restaurants, and at the airport, we repeatedly ran into other Canadians, many of them from our province of BC and many from Vancouver Island! To continue this trend, old friends messaged me to say that they just arrived in Mazatlan for a last-minute getaway and discovered they are in the exact same hotel that we just left.

This post is dedicated to all who have been, or plan to go for a Mexican getaway. We didn’t take the all-inclusive package, so this is a sampling of what was on our plate when we were there.

Taco Soup at Chile’s Pepper 
A Healthy Start to the Day, Mary’s Burger Shoppe
Mango Smoothie at Surf’s Up Cafe, Recommended by Christie, So What, Now What
Nachos, Lefty’s Mexican Bar
Fresh Cheese and Avacodo Sandwich, Panama
Chicken, Rice and Veggie Soup, Tony’s Beachside
Another Healthy Start @ Rico’s.
Caprese Salad, Villa Italia
Beer and Pizza at Plaza Machado
Our Anniversary Dinner at Restaurante Villa Italia

Being able to travel at low cost times of the year is a definite benefit of retirement. One of my posts highlighting some of the perks, as well as the considerations, of retirement was recently featured on Women’s Wealth Canada. I encourage you to check it out.

So what’s been on your plate recently? My cohost, Deb, and I would love for you to share.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef
Unknown's avatar

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

105 thoughts on “Will the Last Canadian Heading Out This Way Please Turn off the Lights?”

  1. Pingback: What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge – Another Winner Edition – THE WIDOW BADASS BLOG

    1. Ohh, I would love for Bali to be close. It is wonderful there.

      This trip was a great reminder that we can’t control what life deals us, but we do have control over how we respond. At the very start of this trip, a health crisis for my parents emerged and although it was managed with the help of other relatives while we were away, it remained steady on my mind and took non-stop phone calls back and forth (thank goodness for roam-like-home). Halfway into our first week, I developed a severe head cold and then ended off with stomach flu. We are with my parents now. It will be a long journey with them. I am incredibly grateful that we were able to make the best of what we had. This has been another great reminder to live each day to the fullest while we can. ❤

      Like

      Reply

  4. If I lived in a place with all that snow and those freezing temps I’d be running off to a Mexican beach whenever I could too. 🙂 I’ll probably never get to Mexico, but I can totally see the appeal when your pics were popping up on my FB feed – nothing beats some sunshine and great food when you’ve been freezing your tailfeathers off for months. xx

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, Leanne – Again your comment made me laught out loud. I loved your line about the tailfeathers! :D It hasn’t been that snowy on Vancouver Island but we are currently in Kelowna and it is cold and dreary here with lots of snowy mountainous highways inbetween home and here. It was wonderful to have that warm getaway. And now we have the photos and memories!

      Like

      Reply

  6. Mexico is a perfect option for Canadians. It isn’t that far, no jet lag, reasonable prices, great food and perfect climate. I have friends who own property in Mexico and spend winters there. We are the odd ones who moved to Spain but we wanted to be in Europe. (No Canadians here. In 9 years I’ve only met 3) As much as I loved Thailand, it was a long flight. Your pictures are great.

    Like

    Reply

      1. I guess I meant Canadians living here. I have met some tourists of course. I was in Barcelona on Canada Day, July 1, once and saw two young girls wearing Canadian flags. I had to run up to them and introduce myself. Big hugs and a chat. They were university students from Eastern Canada travelling around Europe. But even Canadian tourists are not that common, at least in my part of Spain.

        Like

  8. What fabulous food photos! Looks so fresh and well prepared. Interesting how many Canadians go to the same place? What do you attribute that to? Word of mouth? Advertising? Something else?

    Like

    Reply

  9. What a lovely idea to feature what’s on your plate. .. and I’m intrigued. The bottom photo … what’s in your glasses?

    WE have many canadadian’s that come here for 3 months in the winter. They call themselves snowbirds.

    Like

    Reply

    1. My parents used to snowbird each winter in Yuma, Arizona. They live in Kelowna where the winters can get rough so I totally understood the appeal.

      Thank you so much for stopping by. Do you hae a blog? Your comment came through as anonymous.

      Like

      Reply

  10. I left a comment. IT was processing but then disappeared when I subcribed. I was curiopus what you were dininking in the picture at the bottom of your post

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thank you for dropping by. Both of your comments ended up in my ‘Pending” folder. I have approved them now so you should see them. That was Sangria in our glasses. Sadly, it tasted more like cheap cherry soda. But the food was great, as was the atmosphere. You can’t have everything! :d

      Like

      Reply
  11. Pingback: Defluff and Detox – Picture Retirement

    1. You coudn’t have the fruit and the cottage cheese? Or the strawberries and the oatmeal? You a Hard Core! <3
      When I ived in Windsor and Toronto, Florida was my quick/warm/affordable winter getaway. But asked me someday about the time I drive there and it actually SNOWED in Florida!

      Like

      Reply

  13. You both look happy and relaxed. It looks like Mexico was a good choice. Your story made me laugh. It reminded me of when we took our children to Disnvy during teacher’s convention break and everyone at Disney was from NJ>

    Like

    Reply

  17. Feliz aniversario from Bucerias Donna and Richard! We arrived on Jan. 24 and return on Feb. 15th. As in Mazatlan, Canadians flock here, including motorhome caravans from Quebec. The small house where we rent has 3 separate suites that are and have always been occupied by Canucks. Prices have doubled over the past few years, especially in restaurants, but we Canadians who have everything are happy to contribute to the local economy. We are here with good friends from home. I will email some photos so you can post them.

    Adios, Don(aldo) y linda Linda

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, Don and Linda – It is awesome to hear from you. Richard and I look forward to seeing you soon and catching up on all we’ve missed since summer — including your current get-away. Thanks for sending the pics – they are fantastic!

      Like

      Reply

  18. I had a fish week with mediterranean tuna noodle casserole (Martha Stewart), fish chowder, halibut. One of my hunters gifted me east coast halibut & scallops (that we enjoyed with steak at New Year). I think I got the better end of the deal. The casserole is in the regular rotation in this kitchen. I play cards regularly with neighbors & they brought the fixings for Mexican fries – oven fries with chili, cheese, beans. Now that’s a meal that’s not in the regular rotation. When friends return from a vacation, I often ask – what’s the best thing you ate? I’m preparing for a house concert tonight. One performer is GF; the other vegetarian. So it’s a grain bowl & I made a GF chocolate cake to be served with a raspberry sauce. I don’t know what I love more, cooking or eating.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, Mona – You are an incredible host – with such an interesting life – and a brilliant gift at describing your day-to-day. About that blog or online publications that I keep pestering you about? I want to read more about your life!!!

      Like

      Reply

  19. You guys look so happy and relaxed and that makes me so happy for you! The food looks amazing too. Looking forward to our eventual catch-up…Mazatlan might be getting another Canadian next year!!!!

    Deb

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, Deb – I think you would like Mazatlan. So many options to do endless things or to do nothing at all. The weather was great (not to hot, never cold) and the people were friendly and usually very polite and respectful. Win-win-win!

      I can’t wait for our catchup!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  20. Hi Donna – what a nice way to celebrate your anniversary! That food looks yummy too. That’s funny there were so many Canadians on your trip. While in Las Vegas, my husband and I discovered that the people at the next table lived within 20 minutes of us!

    Like

    Reply

  21. Hi Donna – yes I gather lots of Canadians slip down south for a few weeks’ break in the winter chills – frankly I don’t blame anyone. Looks as though you had a fun couple of weeks celebrating a few years together – congratulations. Welcome home now – with thoughts as you adjust … I hope Richard’s arm/shoulder is almost out of that sling … cheers Hilary

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, Hilary – I love that you always remind me of the good things all around us. Richard’s arm has been out of a sling for three months now. And he feels ready to golf as soon as we return back home on Vancouver Island. Golf has been the true yardstick for Richard! <3

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Ah … golf – soon to be! Cheers …very wet here today. I hope is well and peaceful on the mainland. All the best – Hilary

        Liked by 1 person

    1. If it helps, we shared that pizza (I had two pieces). When we had one piece left, an extroverted tourist who was sitting with his wife having wine a few tables away, came and asked us how the pizza was. We said ‘excellent’ and Richard promptly ate the final piece. The guy looked gutted, as it he had expected us to share. :D

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  25. That all looks very good, and I’m sure several steps up from the all-inclusive deal. You both scrubbed up well for your anniversary, lovely photo. Sorry to read in an earlier reply that you had health problems yourself, and that your parents’ problems are ongoing. I hope things improve soon.

    Like

    Reply

    1. HI, Anabel – i love readers who take the time to read comments. I always find the Comment Section to be the most interesting part of my posts. And, I agree with you. I believe not going with the All-Inclusive was a great choice for us and for where we were staying. But if Richard and I were each 25 years younger, and loved to drink, then the AI would have been the best choice.

      Like

      Reply

    1. That’s an outstanding deal. You think we would, right? I loved that after we arrived back in Vancouver, 20 hard core travellers from our flight took the two hour ferry to their homes on Vancouver Island, each of them living less than 30 minutes from my door! <3

      Like

      Reply

  28. Based on the food, it looks like you had an amazing vacation in Mexico! Yum.

    I thought about you often this past week, Donna, when I was watching a Netflix series called “Berlin,” which is a spin-off of the much better series “Money Heist.”

    The reason I thought about you a lot is that one of the female actors in “Berlin” (the woman who the character Berlin falls in love with) reminded me of you. She looks like a slightly younger Donna. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  30. Pingback: How much is too much chorizo? #WOYP – Deb's World

  31. This looks like a great place to visit and you must have felt right at home with all the other Canadians there with you! Your anniversary photos is just beautiful, I’m off to read your story now Donna. Hope all is well!

    Like

    Reply

  32. Hey, maybe they’ll return the favor by heading north when summer rolls around. Canada is a wonderful place to visit then. My family and I are getting together for a family reunion on the American side of Lake Superior.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, Peter – I don”t know if we get many Mexican tourists on Vancouver Island, but summer on the island is definitely tourist season. Other than the busier streets, beaches and restaurants, I love the energy that tourists often bring. Enjoy Lake Superior!

      Like

      Reply

  33. We have a cruise in April that will stop there and I’m excited after seeing all your photos. Maybe the Canadians will let in a few U.S. tourist for the day!

    Like

    Reply

  34. Congratulation on your retirement article!
    When we lived in southern Minnesota it was always a real treat to get away during snow time! Living in Texas we see our population increase greatly during the winter months and yes, several Canadians are here! 💖

    Like

    Reply
  35. Pingback: another pancake recipe – Touring My Backyard
  36. Pingback: Postcards from Spain: Food & Drink – Natalie the Explorer

  37. Happy anniversary, Donna! Your Mexican food photos look amazing; I love that photo of you and Richard at Villa Italia. I hope you and your parents are all feeling better. I read your post on Women’s Health Canada and love it. I kept nodding in agreement as I read it. I linked up my post (Food & drink in Spain). Have a wonderful weekend!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, Natalie – Thank you for linking up. Food and drink in Spain is one of my favourite things!

      Thank you for asking about my parents. I am with them now. They have just made the decision to move into a retirement center. (Insert daughter’s heavy sigh of relief here)! ❤

      Like

      Reply

  38. Donna, I just had to laugh at this. Firstly, I know you enjoyed your visit. What a great vacation you had. Secondly, this was our first official snowbird trip too, when we drove to Arizona and stayed for a month. And yes, we encountered a couple from Alberta in Sedona. We could tell…they were wearing shorts. Fit right in with our short sleeved shirts lol.

    Canadians also flock to La Ventana, Baja Sur for board sports in the winter months. Gotta love it. And a blogging friend from Saskatoon spend a week in Arizona. Y’all have perfected the art of snowbirding IMHO!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  39. This sounds like the best fun Donna. The photos show that in full force. Happy anniversary! Sorry about your parents being unwell and hope that they are better, and ooops about your head cold. Hope this too is a thing of the past. Have a great weekend.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, Susan – It is awesome to hear from you. My chest and stomach virus are now all gone and my parents have just made the decision to move to a retirement resident that has supports in place for them. So things are definitely looking up! <

      Like

      Reply

  40. When I was working (teaching), we used to go to Riviera Maya in Mexico every spring break ( for 14 years). We retired in Miami and now we are on vacation for 6 months in a very Mexico feeling type atmosphere. I enjoyed your post (It’s my first time on your blog) and enjoyed seeing the healthy meals you were able to find. Looks like a great way to celebrate your anniversary. Happy anniversary. I’m Judee from Gluten Free A-Z Blog.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, Judee – Thank you for dropping by. I’m also a retired teacher/school administrator. My husband and I went to Riviera Maya in 2020 and absolutely LOVED it. In Mazatlan, we chatted with a youg lady (also from Vancouver Island) who was Gluten-free. She said it was “difficult but doable” to eat Gluten free there as a tourist. I felt the same about eating meat-free meals – very difficult but doable if you were willing to get creative! I’m off to check out your blog now.

      Like

      Reply

  41. Our first experience with Mexico was an all inclusive and that isn’t the Mexico we would return to. This looks more fun and local. I would want a spot that we did have our own fridge so breakfast or lunch could be at home. Happy anniversary.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi, Bernie – We liked going without the all-inclusive package. We did not have a fridge, microwave or coffee maker, but we bought a kettle on our very first day there, and individual boxed containers of shelf-life milk, so we had breakfast in our room most days (coffee, cereal/oatmilk, fruit). We’d definitely do that again — but a frdige and microwave would have helped! 😀

      Like

      Reply

  42. Donna, I love the title of your post and just had to read on! Haha! I am not surprised it is such a popular place, looks lovely, the food divine! Happy Belated Anniversary – a wonderful photo of you both!

    Like

    Reply

  43. Donna,

    We finally made it to a place with good Wi-Fi and I am catching up. Congratulations on your anniversary and for celebrating it in a delightful place. The charming picture of you and Richard at Villa Italia is a “framer.”We’re in Florida and have camped beside Canadians three times–all happily dressed in T-shirts and shorts. I laughed out loud reading that Richard ate the extrovert’s pizza and cheered him on. I could devour two plates of the nachos, they looked SO good. Stay warm up there–spring is on the way! Joe

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi, Joe – It is wonderful to hear from you. l am glad (and a tad jealous) that you are safe and warm in Floridia. I love the story of the Canadians happily dressed in their T-shirts and shorts. One of my Canadian friends who recently visited Mazatlan said that she simply could not take off her winter long johns even after she arrived in the warmth. In her mind, she was still cold! 

      Like

      Reply
  44. Pingback: What’s On Your Plate – The Final Edition – Retirement Reflections

Leave a comment