Meandering in Mazatlan.......

I first encountered Mazatlan over twenty years ago when I was escaping a Siberian winter in Winnipeg where I was living at the time (more commonly called Winterpeg!). Then, in 1989, it was all about a package to the sun, and it certainly didn't disappoint on that score, as we boarded the plane at minus 40 degrees centigrade, and disembarked at plus 30 degrees centigrade in December...a real result!!

Revisiting in December 2010, the delightful warm weather and clear blue skies were still very much in evidence....

Back then in 1989, we rarely left the beach, but I do remember wandering the backstreets one day in the heart of old Mazatlan, and discovering a quiet, charming square with a bust of a woman with a bun in the middle. This image stayed in my mind for some reason, so imagine my surprise when I rediscovered the very same square in 2010 just two blocks back from my hotel. There she is (top left) - the same woman with the bun - an educational benefactor so I discovered this time...

Today Plazuela Machada has been transformed into a beacon of well preserved colonial architecture with delightful restaurants and cafes on the square - a far cry from the rather run down and dilapidated backwater from over twenty years ago. And it all seems thanks to the efforts of the Mazatlan Colonial Preservation Society - with the jewel in the crown being the beautiful Casa Machada - a gorgeous 19th century mansion on the corner of the square which is well worth a visit.......

Mazatlan has developed rapidly from a large rambling old port city to a bustling popular tourist resort, so it is nice to know that Old Mazatlan and its colonial heritage is being preserved...

Where have you returned recently with pleasing results?? For more windows on the world this week, check out My World Tuesday postings by clicking here. Enjoy!