Carnival Inspiration, Day 3 - Ensenada, Baja California del Norte, Mexico

After a lazy day on Catalina, we woke up in Ensenada. Today was going to be a big, big day. But first, yet another breakfast in the dining room.

Now, if you have cruised before, you know that most people go to the buffet for breakfast. Sure, that's fine - get in, get out, grab your stuff, head ashore. For us, on the other hand, we like the food in the MDR (main dining room) much better. It is usually less crowded and a far less stressful start to the day.

You can't get a Masala Dosa with poached eggs in the buffet. Sorry.

Carnival has EXCELLENT Indian food, and has had it for years - a lot of their cooks on board the fleet are from the subcontinent, and thankfully, Carnival lets them cook their food for the guests. I have always appreciated that. I mean, the first night in the MDR I had the Indian vegetarian option and was met with questions from the other guests at our table. Seriously though, if you ever sail Carnival, you are missing out if you do not try their Indian cuisine.

Nathan had the Breakfast Board, because pastrami for breakfast.

Off the boat, through security, through the souvenir shops, and down the road out of the port and into downtown Ensenada. Here's a shot I got of the Inspiration at the port. This image has been my phone background for a few months now.

Walking down the road towards downtown. This canal here used to be FILLED with tires and junk. It was nice to see that it has been cleaned up significantly since I was last down here in 2003 or so. In fact, most of Ensenada has improved in the last 15 years. It was nice to see, honestly.

Most people, when the go to Ensenada, tend to take a tour to La Bufadora, a large, natural blowhole south of the city. Nathan and I, however, are not most people.

We were headed to the world famous La Guerrerense cevicheria, about a half mile from the entrance to the port. Anthony Bourdain (RIP) brought this place to the attention of Americans a few years ago, and I told myself that if I ever got back to Ensenada, I would eat there.

The owner Sabina, aka La Guerrerense (Spanish for The Lady of Guerrero), heads down to the fish market every day to get the best stuff for her cart and her restaurant, Sabina Restaurante across the street. Both serve outstandingly fresh ceviches with her 15 or so home grown salsas. But the restaurant also sells fresh made fish and shrimp tacos (specialties of Baja), agua frescas, and ice cold Mexican beer. We ate at Sabina.

Each tostada was piled high with a good half pound of fresh seafood. Clockwise from the top: shrimp, Guerrerense tostada, ensalada de jaiba con callo de hacha (crab salad with shrimp and scallops), and smoked marlin pate and scallop.

Let me tell you...the quality was extraordinary. So incredibly fresh and clean tasting - totally unlike any ceviche I have had stateside.

Just under $5 a piece. These would cost nearly three times that back in the States.

Cooked shrimp taco. About $1.50. We had a fish one as well, but Nathan hoovered it as soon as he could. He also put a mango habanero salsa on it which was utterly delicious...and nuclear. The abuelita working at the restaurant laughed at him, and rightfully so. My cucumber and jalapeno agua fresca hit the spot, and quelled the burn...a bit.

I am dead serious here - if you ever get down to Ensenada for whatever reason, GO. And they take credit card!!!

After lunch, we walked around downtown for a bit and tried to find a pharmacy that sold insulin so that Nathan could buy an extra bottle. Sure enough, Roma (right outside the port) carried a few bottles. Although the pharmacist did not speak English, I was able to get by with my meager Spanish to ask her if she had any, verified the brand and name, and how much it was - $40 per vial. No prescription needed. Stateside...nearly $150 per vial. Can we please fix the health care system? Please?

This dude was waiting for us that afternoon when we got back to the ship.

We took a nap (our favorite cruise activity), then headed to dinner. Afterwards, we went to see the late night comedy shows, both the PG-13 and the adult. Carnival's comedians are very, very good, and their entertainment is one of the hallmarks of this line.

Grab a seat, order a cocktail, and enjoy the evening.