Seven Seas and Bobz World

We started off today to visit the Seven Seas and Bobz World in Los Fresnos.  Danica wanted to visit one of the nicer places where she could find souvenirs of their trip.  We ran out of time when we were on South Padre.  Bobz World though is one of the best souvenir shops for the area.  It has about anything you could want and we love all the shells!  After shopping we are going to head to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville.

Our little Spidey-man on the trip to the zoo

Seven Seas & Bobz World

Tommy in the shark's mouth

Danica at the entrance to the store

Hermit crabs

There are shell everythings in this store

This is what I want for our yard in Alamo

Love all the shells!

Grandpa and Addi near the front door

The coral reef at the end of the parking area

Danica and the Dolphins

Bobz World

Danica, Tommy and Addi in front of Dino

The kids and Danica found some treasures to take home so we are off to The Gladys Porter Zoo.

Visiting the Ropa Usadas

Since we've told Danica about the flea markets and the Ropa Usadas, she wanted to experience them for herself.  We went first over to Mission to the Pulga Flea Market.  They sell everything you can imagine at these flea markets down here and most of the vendors will negotiate pricing although it is really low to begin with.  The flea markets are really about like any flea markets across the country.

Pulga Flea Market in Mission

Pulga

Pulga

Pulga

Eating Lunch at Pizza Hut in Mission

5 Dimensions Ropa Usada

The Ropa Usadas are, however, a one of a kind place to shop for clothes.  The first time I went I was in shock.  Outside of these enormous buildings are pallets of bundled clothes.  The workers bring the clothes in on fork lifts and push the clothes that have been sitting there awhile to the side and dump a new bundle in the middle.  Then they break the ties on the clothes and they spill out.  Immediately, the Mexican people who have been sitting along the sides of the store, come running to see what is in the new pile.  They all sift through the stuff and take what they want to a pile that they have next to the wall somewhere.  You don't want to touch their piles. 

Danica decided to dig in and started rummaging around in the piles at the sides but she was soon at the top of the piles sorting and sifting through the clothes.  These clothes come from everywhere and you can really find bargains if you are willing to hunt and sort.  I'm not that interested and not that patient.  I like my clothes sorted and hanging up and, to tell the truth, there are many second hand shops in the valley that do that very thing.  Some of the people on the sidelines with their piles drag out the name brand stuff and take it back and resell it.  Of course, you can buy it by the pound here and it will cost you more once they sort through it. 

Danica did end up finding quite a few bargains and I don't think she spent $10. 

Atop the Mountain

The kids had a ball.  They were jumping and climbing and rolling in the clothes but no one seemed to give it a thought.  I got somewhat concerned when they didn't pay attention to a fork lift that was coming their way but we managed to dodge disaster!

South Padre Island Sunset Boat Cruise

Next was the Sunset Boat Cruise. On the way we were serenaded by the kiddos.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

We got there early and the kids played in a little boat that was set up for them. Then we boarded the boat. We were barely out of the harbor when dolphins were spotted. It was pretty exciting watching them and I even managed to get some video of them. 

Grandma and Grandpa with Tommy and Addi

Our daughter, Danica, with Tommy and Addi

Pelican

Boats in the Marina

Dolphins!!!

Loads of Pelicans

Looking at South Padre Island

Then we cruised out farther and finally they dragged the bottom with a net to pick up critters. Then they threw them in a huge fish aquarium and brought each thing out for us to see, hold and/or take pictures of. Tommy and Addi had to hold everything. They both held star fish, a squishy-looking green cucumber, and a pickeral. After we were done looking at them, Tommy and Addi threw them back into the water one by one. The Captain gave Tommy a piece of a star fish to take home but told Danica not to leave it in the car because the whole car would really smell bad! I'm not sure how long he hung on to that!

He's dragging the bottom for sea critters

The kids can hardly wait to see what he catches

Fun times!

Tommy holding a star fish

We are all looking at sea creatures

Sea Cucumber

Addi isn't too sure about the cucumber.  It is slimy!

She is happier with the star fish

  Skimming Birds

Causeway Bridge

Having a great time

Our little sweethearts!

Sunset

Then we watched a beautiful sunset before heading back to shore and the drive home. Tommy and Addi stayed awake most of the way home. I couldn't believe it. I thought they would drop off right away!