Marina de La Paz

It was two weeks ago today that we pulled into Marina de La Paz for the first time.  Since then, we've had access to hot showers at any time of day or night, and the best internet connection ever in Mexico - hardwired.  Fantastic.  In fact, I believe that this is the best marina we've ever been in, anywhere, when you add it all up.  We can even drink the water at the dock as they make R O water, same as IRIE.  All this for only $815 US per month!  Oh, did you think it was still cheap to live in Mexico?  Actually, everything else is pretty reasonable.  The marinas, though, are the exception, even more expensive than in most of California.

This is how we look right now.  IRIE is getting the Full spa treatment this season.  So far:  sanded and added 5 coats varnish to starboard trim and two hatch surrounds - 6 days.  repainted the blue stripes around the cockpit (the sheer stripes and boot stripe had been done in San Carlos) - 3 days.  Listed IRIE for sale with La Paz Yachts - the same folks who sold Sojourner for us - 2 days to gather all the specs and write the ad.  http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?&units=Feet&id=2689046&lang=en&slim=broker&&hosturl=mazmarine&&ywo=mazmarine&  
 
Our sewing friend Hector has taken the bimini and made patterns for the dodger, both of which he is making new for us.  Claudia has been putting a fresh coat of finish on the teak below all along.  Rebedded 5 ports with new parts - 4 days, and we've hired our friend Lorenzo to polish the topsides (the cabinhouse and everything on deck) - 2 days so far. 

Here's Lorenzo.  A fishing boat captain for many years.  Just before we met him, the owner sold the boat and it left the area, so now he does whatever he can to support his family. Good guy. A real shame.

Just like at home, it's good to know some locals.  Yesterday, Lorenzo showed us a great little place to get fish tacos.  A roadside stand almost around the corner, that we've walked past many times.  Who would have guessed?

This is a shot of the Malecon about 1 1/2 blocks from the marina.  Did I say it was convenient?  And the weather..........It has been totally magnificent!!  The nights are still cool - around 60F- and the days in the 80's.  Right now it's 93.  Should I complain?

 I thought about doing a blog around sidewalks in La Paz.  It looks as though each property is responsible for its' own area, and, well, some folks are more responsible than others.  The variety, the good, the bad, and the ugly is what I thought I might try to capture in the lens, but clearly I need classes. 

This is the sidewalk going up the hill on Bravo Street to the Bravo market - easily one of the high points of La Paz for us.


Here's a small part of it.....

This is Cynthia, (pronounced Seenthia) at her seafood counter.  She gives me the greatest smile whenever I greet her by name.  Not sure if she recognizes me at all, but she sells us fresh fish, shrimp, scallops, etc. every time.

Is that a nice display or what?  Wonderful fresh fruit and veggies.






                                                     (Claudia's arm)

Even the meat looks pretty darn good.

Here's a nice shot of the bowline at the end of our topping lift. 

At the end of the dock lie On Star on the left and Tully on the right.  Both are owned by Carlos Slim. Well, I guess he gave Tully to his son, so technically....  and, I guess he has just lost the number 1 rank on "Richest people in the World", so who cares anyway.  Right?   Uh, they're still pretty impressive up close.

View off the stern last night just after sunset.  This is beautiful and serene, but we miss being at anchor

First thing this morning, I leaped out of bed.  Really.
Three days ago, I had forgotten to prepare for the monthly sunset moonrise.  Therefore, you don't get to see it either.  This is what greeted me today........ A sunrise moonset.




E (and C, remember the arm??)

Let's go to La Paz

Since our last post, we've made an exceptional eight day move of 259 nautical miles from San Carlos, Mx to La Paz, Mx.  We weren't really in a hurry, but on the days that the anchor was up, conditions allowed (even encouraged) us to cover some bottom.  So we did.  And a fine trip it was, highlighted by excellent weather.  Once again, the pictures will do most of the talking.

This is a shot of San Carlos as we leave to cross the Sea on Thursday the 23rd.  Lots of spendy homes on the hillside owned by Americans - mostly from the Denver area.  And many of them are empty these days..........

This is how the sky looked at around 1900 that evening.  Of course the camera only shows you a slice of the pie, but on board, it's like surround sound for the eyes. 

By morning, the sky was completely overcast, but we were greeted by this nearby whale.

 My hat is off to any photographer who gets a really good shot of a whale.  As I've been trying for years now without any real success, I have an idea of just how difficult a task it is.





We sailed into Puerto Ballandra on Isla Carmen Friday morning, just after the whale sighting above, and dedicated the day to resting and some basic chores.  It was a great, secure anchorage with five boats inside, but for some reason we didn't take any pictures that made the cut.

We spent an extra day there before leaving on the 26th ( C's birthday) for some point South.  Puerto Escondido would usually be our stopping place, but changes there since last Spring helped us decide to sail right on by this time.  At about 1400 we set our anchor in Agua Verde.

On the way in, two boats were talking on the VHF that the anchorage was rock and rolly because of swell.  We could see them leaving as we were about 5 miles off.  Understand that Agua Verde is on everyone's list of must see places on Baja.  And it is certainly one of the most beautiful, best protected anchorages to be found.  But usually, when you arrive at this tiny dirt fishing village, there are already too many boats in the available space.  In fact, after our first couple of times, we generally just pass it up for some lesser place  further South.  But today, we felt we wanted the protection from strong winds that were forcast for tomorrow, so imagine our surprise as we entered to find only a single anchored boat.  And flat calm.  Happy hour started a little early that day.

It's easy to forget how entertaining, amusing, and noisy the birds are in these small anchorages.  Gulls, pelicans, frigates, buzzards and an osprey were seen here - not all in the same shot though of course.

A look at part of the beach at Agua Verde.  Check out the RV Eli - looks like it could go places that even our van would not.

Another beach shot at sunset.

Here we are on our way from A V to Evaristo, another tiny dirt fishing village about 45 miles further South toward La Paz. 

This whale is on his way to Evaristo too?

And these dolphin.......

Well, we made it in time for sunset.

Two more days and we're in La Paz.




E