Carnaval La Paz 2014

This past week brought Carnaval to La Paz, and it was a really good one!!  Lots of interesting floats and bright new costumes.
But, in order for you to get even a glimpse of what it's actually like, you'll need to look at these pics in front of your loudest music cranked up.  Every float has a built in sound system, - you can see some of them - so you'll have to change the music frequently too.

Have fun.

                                                                              

 Sorry, did the best we could shooting into the sun.

 

This is a float from Brazil

To give you an idea of size, the parade route is about 3/4 mile long...................and it all looks pretty much like this.

The gay boys float

Friend Billy.  Bruce & Judy s/v JUCE in the background.

Yes, we had a good time!  It was a two beer parade, lasting over an hour, and easily the best one of the last couple years.  And, Hector finished our canvass work on Monday - only one day late which is outstanding for Mexico - and it is todo bien!  So now we have a few days to take care of odds and ends and provision before beginning our trip North to San Carlos.  There will be many friends on boats doing the same thing, so we look forward to taking our time, doing some visiting, and enjoying the Sea.  Maybe we'll even catch a fish.  For sure, we intend to check out some new anchorages too.  And, as you know, there will be little if any internet once we leave La Paz, but Claudia will be sending Spots whenever our anchor comes up or goes down.  So for now, Adios.

As the Prop Turns

We continue to have a wonderful time here in La Paz.  Cool nights and sunny 80's for daytime - getting pretty tan too.  We're still at the dock as Hector isn't quite finished with the new dodger yet.  I had no idea how much work there is to making that.  He says he will finish today.  Woo Hoo!  Then, after a good bath, we'll take some outside pictures to update the for sale ad and you can see if you want.  IRIE is looking good!

We have one more week here in the Marina before we lose our internet connection, so I thought maybe it would be good to send some more pictures while we can.  Also, it's Carnival time right now, so we'll try to get some shots of that to send before we leave to go North next Sunday.

This is our friend Hector.  He did some canvass work for us on Sojourner, and has been a highlight of our visits to La Paz ever since.  He learned to use sewing machines as a little kid in his Father's shop.  These days, he has become too busy for much socializing.  When you're really good at what you do, responsible, and speak near perfect English, it doesn't take long for word to get around.  I'm pretty sure that Hector turns down more work than he takes these days........

By the way, does anyone remember Maxine?  She's been seen all over the place lately.  Frisky even.  Maybe it's the weather

Some interesting art along the Malecon..........

And a bit more art here and there in La Paz.

Ever since we started coming to La Paz in Winter, we've heard about the Whale Sharks.  These are sharks the size of whales that hang out in the area.  Local pangas take tourists out to see them all the time.  They're supposed to be really docile, feeding on plankton rather than folks, and people jump in the water and swim with them.  Last week, we finally took our dinghy out with friends to try and find them for ourselves.  Well, we had a great dinghy ride, but this turns out to be a lot like fishing - who would have thought?  After a couple of hours, the beer was gone and we hadn't seen a thing.  Claudia was not impressed with me.

So, when I had a chance yesterday to take our dinghy out in search again, it wasn't much of a surprise that she chose to let me go alone.            Too bad for her.

We still didn't find the Whale Sharks even though there were several pangas out there - the idea is to go where the pangas are.  But we did come across two Humpbacks who put on quite a show for us.......
 

Do you remember the long fin on the malecon art whale?    Here's a real one....












Dale and Moe had a good look at this one........

There were lot's of shots of the fins and tails.   
Then, all of a sudden             this whale came out of the water           about 20 feet               straight up! 

The camera was in my hand, turned on and everything.  And I missed it.   
I'm not too impressed with me either............



E

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

Back in the water again. Woo Hoo

Well, it's been an absolute whirlwind of activity.  Two weeks of nonstop go go go, and darn near all of it good.  We have had time to take a few pictures, so I'll try to use them to show and tell.



 These folks are our welcome to San Carlos.  Ramona and Aruellio run the Departmetos Adlai, or Motel Adlai for us gringos.  Wonderful people who provide a clean room with kitchenette for about $32 a night. No cartel here.......

This would be the view from our room.  The tree to the right is a grapefruit, and there is lime and little oranges on the grounds too. One afternoon, Aruellio, who was a restaurant owner before he retired, made us the best Tortilla soup I've ever eaten.  Sorry you missed that.

What you are happy to have missed is the lack of heat in the rooms.  Try as we did, the A/C would not warm the place up - Note that this is concrete country.  The building is entirely concrete, stucco, and ceramic tile.  Great in Summer I bet.  Not complaining, as surely it is a lot nicer here than where we came from in Southern Oregon.  Actually, to my mind, it's been darn near perfect - a cool mid 50's at night and sunny and 70 by 0900 with the afternoon high in mid 70's.  Life is good.  We lucked out by docking next to s/v Laila N with Captain Chuck aboard.  Haven't seen him since '09 on Sojourner.  Anyway, he recently salvaged a boat in Vancouver which had a diesel cabin heater aboard.  I think we'll make a deal on it for IRIE. 

Here's the boatyard where we spent ten days of a planned three.  You can see the masts all lined up in the storage yard behind it too.  I don't think I've mentioned for a while - you can double click on a picture and get a bigger view. 

This year is about cosmetics.  With the fuel tank thing out of the way, and a new $2200 actuator for her autopilot, we hope to be finished with the demanding surprises and be able to work on making IRIE look the way we think she should.

Painting the bootstripe.  The hull is already sanded and ready for fresh bottom paint.

This is called whining about the "dark blue" paint that looks

 black while wearing your boatyard costume.

Meet Pete and Sue Simpson, owners of IRIE in the mid 90's when she was known as s/v Pipe Dream.  Friends of Greg and Janis of s/v Gitana, who you've seen in these pages, and, who in fact sailed on Pipe Dream with these two.  The world is getting small, isn't it? 

This is the view from the condo that Pete & Sue stayed in while in San Carlos.  You can see the dry storage and boatyard in the background.  To the right is the Sea.

The dragon approaches.

She loves getting wet again, called splashing.

Home, home at the dock......

Took this shot during halftime of the Denver/San Diego playoff game.  We're having beers & sodas with friends at the local country club along with another 15 or so folks.  I guess you learn how to hit a golf ball off of dirt.

Some things really don't change that much between here and our other home do they?

Always my favorite       the moonrise sunset.




While we would have liked to be on our way across the Sea to the Baja by now, it looks like we're still at least a week away.  We need to get some varnishing and painting done before we bend on the main sail and even do a shakedown run.  Maybe when we do leave San Carlos we'll try the fast track to La Paz.  Our friend Hector will be sewing some new canvas for IRIE there - we can watch him work for a while.