Took the air conditioned bus (80 cents vs. 40 cents for older buses) to the main harbor on the other side of downtown Mazatlan. If you didn't know, we are in a marina on its own estuary with its own harbor enterance which is about 7 miles north of downtown Mazatlan. Anyway, we got off the bus at the end of the line, looked around and decided we should eat. We saw a taco stand with a sign "5 pesos Tacos-Chichirones, Birria, ?????, and Barbacoa. He only had the Chichirones, which seemed to be bits of sheep or lamb meat with some intestinal tissue mixed in, and Barbacoa, which is pork in a nice, nearly barbeque style sauce. We ordered two of each. The "Chichis" were of a "interesting" flavor, but the Barbacoa was great! We ordered three more. We all were stuffed and dranke two orange sodas. 45 pesos, or the equivalent of $4.50! Thats the Mexico we love. The food has been my favorite point of discovery in this country. The people are next.

We then went to the Mercado Centro- a huge open air market with everything from grapes and carrots to cheeses, tortillas, and on to sides of beef or pork, and fish and shrimp. We bought a ton of fruit and veggies ($8.00), some cheese, butter and tortillas($7.00), and a kilo, or over two pounds of cleaned large shrimp($8.00). That's about as much groceries as Heidi and I can carry for $23!!

I think we will depart for Mantenchen Bay on Tuesday or Wednesday. First, I have to change the engine oil and we have to stow a lot of stuff as well as make another shopping trip for our dairy and eggs and some more meats and breads.

Hope all are well.

Back Onboard

We arrived at Mazatlan international airport yesterday afternoon. The customs process consists of a streetlight (red/green) with a button on the post. You press the button and the light is green and your free to enter the country, or red and a buzzer sounds- then you have to get your bags searched. Heidi had the magic touch and got us a green light. Phew!

There's no better indoctrination to life in Mexico than a 45 minute cab ride through the city! I found myself in the front passenger seat pumping at the floor with my foot as if there was a brake pedal down there somewhere! I think driving and talking on the CB radio is potentially even more dangerous than Anyway, we made it back to the marina unscathed. The 75 degree air and gentle breeze form the sea welcomed us, and it was a mere hour before Jonah and I were in the pool!

It is a little wierd being back here. Heidi was commenting on the fact that when we reached Mazatlan by boat, there was so much emotion involved, etc., but this time, we just flew in and. . . well, it's just very different. I personally feel a little different about Chaitanya- like she's become more of a boat- and a wonderful boat at that- and less of a living, breathing companion. Maybe that will change as we head down the coast.

Speaking of heading down the coast, the Marinas here in Mazatlan feel a little like a ghost town. I hardly recognize any boats and the ones that we do recognize have taken down their Baja Ha-Ha flags. I don't think elitist about the Ha-Ha, it's just that there are so many boats (and their sailors) here that don't seem that active. I see nothing wrong with that, but the Ha-Ha flag is a way of identifying someone else who is probably going through this the first time with a beginner's spirit. We like to yak about how many miles it is to the next anchorage and when we are going to go, how ling it will take us, how much water and fuel we carry.... I don't think the veteran sailors are as inclined to talk this way- they seem mostly cool about things.

Anyway, since our friends are all down in Puerto Vallarta, and we really do want to see more of the coast, we will leave for Puerto Vallarta via Isla Isabella, Mantenchen Bay, Chacala and Punta Mita or La Crux. There's been a nice breeze the past couple of days, so it may be a fun ride.

I stepped on a dead bee in the boat earlier today- it got me on my toe and hurt more than I remember a bee sting hurting before. OK, I'm officially out of material for the moment, so I'm signing off.

-Ian