Just before we left La Paz we hopped on a luxury tour bus for the 1 1/2 hour trip to a small town called Todos Santos. It’s a quaint, artsy tourist town with many galleries and shops full of local artist’s wears. It made for a great road trip and total cost for the return bus fare was $25 each. Speaking of costs, Barb and I got our hair cut in La Paz. We found a barber shop and the lady cut both mine and Barb’s hair. With the tip it cost 200 pesos (about $12 Canadian)
We departed La Paz and headed back to Los Muertos. Winds were gusting to 25 knots with waves about 6 feet so it was a bit lumpy but once through Canal de San Lorenzo it was a down wind run so it was not a bad day of sailing. An early night in Los Muertos and a 3 am start for the crossing to Mazatlan. What a difference a few hours can make. We went from 25 knots to just about nothing and we ended up motoring or motor sailing the entire 190 miles across the Sea of Cortez.
I wish there was a good way to take pictures in the dark. The night crossings (on calm nights) are pretty amazing. Looking around at the stars is like being inside a ball with the top of the ball poked with millions of holes letting little bits of light through. Interrupted only occasionally by a shooting star streaking across the sky.
As the boat passes through the water it disturbs micro organisms. At night they emit their bioluminescence. It often looks like a lightning storm. sparking and streaking in the waves and wake of the boat. Words cannot describe how cool all of this can be. Then you cap it all off with a sunrise like this.
We had an uneventful crossing (except for catching and releasing a 5-foot Marlin) and arrived at the El Cid Marina in Mazatlan 30 hours later. We have since had the chance to do some of the typical tourist stuff. A trip into old town, walks along the Malecon and the Golden Zone.
Now the Christmas Chill part. The El Cid Marina and Resort is an all-inclusive resort with a marina, so we get the use of the resort facilities as part of our moorage package. Two pools, hot tub, pool side beverage service, a couple restaurants, beach cabanas, etcetera. When we are not too busy we are chillin’ by the pool. Feeling sorry for us yet? The boat is here for a month and we will fly back to Vancouver for a couple of weeks to celebrate the holidays with family.
In the mean time you’ll find us by the pool. Feliz Navidad