12/13/2008, Isla Isabella
We departed Mazatlan last night at sundown, heading west several miles and then south. Our friend Bob Soleway has joined us as crew. We sailed all night, arriving at Isla Isabella early this morning. It was a pleasant sail, with 5 to 10 knot winds from the west and flat seas.
Isla Isabella is a bird sanctuary, and has been featured in documentary films by National Geographic and Jacques Cousteau as a unique and spectacular bird habitat. The island lived up to reputation with its huge nesting grounds for blue footed boobies and frigate birds. The boobies are unafraid of us and let us approach them.
We left Isla Isabella around noon and are headed to San Blas.
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Comments [0]
Maaaazatlan is Paaaaradise!
This is a spoof of the book by a similar name, that is widely circulated here in Mazatlan... the joke being that many cruisers, once they get here, never leave.
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It reminds me of the song, Hotel California: "You can check in, but you can never leave"...
It is also known as "the velvet rut". A rut indeed, but such a nice one.
[raise arms forward like a zombie and repeat after me:]
Maaaaaaaazatlan is Paaaaaaaaaaradise!
We're making preparations for heading south on Thursday. If all goes well we'll be ready to go Thursday afternoon. One contingency is the new dodger that we've ordered. It's supposed to be ready Wednesday. If it's late that could delay our departure.
When we do leave, our plan is to sail south to Isla Isabella. We would leave in the late afternoon so as to make landfall in the morning.
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Cheers,
Bill
I made a new and improved harness to hold our digital camera to the kite string and tested it at Marina El Cid yesterday. This new design works great! I can't wait to take some aerial video of our boat as we sail down the coast.
If you think kite aerial photography is cool and would like to learn more, check this site out.
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We visited a tequila producing ranch and factory, this was very interesting. Pictured are the blue agave plant cores, which the tequila is made from. These weigh about 200 lb. each (90 kg).
You can see more photos from the tequila factory in our Photo Gallery.
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The cruisers' group arranged a Thanksgiving dinner at the nearby harbor. The dinner was excellent; the turkey and gravy had some kind of herbs that were really delicious. There were 180 sailors in attendance. We shared a table with Don & Terri of the catamaran DOUBLE PLAY.
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11/24/2008, Mazatlan
We left the boys at the boat and had lunch at Tony's, a great beachfront restaurant. We had a big platter of jumbo shrimp and dorado fillets, served with garlic butter. The owner served us with free tequila shooters... a tall shot glass filled 3/4 with tequila, and 1/4 7-Up, then he puts a napkin over the top and slams it on the table to mix. The funny thing is, he uses the same shot glass (without washing it) for everyone in the little restaurant. Hey it's Mexico...Tequila!!!
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We visited Bob & Roberta Soleway's gorgeous new house. The last time we saw it, two years ago, there was just the foundation. The construction was a painful lesson in Latin American business practices. The results sure look great, though.
See photos here.
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We will be in Puerto Vallarta Dec. 21 -30th would love to see you guys. Our Mexico #s are: 322 209 1178 (home); 322 150-0007. Bon Voyaging!
Greetings from your former Tiburon neighbor ... looks like you are all have a wonderful adventure.... good for you. May the winds be always in your favor. JD de Haseth.
