Capt. Crabby
01/06/2012

Just a quick pic to show how Angel cooks the Robalo.

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Capt. Crabby
01/06/2012, Mazatlan/Teacapan

I just received this picture from the guy who's painting the boat. From what I can tell, it looks really nice. Sorry, Darwin, but he wouldn't put the Tecate logo on the side.
He says they're going to put the boat in the water this Saturday. We are going to Mazatlan on Monday, so Marsha Dee should be ready to go, hopefully.
We are getting anxious to get going again. It has been wonderful visiting our friends, resting, walking on the beach eating great fish, taking hot showers every day, etc., but it's not as adventurous (uncomfortable) as cruising.
We plan to leave Mazatlan next week, after re-provisioning and head for Isla Isabel, San Blas and Puerto Vallarta.
Yesterday, we visited a Mexican family, friends of Jeanette's, in Isla Del Bosque', a farming town between Teacapan and Esquinapa. The husband, Angel, grilled Robalo, a large local fish marinated in soy and butter. Absolutely delicious. The wife, Susana, made fresh tortillas on the top of an oil drum in the back yard. They were great! If we don't leave here pretty soon, I'm going to get fat.
More later.
CC&Jeanette

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Capt. Crabby
12/31/2011, Teacapan, Sin

Just a quickie to wish everyone a Happy New Year. We are going to celebrate by watching the New Year festivities on TV. That way, we only have to stay up till 10PM.
I'm attaching a picture of the progress on the painting. I can't wait to see what it looks like when the masking is removed. It appears that the hull is finished, now they're scraping and sanding the bottom prior to painting.
The painter now says it will be ready on Jan. 7. Mexican time? I hope that the second week of January, we'll be able to get going again. I'm getting antsy.
I talked to an englishman here who used to run diving charters to Isla Isabel, which is on the way to San Blas. He says it's beautiful snorkeling and birdwatching there, so I think that will be our first stop after leaving Mazatlan.
Anyhow, Happy new Year to all, and to all a good night.
CC

Comments [1]

12/26/2011, Teacapan, Sinaloa

Just a quickie to describe our Christmas here in the fishing village of Teacapan. On Christmas morning, we went to church (all conducted in Spanish) and a tradition here as that the 10-11 year old kids have their first communion on Christmas. There were about 30 or so boys and girls dressed up in their finest white costumes, along their parents, godparents, grandparents, etc, so the church was packed. It was a very colorful and moving ceremony, even though I didn't understand most of the sermon. There are no hymnals in the church, all the people seem to when to sing which song, and all the words thereto.
After church, we took some gifts to the Camille's gardener's kids, who got a big kick out of them, and then we went to a party down the street and a Canadian couple's hose in a subdivision called "Gringolandia". There were about 8 couple there, mostly Canadians, and we had a great time and some terrific food. The hosting couple were originally from Germany, and served "schnitzel" with all the trimmings and schnapps for dessert.
At about 6 PM we returned home, stuffed, watched a movie and went to bed. The night life here is incredible. We're having a hard time making it to "cruiser's midnight" at 9PM.
Best wishes to all and a Happy New Year!
P.S., I got an e-mail from the guy painting the boat, and it should be finished by Jan.2. We'll see, that may be Mexican time.
CC

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Capt. Crabby
12/22/2011, Teacapan, Sin.

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are still at our friends' home in Teacapan. No news on the boat painting, but I'll follow up soon. Hopefully, it will be done before New Year so that we can get back on the road again.
The weather has been very nice here, warm days and cool nights, T-shirt weather all the time. I am attaching some more C-monkey pix for all you C-monkey fans.
Yesterday, we met with Victor, a local fishing captain and eco-tourism guide, as well as a friend of Jeanette's, who says that he can lead me into the harbor here at high tide with plenty of depth to spare. I think we may try it, as the harbor here is very scenic, and is at the mouth of a fresh water estuary that extends many miles inland. Could be a fun dinghy trip.
We are going to spend Christmas with a Canadian couple who have a home here, and have invited a group of gringos to share Christmas with them. Should be fun.
I was able to get a Telcel SIM card installed in the phone Mike B. loaned me, so now we have a phone that works here-our Verizon phones won't work in the smaller villages.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and I hope to have some pictures of the new, improved, Marsha Dee soon.

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