Log of the Argonaut

25 July 2012 | Orcas Island
19 October 2011 | Orcas Island
04 August 2011 | Orcas Island, U.S. San Juan Islands
14 June 2011 | U.S. Southwest
20 May 2011 | Durango, Co
19 May 2011 | Durango Colorado
21 March 2011 | Washington State
24 February 2011 | Between South and North
13 February 2011 | Aussie
17 January 2011 | Bundaberg, Australia
24 November 2010 | Bundaberg Australia
18 October 2010 | Noumea
06 October 2010 | Port Vila, Vanuatu
09 September 2010 | Between Port Resolution and Port Vila, Vanuatu
03 September 2010 | Tanna Island, Vanuatu
27 July 2010 | Mamanuka Islands, Fiji
21 May 2010 | Malolo Island
05 April 2010 | EnZed
06 March 2010 | Marlborough District
26 February 2010 | EnZed: South Island

No particlar Place to Go

14 April 2009 | More Mexico revisited: San Blas
Sancho
San Blas/Matanchen Bay

I didn't take many pics in San Blas. I seem to remember taking more, but it must be the images in my mind. It's hard to capture the wide angle of peace and tranquility on film.

Matanchen Bay is a few miles South of the entrance to San Blas. The whole bay seems to be about fifteen to twenty feet deep with good holding. You can drop the hook about anywhere around the point out of the swell.

It is a good idea, however, to anchor outside the flight range of shore side biting bugs like mosquitoes and Jejenes ( pron: Hey-hen-ays... 'no see-ums') unless you like getting transfusions to replace your blood supply.

If you're sensitive to Jejene bites, wear protection anytime around sunset near the beach... for mosquitos, anywhere anytime. I don't have an allergic reaction like some people do but it sure stings when they clamp down! The Palapa owner burns coconut husks to keep them at bay. It really doesn't work but now you smell like burning coconut husks! Oh well, have another rum punch. You won't notice them bite.

As we dinghied ashore a man on the beach in front of one of the restaurants was waving a white rag, beckoning us. The old fellow and his wife like to have Yachties pull up in front of their place. He doesn't expect anything for watching your dinghy, but I doubt one ever went missing anyway. You might; however, return to find a gaggle of kids using it as a sand box. He'll happily point you to the road and gives instructions on where to catch the bus to San Blas. The Modelorama (Beer warehouse) is the landmark, rising above the palms.

The quarter mile walk to the highway is lined with hazards. At least ten stands sell coconut and banana bread.. chips, pop, cervesa... Temptations at every turn. Run, run! Save yourself! The goodies are cheap and the bus ride is 5 pesos (fifty cents) for the three kilometer trip. They usually get you for 7 pesos coming back.

Mexican buses are a scream. They're often packed with people sardine style. I don't think any have seen more than cursory maintenance over their life time. The suspension surrendered to the pothole gods years ago and the clutch? 'Don't need no stinkin' clutch'. Or brakes, or mufflers. Despite the poor condition of the bus, the driver's area is usually richly decorated to suit his fancy. Religious motifs are popular. Maybe for good reason? The fare box usually consists of a cigar box on the dashboard. Try that in any U.S. city. Some tweaker would blow you away for the price of a cup of coffee. When the Mexicans think the buses are worn out, they sell them to Guatemala! Riding a bus in Guatemala could be a life threatening experience. Si?

On the ride to town, we noticed a bunch of Pangas pulled up on the river bank and a big sign advertizing Cocodrillio Jungle River trips. We went back the next day with the father/son crew from No Regrets and for $N 110 ($11.00 US) each had a great day cruising the mangrove lined river for Cocodrillos, and birds of every description. The river culminated in a shady swimming hole complete with the ubiquitous palapa bar.

The old Spanish Port of San Blas is - except for a small Expat community - typically Mexican. Tourism's impact is minimal and daily life goes on much the same as it does all over Mexico. If you don't know how that is, you need to go see for yourself. It is a country with a rich culture, and history and friendly people.

The typical Mexican day starts before dawn, with people bustling about on the way to jobs or opening their market stalls and businesses. Just as the sun comes up, the first shoppers appear, selecting fresh and incredibly cheap produce and meats for the day's meal. The aroma of pasteries, and fresh hand made tortillas fills the air, replaced at Siesta with that of Pollo Asada smoking on the grill.

By the time the Gringos are afoot, it's usually Siesta. Shops and offices close and everyone heads for their favorite Fonda for La Comida Corrida... The meal of the day.

After siesta, it's back to work until the sun goes down for the locals. We usually browse the shops or sit in the square and watch the human parade before heading back to the boat. Of course, there is always time to stop at the little Palapa for un poco fillete pescado y un otro cervesa. Salud! Es simplemente un otro dia en Paraiso, si?

Hasta luego,
Sancho
Comments
Vessel Name: Argonaut
Vessel Make/Model: Cal-40
Hailing Port: Seattle
Crew: Mike & Liz
About:
Mike: I guess I've been sailing for more than 40 years; always with the idea of cruising to far away ports firmly embeded in the back of my mind. Reality, in the form of raising a family and making a living kept me out of the game until one day... [...]
Extra: It has been an amazing journey. I could have stayed home, or gone no farther than Mexico but I knew I'd never see this any other way. If there were only re-runs... The lesson is: If you wait until you're ready, you'll never go. So get off your butt and do it - whatever IT is.
Argonaut's Photos - Wishful thinking (Main)
Looking back at five years voyaging across the Pacific
12 Photos
Created 25 July 2012
Mix of Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival and home re-do project
25 Photos
Created 28 October 2011
Around the house
20 Photos
Created 4 August 2011
Tiki Tour through the Southwest
16 Photos
Created 14 June 2011
Trip on the Railroad
7 Photos
Created 20 May 2011
Seattle to Durango Colorado
12 Photos
Created 19 May 2011
Pacific Nortwest
13 Photos
Created 21 March 2011
On our way home. Australia to Seattle
6 Photos
Created 24 February 2011
Oz from Bundaberg to Sydney
23 Photos
Created 13 February 2011
My Adventures in Oz
8 Photos
Created 19 January 2011
Noumea New Caledonia
22 Photos
Created 18 October 2010
Port Vila to Port Sandwich
29 Photos
Created 6 October 2010
Port Resolution to Port Vila
12 Photos
Created 10 September 2010
Tanna Island, Vanuatu
29 Photos
Created 3 September 2010
Touring: Dunedin to Picton
17 Photos
Created 25 March 2010
South Island road trip
16 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 26 February 2010
8 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 30 January 2010
Continuation of New Zealand travel 2009/2110
40 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 13 January 2010
New Zealand 2009/2010
22 Photos
Created 19 December 2009
City and Raintree Park
19 Photos
Created 14 December 2009
A Yankee Thanksgiving in Kiwi Land
12 Photos
Created 7 December 2009
Tropical flowers
28 Photos
Created 14 November 2009
Boat ride, hike and lunch.
15 Photos
Created 3 November 2009
Foods from across the Pacific. From the Marquesas to Fiji and New Zealand
30 Photos
Created 25 October 2009
Samoa/Tonga/Vanuatu quakes
3 Photos
Created 20 October 2009
Likuri Island
6 Photos
Created 15 October 2009
Musket Cove Regatta Week
22 Photos
Created 11 September 2009
North from Musket Cove
25 Photos
Created 11 August 2009
Musket Cove: Mamanuka Islands, Fiji
13 Photos
Created 7 August 2009
Viti Levu/Mamanukas
16 Photos
Created 16 July 2009
First days in FIji
6 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 17 June 2009
Weather
1 Photo | 1 Sub-Album
Created 1 May 2009
Minerva Reef shirts and maintenance projects
12 Photos
Created 29 April 2009
Chacala, Guayabitos, Los Ayala, Lo de Marco, San Pancho, Saulita
36 Photos
Created 21 April 2009
In and around San Blas. Didn't take many pics. Too busy doing damn little.
9 Photos
Created 14 April 2009
Mazatlan to San Blas
27 Photos
Created 10 April 2009
Boatyard Wars
21 Photos
Created 30 March 2009
End of the road trip 2009
21 Photos
Created 25 March 2009
City, museum and gardens
18 Photos
Created 26 February 2009
Pics of our road trip
29 Photos
Created 23 February 2009
Hiking along the geothermal Highway
15 Photos
Created 19 February 2009
Hauraki Gulf. Classic Yacht Regatta and AC boats
17 Photos
Created 17 February 2009
Mexico to the South Pacific
52 Photos
Created 1 February 2009
8 Photos
Created 22 January 2009
Niuatoputapa
15 Photos
Created 6 January 2009
Independent Samoa
12 Photos
Created 6 January 2009
Pacific Festival of the Arts/Pago Pago
12 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 6 January 2009