La Paz
23 November 2010 | Marina de La Paz
Fred and Penny's 2 cents
La Paz
Well we left Muertos at 0600 (still dark but sun was coming up) for the 58 mile trip to La Paz. We had light winds and flat seas but about 1 knot of opposing current so was making 6.5 knots. Sometimes this area gets strong Northerly winds and choppy seas which were forecast for the next day but our trip was smooth. We even got in a few hours of sailing which was quite pleasant. We came down the La Paz channel against the tide so were only making 4.5 knots but the channel is not very wide so slow was best. Arrived at Marina de La Paz and hailed on the radio as they knew we were coming but the office closed at 1 and it was 3. Finally raised someone but they didn't know much so we just tied up at the outer dock. That was something in a 2 knot current and I aborted the first try which was with the current and wasn't sure I could stop before hitting the catamaran that was tied up there. Fortunately the owner came out to take a line and I approached against the time and made the landing with no problem o. Penny went to the office while I washed the boat and she came back with a slip assignment so we moved to a nice wide 50 foot slip. After getting the boat and us squared away with showers etc., we set off for downtown as it was Saturday night and the malecon is supposed to be where everyone, families etc. hang out. As advertised but with a special feature, the Baja 1000 off road race finished that day and the place was packed with off road race cars and their teams. Some were missing major parts and were drug in on trailers and the winners were celebrating with Tecate beer flowing as they were the major sponsors.
After a pizza dinner, Penny got into the mix with the camera and spent the next several hours taking pictures of the winners and losers, along with kids and families and lovers. She had a great time and I am only going to post a few pictures, not the hundred or so that she got.
Met some nice people at the marina and was directed to Sea Otter Jimmy to look at my outboard. Met him and he is going to pick it up Monday. I will also check into the marina, look into getting a few boat projects taken care of and Javier's (security guard) boys are going to wash the boat. I was told that the marina put in a new desalination plant and the water on the dock is safe and as good as comes out of our water maker. I am going to test it but if it tests out ok will fill some tanks.
La Paz is a neat City and we are anxious to explore it.
PENNY'S TWO CENTS: Oh my gosh! There can't be anything better than a bunch of Mexican's celebrating NOT ONLY the end of the Baja 1000, but also the MEXICAN REVOLUTION HOLIDAY! Everyone was out - youngsters, oldsters, and everyone in between. If you don't know anyone, just get out your camera and join in! It seems like a camera makes you "official" and you get to join any group you want! I even got my picture taken with the local hooker - hmmm, she was either a hooker, or a transvestite but I bought her a beer and hung out together for awhile which was quite interesting. By then Fred had tired of me and he was on his way back to the boat. Not quite sure when I returned, but the next morning Fred gave me one of "those looks" and said that I would probably be found in a ditch some day. Very funny.
I have been exploring La Paz every day that we have been here and I am in heaven! LAP is super clean and extremely safe and everyone is friendly. As I write, there is a marina employee power washing the IPE docks. Yesterday I purchased a kilo of scallops, approximately 2 inches across, for 150 pesos (roughly $12.50). Today I am going to get on a bus and stay on until I complete a full circle. So life is good here and I hope this message finds all of you safe, happy, and healthy! And that is my 2 cents worth.