Mazatlán
04 March 2018
Getting up to Mazatlán was a good step. Now that I am here, the wind is howling outside the harbor and pretty strong inside too.
The marina is in the Zona Dorado, well north of the old city. I took one of the ubiquitous open taxis to the downtown area. I quizzed my driver about local foods. I was directed to a restaurant where I had enchiladas filled with smoked marlin with a picante salsa. Quite tasty.
I walked through the Mercado. It was like Pike Place on steroids. I made the mistake of hesitating and making eye contact at a booth that sold clothing. It was too late to run. Two women pounced, insisting that I needed this and that. They were incredible saleswomen and knew all the tricks. The fruit and vegetable stands were fascinating and colorful. I scored a couple of mangos. I was occasionally entranced by the displays at the meat, fish, and cheese booths.
A cathedral, the Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepción, was described in the cruising guide as being of Moorish influence. It looked to me like a mixture of many styles. It was beautiful inside, as are many of these catholic churches in México.
The archeological museum was a display of the early prehispanic peoples who inhabited Sinaloa. I found it interesting that, like just about every other culture, they had their own unique creation story. The art museum did not excite me. The art was unimpressive to me, although it is possible that I just did not understand it. I was so much more impressed by the architecture and colors of the buildings in the old section of town.
I hope to go back into the old part of the city in the evening. I am told that it is beautifully lit. Plus there are good restaurants. Aahhh, so much good food, so little time.
Marina El Cid is a resort and privileges to use the pool and resort facilities are included with the moorage. I have been to the pool a couple of times now. There are fewer cruisers here than in La Cruz. The morning cruiser's net goes very quickly. My friends Wayne and Cyndie on Arluk III who I met in La Cruz arrived.
So the big question is, when to jump off for La Paz. It is pretty windy out there on the gulf. It will be 238 nautical miles to La Paz. That is a 2 day trip at least. After much thought, I think that I don't care if it is reasonably windy on this side. I would like it to be diminished when I get across, because I have to go northward through Cerralvo Channel, a notorious wind funnel when the northerlies are blowing. Right now, it looks like Tuesday will be the best day to leave.
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