S/V Ubiquity and crew finally arrived in Mexico on February 15, after an over-night sail from San Diego to Ensenada.

When we left Portland in October we expected to arrive here sooner, but weather and misfortune delayed us, as earlier blog posts describe. Despite some low points, the sail down the coast to here has been filled with a wide range of gratifying experiences - challenges overcome, people we've met, places we've seen.

Although now in Mexico, we still face a 700 mile passage south along Baja, and then a 100+ mile northbound passage to La Paz, where we intend to meet sailing friends from Portland in late March. We expect a nice run sailing down the Baja coast with the winds, and then hope that the feared "Northers", strong northerly winds common this time of year in the Sea of Cortez, do not impede our progress north to La Paz.

Marina Coral offers a great first stop in Mexico. The marina staff are very friendly, and they offer help with checking in through the Mexican customs. The hotel has a great restaurant and a spa with a well-outfitted exercise room. We strongly recommend Marina Coral to southbound cruisers as a first stop for going through customs, and for a longer stay for cruisers who can afford it. We intend to stay two or more weeks, leaving in time to make, hopefully, our rendezvous with our friends in La Paz.

More photos and stories soon from Ensenada.

(Above photo courtesy of Leslie Sawyer.)