We had planned a short stop in Mazatan, as we had spent 5 weeks there 2 years ago. We had just arrived and the weather window looked as if it would open up in 2 days. The more I thought about it the more I wanted to stay at least a week. There is so much to see and do in Mazatlan, and it felt a little like home for us. I asked Marcus to think about waiting for another week to make the crossing, I knew he was anxious to head to La Paz, but an hour after I mentioned the possibility of staying, we received a great deal on having our dodger zippers replaced. We decided to stay and we are really happy we did.

After a delicious dinner at Topolo's with Bill and Judy of the catamaran Moontide, we attended a Flamenco performance at a cost of 100 pesos, about $8. It was amazing! It was all in Spanish, but the raw emotions of the dance resulted in a wonderful time. The venue was small, maybe 75 people and although we sat in the back, it was amazing.

 

We also went to a free performance of Romeo and Juliet, again Spanish only. It was outdoors and just a wonderful experience, again shared with Judy and Bill. Marcus remarked he thought he was really getting the hang of Spanish, til he tried to follow a modernized Shakespeare play.

Happy to have my Mazatlan fix, we left for La Paz area at 6:30 on April 21.

A wild ride in the back of a pickup truck taxi heading back to the marina!

Blue Footed Boobies

Mom dad and baby boobie!

 

 

An overnighter from San Blas put us at Isla Isabel about 7am, there is a small anchorage and we went in, watching for the submerged rock we had been told about. We anchored, then just off the starboard bow we saw a suspicious wave pattern on the water. Looking up the exact coordinates of the rock hazard we realized we were unbelievably close, if we had determined to anchor directly over the rock, we could not have gotten closer. Pulled up the hook and moved a short distance away. YIKES

After a quick breakfast we headed ashore. Isable is a protected island where Blue Footed Boobies, Terns, and Frigate birds nest. The island is covered with bird nests, barely above your head, the nests are small and the chicks are big, so funny looking!
 

The Blue Footed Boobies are up on the ridge and it takes a bit of a hike to get to them, worth the hike, as you can get pretty close to the birds and their chicks. Their nests are on the ground, and I understand there are no natural predators for the birds on the island.

The nests were so small, and looked just like a stack of twigs plopped on a branch

Chick at the crest of the hill

After a couple of hours we headed back to the boat, for lunch and a nap. It was about 2 in the afternoon and we just were not comfortable with the small anchorage and figured we could make it to Mazatlan by the next morning if we left right away, so up anchor and out we went.

Just for fun, I called a couple of boats I knew were behind us and what do you know, Jupiter's Smile was about 10 miles from us! We buddy boated to Mazatlan, arriving around 10:30 am.

A male sounding off, that red "balloon" is his throat

Our boat at anchor on Isla Isabel

 

San Blas

This gentleman had a store and was selling Yaka jam, and when we hesitated not knowing what Yaka was, he took us out back to his house and showed us the fruit on the tree!  It was great jam.

Beach town just outside of San Blas with banana bread as their claim to fame!

Shops like the one below line the streets!

Fast food Mexico style. 



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Streets of San Blas  

 Below the church that houses the Bells of San Blas, said to inspire Henry Wadsworth Longfellows poem. 

 

Market day, love all the color and fresh veggies, and fish from the sea.

Went on a mangrove tour and saw aligators!!

Took a trip

Can you spot the bird drying it's wings?

Ice Cream trucks drive right on the beach

The crew of Traveler and friends!



Chacala

Chacala is a nice quiet town and we wandered about, had breakfast and investigated a Bed and Breakfast that is looking for some house sitters. It was lovely, and the position is something to think about!

http://www.casapacificachacala.com/

 

Punta de Mita

Checking out Punta de Mita

Beautiful textiles here in Mexico

Sayulita

Sayulita is a little town near Puerto Vallarta, I was expecting a little town.  What I found was spring break in Mexico.  Reminded me so much of Santa Cruz, where I grew up.

First lifeguards we have seen in Mexico

They had sushi, not great, miss California sushi . . .

oops

Neighboring boat had a little "run in" with our boat.  The next day, he was there making it right.  Two days later, it was better than new!