PUERTO ESCONDIDO

The post shows the date this was posted.

However the actual date in of our visit to downtown Mazatlan

was actually January 31st, 2020 day 211.

We capped off January with Mazatlan pool time, visit to the open market with Dean and Kathy from s/v Sea Este.  Then lunch at Macaws, where there is a a cigar and bottle shop!

When we returned, we found our friends Kevin and Alison on Red Rover,

a 55' Nordhavn had arrived. We continue to "leap frog" with other boaters in the arena.

Local Mazatlan mode of transportation.

Just a few members of the JMYS fan club, we run into everywhere!

Domino game night with Dean and Kathy on Sea Este... plus margaritas!

Started moving the boat again in the Sea of Cortez the second week of February.

  We said our goodbyes to all our friends and the staff at El Cid. We had a great time here and highly recommend the El Cid Resort to cruisers and landlubbers alike. It's a great place to receive guests, the restaurants.

ts and staff are amazing... you can walk to the hotel and get a car and a driver anytime of day and night. We plan to return in the fall as we head south. 

                        Saturday February 8th 2020, day 219. Mazatlan to Los Moretoes                                          188nm Overnight cruise   27 hours with a full moon! Love it when that happens!        

Arrived Bahia Los Muertos 8am February 9th.

After some breakfast and a long morning nap,

we dropped the dingy, went ashore for a visit with the crew's of

Red Rover and Seacret, both Nordhavn's.

The following morning we departed our anchorage.....

arriving back at Marina Cortez, LaPaz 54nm 7.5hrs.

We stayed in LaPaz 7 days provisioning and planning our trip to Mulege.

Arriving in LaPaz

Mexican Navy passing by our slip, the equivalent to the US Coast Guard.

I keep their phone number handy (+1 646 172 4000) to insure we will not need it. 

View of the LaPaz Malecon from Pairadice as we headed north to Puerto Escondido 

(just south of Loreto). But first we spend some time at the islands in the National Park anchorages; Isla Espirito, Isla Partida, Isla San Jose and Bahia Marcial.

Once settled in the bay we off loaded the dink for exploration of the shore. 

Patches loves going ashore!

 

February 10th, day 231. Anchor was up, on our way to Isla San Francisco....

We stumbled on to another National Geographic cruise ship visiting the bay.

Here is the NatGeo going ashore after ferrying their guests ashore for a hike.

Their goal was to get the BBQ going for their big shore event.  

The Nat Geo crew took a break here to hear our story and meet Patches!

Pairadice in her slip in Puerto Escondido

Live music upstairs at the Captains Lounge.

The Captains, John on Pairadice and Rob on Bella Luna,

(both proud Selene owners) enjoying the relaxation after dinner at the Captains Lounge.

Bella Luna heading out for a cruise with guests.

Deanna and John enjoying an afternoon of fishing on Bella Luna.

Deanna, Rob and John hoping to score dinner.

While Rob and Deanna entertained there guests on the sea, 

we opted to rent a car and explore Loreto and Mulege.

MAZATLAN AND BEYOND

When we departed LaPaz on Wednesday, January 8th 2020, day 188. We had been in Mexico for 86 days. Our visitor visa maxs at 180 day, so I was keeping track. It's easier for this old school girl to keep track with day planner agenda book. I found one in Walmart which is half in Spanish and half in English. Great find! 

We met another couple on a Selene 53' along the way, who were also planning to cross the Sea of Cortez to Mazatlan at the same time. We put a plan in place to stay in touch via the VHF radio. We both spent the night at anchor at Los Muertos, both had reservations at El Cid Resort. It's alway nice to know the other mariners with whom are in ear shot. 

We woke well rested, I walked the dog and "set out for the plan of the day".

At the fuel dock

 

Small mansion heading out of La Paz.

John started making water when we got out to sea.
Here he is testing the water quality in the engine room before filling the tanks.

I zoomed in on Peter and Connie on Next Chapter, Selene 53, who were following us.

Our Selene and Trawler Forum burgee flying on the bow.

The full moon popped up early.

Fishing on the way to Bahia De Los Muertos.

Another amazing sunset.

Next Chapter at idle during a 6pm engine room check.

Sunset sky transformation.

Always thankful for a full moon!

Raising the anchor and underway De Los Muertos to Mazatlan.
190nm 7:15am - arriving 8:15am the following day. 

We took the advise of our friends Kathy and Dean on s/v Sea Este
making reservations at El Cid Resort Marina in Mazatlan.
Which turned out to be wonderful! We recommend it to everyone!

What a welcome to Mazatlan. The sea turtle sightings never get old!

Early morning arrival, skyline Mazatlan, Mexico.

The marina entrance is very shallow and a dredge operates though the week.
John did a great job timing our arrival for high tide.

Mazatlan resorts across the way. We were passing the dredge equipment in the foreground. 

A morning dog walk with Patches, learning are way around the El Cid Resort.

A massage with an ocean breeze, anyone?

All the mariners are invited to use any of the number of pools available. 

Pairadice snug in her moorage. 

More pools before all the activity begins.

This is what greets you when you wake on your lounge chair at the pool!
They are very large and startling! I think they were looking for snacks. 

You can see the dredge operating in the background.
the stern sunshade John installs easily and make a big difference in the south. 

It was easy to find our friends Dean and Kathy on their sailing vessel Sea Este',
moored on the end tie with the blue canvas.

 Everest was checking the tuning on my guitar.

I'm getting a private guitar lesson from 11 yr old Everest!

                                           January 20th, 2020, day 200

                            We picked up a rental car to play tourista in mainland Mexico. 

The goal was to visit historic Durango and check out the north marinas for summer boat storage and determine which which work yard would best suit Pairadice's maintenance needs.

We traveled over countless bridges, through dozens of tunnels to reach our destination.

This is a rest stop in Mexico. I opted out!

We had a nice room at Grand Hotel Elizabeth, Durango Mexico

 

A sunset walkabout  where all the cathedral bells ring at 6pm.  Glorious!

 

I toured the University in Durango, very impressive.

....and the churches....

Views of the San Carlos Marina.

Friday January 24, day 204, checking out marinas and work yards north in the Sea of Cortez. 

We settled on San Carlos for summer storage and the upcoming yard work.

We also checked out Guaymas, finding San Carlos to better suit our needs. 

Patches was happy to be home after the road trip.

No such thing as too many toys for this sleepy Baby!