Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Days before Christmas
Christmas in Mexico: Early in December the town's people began to put up many street cabanas. They are mostly selling things for children. This week there are more decorations that have been put up and in the center of La Paz a large lighted tree. All the palm trees along the waterfront have been wrapped with lights and several boats in the marinas have been decked with lights. All very festive.
Besides being a religious holiday it is a day for children. One of the most fascinating shops is a shop called the Dulceria, a candy shop. Inside are all types of pinatas and large boxes and cellophane package containing small toys and assorted candies to fill the pinatas. There are even decorated sticks to match each pinata to be used for hitting the pinata. The pinatas range in sizes and some have religious pictures on them others have old fashioned Santas (the coke a cola Santa is a big hit), along with Frosty the snowman.
We went to church last Sunday with several cruisers, who are our friends, I will post a pictures of a few of them. After church we go out to lunch and then last Sunday we walked along the Malacone towards our marina, taking pictures of the beautiful statues decorating the water front here in La Paz.
Tonight we had a dock party, and toured a few boats, it was great to share our Christmas goodies with others and have a taste of home. There are many of us who share things in common, and it is good to talk with people who have the same dreams and love this life on the water. We will meet many of these people as we go from place to place here in Mexico. And folks who have been cruising for several years all share their information with us to help us on our way. It is quite amazing the way information to help us out is given freely to smooth our way and we will pass the things we learn on to others in the same way. Most of us are retired and we are happily surrounded with a few older couples and a few younger couples and some traveling with younger children whom are being homeschooled on the sea. I really admire those couples who are homeschooling and I have watched the laundry being done in the marinas. Unbelieveable!!!
Merry Christmas to all of you who have read my blogs, hopefully you will enjoy my photos of La Paz, Mexico.
Love Jacquie and Don
Besides being a religious holiday it is a day for children. One of the most fascinating shops is a shop called the Dulceria, a candy shop. Inside are all types of pinatas and large boxes and cellophane package containing small toys and assorted candies to fill the pinatas. There are even decorated sticks to match each pinata to be used for hitting the pinata. The pinatas range in sizes and some have religious pictures on them others have old fashioned Santas (the coke a cola Santa is a big hit), along with Frosty the snowman.
We went to church last Sunday with several cruisers, who are our friends, I will post a pictures of a few of them. After church we go out to lunch and then last Sunday we walked along the Malacone towards our marina, taking pictures of the beautiful statues decorating the water front here in La Paz.
Tonight we had a dock party, and toured a few boats, it was great to share our Christmas goodies with others and have a taste of home. There are many of us who share things in common, and it is good to talk with people who have the same dreams and love this life on the water. We will meet many of these people as we go from place to place here in Mexico. And folks who have been cruising for several years all share their information with us to help us on our way. It is quite amazing the way information to help us out is given freely to smooth our way and we will pass the things we learn on to others in the same way. Most of us are retired and we are happily surrounded with a few older couples and a few younger couples and some traveling with younger children whom are being homeschooled on the sea. I really admire those couples who are homeschooling and I have watched the laundry being done in the marinas. Unbelieveable!!!
Merry Christmas to all of you who have read my blogs, hopefully you will enjoy my photos of La Paz, Mexico.
Love Jacquie and Don
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Warm Days here in La Paz
It is so nice and warm here in La Paz that we find it hard to pack up and leave. Cruiser's warned us about this and we are determined to go to the mainland and visit the area between Mazatlan and Puerta Valharta this season before we return for Yakima's great weather.
Yesterday we ordered snorkeling suits made from Lycra. They will protect us from jelly fish stings, scratches on coral and sun. I hear they help with warmth too now that the water temperature has cooled into the high 70's.We had hoped to slip out for a week and do some snorkeling this weekend, however a small northern weather system is going to make the wind blow and the sea rough so snorkeling will have to wait a bit. But the weather here is nothing like the single digits happening in Washington. On the other had it is hard to feel like it is Christmas time when it is 81 degrees every day.
Today I am mailing some Christmas cards to the U.S and the stocking I made here on the boat for my youngest grandchild, Maggie, who is approx. 20 months old. I am including a picture. I wonder if this will be my last stocking????? Maggie is a cutie and her Mom says she is very determined to keep up with Nathan her 4 year old brother. I only have 3 little girls in the 8 grandchildren and I think they are all mover's and shakers.
We are decorating the boat for a boat parade this Sunday since we will be in town. I have always wanted to do this and not sail in cold rainy weather so here I my big chance. Will include photos of trophy next blog, just kidding.
Don is busy adding a ground wire to our radio, it has been shaken so much it has a little hum and that won't do. He had also started on taping the decks for adding some non-skid to the surface. Always something to do on a boat that is for sure.
This afternoon we are meeting our friends from Canada, on White Shell II, who were in Santa Cruz replacing their engine and just arrived here in La Paz. We attended a great church with them in Santa Cruz and we have found one here in La Paz. It was nice and the big diference for us was singing carols in Spanish.
Lue and Chas will have stories to share about their trip down the baja and they are wanting to hear ours.
Our coffee-Seattle friends on Pacific Mystic, Val and Eric, are sad this day because their beautiful little cat of 14 years wandered off their boat 2 days ago and has not returned. Not a good sign. We feel for them, since we know what that feels like. Hopefully they will find her or find out what happened so they can have closure.
Next post will be my Christmas Letter. Until then... Chao amigos, Jacquie and Don
Yesterday we ordered snorkeling suits made from Lycra. They will protect us from jelly fish stings, scratches on coral and sun. I hear they help with warmth too now that the water temperature has cooled into the high 70's.We had hoped to slip out for a week and do some snorkeling this weekend, however a small northern weather system is going to make the wind blow and the sea rough so snorkeling will have to wait a bit. But the weather here is nothing like the single digits happening in Washington. On the other had it is hard to feel like it is Christmas time when it is 81 degrees every day.
Today I am mailing some Christmas cards to the U.S and the stocking I made here on the boat for my youngest grandchild, Maggie, who is approx. 20 months old. I am including a picture. I wonder if this will be my last stocking????? Maggie is a cutie and her Mom says she is very determined to keep up with Nathan her 4 year old brother. I only have 3 little girls in the 8 grandchildren and I think they are all mover's and shakers.
We are decorating the boat for a boat parade this Sunday since we will be in town. I have always wanted to do this and not sail in cold rainy weather so here I my big chance. Will include photos of trophy next blog, just kidding.
Don is busy adding a ground wire to our radio, it has been shaken so much it has a little hum and that won't do. He had also started on taping the decks for adding some non-skid to the surface. Always something to do on a boat that is for sure.
This afternoon we are meeting our friends from Canada, on White Shell II, who were in Santa Cruz replacing their engine and just arrived here in La Paz. We attended a great church with them in Santa Cruz and we have found one here in La Paz. It was nice and the big diference for us was singing carols in Spanish.
Lue and Chas will have stories to share about their trip down the baja and they are wanting to hear ours.
Our coffee-Seattle friends on Pacific Mystic, Val and Eric, are sad this day because their beautiful little cat of 14 years wandered off their boat 2 days ago and has not returned. Not a good sign. We feel for them, since we know what that feels like. Hopefully they will find her or find out what happened so they can have closure.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
La Paz, Mexico
Here we are in La Paz, a city on the Sea of Cortez. We have been to the Club Cruseras (Cruisers Club) for coffee and found they are very active in the community of cruisers and the city. They have an auction (Subasta) coming up that will benefit the schools here, run a blood pressure clinic, swap meet (boat parts), have a bazaar that cruisers can host a table for their crafts and many other things during the year. You can find people to help you with anything through this club. People are very friendly and helpful.
I signed up to get a flu shot and a day and a half before the shot clinic I got the flu (probably just food poisoning) but I did not get to have a flue shot! So I will need to find it on my own. Isn't that the way it goes.
Yesterday we got moorage at the Marina de las Palmira. We have not been in a marina for over a month and it is time to do a major clean the salt off job. We have salt crystals on the windows and just about everything on deck. Since we are both feeling better we will do a bit today and then more this week.
My job is to finish some boat sewing, a cover for the life raft and for the B-que. We are having clouds today and that is expected to last through Tuesday. A northern wind being sent from Canada.
Monday I am attending a quilting group called La Paz Peace Makers. Maybe I can get the scoop on where to find fabrics in La Paz.
More later...I just got invited to breakfast by Don.
Jacquie
I signed up to get a flu shot and a day and a half before the shot clinic I got the flu (probably just food poisoning) but I did not get to have a flue shot! So I will need to find it on my own. Isn't that the way it goes.
Yesterday we got moorage at the Marina de las Palmira. We have not been in a marina for over a month and it is time to do a major clean the salt off job. We have salt crystals on the windows and just about everything on deck. Since we are both feeling better we will do a bit today and then more this week.
My job is to finish some boat sewing, a cover for the life raft and for the B-que. We are having clouds today and that is expected to last through Tuesday. A northern wind being sent from Canada.
Monday I am attending a quilting group called La Paz Peace Makers. Maybe I can get the scoop on where to find fabrics in La Paz.
More later...I just got invited to breakfast by Don.
Jacquie
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Special Day: Bahia Los Muertos
We finally took just a leisure day, no work per se. Don sat on deck and enjoyed his tea and I sewed on a Christmas stocking for my 8th grandchild, I need to mail it from La Paz. Then we went to the beach and waded, found a few shells and just sat in the water up to our necks. There were lots of rocks and a sandy shole so that is where we sat, it was like a 86 degree kiddie pool for big people. LOL.
Then we walked up to this beautiful restaurant and we were the only ones there. Gorgeous hut type open air with big fans and leather topped tables and leather chairs. They had a open shower for people to rinse the sand off and we used it. While sitting at the table I saw something that reminded me of a pheasant and come to find out it was a genuine "roadrunner" and it looked exactly like the one Wiley Coyote is always chasing and it ran up the hillside like a flash. It is fun to watch those things when you see them.
We had a huge lunch: Don ordered the child rellano and it was "out of this world", nothing like what we get in the states. A huge poblano chile stuffed with fish and vegies, wrapped in a light egg batter and a wonderful fresh tomato sauce tht was slightly sweet. YUM!!!
They were playing nice music that was so restful I guess I fell alseep at the table with my hand under my chin...Don said I was out for at least a half hour. How many Cerviesa could he have had while I was out. Now the great part is this lunch was under 30.00 US.
Then we walked back to our dingy and fishermen had just arrived with their catch and they offered us some and for 10.00 we got a huge fillet of wawhoo which is Ono in Hawaiian ann a half of a Dorado which is MahiMahi. What a find because the Pescado is not that cheap here in the markets and you can't tell how fresh it is.
Then we motored out to the boat and just relaxed, eating some fruit and a small sandwich on fresh baked bread.
Now this was my idea of what our trip would be like.
Jacquie
Then we walked up to this beautiful restaurant and we were the only ones there. Gorgeous hut type open air with big fans and leather topped tables and leather chairs. They had a open shower for people to rinse the sand off and we used it. While sitting at the table I saw something that reminded me of a pheasant and come to find out it was a genuine "roadrunner" and it looked exactly like the one Wiley Coyote is always chasing and it ran up the hillside like a flash. It is fun to watch those things when you see them.
We had a huge lunch: Don ordered the child rellano and it was "out of this world", nothing like what we get in the states. A huge poblano chile stuffed with fish and vegies, wrapped in a light egg batter and a wonderful fresh tomato sauce tht was slightly sweet. YUM!!!
They were playing nice music that was so restful I guess I fell alseep at the table with my hand under my chin...Don said I was out for at least a half hour. How many Cerviesa could he have had while I was out. Now the great part is this lunch was under 30.00 US.
Then we walked back to our dingy and fishermen had just arrived with their catch and they offered us some and for 10.00 we got a huge fillet of wawhoo which is Ono in Hawaiian ann a half of a Dorado which is MahiMahi. What a find because the Pescado is not that cheap here in the markets and you can't tell how fresh it is.
Now this was my idea of what our trip would be like.
Jacquie
Monday, November 23, 2009
What do we do all day???
Each day is a bit different and varies when we are cruising or in a port. What we do also depends on whether we are in a large port or a small bay; a Bahia in spanish. Today we are in the Bahia de Las Muertos, inside the Sea of Cortez.
We are making bread, nothing much to buy in the little villages, except tortillas, and I will try my hand at making those this afternoon. We have very simple, one dish meals and add a fruit or vegie. Storage for fresh things is limited. Mexico has great boxed milk (2%) like the soy milk comes in so we can buy several and not need the refrigeration until we open it. Most days we have a larger breakfast or lunch and then light dinner snack. We have both gotten thinner. Hooray!
If we have to use the engine we try to make water every 2-3 days depending on how many showers and things we need to do. Every so often we have to wash some undies and easy to dry things. The heavier wash needs to wait for a laundromat. The fresh water toilet takes 1/2 a gallon per flush so depending on the day that could take quite a bit of water. We can store 100 gallons on board. Pretty good for a sail boat.
I can sew a little right now I am making a Christmas stocking to get in the mail at La Paz, and if we use our little generator we can watch a movie or a 1 hr episode of a TV show (we brought a few with us) like 24 and Lost. Next year we will bring NCIS and something lighter that just high drama.
Both of us have to take turns stearing the boat, Don does more of it than I do but I do all the docking and operation of the boat when we anchor. I have gotten good at taking us into a slip or fuel dock, Don says I am really good at it and other men have given me praise, I guess not many women do that part. The person who is no at the helm has to watch our course, check radar, make lunch etc. clean or stow gear, wash dishes or whatever else needs to be done. Then for a bit we rest. Much more active than either of us thought.
We are going to put the dingy in now and go to the beach, walk and explore. I also spent some time this morning cutting my hair. It doesn't look great but I wear hats when we go ashore, so good is okay.
We have new clippers and Don was my first ginnea pig and poor man I really got the back short, but hey it has grown out just great.
Then we have been struggling with the time changes, I guess we are in mountain time here, so we have been going to sleep with the chickens...7:30pm or so. Sailing can be tiring work.
Well time to put the dink in and go explore.
Until next time; Love Jacquie and Don
We are making bread, nothing much to buy in the little villages, except tortillas, and I will try my hand at making those this afternoon. We have very simple, one dish meals and add a fruit or vegie. Storage for fresh things is limited. Mexico has great boxed milk (2%) like the soy milk comes in so we can buy several and not need the refrigeration until we open it. Most days we have a larger breakfast or lunch and then light dinner snack. We have both gotten thinner. Hooray!
If we have to use the engine we try to make water every 2-3 days depending on how many showers and things we need to do. Every so often we have to wash some undies and easy to dry things. The heavier wash needs to wait for a laundromat. The fresh water toilet takes 1/2 a gallon per flush so depending on the day that could take quite a bit of water. We can store 100 gallons on board. Pretty good for a sail boat.
I can sew a little right now I am making a Christmas stocking to get in the mail at La Paz, and if we use our little generator we can watch a movie or a 1 hr episode of a TV show (we brought a few with us) like 24 and Lost. Next year we will bring NCIS and something lighter that just high drama.
Both of us have to take turns stearing the boat, Don does more of it than I do but I do all the docking and operation of the boat when we anchor. I have gotten good at taking us into a slip or fuel dock, Don says I am really good at it and other men have given me praise, I guess not many women do that part. The person who is no at the helm has to watch our course, check radar, make lunch etc. clean or stow gear, wash dishes or whatever else needs to be done. Then for a bit we rest. Much more active than either of us thought.
We are going to put the dingy in now and go to the beach, walk and explore. I also spent some time this morning cutting my hair. It doesn't look great but I wear hats when we go ashore, so good is okay.
We have new clippers and Don was my first ginnea pig and poor man I really got the back short, but hey it has grown out just great.
Then we have been struggling with the time changes, I guess we are in mountain time here, so we have been going to sleep with the chickens...7:30pm or so. Sailing can be tiring work.
Well time to put the dink in and go explore.
Until next time; Love Jacquie and Don
Friday, November 20, 2009
From Magdalena Bay to Cabo San Lucas
Well here are just a random sampling of some pictures we've taken since October 25, 2009.
Shown above: John and Rose Olson on SerenaRay. We met them in Blaine and they sailed down last year in their sail boat but decided to buy a motorcruiser and sail the seas. They have been our guardian angels during our entry into Mexican water. Checking on us almost daily. They are at the back of the table, John in the salmon colored tank and Rosie with the great smile. Their friends who keep their boat in Mazatlan are with them,Wally and Linda. We saw them in Turtle Bay.
Next you can see our taxi driver Danielle,, in San Carlos on the Baja California Sur up Magdalena Bay where we had to stay 12 days to do a boat repair (engine).
The boat is the Pacific Mystic, it belongs to Valerie and Eric Waggoneer who are former Seattleites. We met them in the Pier 32 Marina, San Diego. We will be seeing them in La Paz, they are in their early 40's and have given up the hectic pace for sailing, and eventually going over to France where Valerie was born (I believe). She and I bonded at Trader Joe's, we had identical purchases in our carts. This picture was taken at the starting line for the Baja Ha-Ha journey which we finished 3rd. Everyone that isn't first or second is third... We arrived at Cabo 12 days late due to engine repairs.
That last picture is Don and me at the Baja Ha-Ha send off party. Which you can see was a costume party. We originally thought we would go as Wilma and Fred Flintstone but later changed it to Tarzan and Jane; I think that was because of Don's hair, he hasn't had a hair cut since we left Blaine on July 8, 2009. ha-ha.
Pictures below are: a crab that I saw in Santa Maria Bay while gathering sand dollar that are 4-6 inches in diameter. Don and I have our first ice cold drink in weeks and the local (Cabo) starbucks where I got the royal treatment when I told them I lived in Seattle for 15 years. They did a great job and were so friendly.
Standing By in Cabo San Lucas: Jacquie
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