2020 – 2021 Season 2 – Page 14

Mazatlan, February 15, Monday Presidents day in the states travel day for us.

We got up very early (3:30 AM!) and went to the airport. Got our flight on time to Phoenix. We landed early, than taxied close to our gate and sat there, and sat some more. Finally the plane that was in our way left and we were able to get to the gate. We got off the plane and walked very fast to our next plane, which had already boarded and we were (I think) the last ones on the plane. Shortly after that we took off and headed south. We arrived in Mazatlan at about 12:30, and got a cab back to the marina. We had lunch at one of the restaurants near the marina then back to the boat.

Not much was done this day besides resting. We went out to dinner, since we did not have very much food on the boat, and even less that was out of the freezer.

Mazatlan, February 2, Ground hog day! and February 3, travel to California

We (of course) watched the movie! Finished packing and cleaning up the boat. Washing clothes, and putting together a list of what we had to get done before leaving for California. Finally, saying we were ready.

February 3, travel to California

This was a long day with some surprises. We flew to Dallas, on a plane with about 50 seats, and had 7 passengers and two flight attendants. Then sat in the airport for a couple of hours at Dallas, we saw that it was pretty well deserted, and most of the stores and restaurants were closed. The flight to California was pretty uneventful and we got to our destination in one piece.

My favorite movie, I can watch this movie over and over!

Mazatlan, February 1

This was scheduled for an to early start, we had an appointment to get a Covid test. We went up to the main road, and got a bus which took us down to the Malecón, but we apparently did not get the right bus, as it did not take us to the clinic. So, we got an Uber to go the rest of the way. We were a few minutes early, but were taken in anyway. Got our test, then took a hike. Found a place for breakfast (excellent by the way) then out again. Renee’s phone has an interesting way of making sure we get our steps in. On at least two occasions now, it has taken us around a block to get where we want to go. After breakfast, we walked to a fish market, then out to the Malecón again. We walked for a bit. Finally decided on lunch. This was probably the worst service we have had at any restaurant in Mexico. It was so bad, I won’t even put the name here. Just not what we have gotten used to anywhere at a restaurant.

Then thought about a beer and looked up a brewery then we took a little white VW cab to the bar, which was closed (Oh yeah, it is a holiday, so many places are closed), then we had the driver take us back to a place on the Malecón. But it was also closed. About that time we decided to go to the aquarium where we spent several hours looking at sea life. This was a great deal as it cost us about 115 pesos or about $6 each. After this we walked back down to the Malecón, and walked to a Thrifty Ice Cream (Open)! Then got an Uber back to the boat and a nap.

Getting into the aquarium, only one of us could go buy the tickets, Renee’ went and had her temp taken, and hand sanitizer. Then we went to the entrance, and had our temperature taken then went through a spay sanitizer followed by sinks for washing hands, then a lady holding hand sanitizer before we could go in. The aquarium was very nice…the fish were displayed nicely and the shows (native animals, sea lions, and birds) were enjoyable.

Then we took a short hike out for dinner. We went to a little place about a half mile or so away. Renee’ had a salad, and I had ribs. The thought that I had was ribs are usually a relatively small meal. This time it was huge! Pretty good as well, Renee’ said her salad was too expensive for what she got, but we are at a marina, so prices tend to be higher. Then back to the boat showers and bed.

By the way, we received an email from Vineyard church today to tell us about their bilingual service yesterday…a bit late unfortunately.

This is what the little white cabs look like

Where but in Mexico would you see a Tuba on the beach?

Mazatlan, January 31

We slept in until about 8 am, had breakfast and watched a sermon from North Coast in Vista. We wanted to go to the bilingual church here in Mazatlan (Vineyard) but they failed to respond not the email we sent to them to confirm the time of the service). We then headed downtown. We then went to a market this was not an open air market, rather a building about the size of a Costco, with a bunch of small shops inside, narrow walkways and crowded. At every entrance there was hand sanitizer and temperature checks, and several places inside also had the same. So you could only walk about 50 feet or so without sanitizing your hands. I really don’t like crowds, so this was not a good place for me. Renee’ on the other hand loves to shop so she was having a good time. Anyway, we left after a bit.

Found a restaurant and had lunch. This was a challenge, as the part of town we were in was on the “fancy” side, “Old Mazatlan”, and it was a bit early for lunch (right at about noon) so most places were still selling breakfast. One place that had pretty high reviews had a 10 page or so menu, with about 4 items for lunch, all of which had cheese or yogurt in them. I am lactose intolerant, and have to ask them to make it without dairy. There was nothing here that really looked appetizing to me. They had 4 pages of waffles and crepes, but we were not looking for breakfast. We ran into a couple who had been dancing on the porch of one of the buildings by a square. They were about our age, maybe a bit older, and brought their own music to tango. They told us about a live music performance scheduled at the square that evening. We thought about going but by the time it was supposed to start the weather had turned cold and grey, so we stayed in. Back to the lunch restaurant, we finally found one and had a nice view, but I was not really impressed with the food. Then out to walk again.

We chatted with some sailors on the same dock, Eve and Rene. Eve told us that we could. Be refused the covid test if we brush our teeth, chew gum, or eat or drink anything before taking it. Yikes…so glad we got this info before tomorrow.

Renee’ is not a big fan of riding motorcycles, but I got her on this one!

We had a ride in one of the little white VW cabs. I will get a picture of one to better describe it. But they are open VW’s kind of like a Thing, but not as big.

Mazatlan, January 29 -30

We got up around 7:30, and pulled the anchor up and went into Mazatlan. Near high tide. Some things about the entrance to this harbor, this is not the main harbor, this is the small boat marina. The entrance faces southwest, and is about 50 yards wide (seriously! Very narrow, the canal in back of our house in Florida is wider). The channel is being dredged, so there is a dredging barge tied to one side (as it is Saturday). The reports in Navionics says to be careful entering when there is a swell from the south, as a 60 foot boat wound up smashed on the rocks in October 2019. As we came in I could see how that could happen as we had a slight swell from the west and it pushed us around a bit. Anyway we made it through this channel and into the marina area, which is very large, somewhere over 400 slips. We found our dock and got parked and shore power on and engine shut down by about 9 am. We checked in at the office, and checked about the refrigeration tech. Then back to the boat to hang out and wait. They showed up about 1:30 or so. They recharged the refrigerator looked for a leak, and said they thought it was under the refrigerator. Then they left. We will try a different tech who actually looks like he wants to find the leak (these two were not even going to look until I asked the third time). In the meantime, The water heater is still not leaking. We went for a walk, and discovered that this is not a good place to walk away from. Oh well, we did anyway and found a bier garden and had a beer. Then an Uber ride back to the boat. We had dinner and were settled in for the night, when we had a post on Facebook from a friend in Iowa who said we should go dancing at a place called Valentinos. We checked and it looked like it was right around the corner. So we changed and took a hike. Well google missed, so we got an Uber and went to the right place (which was closed) so we walked down the Malecón and found another great place for a beer and then finally took an Uber back to the boat. Showers and bed.