Our 5th Season Begins

Our first 7 weeks in Mazatlan 

Snow at Calgary Airport - on route to Mazatlan

We arrived in Mazatlan on November 5th.  It was very hot until the second week of December, then it started to cool down a bit.  We had 2 days of rain last week, but the sun is out and it's a balmy (and more comfortable) 29 celsius today.  Here are a few photo's to show you what we've been up to since our arrival 7 weeks ago.
   

From minus 2 at home to 'Feels Like' 44!

Margaritas go down very well in the heat

Saw this on our morning walk - Locust?

On our Dock - Scarlet King Snake
They're harmless - per this rhyme
Red touch yellow - Kills a fellow
Red touch black - venom lack
Yellow touches red - soon you'll be dead
Red touches black - friend of Jack

Drinks on the beach while watching beach volleyball

On the Bus - when it rains here, it pours!

Boat Projects 

Since we arrived Kim has been very busy with various boat projects, although the projects never get in the way of him having fun.  Our hot water tank stopped working so we ordered a new one and Kim is installing it now.  We had problems with our macerator too but he fixed that already.  Our dinghy seems to have a slow leak so he will be determining where the leak is originating, and patching it next.  He's working on various sewing projects too with his Sailrite sewing machine.  He's made new exterior covers for the front windows and has a few more covers to do.

One of the window covers Kim made

New hot water tank being installed

       

Day Trip with Friends to San Blas, Nayarit 

On December 19th we rented a van along with two other couples, Donna and Sandy, and Joanne and Andy.  Kim drove us to San Blas, in the State of Nayarit, for the day to do the Jungle Tour at La Tovara.  Kim, Douglas and I have done it twice already, but our friends had never done it.  It was a jam packed day but so much fun.  A guide took us on a boat (panga) through the estuary and mangrove swamps to a small zoo, then to a natural pool spring.  We saw amazing flora and fauna, a large variety of birds, many turtles, iguanas, and crocodiles.  I honestly could do this tour over and over again as it's so interesting and lots of fun too!  

We arrived!  Tailgate party at La Tovara

Ready to explore La Tovara

Travelling through the Estuary

Panga ride to the Zoo and natural spring

Huts built for a movie set 27 years ago
Mexican film 'Cabeza de Vaca' in 1991

Turtle

Turtle

Turtles on a log

Bird well camouflaged

Huge wingspan

Crocodile - well camouflaged

Swimming in the natural spring

Andy, Kim and Douglas having a swim

Kim and Douglas enjoying a swim

Andy, Sandy, Kim, Jan & Douglas, Joanne, Donna
Having lunch and beers together

Lunch and Beers at La Tovara Restaurant

What's next? 

We have lots of family coming this season starting with my niece and her husband on January 16th for a week, our son in early February, our daughter and 2 grandkids at the end of February, then my sister and parents arrive on March 9th for 2 weeks.  We're so happy to have family coming as we miss them all so much while we're away.  We booked our return flights and fly home on April 15th. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

Kim, Douglas and I want to wish our family and friends a very Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in 2018.  Of course we look forward to reconnecting with you all when we arrive home in mid April.

  

March and April 2017

Out and About in Mazatlan

Douglas in the cockpit of our boat

A few photo's to show you what we've been up to over the last few weeks.  Lots of sun, beach time, fun with friends, exploration and adventure!

Kim and Douglas having cuddle time at Stone Island

Kim and Douglas on the beach at Stone Island -
Weekends are extra busy with the locals

Margaritas, a song, and a game on Uno at Lety's on
 Stone Island with Douglas, Kim, Gary, Terry and Marilyn

A bird made its nest on the bow of a nearby sailboat,
docked at Marina El Cid

Sea Lion soaking up the sun at Marina Mazatlan

Kim and Douglas playing catch on the way to
Locos Locos Restaurant

After beach time, it's shower and dry off time for Douglas
He actually loves it now!

Fine Dining at El Presidio Restaurant for dinner
Kim, Jan, Dave, Gary, Marilyn, Karen and Dave

I had mushroom soup at
El Presidio - delicious!

Luc having a bit of fun with Mika on our way to Las Brochetas for dinner

Luc, Tina, Jan and Douglas enjoying a beer on our walk
to Las Brochetas

Annual boaters Hot Dog and Ice Cream crawl in the Golden Zone
There are about 10 Hot Dog stands in a row with oodles of
toppings to choose from

Kim enjoying BBQ Ribs at a Restaurant called
'Fat Fish'

Kim and Douglas cooling down in
the fountain at Marina Mazatlan

Douglas playing with his ball in the fountain at Marina Mazatlan
It's the perfect height for Douglas

Having a drink at the Beach Bar in the Gold Zone
The Beach was full due to it being Holy Week

Kim enjoying a beer at the Beach Bar

If you can see through the windshield of the Bus, there
is a huge traffic jam in the Gold Zone
It's due to it being Holy Week

Outdoor movie Night at Marina El Cid - Zootopia was playing
We have never seen so many people - about 60 people watched the movie! 

Road Trip to the Border

ETN Charter Bus
Comfortable but curtain is drawn -
passengers can't see out the
windshield

In order to stay a little longer to sail over to La Paz and then the Sea of Cortez, Kim had to get an extension on his Mexican Tourist Visa.  Luckily for us Bob and Bev offered to give him a ride to the border in Nogales when they left Mazatlan on March 2nd.  Kim then took an ETN charter bus to return to Mazatlan.  The return trip (to the border and back) was 2,320 kms. A long way but he managed to do it in just two days.

Narrow Highway with loose rocks on the cliffs

Nogales - highway runs above

Statues in Nogales

Nogales is clean but many buildings are run down

Nogales

Preparing the Boat for the Journey

Kim cleaning the hull and replacing the bow

thruster propellor one last time before heading

over to La Paz and the Sea of Cortez

In preparation for the sail to La Paz and the Sea of Cortez, Kim had to check all systems aboard.  He had the Chart Plotter repaired as the display failed, replaced the coolant in the Motor, and serviced the generator and windlass.  He also corrected an electrical problem with our solar panels, and replaced the propellor on our bow thruster, then climbed the mast to check everything was secure.  The boat has only left the dock on short journey's since December 2015, so he wanted to make sure all systems were good before embarking on the 700 nautical mile journey. 

Douglas on the bow of our boat keeping Kim
company while he cleaned the hull

Kim at the top of the mast checking everything
is secure

Kim at the top of the mast which is 50' high

Time at the Mall

Jan at the Theatre getting comfortable in the lazy boy chair

I went to a local mall with my friends, Tina and Luc, to see a movie, Beauty and the Beast.  The theatre was amazing with fully reclining lazy boy chairs, and you just press a button at your seat to order drinks (including alcohol), and food.  Cost for seeing the movie was a mere 70 pesos ($4.90 Canadian).  Amazing!

A big room full of trampolines at the mall for the kids (and adults) to wear off some energy

It's loaded with games and rides

This arcade is also in the Mall and the kids love it!

Tanya's sailboat "Kialoa" docked at nearby Isla Marina

A visit from a friend

It was a wonderful surprise to have our friend, Tanya, sail her full keel double ended cutter rig sailboat named "Kialoa" into Mazatlan.  We've been in Mexican waters for 4 years, and Tanya has been in Mexican waters for 3 years. This is the first time our paths have crossed in Mexico!  It was a short 4 day visit for Tanya but we had a lovely time together visiting, and catching up.  

Ed and Tanya enjoying some sun by the pool at Marina El Cid

Luc, Ed and Tanya enjoying dinner at the Plaza Machado 

Chantelle, Tina and Kim enjoying dinner at Gala Bistro Wine Bar
 at the Plaza Machado

What's Next?

This is our final blog update from Mazatlan for this, our 4th season.  Douglas and I are flying home on Sunday, April 16th.  The season has gone by so fast.  While I will miss our good friends here, I am looking very forward to reconnecting with family and friends back home over the next few months. Kim will continue his tropical vacation for another 5 weeks with a sail over to La Paz, then on to various anchorages in the Sea of Cortez.  Jason and our friend Bob will accompany him on the journey.  Kim is scheduled to fly home on May 20th.