Friday 14 April 2017

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.