La Paz

We arrived at Marina Palmira in La Paz before noon.  This was to be our home for the next ten days.  As usual, the first order of business was to fill the tanks with diesel.  Something we like to do straight away so that when we do leave it’s simply a matter of backing out of the slip and pulling out of the marina.

Once in our assigned slip, we made an effort to get the boat cleaned up.  The Sea of Cortez has a much higher salt concentration than the Pacific and after only a week away from the docks the boat was covered in dry salt.  Unfortunately, we only were able to do a quick rinse off before the water on our dock was turned off.  Apparently a supply hose had broken and it would be several days before it was repaired.  We’ve come to expect these inconveniences here in Mexico.  It’s the sort of thing that happens on a regular basis and certainly supports the saying we all can recognize, “Manna”.

There is an active cruising community in La Paz.  Among other activities, they have a morning VHF net.  The usual format is to check on everyone’s well health and well being, followed by arrivals and departures, swaps and trades, weather, and assistance in finding what you need while in La Paz.  We started every day by listening to the net at 8 AM.

There was much to do while in La Paz.  We of course wanted to experience the city and all that it had to offer, but there was some boat maintenance, laundry, provisioning, etc.  Life goes on.  In the end, we managed to limit the chores and maintenance to a few hours in the cool of the mornings and made daily runs into town.

The malecon (water front or something like that) is typical of most Mexican resort communities, but much less in your face when it comes to being hit up to buy something every step you take.  We did stroll up and down the water front on several occasions and even had dinner out at a couple of restaurants.  Our favorite activity though was heading up into the neighborhoods and exploring off the beaten path.  Janet found an artisan shop called Casa Parra that had traditional art from all the regions of Mexico.  Prices were very reasonable so of course she couldn’t resist, buying a beautiful hand made shawl from Chiappas.

On our third evening in La Paz, the La Paz Marina threw a party for the Ha Ha boaters in town.  It was quite an affair with dancers, mariachi, dinner, free beer and door prizes.  We didn’t win anything, but it was great to see all of the people from the event again and to share our boating plans for the next several months.

 We spent Thanksgiving in La Paz.  Janet made up a tasty pork roast and the two of us celebrated on the boat.  Our invited guests had to cancel because of an illness.  Much of that was going around.  Maybe it’s the water?  Or maybe that shrimp salad at the Bahia Santa Maria Ha Ha party?

After a wonderful ten days, we made plans with David and Barbara on sv Zoe to head out to Isla Espiritu Santa for a few days before heading across the sea to Mazatlan.  A few days at the islands would be great to just relax and let this Mexico thing settle in.

Sunset from the back of the boat at Marina Palmira in
La Paz on Thanksgiving.

The Thanksgiving pork roast.  It was mighty tasty.

Paul and Janet at McFishers in La Paz.  This place had
the best fish even though the name was a bit funky.
Note Paul's cool haircut.  $5 at the local
peluqueria (barbershop).