Ready or not, here I come Isla San Benitos – Mexico
Our temporary home at Cruiseport Village Marina. This is adjacent to where the Cruise Ships tie up for their three & seven day cruises from Los Angeles. It’s also where we first had our floating home on the West Coast after being transported from Spain (via Dockwise). Ensenada – Mexico
We decided to top off on fuel at Marina Corral. This marina is about 2 miles from the main harbor in Ensenada. It was a perfect day. Ensenada – Mexico
Captain Ed of the fishing vessel “Lunker” was our dock mate and became a good friend. Not only was he a delight, but a wealth of information about the Mexican coast toward our next destinations. Ensenada – Mexico
Ed specializes in rock fish using rod and reel. His market is in Southeast Asia and the fish are shipped live. His boat was a US Navy “gig” (craft for ferrying officers to and from ship). With great skill and care, Ed keeps “Lunker” from being a clunker…………:) Ensenada – Mexico
This huge Mexican Flag flies in Ensenada Harbor at a monument in tribute to important persons in Mexican history. It is supposedly the largest flag in Mexico and flown proudly here in Ensenada. The “bollard” (red metal object) next to Cindy is used to tie the Cruise Ships up when visiting. Ensenada – Mexico
We use a vacuum bagging system for long term storage of certain food items like frozen meats. When getting ready to go offshore, we have to provision (in this case), for up to 6 weeks without being near a real market. The Pacific Coast of Baja California is virtually empty once we leave Ensenada for the next 700 miles. Scott has been known to borrow this device to store spare engine and generator parts……:} Ensenada – Mexico
Cruiseport is a very beautiful, well maintained, security marina right in the heart of downtown Ensenada. Ensenada – Mexico
Scott dresses with great optimism! It was 57 degrees and rained the whole next day Ensenada – Mexico
There are actually two large cruise ship docks adjacent to our marina. They come and go and we never hear a sound. Cindy saw this sunset with “Elation” in the background. Ensenada – Mexico
We were invited to a Cruisers Brunch at Baja Mama’s at Estero Beach just south of Ensenada. We were able to finally meet the many voices we had heard on the “Net” (local VHF radio gathering) of the expats who were transiting or in some cases, live in Ensenada. Ensenada – Mexico
This is truly a beautiful building with extensive grounds Ensenada – Mexico
Ensenada
Scott poses with this fountain. There was a tile fresco behind this fountain in respect of the Mexican soldiers who died defending Northern Baja California in the war against the USA. Forturnately, that was a long time ago Ensenada – Mexico
Cindy in what was once an active Church on the Cultural Center grounds Ensenada – Mexico
Ensenada – Mexico
Right across the street from our Marina is one of the most beautiful buildings in Ensenada. It’s an historic cultural & civic center. The architecture is colonial reminiscent of Alhambra, Spain. This building was at one time a casino and currently displays the history of Mexican discovery in placards throughout its gardens. There is an outdoor theater and if the story is true, the bar where the “Margarita” was invented Ensenada – Mexico
Dave & Diane came along for the boat ride and to give us a hand fueling up at Marina Corral Ensenada – Mexico
Diane and Dave came for the test sail when we got the mainsail back from “El Norte”. It’s a bit chilly as you can see by Diane’s hat…….You betcha snookums…….:) Ensenada – Mexico
Scott went up the mast to check the rigging after the big Santa Ana blow we got on the way down from San Diego on Christmas Day. We had brought the mainsail back to Costa Mesa for some minor repairs. We took advantage of this time to do some maintenance. On Cindy’s B-Day no less! Ensenada – Mexico
The various wires and cables that hold the mast up straight in the air had streched a bit since our refit last year. This is a normal settling in effect. Scott went up the mast to adjust the “tuning”. Cindy uses the electric halyard winch and bosun’s chair to haul Scott up and down. We use a primary and safety line anytime we go up the mast. Note the Mexican Flag being flown from the starboard (right) side of the mast. This is done as a courtesy when visiting any foreign country by visiting boats and ships of all types. Ensenada – Mexico
These statues are of Juarez, Hildago and Carranza, Heroes to the Mexican people. The flag in the background is one of the largest in Mexico. Ensenada – Mexico
Dave of “Tattooed Mistress”. Dave & Diane are two American kids, doin’ the best they can……..(with apologies to JCMellencamp). They will eventually head south next season Ensenada – Mexico
La Bufadora is just south of Ensenada and is famous for its “Blow Hole”. This is natural feature where the ocean swell is forced into a small cavern and compresses the water through an opening to make a spectacular geyser. This day was very crowded with local tourists, a festive day was had by all La Bufadora – Punta Banda – Mexico
Cindy & Scott started some local touring with our new friends Sharon & John from “Sunbow” and old friends from Marina del Rey, Dave & Diane on “Tattooed Mistress” La Bufadora – Mexico
Here is the tile sign proclaiming that the bar at the Ensenada Cultural Center is the birthplace of the MARGARITA……….read on. Hey, who knew the Caesar Salad was invented in Tijuana? (It really was!) Ensenada – Mexico
Marina Corral has a very narrow entrance and as it was calm, the perfect day for going there. Captain Cindy fearlessly guided us through the breakwaters. The week before, a small vessel was caught in large swells and washed up on the rocks…….. Ensenada – Mexico
You can see in this photo, the “bollard” from the previous photo being used to tie the bow of Carnival Cruises’ “Paradise” up to the dock here at Cruiseport Village. Everyday, hundreds of people arrive and leave from the two cruise ship docks. They almost never stay overnight. Ensenada – Mexico
We went for a walk down the Ensenada “Malecon” (boardwalk). We came upon this sign which is translating sea lions as “marine wolves”. Of course the locals completely ignore its admonition. There is a large colony of “marine wolves” living on the wreck of the old Catalina Island Ferry boat located right outside Cruiseport Village Marina. Ensenada – Mexico
Our temporary home at Cruiseport Village Marina. This is adjacent to where the Cruise Ships tie up for their three & seven day cruises from Los Angeles. It’s also where we first had our floating home on the West Coast after being transported from Spain (via Dockwise). Ensenada – Mexico
