We had originally planned on being much further south and visiting Carmina in Guatemala. However, we decided to slow down (way down!) and invtied Carmina to come visit us in La Paz. La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
Sea of Cortez, Mexico
We visited Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla Partda and took Carmina with us on a real sailing vacation. La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
While we were here, we were visited by Scott’s ex-patients, Don & Bev Anderson. Don was a 17 year old Marine at the battle of Iwo Jima. Mazatalan – Mexico
This Church is in the main square of old town Mazatlan. Mazatalan – Mexico
We stopped between the two islands and then Cindy suggested to Carmina a swim to the shore. La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
Cindy gave Carnina snorkeling lessons and she did terrific. La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
I love candid photos like this. We were just walking by this open door barber shop in old town and got this great shot of a local getting his hair cut…. Mazatalan – Mexico
This is the Angela Peralta theater near the main square. The theater was named after the famous Mexican singer who died just before opening night from Yellow Fever. Mazatalan – Mexico
This theater was restored and saved from certain demolition. In the museum, there are photos of the collapsed roof and a 20 year old tree growing in the middle of what is now the main stage. Mazatalan – Mexico
While we were in Mazatlan, we stayed at the El Cid Marina and Hotel. They had a pool. Cindy was happy. Mazatalan – Mexico
Cindy and I decided to get some exercise and hike up the hill that houses Mazatlan’s light house. “Isla Creston’. Mazatalan – Mexico
We had a nice couple of days swimming and kickin back at Ensenada Grande. Scott changed the zinc anodes on the propellers and sail drives while we were here (via Scuba). La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
Isla Creston Light Mazatalan – Mexico
The sun was setting and the light turned golden at Ensenada Grande La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
Carmina kickin back at Marina Costa Baja. La Paz – Mexico
The view of the “malecon” (boardwalk) was fabulous. Mazatalan – Mexico
We’d had a great time and hope to see Carmina in Guatemala in arround March of 2009!…Adios La Paz – Mexico
While we were atop Isla Creston, we met these three US Navy guys off USS Antietam down here for a meet and greet tour. Mazatalan – Mexico
We went back to La Paz around the east side of the Islands and back through the main channel that leads to La Paz Bay. These are the types of vessels we always have to be on the look out for in our travels. This channel is only 1/2 mile wide of navigable water for a vessel of this size. La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
There are lots of statues and art pieces along the “malecon” in Mazatlan. This is Mexico’s longest ocean front walk. Mazatalan – Mexico
Views of the Malecon. Mazatalan – Mexico
After a brief stay in Mazatlan, we did an overnight passage to Los Pulmos Marine Park on the Baja California side of the Sea. Cindy was thrilled to FINALLY get to go diving. It was actually a pretty bumpy passage. Scott felt a little off. Cindy got in the water…as fast as she could. Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
This rocky outcropping is about 1/4 mile north of Isla Partida and has some very famous dive sites (such as the El Bajo Seamounts) located within a few miles of it. La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
This is Los Islotes where we tried to go diving with Careys Diving, but the panga broke down. There is a large sea lion colony here. La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
Cindy caught me in the act. La Paz and surrounding Islands, Mexico
After a long night, we arrived from Mazatlan about 165 miles across the southern “Sea of Cortez” Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
We saw this tanker heading up toward La Paz at sunrise Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
We hadn’t used our dive compressor much, only to fill up to clean the bottom of the boat. NOW, we’d finally get to go diving! Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
We had done a few dives inside the dive park and now we’re just south at Los Frailes. Cindy saw a small sea lion colony and said…LETS GO. Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
This big boy was king. We saw lots of his queens underwater while diving at the point. Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
Sunrise at Los Frailes (Jim Lenthall). Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
These two photos were taken by Jim & Linda Lenthall. Two retired Southern California MD’s aboard their Nordhaven 47, m/v “Outward Bound”. Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
After the jumping rays, we caught the morning rays en-route to Los Muertos. Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
This is one of the more unusual (but usual here) sights in “The Sea”. JUMPING RAYS. These are locally known as “Tortilla Rays”. Several species of Rays jump, including the giant mantas. It is believed that they do this as a feeding strategy….or maybe just for fun? This species is quite common and are called Golden Cownose Rays. Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
Lift off! Sometimes they flap their “wings” like a bird. I think they’re just trying to evolve….:) Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
Occasionaly, we would see them do flips. Looked more like fun, than feeding… Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
We were motoring to Los Muertos and had just upped anchor when this display took place. It went on for a half an hour. Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
Sort of a close encounter of the fishy kind. Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
As you can see from this and the previous photo, it truly looks as if they’re trying to fly Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
Los Pulmos – Los Frailes, Baja California – Mexico
Here’s Jim & Linda’s Nordhaven 47 m/v “Outward Bound”. Lots of (especially) coastal cruisers have opted for the trawler option. Lots of space, less work (no sails). A bit more in the fuel department, but overall very nice boats to live aboard with exception space for their size. Los Muertos – Mexico
This is a chain of restaurants that cater to the “Gringo Crowd”. It did seem a bit out of place in this sleepy little village. But the nearby city of La Paz gets closer every year! Los Muertos – Mexico
Linda & Jim Lenthall. Lunch at the Gigglin Marlin. The very best Chile Rellano in Mexico! Los Muertos – Mexico
The Giggling Marlin Los Muertos – Mexico
The sign says it all Los Muertos – Mexico
After lunch with the old gang, we took a walk on the La Paz Malecon. La Paz is our favorite “big city” in coastal Mexico with Mazatlan a very close second. La Paz – Mexico
While in La Paz, we met up with Marv & Ardy of s/v “Odyssey” and Sharon and John of s/v “Sunbow” who were staying at Marina de La Paz. Marv and Ardy’s son had just recently qualified for the US Olympic team and we got to break the good news to them in previous weeks via HF RADIO!… La Paz – Mexico
La Paz even has it’s own “Wyland Wall”. If I remember, this is number 77. La Paz – Mexico
While we were here, we had to take advantage of the La Paz areas near islands and well known dive sites. La Paz – Mexico
This is Mauro, he’s the naturalist divemaster for Careys Diving in La Paz La Paz – Mexico
Our panga broke down (welcome to Mexico), so we took advantage of the many dive spots the La Paz area has to offer and stopped here at Ballena (whale) Island. Later in our trip, we saw two very large humpback whales 100 yards from here. La Paz – Mexico
Cindy and Mauro….35 feet deep. La Paz – Mexico
The La Paz area has a well enforced National Park policy. This is to keep the local islands in good ecological shape and prevent illegal fishing. La Paz – Mexico
This is an artificial reef. A ship sank by the Mexican Government to act as habitat for local species and attract the diving tour business. Look closely at the bottom left and you will see the camoflaged “Scorpion Fish” that Cindy is looking at here on the wreck of “Fang Ming”. We’re about 60 feet deep here. La Paz – Mexico
This is Matias, our divemaster for the trip hovering above “Fang Ming”. La Paz – Mexico
This is s/v “Arana” owned by John Caroll. John moved his boat here permanently from Marina del Rey at the California Yacht Club where he was our neighbor. Small Ocean uh? La Paz – Mexico
When we finally arrived in La Paz the next day, we stayed at Marina Costa Baja. This is perhaps one of the most expensive and facility featured marinas in Mexico. Hard wire internet at the dock, lovely pool and beach restaurant too. La Paz – Mexico
Cindy really enjoyed this infinity pool. Warm, clear and uncrowded. Scott did underwater camera tests here. La Paz – Mexico
Relaxation was actually possible. However, we were selling a house from here over the internet, scanning and running around trying to find a US notary. We had to drive 3 1/2 hours each way to Cabo San Lucas to have the US consular agent notarize the Grant Deed. Relaxation my rear. La Paz – Mexico
