Baja(Pacific)

Baja(Pacific) Mainland Mexico Sea of Cortez South Pacific

To be continued under “Mainland Mexico”

(see photo 23)

The Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas leg of our journey has been very different than we expected yet an interesting and enjoyable trip.

Turtle Bay to Cabo San Lucas

Dec 2005/January 2006

Cabo San Lucas

January 9, 2006 Enroute to Banderes Bay

We left Cabo San Lucas yesterday headed for Banderes Bay only to return with a belt and fuel problems. Not wanting to go inside the bay we anchored near the outer edge not far from the 226’ motor vessel, Attessa. They called on the VHF to make sure their helicopter, which was about to return to the ship, would not disturb us (see photo 21 & 22).

With all repairs complete we were off early this morning. We were greeted by more wind than forecast and from the wrong direction! It took us a while to get the sails reduced and to get her settled down but we had a very fast twenty-two hours before starting the engine.

We stand three-hour watches, ever mindful of our surroundings. We had almost no traffic through the night but the one freighter I did see come with in a mile of us. He was moving very fast!

Ralph reports being joined by dolphin while I was sleeping this morning. This group just hung out behind the boat rather than racing with us. The world’s dumbest booby also joined him. It spent an hour trying to decide if it should pick up his fishing lure, all the time diving and pecking at it. Now this particular lure is a cedar plug with a metal piece on the front. Wouldn't you think in that length of time he could figure out it wasn't a fish? No, he couldn't! He finally snagged himself. Thank goodness it was short lived. He freed himself too.

The Islas Tres Marietas Islands are just south of Punta de Mita on the north end of Banderas Bay. We fished all the way across, three hundred miles, day and night without a bite. We were inside the Islas Tres Marietas we saw birds on the water, small fish jumping and even some larger ones jumping. So rather than anchoring we circled inside the bay. It didn't take long and we had a nice big fish! Fresh tuna for lunch!

I was driving toward our chosen anchoring spot when Ralph hollered from the bow, "hard starboard!” I followed instructions and just missed the two whales in our path. I think we got pictures! We anchored near Punta de Mita at noon January 11, 2006

January 7, 2006 Cabo San Lucas

Yesterday, January sixth Our Country Home was twenty years old. I must say she looks pretty good for her age. We keep plugging away at the cosmetics and the general maintenance. It all pays off though because she performs very well.

I failed to mention the two fish we caught (well sort of caught) the day we came into Cabo. The first was a very small flying fish, too small to eat and already dead when we found on deck in the wee hours of the morning. The second was a near dead puffer fish found floating on the surface as we dinghyed into Cabo. We have no idea how they are preserved. Any help would be gratefully accepted. For now he’s hanging from the rigging.

With effort we are adjusting to life in the big city. It is very hard to describe our feelings. After six weeks on the outside of the Baja enjoying the fishing and the people it is a real shock to come into Cabo San Lucas. Ralph told me it was called Mexafornia but really one has to see it to actually realize what's here. Everything is very expensive. If we could find a slip it would cost $150.00 US per day. The harbor is full of Sport Fishing boats, most the very large to mega sized fishing yachts. I have never seen a more active harbor. The fishing armada starts out in the pre dawn hours and returns throughout the day and into the evening hours. It seems all these boats are equipped with the same throttle...full fast forward! They alone keep the entire bay and harbor stirred up. We have found the best thing to do here is to leave the boat soon after getting up, leave the dinghy safely tied to the dock and spend our time exploring town see (photo 20). The bus system is good so that makes getting around easy. The part of town around the harbor is new. There's a three-story mall and lots of other shops, restaurants and a movie theater on the harbor's edge. We tourists have forever changed Cabo San Lucas!

1-3-05 Anchored Cabo San Lucas

We have been up just twenty-four hours and we could see lights of Cabo glowing behind the landmass to our port side. Before long the famous lands end, the southern most point of Baja, was insight (see photo 18). The arch is a distinguishing feature (see photo19).

What a culture shock to arrive in Cabo San Lucas. Hotels line the beach. Instead of being the only boat in a Bay the size of San Francisco Bay we are anchored among many boats. There are parasail boats underway, PWC (personal water craft) buzzing about, glass bottom boats, tour boats, water taxies, water skiers, sport fishers by the hundreds, Banana Boats (that’s a yellow speedboat pulling a yellow raft behind), the cruise ships and their tenders, the less offensive wind surfers, kayakers, dinghies, and people by the thousands.

We went into town and checked in with the Port Captain and immigration so we are legally here. We had lunch at a little restaurant, went to the grocery store and stopped by a fuel dock. You can actually pull the boat up to this dock, receive a hose and fill from a diesel pump.

1-2-05 En-route to Cabo San Lucas

One never knows what's in store when a new day dawns. Today was no exception. We were up by five; OCH was ready to sail by six. Wanting to miss the lobster traps we waited for daylight to leave. While underway we monitor VHF channel 16. This morning we heard the sailboat and powerboat that left our anchorage last night talking. It seems the powerboat, Valkyrie, is experiencing fuel problems. Dolphin, the sailboat, was trying to reach the Mexican Navy without success.

We were 56 miles behind the powerboat, Valkyrie. They are fifteen miles behind Dolphin. We all tried reaching the Mexican navy without success.

Ralph is not one to give up. Before long he was on the Ham radio talking with one of the maritime nets. That station telephoned the US Cost Guard who in turn called the Mexican Navy. Ralph provided the necessary information and a navy vessel was underway from Cabo San Lucas before he was off the air. A few hours passed when we heard the Mexican navy trying to reach Valkyrie. For some reason they couldn't hear each other. Ralph and I acted as a go between. The cruise ship Norwegian Star called us to see if Valkyrie was in any immediate danger (none of them spoke Spanish). Ralph’s Spanish is much better than mine. Somehow we managed to get the Navy and Valkyrie together.

Bahia Magdalena

NEW YEARS DAY 2006

Yet another wonderful day in Bahia Magdelena.

After beaching the dinghy we walked around the village. Seems the "Fiesta on the Beach" the Port Captain invited us to was actually a series of private parties at various homes. We walked around saying our hello's, Feliz Ano Nuevo's and visiting a bit.

One of things I wanted to do was give away some recently replaced, experienced yet usable skillets. We picked a home, offered them to the lady of the house who gratefully accepted them. What a great way to recycle!

As we walked by the dance hall a man came out and spoke to us in bits of English. He was the band leader that had come from La Paz to play for the New Year's Dance. He was pleased to know we had attended the dance and enjoyed his music. He gave us a card and said that when we get to La Paz to look him up. As he put it "mi casa es su casa en La Paz". We watched as the three pangas were loaded to take him, his family and all the band equipment to their waiting car in San Carlos.

Continuing our walk around the village we noticed the Port Captain sitting on the deck of his home high up on the hill. Seeing us as well he waved for us to come up. When we arrived he introduced us to his family. There were family members from as far away as La Paz. He was trying to explain what the meat on the grill was and we were just not getting it. We guessed goat and sheep from the sounds he was making. One of the men couldn’t stand our guessing any longer and went away only to return with the ears, hooves and skin of a very small burro. Ralph thinks they were pulling our legs and I am taking what they showed us at face value. What ever it was it was very tasty! He also brought out some very nice croissant pieces for us. I fear we ate their "very special treat"...and it seemed rude not to. Before we left he asked us to dinghy over to the other boats in the bay and tell them they were welcome to join his family as well (see photo 17).

On the way back to the dinghy we encountered two little boys on their bikes (with training wheels). Ralph ran along side of them as though racing. They just loved it.... especially when they won! They were very interested in our dinghy and wanted to get into it. I told them no and they fully understood. They knew we were about to launch it and tried by themselves to push it down the beach into the water. It wasn't until Ralph joined them that they actually were able to launch her (see photo 16).

12-31-05 Magdelena Bay

The village has a desalination plant to make fresh water from salt water. The water is trucked to each home where it is pumped into a plastic barrel. Like most villages along the Baja, a generator creates their electricity that is delivered via power lines.

While in the village we saw a lady doing her laundry in the shade of her front porch. She was working on a tall sturdy stand. The stand had a flat surface on top. It may have been made of concrete. She put the dirty garment on the flat surface, splashed it with water from and elevated bucket, sprinkled it with laundry powder and scrubbed with a brush. As she scrubbed she splashed more cans of water over the garment until it was clean and rinsed. It looked like a lot of work and she already had several large items hanging on her cloths line (see photo 15).

The port captain returned from his holiday and visited us New Years Eve day. He’s a delightfully happy man who made checking in very easy (photo 14). He invited us (as he had several other boats) to the New Years Eve Dance. He told us there would be a Fiesta on the beach New Years Day with lots of food.

Now going to the dance required we go ashore in the dark, make a beach landing and secure the dinghy with line and anchor taken way up onto the beach. We have already done this several times in daylight so we had a pretty good idea of where we were going and how to handle it. And everything looks very different in the dark. I really wanted to wear my long red valor dress and fancy shoes but knowing a beach landing can be demanding (and that accidental swims do happen) I opted for Capri pants that I rolled up above my knees and warm shirts.

The Dance was interesting. It was held inside a concrete structure. The structure was made of local beach sand, complete with shells and was open overhead. There was a large concrete floor in the center surrounded by a sand floor.

We both arrived at the dance in wet Teva's still sporting bits of beach gravel. “Antonio” and the others welcomed us warmly. We paid our $250 pesos and were directed to take a chair from the stack against the wall. We recognized many of the partygoers as fisherman and children we had talked to in the village. They seemed to recognize us as well and made welcoming gestures.

We were seated where we could see folks coming into the dance. Whole families came (of course) with babies in strollers right up the oldest woman we have seen in the village. People were very dressed up. Many of the women came walking through the sand in very fancy high heal sandals and pretty dresses with plenty of sparkle. It was especially fun to see the little boys all dressed up in their new dress suits with wide shoulders and pant legs pushing down over very new boots and a new white straw dress hat. Very dapper!

While beer was available from the bar most partygoers brought bags of food and full bottles of hard liquor from home. Needless to say, “A good time was had by all!”

12-30-05 Magdalena Bay

Puerto Magdalena in Man Of War Cove became our home for several days. It is Christmas break and the schoolteacher is on holiday, so we gave the paper and pencils we brought for the school to Antonio. He’s the local storeowner, and agreed to pass them on to the teacher. Antonio’s store is very small. It has approximately thirty items for sale; fresh tomatoes, potatoes, chilies, tortilla, Me Se Ca corn flour, flour, sugar, oil, shortening, eggs, etc. and even a pair of shoes.

While in town we arranged for Antonio to take us, the 30-minute trip by panga to San Carlos. Three days in a row he did not show up at our boat as agreed. We are not quite sure what happened there! Maybe our Spanish or his lack of interest.

There is one restaurant. A private party was in progress when we walked by the first time. We inquired at the tienda to see if it was open to the public and were told it was open to all.

When we returned to the front of the restaurant to take a picture of the whalebones (see photo 13) a man approached and spoke to us in English. He was from Sacramento, CA and was visiting. We asked him about eating lunch and he said come in and told his friend Jose we wanted lunch. Jose, the owner, informed us that they were out of lobster (Jose is also a lobster fisherman and the buyer had already purchased their catch). He did have a fish. Jose, walked across the sand street took the one fish hanging under the palapa, filleted it, showed it to us and cooked the entire fish. It was served with fresh hot homemade tortillas and a family sized bowl of piping hot beans. A fantastic meal!

The local fishermen were very pleasant and willing to talk with us. Some were working on lobster traps others were getting bait ready for the next days work (see photo 12).

Shelling along this beach is GREAT! The best I have seen yet and it is hard to resist bringing them to the boat (see photo 11).

Puerto Magdalena is on an island and there has been some question about how the few vehicles they have arrived from San Carlos. During lunch we learned they put 2 pangas parallel to each other; parallel to the beach. They put 2 planks across the pangas and secure them. Next they make a ramp leading to the pangas and drive the vehicle onto the 2 awaiting pangas. Then slowly and carefully, they drive the pangas in tandem to Puerto Magdalena where they do the reverse. Mystery solved!!! This trip takes a panga 30 minutes at their normal high-speed travel.

Bahia Santa Maria

12-26-05 Bahia Santa Maria

After decorating OCH with paper chains and candles we baked ginger cookies. The cookies were delivered to the other anchored boats, along with an invitation to join us for a Christmas potluck. While family was missed, Christmas was great! There was lots of good food and great company.

The day after Christmas we snorkeled near the entrance to Bahia Santa Maria at Punta Hughes just below Cabo San Lazaro. There were Garbaldi, many types of angelfish, grouper, surgeonfish and mackerel. Ralph used his new spear gun for the first time and actually brought fish home for dinner.

12-22-05 Enroute to Bahia Santa Maria

We had a perfect daylight sail with fourteen knots of wind moving us along at a steady 6 to 7.5 knots. The weather is finally warm and the seas very gentle.

The fishing was great. Glenda caught her first California Barracuda leaving Abreojos (see photo 10). It was long, slender and had lots of teeth. Our fish identification book described it as a delicious and much sought after food fish. They were correct.

The wind died during the night and we motor sailed under a bright starlight sky. It was difficult to distinguish the stars on the horizon from approaching vessels, until the bright orange moon made its appearance. While we defiantly prefer sailing, motor sailing allowed us to arrive with a very cold refrigeration system, batteries fully charged, water tanks full and fresh homemade yogurt (made in the cabinet over the engine).

Nearing Bahia Santa Maria we could see a thick blanket of fog rolling from the anchorage over Cabo San Lazaro. We anchored in dense fog unable to see the shoreline (see photo 9).

Near the entrance to the bay we quickly picked up three tuna. As if that was not enough seafood, three different lobster fishermen stopped by right after we anchored. We traded with Marcos and Marcos Jr., the first to arrive. Four lobsters for four “D” size batteries, some canned fruit and candy. Marcos, one of many hard working lobster fishermen along the Baja, explained he needed a “hook” to help pull his lobster traps. He and Ralph spent several days getting it worked out. In the end, Ralph took the stainless carabiner off his climbing harness (used to go up the mast) and gave it to him Christmas Eve with a hearty “Fleiz Navidad”. This simple tool is going to make life a lot easier for Marcos and his son. They will now use their panga to pull the extremely heavy traps; the same way anchors are pulled on the Columbia River.

In 1994 Ralph and Our Country Home spent Christmas in Bahia Santa Maria. OCH and twelve other cruising boats took Christmas dinner up the estuary to the people of a small fish camp. Things have changed in eleven years. There are now some actual buildings and a few cars. Only five boats share this large anchorage and the several fish camps up the estuary. Most of the fishing families will go by truck to spend Christmas in San Carlos.

Punta Abreojos

12-19-05 Punta Abreojos

Today, a panga came speeding across the ocean toward us. Lobster fisherman! They really wanted beer but were very happy with two diet 7UP’s, two cans of pears and some M&M’s (see photo 8).

These fishermen told Ralph the fishing was good between there and the village.... and sure enough they were right. That night we shared our fresh fish dinner with our German friend, Stefan, who is a single hander on Ky Mani (see photo 7).

This was my first time to anchor right outside the surf line. The surf seems very close and the anchorage behind Punta Abreojos is rolly. The surfers love it! The second day we moved around to Campo En Medio where it was a bit more comfortable. This is another of the whale calving areas and the entrance to Laguna de San Ignacio Park. The park service has been planning to install new moorings here. Capt. Pat Rains, co-author of “Boating Guide to Mexico”, asked Ralph to confirm the completion or non-completion for their new Cruising Guide. None were found.

Bahia San Hipilito

12-19-05 San Hipilito

We were preparing to leave Bahia San Hipolito early Sunday morning, when a young man rowed his very small leaky panga, loaded with small octopus traps, out to “Our Country Home”. He was Juan’s eleven-year-old nephew, Eduardo. He’s learning English and reads very well, so we were able to communicate with the aid of our Spanish/English dictionary. I gave him some M&M’s that he seemed to enjoy even at seven AM. He asked for a tour of our boat. He told us he is planning to have a boat like ours in 10 years. We hope he does! We were soon joined by a twelve year old friend of Eduardo’s. I gave him candy as well. After accepting the M&M’s he rowed astern of OCH, set his little rebar anchor and went to work with his knife on one of his small traps. In a bit, he pulled his little anchor, rowed back over to me and handed me a live octopus. He wanted to give us something for the candy. Ralph said he was trying to explain to me (in Spanish) that it would be very good fried. After thanking him we explained to both boys it was time to leave so they both rowed away (see photo 6).

Once underway we noticed that many birds were feeding on the water, so we got our lines into the water quickly! We were not even clear of the bay when we picked up the first Mexican Bonito, a nice one quickly followed by a double. That’s plenty of fish for now! This entire day we were accompanied by hundreds of dolphin (see photo 5). In fact they stayed with us right into the Punta Agreojos anchorage. Ralph had to ask them to please move in order to drop the anchor.

Bahia Asuncion

12-18-05 Bahia Asuncion

We managed to snag the line of a lobster trap around a zinc bolt leaving Asuncion. While this is not a bit funny, it was very funny to watch the young seals gather around and begin playing with the line and float. They even jumped over it. Thankfully Ralph quickly removed the line, the trap was reset and we were on our way.

12-14-05 BAHIA ASUNCION

After an amazingly bright overnight sail we anchored in Bahia Asuncion mid morning. We were just inside the bay when we received a call on the VHF radio from Sheri, a Canadian woman, married to a local man named Juan. Sheri was offering her services and friendship. The hook (anchor) was no more than secure when two lobster fishermen came near to check their traps. The traps were filled to the top with lobster. Each one was measured and many of them were quickly tossed back because they were too small. The fisherman offered to sell us lobster but we bartered for two cans of pears.

We enjoyed our time with Sheri and Juan, their two horses, chickens, Nico the owl (see photo 4), a puppy and their cat. Their home is situated high atop the point overlooking the ocean and coastline, a beautiful view. Sheri let me do laundry in her washing machine, which is outside and shares the amazing view you see behind Nico the owl. Sheri took us shopping at a small mercado, showed us her favorite products, and taught us to make tortillas, while both she and Juan helped us with our Spanish. In the village we purchased a kilo of scallops from a local fisherman. Sheri used them to make burritos and Juan made sushi for our dinner.

We needed to check out the mast. There was a spot that was difficult to pull the sail over when hoisting the main. Ralph donned the climbing gear and Glenda hoisted him with the main halyard and the anchor windlass (see photo 3).

While in Bahia Asuncion our friends, the Schmids and their friend, Frank, on s/v Lawur arrived. They brought our mail and a few needed items from San Diego. Together we enjoyed beach combing, tide pool exploration in Juan and Sheri’s front yard and a trip to the desert to look for hidden treasures.

Ensenada to Turtle Bay

December 2005

Turtle Bay

12-7-2005 Turtle Bay

A new day in Turtle Bay, no wind and the sun is out! Two different men greeted us this morning. Jorge who has a fuel delivery, garbage pick up and taxi service via his panga and Miguel who came in his ocean kayak (see photo 2) offering laundry and garbage service. Miguel could smell our morning coffee and asked for a cup. I invited him into the cockpit, served fresh hot coffee and tried to visit. His English is much better than our Spanish. As it turns out he’s a bit of a con man. He told me his birthday was tomorrow, he would be forty. He also wanted to bring lobster or abalone to us...free. It was only after I accepted and Ralph became involved that I learned I had agreed to cook it for Miguel for his birthday. Anyway we had a deal.

Wanting to do something nice for him I baked a birthday cake. The next morning Miguel met us on the beach. He gave us a tour of town, which included the church, school, bakery and the tienda where we purchased needed items to prepare our Abalone burritos’. He absolutely could not believe we didn’t have tortillas on the boat. Once back on board Our Country Home, Miguel watched me in the kitchen until he couldn’t stand it any longer. I allowed him to take over the kitchen he sang and laughed as he finished preparing a great meal. We finished the meal with a birthday cake, complete with candle and sang “Happy Birthday to Miguel”. He even made a wish before blowing out the candle! Of course it was later I learned Miguel has a birthday every time a new cruising boat anchores in Turtle Bay.

Before our stay in Turtle Bay was over had we purchased abalone shell jewelry from him, made another cake (this one for his family) and enjoyed sharing our morning coffee with him every morning.

12-5-05 Enroute to Cedros Island

Twenty-six hours after leaving Bahia San Quintin we could see Isla Cedros. The plan to stop at the San Benito Islands was scrubbed with hopes of reaching Isla Cedros’ Southern anchorage, Bahia del Sur, before dark. Maybe there we will go ashore.

We arrived at Bahia del Sur too late to anchor in daylight. Not wanting to enter an unfamiliar anchorage, without even moonlight, we decided stay out for the night. Our plan, circle the island counter clockwise arriving back at the anchorage at first light. Then we will go ashore and begin exploring Isla Cedros!

Right, well wrong again! The strong Santa Anna winds that were forecast hit us as we rounded Punta Morro Redondo. With only a double reefed main and staysail we still needed to reduce sail. Very little seaway was available because there were islands on both sides of us and the Baja ahead. Ralph’s plan was now to turn away from land and sail west into open ocean. By midnight we decided to skip Cedros altogether and head to Turtle Bay. It was a very lumpy ride over. We anchored in nearly 30 knots of wind. The strong wind blew very fine silt off the shore that mixed with the saltwater covering the boat to create mud. No matter! We will rest while this blows out.

Bahia San Quintin

12-1-05 Bahia San Quintin

Today we sailed the short distance from Isla San Martin to Bahia San Quintin. Here we hoped to fish and to dine at the restaurant Toni Flores recommended as one of her favorites, again weather kept us on the boat. While this anchorage is not as rolly, wind and wind chop created so much saltwater spray we chose not to launch the dinghy.

When the wind did let up, the fog set in. There's a huge estuary east of the anchorage. We felt this contributed to the fog so we decide to press on. No wonder most people just push right on down the outside until they reach Cabo San Lucas!

Isla San Martin

12-27-05 Enroute Punta Baja

We left Ensenada, located near the north end of the Baja with plans to stop, explore and fish at most of the anchorages along the outside. Unfortunately the seas and the weather did not get the message.

Sailing was great! It was obvious that the seas were high enough that to anchor behind Punta Banda and bottom fish would be uncomfortable. Large swells meant passing up Puerto Santo Tomas and Bahia Colonet, where we planned to stop.

Our fist glimpse of Isla San Martin, in the pre dawn light, was a welcome sight. We tucked into Caleta Hassler and enjoyed a perfectly calm day and night. We watched the fishermen tend their traps in front of what looked like an abandoned fishing village (see photo 1). We enjoyed seeing the setting sun turn the island and nearby Baja beautiful shades of pink and blue.

Winds of 30 knots out of the North Northwest were forecast for the next day. With that information we moved around to the South side of the spit to a spot in front of the lagoon. While we were in no danger the winds and seas kept the dinghy and us aboard. The idea of trying to get the dinghy back on board if conditions worsened and we needed to pull anchor quickly was not appealing. We took advantage of being boat bound to read and rest while we waited for better weather.

San Diego to Ensenada

November 2005

Well believe it or not we finally got out of San Diego on Sunday November 20,2005. A bright and sunny day greeted us that morning. We even had wind and set sail immediately out of Point Loma. We enjoyed a wonderful sail across the California/Mexican boarder, past the Coronado Islands and south towards Ensenada, Mexico.

We arrived in Ensenada at approximately 9:30 a.m. on November 21, 2005. Once inside the harbor we located Baja Naval Marina/Boatyard and anchored. This was also next to the Cruise ship terminal.

We went ashore and located Roger at Baja Naval Marina. Roger then began assisting us with the check-in procedure. We provided the documents and he filled in the blanks, made copies and within 2 hours we were legally checked into the Country (see photo below). He gave us lots of information to help us become acquainted with Ensenada. We decided to take advantage of Baja Naval's services which included this wifi connection to update our web site, a free shuttle to Super Gigante grocery store, very clean restrooms and showers, free 10 minute phone calls to the US, a secure place to tie up our dingy and information on good and inexpensive places to eat. Roger and all the staff here a Baja Naval have been very friendly and helpful. If we have a questions they have answers and point us in the correct direction.

The map Roger gave us assisted in locating the SCT office. We both needed to obtain reciprocal Mexican Ham License. These are required in order to legally talk and send email via Ham radio while in Mexican waters. This turned out to be a wonderful experience. The lady that assisted us was very helpful. She spoke very little English and our Spanish vocabulary is very lacking. But we got along just fine with lots of smiles and patience. Once all of the paper work was filled out, copied and stamped we went on the the next step. She gave us a map, which took us to a Banamex Bank. There we were to deposit the required funds into the SCT account so that she could issue the certificate. It was 4 blocks this way and 5 blocks that way and then return. "No caro" OH!! mas dificil! We set out on our bank adventure. Once at the bank we took a number, waited and then described in our best Spanish what we needed to accomplish. Back at the ranch, oops, SCT office we handed our paid receipt to this wonderful lady and we completed our business. She was even gracious enough to have her picture taken with Glenda when the process was complete, (see photo below)

With the legal matters completed we decided to check out the local fish market and stopped at one of the many fish taco restaurants for lunch. With so many to choose from it was difficult to know were to eat. We made our decision, I think because they offered us "just one to try". It turned out to be an enjoyable meal complete with local mariache music. Watching the restaurant personnel compete for would be customers as they walked by was a real kick. First one, then the next and on down the row of restaurants would come out the door to "invite" the potential diners to come in. Each tried very hard to get potential customers to enter their establishment, proclaiming their fish tacos to be "the best!"

We are really enjoying the Mexican people. They seem so happy and so eager to help us in any way they can. They can tell we need a lot of help with our Spanish!

Another day we took a local bus (a first for Glenda) to COSTCO. The busses here are more like large vans. The drivers seem to be competing for passengers and will stop most any place to pick them up. Stops are quick with the heal of the exiting passenger barely clear before the door closes and the bus speeds off. My only concern while on this bus was when the bus driver did the sign of the cross and then touched the cross hanging from the rear view mirror!

As for our COSTOCO shopping...the intent was to compare this one to the ones in the States. It looked very familiar. The paint job, general lay out and outside food court were all the same. Only the words looked different. Naturally we couldn't leave without purchasing a few irresistible items and a new pair of shoes.

Fish Market Taco Restaurants

Now that we have "BEEN THERE and DONE THAT", it is time to think about our next port of call. Stay tuned, as we head South along the outside of the Baja!