Galley crew.
Surfer dude? Super senior surfer dude to you!
In the Jungle, New Years Eve. Too loud and lousy cocktails!
We look great, don't we!!
The twosteppers. Whos leading here?
La Paz
New Years
2008
Proud Papa
Proud Papa
Dancin in the streets, New Years 2008
Tequila y Mariachi bar. Ask Kristy about how she won her red cowgirl hat!!
Takin a twirl with dad.
No way are you stiking me this this thing!!!!
Well hello, cowgirl! Jorge comes
to say Adios
Moonrise over Isla Partida Hiking in Ensenada Grande Marina de La Paz sunset
This voyage is about 2 things, people and places. Places come naturally as we are visiting some beautiful and different locales as where people are what really make this experience special. We have just left La Paz and the Sea of Cortez after spending 6 weeks roaming around wonderful islands, villages, beaches and towns. It was sad to leave because this amazing area has become a part of us and will be with us forever.
Another reason it was tough to leave is because of the new friends we have made. My eldest daughter, Kristy, came to visit for Christmas and New Years and it was during an evening out that we met a wonderful couple, Jorge and Bonnie Morales. Jorge, originally from Mexico City is a Captain and pilot in the Mexican Navy and Bonnie, originally, from Ontario, Canada have been together for around 30 years. After we "closed the joint", we were invited back to their house for what was to become the first in a number of get togethers during the holiday season. By the time we left, Jan 5th, Bonnie put it best when she said, "Although you are new friends, it seems like you are old friends". Linda, Kristy, Rob and I (Pat was off on a weeks charter, partying till the bulls came home and working his ass off) enjoyed our times with them very much and they showed us a bit of La Paz that we probably would not have experienced. To top it all off, about 2 hours after we departed from La Paz, Jorge buzzed us in 1 of the helicopters he instructs in. As you can see from the images, he hovered just above the sea, about 70-80 ft. off our starboard side for about 4-5 minutes. It was amazing with the wash from the blades, the noise and the proximity of the chopper. Nothing like that had ever happened to any of us. I can't find the words to describe the thrill that it gave us all. WOW!!!!!!!!!!
Another reason it was tough to leave is because of the new friends we have made. My eldest daughter, Kristy, came to visit for Christmas and New Years and it was during an evening out that we met a wonderful couple, Jorge and Bonnie Morales. Jorge, originally from Mexico City is a Captain and pilot in the Mexican Navy and Bonnie, originally, from Ontario, Canada have been together for around 30 years. After we "closed the joint", we were invited back to their house for what was to become the first in a number of get togethers during the holiday season. By the time we left, Jan 5th, Bonnie put it best when she said, "Although you are new friends, it seems like you are old friends". Linda, Kristy, Rob and I (Pat was off on a weeks charter, partying till the bulls came home and working his ass off) enjoyed our times with them very much and they showed us a bit of La Paz that we probably would not have experienced. To top it all off, about 2 hours after we departed from La Paz, Jorge buzzed us in 1 of the helicopters he instructs in. As you can see from the images, he hovered just above the sea, about 70-80 ft. off our starboard side for about 4-5 minutes. It was amazing with the wash from the blades, the noise and the proximity of the chopper. Nothing like that had ever happened to any of us. I can't find the words to describe the thrill that it gave us all. WOW!!!!!!!!!!
The last 2 weeks have also been very special for me and Linda because Kristy chose to spend her Christmas and New Years with us. After missing her original flight to Loreto(not her fault as Alaska changed the flight times and she was not notified), we had to high tail it to La Paz in horrendous weather to meet her as there were no more flights into Loreto. We sailed almost 24 hrs. straight through 30540 knot winds, short, steep swells of 14-15 feet and wind whipped seas that had Don Pedro encrusted with salt spray. At times we were surfing over 13 knots and almost half of the boat was out of the water when it settled back into the trough of the swell. Happily, we got to La Paz in time to meet her when she arrived from the airport. After Christmas and a short time to rest up and for the winds to subside a little, we headed up to Isla Espiritu Santu for 4 days of snorkeling, hiking and beach time. Linda and I loved the time we got to have with her as it seems that once your child is out of school and on her own way through the world, you don't get many chances to hang out and spend quality time together. Then it was "back to La Paz "for New Years and what a New Years it was!!! Dancing to a Mexican country band on the sidewalk outside a bar called, Tequila and Mariachi. Kristy got hauled out of the audience to participate in a dancing contest. She showed em how Canadian girls can boogie.
Pat, in the meantime had accepted a crew position for a weeks charter on a luxurious 95 ft. sailboat, Odyssius. He did everything from making beds to mixing and serving cocktails for the owner, his wife and 4 friends. He was at their beck and call 18-20 hrs. a day for 7 days. They departed from La Paz and did a round trip to Cabo San Lucas where they spent New Years. He was a bit burned out by the time he got back but had a great time and put some hard earned cash in his pocket. You will have to ask him for details...my lips are sealed!
It was hard to say goodbye to Kristy because I might not see her for a long time and she has become an absolutely delightful, funny and charming woman. It seems like only yesterday....... I'm going to miss her very much. The next time I'll see her will be either Tahiti or New Zealand.
On Jan the 5th we depated La Paz for Bahia de los Muertos(Bay of the dead..yikes!) where we spent a restful night. We were up at 4 AM to get a good start for the 200 mile crossing of the southern Sea of Cortez to Mazatlan where we arrived at 10 AM the next morning. It was an uneventful crossing with very little wind and we are now in the Marina El Cid Resort complex complete with 2 pools, swim up bar and a golf course. After doing a little boat maintanence and visiting the old part of Mazatlan, we will push off for a 2 week long cruise down the coast to Puerto Vallarta stopping in a couple of charming little coves and pueblos along the way. Linda's sister, Judy and her husband Dave are planning to be there at the same time and her son Adam will visit for a week also.
Thats it for now. Gotta go now! Its happy hour at pool # 1, followed by happy hour at pool # 2 and then by happy hour in the main hotel bar. Don't ya jus luv it!!
Happy New Year to all of you, we hope you all have a happy and prosporoue 2008.
Love from me, Linda, Pat and Rob.
