In November 2009 I sailed on the Islander Freeport 41 Jammin' from San Diego to La Paz, Mexico.
Islander Freeport 41 Jammin' at the dock in San Diego |
Start of the 2009 Baja Haha cruisers rally |
Around 150 boats started on the 2009 Baja Haha. It was quite a sight with a lot of the boats flying the spinnaker.
Dolphins at the bow |
Often there were dolphins around the boat.
Capt'n Jim |
Captain Jim at the helm. We could never tell if he was asleep or not.
Peak |
After one week on the boat, I needed to get some real exercise and decided to hike up to the tallest peak I could see. Still only 1000ft, but all cross country and steep. Did not see any wildlife to speak off despite the area's reputation for scorpions.
Entrance to Bahia Santa Maria |
View from the top looking south. Wide entrance to Bahia Santa Maria.
The Baja fleet at anchor |
Plenty of space for the Baja fleet in Bahia Santa Maria.
Jim and Martin on Sax |
When I got back from my hike, the beach party was in full swing. Captain Jim and crew Martin had joined the Mexican band to play some tunes.
Looks like we hooked something |
Fishing around Cabo San Lucas is very good.
Yellowfin Tuna |
Yellowfin Tuna |
With a 100 pound breaking strenght line, you just lift the fish out of the water
That is how you hold them |
Once on board, you secure the fish by holding on to the tail and don't let go.
Scott and Martin |
Scott and Martin were happy with their first fish.
Sashimi |
By the time we were at anchor, the last catch had turned into sashimi.
Hotel on Baja south coast |
The trip from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz was uneventful. The south coast of Baja is home to some large hotels. We anchored at Los Frailes and Ensenada de Los Muertos.
Mazatlan |
I crewed on the Hunter Passage 32 Serendipity III from Cabo San Lucas to Mazatlan. Approaching Mazatlan from the sea gives you the impression of a huge city. It turns out that the town is streched out along the coastline. There are two marina areas. One on the far north side, and the more commercial area south of the City.
Mexican Bus |
Since it was two days before Thanksgiving, I could not get a flight back to the Bay Area so I took the bus. Took me two days to get to San Jose. But the Mexican buses are quite comfortable. Note that what appears to be a luggage compartment is actually a sleeping cabin for the second bus driver.