Off to Mazatlan, via Chachala, and San Blas and hauling Aeeshah

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To Mazatlan

We headed off to Mazatlan where we hoped to get Aeeshah hauled and the bottom done. Our first stop was the nearby:

Punta De Minta,

where we simply spent the night and left early the next morning for a very long day passage. Again along the way we spied whales and dolphins, plus the usual fishermen with birds circling above.

It is getting late in the season for whales, but still we saw a small pod. The day passage started at around 8:00am. We had in mind to stop at one place….. along the coast, but when we saw the number of huge tourist boats anchored off the island it was a joint decision to push on to Chachala.

Chachala

Chachala anchorage was at the end of a bay near the town docks for the fishermen.

Soon after we anchored another sail boat arrived anchoring up for the night too.

There was quite a bit of partying ashore and other than a few banana boats the bay was quiet for the night. The scenery looked quite exotic and we were tempted to go ashore,

but then decided to head out and push for our next stop:

San Blas.

Another uneventful passage, just a few hours of very nice sailing, whales passed by, not seeing any other boats or even fishermen. The scenery ashore changed from a mountainous back ground to that of flat land. We knew San Blas was located in a shallow, sandy, mangrove lined Mazatlan Bay. When we arrived we were both impressed by the size of this bay. It is incredibly large, quite shallow and remarkably calm.

San Blas for a few days

Off ashore the next morning we headed. We had read on one of the Whatsapp chats about one of the shoreside vendors, Baro Sanchez, at Playa Hermosa, who was very helpful in that he would help to get dinghy’s ashore and then watch them.

Sure enough as we headed in we could shore we could see a fellow from one of the cantinas wading into the shallow water to help us. We found that while the bay does not look challenging to get ashore it can be, as the shallows and therefore the surf continues for a long way. Anyway with the help of Barro we were ashore and able to leave the dinghy at the top of the surf line near his restaurant. The tide was headed out so we had plenty of time.

Barro also took us into the nearby town of San Blas where he showed us where the town square was and the taxis for our return ride.

We wandered around and picked up some fruit,

had a look down different streets and then,

had a very nice lunch at a roadside cafe. I would say San Blas is a very quiet laid back, dusty, town.

Back at the beach Barro helped us to launch the dinghy and back to Aeeshah we went.

A San Cristobal river trip

The next day we headed off to do the river trip with crocodiles and bird spotting, that was suggested for when in this area. Again Barro helped us with the dinghy, then gave us a ride to the nearby Matanchen village. At the tour site we waited for a short time and then climbed into a pretty blue launcha/panga. We had a family of 4 with us, they were going to a swim area where there were springs.

Following the San Cristobal river up stream was lovely, thick mangroves lined the sides and overhung above creating shade.

Saw various birds terrapins and one large croc relaxing on the river banks.

The mangroves changed to trees and wet lands, but still the scenery was beautiful.

Our first stop was to drop off the family of 4 who went to the springs to swim.

We continued up another branch of the river again passing lovely riverside scenery until we came to a dock where we got out.

Here we were told we could wander around and look at other crocs. To be honest we were not impressed.

This area was very poorly maintained and they had not only crocs but other animals locked in small cages.

I guess we stayed all of 10 minutes and then surprised our guide by saying we were finished.

Back down river we went, but not out, no, we went to the springs.

There we were able to get out and walk around. Again in wasn’t that impressive.

Basically, just a clean part of the river where you could access the river and it was safely netted off. The water coloring was quite pretty, but I wouldn’t swim there, too spoilt by clear blue water.

We chatted to the family, wandered around, sat in the shade……

The family had only just had something to eat and still needed to swim, so our guide relented and took us back down river.

That was a fast fun river ride and again through lovely scenery.

Back at the start we set off to walk back to where the dinghy awaited us.

1st we walked through the village where they specialized in selling sweets, baked goods and sea salt.

We bought some banana bread which was excellent.

From the village we reached the shoreline where we followed the dirt lane behind all the beach vendors.

Nearly every place we passed invited us in, “no, gracias” we replied. I must say that lane was quite hot and dusty so I was very happy when we reach …….

There we stopped to have a lemonada and almuerza.

We sat under the structure built out of wood and palm fronds, wonderfully shaded with a refreshing breeze coming off the water and beach.

I wandered the beach, took some photos, watched the children playing in the surf. John surfed his phone….

Our lunch was delicious!

Again Barro helped us to get the dinghy into the surf, however this time things didn’t go quite so well. The surf was bigger so we got slammed, wet, and frustrated. John had to push us out deeper as the surf breaks way out, then the blasted engine would not start!

After many many futile tries to start the engine, John finally agreed to paddle. We had just under a mile to paddle, one of us on each side. It was a real slog! Finally reaching Aeeshah, John realizes, he never brought up the dinghy wheels so no wonder the paddling was somewhat hellish with all the drag of the wheels in the water.

Long quiet passage

There was a passage of about 150 miles to Mazatlan which went very well. We had several hours of sailing and the rest was a motor-sail. All was peaceful, we didn’t see any ships and only saw a few fishermen. We passed several small Islas populated by bird life, hundreds of birds, Blue Footed Boobies.

Mazatlan Islands Ecological Reserve, Islas Venados

We anchored off the Mazatlan Islands Ecological Reserve, Islas Venados. These islands are opposite part of the city of Mazatlan.

All was quiet and peaceful, that is until the afternoon. Come the afternoon the party boats started arriving, the beach filled up with pangas dropping folks off, jet skis starting zooming all over with drivers that drive with their phones up too. It was chaotic. The music wasn’t all bad, but very loud…. Never mind, they left just after night fall.

The next day which was again a weekday, we went ashore in the morning with not a soul in sight. We walked the beach, I enjoyed shelling, John poking around.

We went to follow the trail that led uphill and supposedly to the other side where the seals are, when John blew out his flip-flop. No way can you walk without shoes.

The terrain is very rocky with thorny plants everywhere.

We went back to Aeeshah and intend to return. Just a little later the crowds started to arrive.

Mazatlan marina

We headed into Mazatlan marina for few days. We had planned on having Aeeshah hauled in the neighboring yard to Mazatlan marina. This marina is another huge one, however not as scenic as the previous one of La Cruz.

In fact it’s a very built up area, many high-rises, busy roads and not really appealing. We spent a few days arranging our haul out, plus accommodation. Finding an Airbnb right across the street!

All was timed for right after Easter weekend. We strolled around the area and found there really wasn’t anywhere to go.

Move to an Airbnb,

Monday we moved into a very nice Airbnb right across from the marina which is next door to the boatyard. They couldn’t have been any closer, so it was perfect for our purpose.

Chico was told he was on “holiday” and I think he believed it. He explored every cranny of the Airbnb, hid in every cupboard, tested every chair.

He even tested the security by trying to pull the skirting board off the area by the door.

After a day he chose to relax on the porch and survey the neighborhood, or chill out on the comfortable furniture.

Aeeshah hauled:

Aeeshah came up on the next day, Tuesday. We had the help of a wonderful fellow Antonio. He was an amazing worker! He helped us haul out and just as we settled in the stands he was at work scraping.

We left our marina and around the corner was the haul out yard of Active Marina.

Poor John had to reverse into a very tight dock space. No, we don’t have bow thrusters, all he had was his skill with Aeeshah. We made it.

Believe it or not but Antonio was scraping before we were even on the stands. And by the end of the day he had all the massive amount of growth off. (In the Pacific the growth is incredible, far far worse than in the Atlantic).

By Wednesday he was sanding, doing a very thorough job.

Thursday by 9:00am the 1st coat was applied, by Thursday afternoon the second coat was applied.

Friday morning the patches under the stands were painted.

Aeeshah was back in the water dockside in the marina in time for us to go to a late lunch. The guy was incredible!! Highly recommend Mazatlan for boat work.