Mazatlan Vortex (23˚ 16.272' N, 106˚ 27.281' W)

We are in Mazatlan and I must admit I really, really like it here. Cruisers call it the Mazatlan Vortex because people arrive but they don't leave. It is beautiful, warm, friendly and all those other things we have found in most all the destinations in Mexico, and, in addition, there is some great shopping. We've made two trips to town with Angus & Rolande from "Periclees" and both times have managed to make it to the Panama pastry place. Jeez! One could become very large if this place was closer than a 20 minute bus ride. Mazatlan has some wonderful historical buildings. We toured the beautiful Angela Peralta Theatre which is close to 150 years old and was built to feature it's namesake who was a celebrated child prodigy from Mazatlan. Rolande & I defied the prominantly posted signs and performed a short soft shoe exhibition on the stage.

Another very cool place here is the Melville Suites. Yes...it is named for Herman Melville (author of Moby Dick). The building has been completely refurbished into a beautiful bed and breakfast hotel. The plaque reads, "As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts." Herman Melville. In Mazatlan, March 28 - April 16, 1844.

One of my favorite places is the Mercado Municipal. You can find everything there and it is a visual feast with colors and textures to boggle the mind. Fresh meat and poultry cut to order and acres of beautiful vegetables fresh from the field beside booths loaded with t-shirts, leather goods, jewelry and trinkets.


Unfortunately, there are also numerous people with physical and mental disabilities who are sitting in the aisles begging for a few coins. We all tend to put a little something in their cups. We consider ourselves so very privileged to be living this life it is the least we can do.

The first day we went into town we concluded the day by having lunch at La Copa De Leche and then going to the top of the Freeman Hotel to look at the city and have a cold drink by the pool. The view is spectacular and it was a special thrill for Chris as he had frequented both places with family as a young man.

Patty is flying out tonight as she is meeting friends in Loreto and we will not get there in time via sailboat. Chris & I like it here so much we could just plain stay but there are many more places to experience before the "season" is over so tomorrow we leave for La Paz. This will be our first passage without Patty and is expected to take around 48 hours (plus or minus a few...depending on weather) so will be good practice for next year when she won't be with us. Prediction is for perfect wind and seas for the crossing. As always, I hope the weather guys are correct in their prediction.

I look forward to returning to Mazatlan in June. We have secured a slip reservation to leave the boat here instead of on the hard in San Carlos. Until then...we are off to do more exploring!