A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR

Went to Bucerias yesterday to see Dr. Mauro. He is highly regarded by the cruising community as he speaks better English then I do, will make boat calls if necessary and has a great reputation as a physician.

I am well, just went in to check on some moles. One has to be especially vigilant down here living as we do in constant sun. Everything was ok.

Dr. Mauro filled me in on what to look for.  #1. Size. Moles larger then the diameter of a pencil should be watched carefully. #2. The mole should be fairly regular in shape. If it looks like a map of North America things are not good. #3. The color should be uniform.

Entrance to the Doc's office

Waiting room

The Doc

CANIS MEXICANIS UBIQUITOUS

In Mexico dogs are everywhere.  Some are pets, but most seem to be feral.  I think they take up the niche that racoons are rapidly filling in the States, urban wildlife living off the detritus of civilization.  Unlike racoons Mexico's dogs are quite comfortable hanging out in plain sight, living on the streets and sidewalks, usually being treated with benign neglect.

Dogs that are lucky enough to be pets pretty much have the run of the place.  They are welcome almost everywhere.  About the only place I have not seen a dog is on a bus.  

Quite often they get fed right out of the dog food container.

This lucky fella ended up in the lap of luxury.  He is owned by a guy single handing his boat here in Mexico, and earns his keep as a chic magnet.

Mexicans by and large are extraordinarily easy going people.  About the only thing that could cause a rebellion down here would be a leash law.

TSUNAMI DAY IN BANDERAS BAY

Yesterday I learned how to spell tsunami.  I also got to join a mass marina exodus, as most of the large boats moored in marinas around Banderas Bay headed for safety in deep water.

A few of the boats headed for safety

Nobody knew what the risk was, as reports varied quite a bit.  Apparently the wave intensity is not equal everywhere.   Fingers of higher waves radiate out randomly.  Most folks figured a day sailing in the Bay was a good option condsidering the uncertainty. 

Our marina at La Cruz

One real possibility was if the tsunami was intense in our area the marinas could empty, not completely as did this one in Japan, but enough to put boats on the bottom.  The flow would soon reverse and the marina could be refilled by a violent wave surge.

We spent the day sailing back and forth across the bay with a severely reefed headsail, hoping the tsunami surges would end and we would be allowed back into port.  About 6pm the port captain announced the marina would remain closed until Saturday morning.  Dave and Anne on Taking Flight were nice enough to invite us to raft up with them for the evening.  Not only that, Anne had dinner ready when we arrived, along with ice cold cerveza.

Homes overlooking our anchorage

I feel a bit guilty for being so consumed by our little inconvienance, when so many in Japan are suffering so much.

SANTIAGO TO BANDERAS BAY AND LA CRUZ...AGAIN

The weather was warm

no foules, just a life jacket

while on deck

A few of an enormous
pod of dolphins

Cabo Corrientes
Seems like there is always
a cape to get around

We had to resque this
when I lost it overboard
Yeah, it's that good!

PUGET SOUND CRUISING CLUB MEETING--SOUTHERN STYLE

Southern style: shorts, tee shirts, sandals, margaritas, Negra Modelo.   Sun.  Warmth.  Three dollar admission charge: waived.

Attendees:

Roger & Karen on Meridian

Judy and Paul on Grace

Nita and Mike on Odessa

Larry and Karen on Panta Rhei

Jake and Sharon on Jake

Bob and Sherry (behind the camera) on Ponderosa

The food was so so, but the company was great!

HOOKAH IN SANTIAGO

While we were in Santiago Bay, Larry on our buddy boat Panta Rhei offered Mike on Odessa and myself  the use of his hookah to clean Odessa's and Grace's bottoms. 

A hooka is a deck mounted air supply, in this case a scuba tank, connected to an underwater air regulator by a long hose.  It is a convienent was to dive a limited area, like under one's boat. 

After a brief but through introduction to breathing under water, down we went to cleanse away the sea growth that has been accumulating for the last year.  Thankfully both Grace and Odessa have survived the year relatively well, with only limited growth.  The only exception was the heavy infestation at some of Grace's thru hulls.  Many were close to being plugged, not a good thing, especially at the raw water cooling inlet.  This is where seawater passes into the boat to be used for engine cooling.  It was really good to get these cleared out.  Thank you Larry!

Larry holding the air line as

I begin my dive.

Grace's prop

before cleaning

After cleaning

Thru hull opening

before cleaning

After