Ocean Echo 1: Mazatlan, Mexico

Dear Friends.

This blog entry is from Mazatlan Mexico. Which is a large harbor with well protected anchorage. Marinas are located in New Mazatlan at opposite side of city's coastline. Mazatlan downtown has some historical buildings and a few art centers. Carnival at Mazatlan starts in first week of March and it is well worth to see. Town is definitely geared up for big party at Carnival time.
Mazatlan has a highest light house in the world. Two large rocks/hills on both sides of harbor entrance offer a spectacular view of city and bottom end of Sea of Cortez - Gulf of California.
I noticed familiar color of canvas covers on nearby sailboat, when I anchored at San Blas bay on the way to Isla Isabel and Mazatlan. It was a 2 Pieces of Eight from our YC with Peter and Marni Siddons on board. I was expecting to find them somewhere around Mazatlan. It was good to spend evening with them and listen to many good advises and info about Mazatlan, La Paz and Sea of Cortez. They have been cruising local waters for about 5 years now and they have a lot of experience and knowledge from Baha area. Good local knowledge and advice is always valuable while cruising unfamiliar places.
Speaking about help. I would like to Thank You all again, who helped me and supported me while getting ready for my "Big" trip. Some good friends are still looking after me and I appreciate that very much.
It is always challenge to learn and explore new harbor and town. First to find out about grocery stores, fuel and other provisions. Next are the bus stations and bus routes around city. Getting local maps is a priority as well. We can find pretty well most of the things we need in Mexico, but it takes time.
A few people asked me about not too pleasant chores while cruising. Personally, I do not like running around and chasing the food and carrying it in backpack to the boat in warm weather. Cleaning the bottom of the boat in local waters is a dirty job (in clear water). I get covered with thousands of small shrimp like creatures, which attach them self to anything. Wet suit or skin, face, even uncovered hair is full of them. They tickle and bite too. Bottom cleaning has to be done every week or it gets bad if left for too long. Barnacles grow very fast too (on the propeller etc.). Just small example of reality while cruising. Do not take me wrong, I am still enjoying this lifestyle and looking forward to explore new places. So far it has been very interesting trip.

Maintaining this blog could by complicated time to time, because Internet signal/connection for uploading pictures, will not be as good/fast as it is in large cities/communities. Please, excuse my poor writing skills and grammar. Google translate does good job converting text to other languages.
I hope, that you will find something interesting in this blog – enjoy.

Jara (JJ) Holcman sv. Ocean Echo 1