La Turista

 



Pool Side at Hotel Coral overlooking the Marina

Hotel/Marina Coral

We played tourist on our last day in Ensenada and had fun buying some early holiday gifts in downtown - El Centro.  A cruise ship was in town so shops were ready with salespeople inviting shoppers into their stores; goods were placed along the sidewalks to attract the unsuspecting.  Children were peddling wares like bracelets; candy etc. in hopes of earning their own pesos.  After spending some time in El Centro, we walked along the waterfront stopping at the fish market and checked out the downtown marina.  It seems the Sea Lions have an exclusive club and dock reserved just for them!  Our last stop was at the Office of Port Captain (Officina de Capitania de Puerto) to have yet another form cleared, the Aviso Crew List indicating our date of departure from Ensenada and our declared next port of call – yes, more uniforms, rubber stamps, and stark white walls.  After a wild cab ride, we were back at our marina located on the north end of town.  Later in the day, we walked across the highway and purchased a few more groceries.  We came out with two large bags filled with fresh pan (bread), fruta (fruit), verduras (vegetables), and other items at a cost of only $17; no wonder there are so many expat’s living in Mexico; we could get use to this less expensive life style!  Tomorrow is THE BIG PUSH south (departing 3am in the morning) – 15 hours of cruising with nowhere to hide until we reach the bay of San Quintin, our anchorage for the night; then another 9 hours to Bahia San Carlos for another night’s anchorage; and 10 hours to Isla Cedros for the third night’s anchorage.  From the Island of Cedros, it’s 7-hours to Turtle Bay and then another 13-hour motoring to Punta Abreojos.  The longest stretches are yet to come with 19-hours from Punta Abreojos to Bahia Santa Maria, and 24-hours from Santa Maria to Cabo where we finally have moorage at a marina.  What an incredibly long, remote coastline!  We hope to have cell coverage when we reach Turtle Bay.  Hasta luego (until then)!  Or as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say, "Hasta la vista, Baby" (until the viewing meaning see you later).



Shopping in Ensenada El Centro

El Centro - Ensenada



Fish Market

The Exclusive Club

The Sea Lions' Dock