Playa Bruja

Stretching north of the entrance to the Marina Singlar/Mazatlan/El Cid yacht basin is Playa Bruja (Witch's Beach), a rough stretch of water with breaking waves, surfers, and scattered rocks off which oyster divers harvest their catch or spear-fishers find the occasional yellow-tail (Oscar here!). At the end of the road, panga fishermen roll their boats onshore to rest from the night's work.



Dave, Julie, Marv and I walked a good part of the beach, enjoying the sun and sea, and finding at least one geocache (the water park) along the way. Having the two of them visit is a real treat!!

Artist Studio in Old Mazatlan

Mazatlan boasts a thriving artist community, with intricate work in leather and metals. In Copala we met Luis, a mask-maker who lives in both Copala and Mazatlan; he showed us his huerta (orchard) in Copala and we enjoyed a BIG vegetarian lunch at the yoga center in Mazatlan where his wife, Rossanna, works. The yoga center provides the lunch once a month...and if you are in Mazatlan on the Sunday it happens, don't miss it. Not everyone gets the chance to eat fresh bananas and cream with jaimaca flowers for dessert!

Faro Lighthouse

Climb to the top of the hill. Look out to sea. Listen to the stories of rescues and narrow escapes the lighthouse keeper tells.




The highest lighthouse in the world can be seen from 30 miles out at sea. We were out there at night...watching its flashes for hours as we approached Mazatlan. Click on the photo for an "up close" view.

Concordia

The Cathedral de San Sebastian in Concordia is one of the few baroque churches in Mexico. And the small town of Concordia has a history of resistance against the French invaders in the 1860s. We just missed the celebration of "Concordia Days" by one...

Copala

Copala is a tiny, former mining town in the mountains outside Mazatlan. Tour companies have put it on their lists of destinations and if you come to Mazatlan on a cruiseship you can elect to spend the day here. We rented a car and drove the 65 kilometers up a winding mountain road, nearly missing the unmarked turnoff. Typical cobblestone streets, dirt trails, and dusty roads wend their way through the village. A sign in the small central plaza informs you this is a village of peace, and it is truly tranquil and quiet. A poor village, the restaurants and small tiendas depend on tourists for business...coconut banana pie is a trademark product.




One of the workers at our marina is from Copala, but as he says, there is little work there and what work there is is poorly paid, so he and others have come to Mazatlan looking for more opportunities. He misses his home.

New beginnings

This past year we have been part of an historically significant event...the world will not be the same following the election of Barack Obama, and the hope and excitement his success has generated around the world is tangible. Today, the community of sailors and cruisers gathered in Mazatlan, eager to celebrate the inauguration of our 44th President of the United States, one of the youngest and most inspirational presidents we have had. Obama's speech touched on his commitment to renew respect for and adherence to the US Constitution. He also stressed that he and his administration will begin anew to take a wise leadership role in the world community, negotiating and cooperating with others. A breath of fresh air begins to blow out the corruption, fear, and limitations on freedom of the past eight years of the Bush presidency. We are not blind to the difficulties that lie ahead, but there is such a strong sense of hope that we, too, are optimistic about these "new beginnings."

Touring Mazatlan

Look down into the Old Mazatlan harbor; appreciate the energy needed to climb to the top of the hill where the highest lighthouse in the world is located; enjoy the 80 degree temperatures, moderated by a gentle breeze, and be a part of it all.




Ardy's brother, David, and his wife, Julie, are visiting for two weeks...we have become very familiar with the buses in Mazatlan, have walked extensively, explored markets, beaches, and cathedrals, and are looking forward to two or three days at anchor in the Old Mazatlan harbor. Dave's Menomonie, Wisconsin tee-shirt draws no end of comments from other tourists...Menomonie must be a pretty famous place.