Before our arrival in La Paz we knew our time was going to be split up into thirds. Our first ten days would be spent as tourists seeing all the sights and wondering around trying different restaurants and bars and really getting to know the area. The second part would be catching a flight to surprise my parents in Orange Beach for their 70th birthdays and then checking in on Jeff's dad back in San Diego. Our third and final days in La Paz would entail re-provisioning for the Sea of Cortez and finishing up any last minute to do's before spending the next three months explore the Sea.
Our first morning we went really slow. It's such a luxury to wake up late, stay in pajamas and drink coffee for an hour. Just what we needed after so much traveling. The rest of the day we spent on board working on boat projects and blogging. Before heading into the Sea of Cortez I posted on our DeFever cruisers forum our travel plans and asked if anyone would be in the area and sure enough Peggy and Dan (our group historians) were in La Paz and would be there till the end of March. Today they happened to be at our marina with some friends looking at boat and invited us up for happy hour at the marina bar. It was so nice to see a familiar face in a foreign country. Peggy and I talked for a long time at our most recent DeFever rendezvous and knew right away we would be friends. Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures of our evening.
The next morning was another slow one then more boat projects and the boat got washed. After being inside for two days we decided we needed to take a walk and stretch the legs. We left the marina and walked a portion of the malecon (pier) almost all the way to town. The views were gorgeous and it was great to get a little exercise.
Low Tide
Water Walker
View from the Malecon
Finally we felt we were in a good place with boat projects and catching up after arriving in La Paz that we decided to start sightseeing a bit. After breakfast we caught an Uber into town and hit the organic farmers market which Peggy told us about and it was wonderful. We were like kids in the candy store and bought so much stuff - vegan and cows milk cheese, dips, pesto, sourdough bread and lots of locally grown organic produce. With our backpack full we trekked onto the cathedral looking all around while several people prayed. For lunch we went to a vegan taco shop which despite being the only people there was delicious. We each tried three different varieties of tacos. From there we continued walking and made it to the municipal marcado which is a big indoor local farmers market but it's permanent and full of lots of items from food to clothes to figurines and the best homemade flour and corn tortillas which we stocked up on along with some bananas and avocados. Right as we were turing the corner to leave the market we got a scary surprise- pigs heads staring right at us. I almost threw up but instead made a b-line for the door. Gross! We cruised several more streets taking in the city and getting a feel for our surroundings. Finally we Ubered back to the boat had happy hour and watched some shows.
Farmers Market
Town Square
Town Square
Cathedral
Inside Cathedral
Gross Pig Heads at Municipal Marcado
The next day was Sunday and again we had a nice slow morning really enjoying being in one place for a more than a day or two. We read and did more projects and that evening we took an uber to Marina Cortez where we met Peggy and Dan on their condo's water taxi and went out to the magote to have dinner with them at their condo. It was such a great experience, first taking our own private water taxi out to their island felt like we were being whisked away to another place. It felt so private and intimate after being in the busy city for days. At the water taxi landing on their island their golf cart was parked and Dan drove the four of us to their condo pointing out the sites on the island like the golf course and many beautiful homes. We spent the evening talking boats, mostly DeFever boats (of course) and it was wonderful to spend time together and see how the locals live.
Marina Cortez
On Water Taxi with Peggy
Cruising to the Magote
Golf Cart Ride
View From Peggy & Dan's Condo
Water Taxi Ride Back
Dingy Dock
Walking Around the Malecon
View From the Malecon
The next day was a Tuesday which meant farmers market again. I was thrilled. Once we quickly made our loop around we walked into downtown and went to the art museum. The show was small but interesting because there was an artist that had an interactive display where you downloaded an app and the pieces came to life which was fun. We took our time and enjoyed seeing the local art on display. After the museum Jeff had a restaurant in mind he wanted to try where he read they had really good shrimp tacos. When we got there it was empty except for a couple of workers. They asked if we wanted to have lunch and when Jeff said yes and asked to sit upstairs in the open air balcony they had to look for keys to open it up. After being there a few minutes we realized that it was 12:15 and the restaurant didn't open until 1pm but they were opening early just for us. They were so kind and accommodating and when I told them I was vegan they made lots of inquiries to the kitchen to figure out something special to make me. They even informed me that the oil in the fryer wouldn't be vegan due to the other things they fried in it. So kind. Jeff's shrimp tacos were spilling over the tortillas and with a couple of beers to wash it down it ended up being a great private lunch for two. With full bellies we walked back to the marina and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening reading and relaxing.
Art Museum
Mural at Art Museum
Art Museum
Lunch
Walking Back to Marina
With only a couple days left of touring La Paz we took advantage and took an Uber to the Anthropology museum. There were three floors full of historical information which we used our google translate to read. While it was interesting it was a lot of translating and we were both kinda over it in the end. We walked back to the boat in time for lunch and a facetime with Randal and Michelle.
The next day we spent doing absolutely nothing. We were enjoying the boat before we would have to leave her for several weeks.
On February 10th we went into town and I got my nails done and Jeff walked around waiting for me. The rest of the day we packed and readied the boat for our departure in the morning.
Jeff and I figured out that if we want to fly to San Diego the easiest and cheapest way to do it is to get a domestic flight from anywhere we are in Mexico and fly to Tijuana and walk across the boarder. Its so easy and saves a lot of time and hassle. So thats what we did and Laura (Jeff's sister) came and picked us up. We were only passing through San Diego this time in order to get another domestic flight to Orange Beach to surprise my parents. Phase two of our La Paz trip. So after two quick days in San Diego we hopped another flight to Orange Beach where we rented a car and drove to my parents condo and surprised them. It was a huge success and they were so happy to see us.
Surprise
On the Balcony With Mom & Dad
Mom & Dad & Their Friends Steve & Gail
The next week we would spend in Orange Beach having a birthday party with my parents friends in their condo going out to dinners and happy hours and even watching a mardi gras parade. On Friday of that same week my sister Julia flew in and also surprised my parents for their birthdays. So for the first time other then at Christmas we were all together and it was great.
Birthday Breakfast
Pre-Birthday Party
View From Condo
Pre- Birthday Party Toast
Birthday Party
Watching Birthday Tribute Video
Birthday Dinner
Beach Walk with Mom
Dinner
The Wharf - Orange Beach
Julia Arrived
Happy Hour
Whole Gang Happy Hour
Lunch
Mardi Gras Parade
Mardi Gras Parade
Last Day
Waiting at the Airport with Julia
After a wonderful week in Orange Beach it was time to head to San Diego and spend some time with Jeff's dad and sister. Our week entailed meeting for lunches, hanging out in Eddie's apartment and keeping him company. We got to see Izzy for a breakfast and spent every morning having coffee with Laura. It was a busy an exhausting week but again everyone was happy to see us and spend time together.
At Eddie's Personal Training Session
Dinner at Laura's House
Breakfast with Iz
Lunch with Eddie & Gladys
Hanging out in Eddie's Apartment
Dinner at the Vi
Lunch at the Vi
After two weeks being away from the boat we were both feeling homesick and exhausted. It was time to go home. Once again we flew out of the TJ airport back to La Paz and by lunchtime we were back at our marina seeing the boat then quickly heading to the restaurant for welcome drinks and lunch. It was so great to be back home!
Back Home in La Paz
The next few days would be a whirl-win moving marinas to one closer to downtown for provisioning. Going to Sam's Club, a liquor store and Wal-Mart for several months worth of provisions and we even managed to see Dan and Peggy one more time for happy hour on the boat. We were really excited to throw lines and head to our next stop in the Sea - Espiritu Santo Island.
No comments:
Post a Comment