ENSENADA, MX

Motor-sailing down the coast from San Diego was a great trip. We left early before sun-up and watched a fabulous sunrise...well OK fog-rise. Anyway the seas were flat and Jim and Denise were still aboard for our first international crossing into Mexico. It was remarkable having good crew and friends that could share "the moment"! WE ARE FINALLY REAL CRUISERS!

We had a flag raising ceremony that somehow really felt good. Waiting for our navigation program to shows us right over the border we hoisted!

Idling along and having raised the quarantine flag with the Mexican national flag that later Denise pointed out has a real diagrammatic history. Our yellow quarantine flag is supposed to be up until we clear in with Immigration, Customs, and Port Capitan.

Along the way we were greeted by dolphins who graced our bows for long times. Seems Denise was calling them in...

Finally coming into the bay Dirk and Al on watch!!                                                Entrance to Ensenada port...one honkin' big flag!

Some nice boats and some...................................................................................not so nice....

Our new "HOME" for the next 2 weeks while we had the Baja Naval yard repaint or bottom and polish our hull. The surge in at the marina was unreal. First time ever having the boat feel like you were in a bad short chop offshore while still tied to the dock!

About Ensenada:

One should have bought everything in sight when we were coming down here in earlier years. You would hardly recognize the place. El Cid now sits in the middle of an 8-10 block renovated street and shops that reminds me of shopping in the streets of Newport Beach or the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz or Old town San Diego. We just went to Home Depot and Wal-Mart way south of town, but didn’t go into the new Costco. Will hit that right before we leave. New houses, malls, theaters, etc...

But first how do we get through the gate???

Of course "Linda about town" would force me to walk for about a mile to a specific taco stand for her fish and shrimp tacos. Oh, did I neglect the panaderia (bakery) next door???

More of Linda's haunts...

Pic's about town...

Eventually all good things (and passages) come to an end. We had to see our friends Jim and Denise off as they headed back to the states.