Month: December 2022

We have never been around so many people in all our lives. It was so crowded for miles and miles, that we could not even find transportation to get out. So we ended up walking for miles through these thick mobs of people. We were the only gringos we found.

The Museum of Anthropology was amazing. We were dumbfounded learning about the ancient civilizations and various tribes dating back to 200 AD. One of the most sacred Gods of all Mesoamerica is Quetzalcoatl, with all the brilliant feathers.

We sure had a great time running around the giant Mexico City with our special friends on SV Simplicity. Denton, Chrissy and Danika. We were here applying for our long stay visas for French Polynesia and planned a few awesome touristy things! We learned how to use the labyrinth of the difficult, color coded Metro too.

We took time to ride the longest Cable Bus public transportation in the world. It only cost 7 pesos each (.35 cents) to get miles across Mexico City. Last year, the government paid for hundreds of huge, beautiful murals to be painted on the rooftops of homes and businesses. As if the buildi gs aren’t colorful enough! It was a gondola ride and art show, all in one! If you travel here, don’t miss it.

It’s a Tenacatita Christmas 🎄
How special it is to spend this 85 degree Christmas with so many friends.
We have 35 boats from all over the world sharing a meal and (bilge treasures) gift giving.
Surfing, bocce ball and networking through friends seems to make up the days.
Sea Bella will be cruising these waters off the state of Jalisco for the next few months with many of these peeps.

What a worldwind of paperwork and a few hassles these last few weeks, preparing us for our Long Stay Visas for the French Polynesian islands, leaving this March. This will enable us to explore the 4 archepelegos for an entire year. Kind of stressful though, as we need to be interviewed and approved at the French Consulate in Mexico City. (and turn in our passports-eeek) We have also joined a rally type group called ‘Pacific Puddle Jump’ which provides safety and discount features as well as a few guides for a basic understanding of French Polynesia’s fascinating history and rich cultural traditions. Check out the below link if you need more help:

http://www.jacarandajourney.com/other-good-stuff

But…all work doesn’t mean no play, we still know how to have fun!!

Scotts Dad Ashley ended his fun cruising visit. They had a blast, doing all the special things of this cruising life.

Our good friend Rhett flew down from San Diego to assist in the cleaning up, repairing, and updating a little Islander 32. A friend wasn’t able to keep her any longer, so Scott, Rhett and I fixed her up and sold her all within 3 weeks.

Congratulations Bill Hetzel! A brand new sailor that bought a very special boat. Scott is flipping boats again?!?! (Some habits die hard)
We were happy to find this vessel (in La Paz Mexico) had very good bones and the previous owner had done some amazing upgrades to the motor and electrical systems. It’s been three weeks of hard work and yard time but this 1964 Islander now has maybe a few more decades left.
SV Island Girl is an amazingly surefooted Bluewater boat which has been back and forth to Hawaii. I could not believe how comfortable she was under sail.

Before we knew it Nov 20 came along. Mexican Revolution Day, an annual holiday on November 20, marking the start of what became the Mexican Revolution.

The Liberal Army General; Díaz was overthrown and enprisoned, after 35 years as President of Mexico. In 1910 President Modera was elected and he called all Mexicans to rise up and “Recover your rights as free men and women of Mexico.” Big day around La Paz.