February 11th to 12th, 2008 SAN BLAS (MATANCHEN BAY)

We leave Isla Isabela behind and are joined by a whale for part of the way to San Blas. A large white rock marks the entrance to the harbour, but we carry on to anchor in nearby Matanchen Bay. The large blue building in the last picture is the regional distribution center for the Pacific brands of beer. They have a retail outlet attached and we were able to stock up at 46 Pesos ($4.50 CDN) per 8 pack of cans. Life is tough sometimes.






San Blas is a typical Mexican town. The old church featured in a Longfellow poem "The Bells of San Blas". The new church is next door and the Municipal Hall helps frame one other side of the square. The band shell features unusual light fixtures. Statues and Museum commemorate the Spanish colonial past. We did not go to the fort this trip, but will feature it and a jungle tour in a later blog posting as we returned at a later date.

February 06th to 10th, 2008 ISLA ISABELA (NATIONAL NATURE PRESERVE)

We say good-by to Mazatlan, with the lighthouse eventually receding down to the horizon.



Hello to the rocks marking Isla Isabela and the South Anchorage, empty when we arrived, but soon filled to capacity.




Sandra overlooks the island form one of the ridge summits. Fishing is a major activity, with the fishermen maintaining a "camp" at the South Anchorage. The birds freeload on the fish guts provided by the fishermen. An abandoned research building overlooks the anchorage.







The two main types of birds seen are Frigate Birds and Booby (Blue Footed and Brown). We also saw a number of Tropicals. A Sea Turtle's last landing.

The crews of SV "Solskin" and SV "Windy City" get together for happy hour. SV "Solskin" leaving to head north, ultimately back to Canada, via Dockwise.