In case you haven’t noticed, we’re on our second lap here in Mexico, writing about places we’ve been and seen (and you’ve seen on the blog) last year. But we love these places, the people, the sailors we meet, fall in love with, then ultimately say so-long to. And who knows, maybe there will be yet another lap, maybe we’ll go further south next time, maybe we’ll make more friends. Maybe. You’ll just have to stay tuned!

As for this little jaunt, we were finally ready to leave Bahía de Banderas and make for Mazatlán, where we needed to make arrangements for the summer – to have some engine service done and to put da boat up while we do some terrestrial travel. Instead of rushing, we sort of took our time and loitered around Chacala, made a quick stop in San Blas (we don’t really hang out there because of the jejenes, which are heinous), and then spent a few fabulous days at one of our all time favorite spots – Isla Isabela. Ahhh.

Visiting these places again brought back memories made not so long ago, but were buried under the here and now. We’ve loved reflecting on our first pass through these areas (see links above) and then making/documenting this year’s adventures with new and old friends. Most notable this time around was getting to know Craig and Krystle of S/V Small World a bit better – well enough to know we don’t want to part ways with them, but of course, reality bites. They’ll head home for the summer and we’ll go gallivanting off somewhere, but hopefully we’ll reconnect in the fall/winter.

Also of note was the sheer number of fishing pangas and fishermen working the waters where we were, and the number and size of red snapper (known as pargo locally) they were pulling aboard. It was pretty nuts. These guys work hard for weeks on end, often in little boats without any shade and minimal fresh water. But they seem happy and united, like a big family, working, eating, and co-habitating as one big community. Pretty cool to observe.

Mexico isn’t getting old for us, so if you want to come visit, let’s make some plans. We’ll be here. Enjoy the vid and pics! (Remember, you can click on individual photos to enlarge them, then click the left or right arrow to go back or forward through the entire gallery- just sayin’.)

Our launching-off point from Bahía de Banderas, Punta de Mita, from the drone

Sunset in Chacala

Chacala beach walk

What is she pointing at?

The best totopos ever (this declaration by the crew of S/V Small World)

It’s always somthin’ – this time it’s rewiring the solar array

Because we had to remove this one

Surfer’s Pizza in Chacala

The swell rolling through the Isla Isabela anchorage

Panga madness

Pargo madness

A proud fisher

The fleet working a massive net

One of the small “motherships”

The fleet working the north end of the island

A view from land

The island is home to a gazillion frigates, boobies, pelicans, tropic birds… This guy is just chillin’

Quite a view of the fish camp and beyond

Booby central, including these two

Booby baby

Randy checking it all out

Sitting on an egg

The Capt. capturing some booby behavior

A magical place

A not-so-stoked Krystle on S/V Small World en route to Mazatlán (PC Krystle)

Dinner at Raggios with Small World

created by dji camera

BBQ anyone?

It’s always somthin’ – tightening up the steering rod

Sunset over Marina Maz

Lunch with S/Vs Honu and Catatude

Mr. Iguana and Krystle having a stare down – K won

Mr. Iguana giving up on the prospect of a handout

Street taco scene from the bus into town

Galley store!

Street snacks

Um, construction waste in the streets

One of the big churches in downtown

Another view

A sign on one of the many squares in town

Square selfie

Krystle and Rand imbibing, happily

Culture in Mazatlán

Managed to capture the sights and sounds at the cultural center

A late night ride on an elliptical – HA!

Last supper together with Small World for a bit