Our time in Puerto Escondido is drawing to a close; we plan to continue our journey north tomorrow with a stop at Isla Coronados. We came into Puerto Escondido for a safe harbor from a series of "norther" winds. While we did some hikes and hosted friends, a fair bit of time was spent working on Magic. Boat projects. Our list included:
a. Changing the oil in both engines and finding a broken alternator belt to replace as well. First time for Alan to do these jobs on Magic. The gymnastics weren't too bad -- and it only took a few hours!
b. Cleaning the bottom -- this time with the hooka for better results on the bottom of the keels and around the props. A big job and one that is necessary to keep ahead of the growth as the water warms.
c. Replaced the plastic in 4 hatches. Out with the crazed old and in with the crystal clear hatches!
d. Jerry canned water to refill our tanks. The water in the bay is a bit suspect with so many other cruising boats around and not much tidal "flushing!"
e. Laundry -- the washing machines and dryers sure are easier than the hand method!
f. Cleaned the entire inside of the boat with vinegar and water. Trying to stay ahead of that clammy, damp marine feeling.
g. Filled our gasoline tanks (used for the dinghy outboard and generator).
h. Replenished our books at the book exchange. Alan even scored a copy of April Latitude 38!
i. Scrubbed the starboard bilge -- it had become a floating mess of oil and gunk -- but now is sparkling clean and does not smell.
j. Downloaded podcasts for the next few weeks. We enjoy "wait, wait don't tell me" and "stuff you missed in history class."
Alan also landed his first paying, watermaker client! He reinstalled a rebuilt, high pressure pump and gave some general advice. Go Rover Go.
The final job before heading north was to provision. Not so easy here. Puerto Escondido is about 15 miles from Loreto and there is no easy means to get there (sure, you can hire a cab for $60 USD round trip or hitchhike on the main road!). There is a small tienda about 1 mile from the marina complex -- and they get vegetables usually twice a week. As we are without refrigeration, we are highly dependent on getting fresh vegetables and then trying to keep them from spoiling for a few days. Earlier this week the woman in the tienda told me the vegetables would come on Thursday (not Friday) maybe around 1pm. So I walked down the road about 2:30pm. Too bad, the truck had not arrived -- but was very close, maybe in 1 more hour. So back to the boat and then a second trip to the tienda about 4pm. Success!! Brocoli, cauliflower, carrots, squash, avocados, mangoes, apples, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, garlic, cucumbers, red peppers, tortillas, butter, cheese, eggs....and an ice cream bar! This will be the last real provisioning until we cross back to Guaymas, so I think we have some canned dinners ahead!
We totally enjoyed our time here and plan on using Puerto Esconidido as our summer base for cruising in 2012 -- lots of nearby islands and anchorages, sea life a plenty, and many like minded cruisers.
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