Viva La Mexico. A new chapter has begun as Sampaguita arrived in Baja California’s Ensenada this morning about 10AM.

It was a long slog from San Diego that took about 25 hours. But we weren’t the only ones. We planned on an all day and an overnight, but apparently that’s the sail du jour. There were no fewer than four of us who did the same thing. The crux of the biscuit is about getting to Ensenada early enough to take care of the arrival formalities, and those folks don’t work overtime.

Sampaguita left the Port of San Diego Guest Dock at about 8AM and headed up to Pearson’s Fuel Dock to top off the gasoline and propane reserves. Buzz had no qualms about filling a one gallon jerry can and .8 gallons of propane. It seems ridiculous but that is small boat consumption for you. Shame on me for being so un-American. No apologies. And I shouldn’t have to. Those small amounts of fuel last me a long time. Ironically, and maybe you’ve heard me say it before, people can’t be bothered serving customers who only use a little. It turns out that, in California especially, you have to be a consumption pig to to get respect and not be nicked with costly minimum charges for only using a little. If you think you are going to save the planet, forget it. The economy is going to burn it up. So enjoy it while you can. That’s what I’m doing. And Kudos to old man Don Pearson(who I met) who is clearly grounded in yesteryear and its values.

I spent the week provisioning from several different angles and the water tanks are brimming. Sampaguita had a nice six day rest too. We sailed off Pearson’s dock and headed south with wind that kept coming and going. Start the motor, Turn it off. Rinse and repeat. With the excitement and anxiety of getting to Mexico, the traffic, and the ever changing conditions, no rest was to be had. I would nod off on occasion in the supervisor’s chair, but then the boat would lurch and I’d nearly fall forward down the companionway, or backwards into the cockpit. Actually, it was kind of hilarious.

So I arrived in Ensenada exhausted and delirious, but ready to take on Mexican bureaucracy in a language I only have a weak grasp of. But never fear, here at Baja Naval, the most affordable marina in town, Yajahira was all about getting her three new arrivals through the process. For a fee of only $30 each she took care of everything. She had all the papers needed and then walked us all to the Immigration/Port Captain/TIP building and in kinder words, told us to shut up, don’t ask questions, and sign on the dotted lines. Don’t even think about declaring anything. It turns out the other three marinas had a representative there handling their customers too. And they do this everyday, so they have a rapport with the bureaucrats. In fact, I think the bureaucrats are disinterested in dealing with the gringos and you are much better off in Yajahira’s hands. And its Mexico, so don’t worry about it. You personally can’t get away with it, but if you hire a local, it’s all smooth sailing. Under my delirious state, it was thirty dollars well spent. It went fast, you know it was done right, and you go on with your day. A bargain.

So I went to the supermarcado, bought a six pack of Corona for $4, four tilapia fillets for $2 and an assortment of other groceries dirt cheap. Food for thought the next time you go to your American supermarket and buy the same beer from the same factory, going through just as many hands, for over twice the price. People appear so vibrant here, in comparison to Newport Beach, where the fanciest dressed people with the world’s finest cars all walk around with void faces. On the flip side, I also chuckled rather than judged, as I walked through the boatyard here and they were sanding the bottom of a Nordhavn yacht. The workers had all the right PPE but no vacuums for their electric sanders. It’s some places that’s a criminal offense. However, not your country, not your choice. To each their own.

I’ll get a good nights rest tonight, enjoy my Corona, and even take a shower. If I remember how.

Boat Hack: If it’s not broke, don’t break it fixing it.