Puerto Moroles Mexico

We had a short weather window and decided to sail down to Puerto Morelos (only about 35 miles south of Isla Mujeres). We had a great sail and along the way Bill hung a sailfish that striped about 300 yards of line off the reel. He managed to get the fish up to within 30 yards or so of the boat before it got off. Then he caught a large Barracuda (while trying to release the Barracuda the line broke, and we lost a new lure, leader and swivel weight). Finally we caught a nice size King Mackerel (At last, one that could be filleted and put in the freezer).

We arrived in Puerto Morelos just as a little squall passed through, so we dropped the anchor just off the town dock (there were three mooring bouys, but all three were taken). The next morning, we, along with Bob and Robin (from our buddy boat), dinghied over to the town dock and toured the town.

Since NOAA (the weather GOD) was predicting another front to blow through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we decided to get a slip at the El Cid Marina. We were glad we did, as the winds blew 25 to 35 knots throughout last night.

The El Cid is wonderful. For $20.00 US per night, you get a slip in an almost new marina with concrete floating docks, wifi, clean showers, a coin laundry, a great cash restaurant, as well as the use of the facilities at El Cid's all inclusive resort (located next door to the marina), which has a beautiful beach (with lounges, thatched shade structures, hammocks), a huge pool (with water slides & waterfalls), a large hot tub and even a gym (which we have not been in).



























They have concerts with Mexican musicians and even have Mexican cooking classes. Yes, Pat and I learned to make El Cid guacamole yesterday.

The wind is still pretty strong, so we might have to spend one more day here before moving on. Don't you feel sorry for us?

Leaving Isla Mujeres Mexico

After five weeks in Marina Paraiso, we finally left today. We left the slip and went down

to the fuel dock to top off with fuel and gasoline. We had to wait one and a half hours while they pumped fuel into a big sports fisherman. (I wouldn't want to pay his bill!) Then back, past our marina, and out to the anchorage. We plan to leave tomorrow and head down to Puerto Morelos Mexico (about 35 miles down the coast). We think there will be five or ten more boats headed down there in the next day or two.

Again, while we are ready to leave, we have had some good times here. We have met many cruisers from all over the world. If fact, we Americans were usually outnumbered by the Ozzies, Kiwis, Brits, Canadians, South Africians, Spanish (that's Spanish from Spain) and all the rest.

We have had many exciting happy hours and dinners at the marina bar and made many trips into town for shopping, tourist watching or just for the exercise. Also a couple of shopping trips into Cancun .... a bustling city (with Home Depot, Walmart, Office Depot, etc.) only five miles away by ferry.

We made one land trip down to Playa Del Carmel, Mexico to meet up with some old friends from Annapolis MD, that we met several years ago while cruising in the Bahamas. It was a great trip, although it involved four taxi, two bus and two ferry rides to get there and back. It was good to see them and talk about old times (while we ate tacos, drank Pacificos and watched US college football on the TVs at the Tequilla Barrel Cantina). We went New Year's Day, and the town and beach was packed, both with foreigners and Mexicans from inland.

The only bad time was the week we spent with food poisoning (although Pat still says she only had the flu). On the bright side, it gave us a reason to check out the local cemeteries ...... I thought I was gonna die there for a while!

We don't know when or where we will get wifi to update the blog again. We will update it as soon as possible.