So the ferry to Mazatlan is very important as otherwise it’s a 2,900 km (1,800 miles) detour back up the Baja peninsula. Of course the ferry has been disrupted by the hurricane and on-line booking is notoriously difficult for this company so we have decided that the in-person approach will have to be tried. At the port (just 15 minutes away) we ask for the ticket office and then discover the unique way to get tickets.
1st - Get the vehicle inspected and prove that we have a TIP (Temporary Import Permit) and title and insurance and we are not carrying contraband. Government people.
2nd - Go to the weighbridge and get weighed and measured. Get a slip of paper confirming all of that. Port people.
3rd - Go to the actual ticket office with the slip of paper and see if they have space on todays sailing. They do, so we pay but can only buy seats and not a cabin for the 14 hour sailing. Shipping line people. And Emma does most of the negotiating in Spanish, brilliant!
We are told to be back in the port at 3pm for the 7pm sailing. So we park the camper in the port and walk a couple of kilometres to Pichilngue beach to kill some time (about 3 hours!). Sadly the sea looks and smells somewhat dirty so no swimming, but Alex plays in the sand. When the beach restaurant opens we get overpriced tacos and beers but enjoy a lovely chat with Sue and Jim from California. Then it’s a walk back to the port.
I get Big Blue and Stella but Emma and Alex have to go to the terminal separately as they can only board as foot passengers - of course we found that out when we were 100 metres from the ship so have to turn around in the port and take Emma and Alex back to the terminal. As we do so we impart our new found knowledge to Donna and her husband who are from Canada. Especially that hard copy forms are needed, not just an email booking confirmation (let alone a ticket in an Apple Wallet!).
Whilst I wait for a further hour beside the ship, Emma and Alex adopt Donna in the terminal and help her with getting the right tickets and then getting on board. Emma gets on board before me and finds our allocated seats in a large public area. But the area is very busy and somewhat noisy with TVs showing films and it’s unlikely that we will get much rest during the crossing. Emma chats to one of the stewards, Horacio, who sees if he can help get us a cabin. Going back to him with an offer of a little extra over the cabin price seems to get a positive response but we will have to wait till we leave harbour. I eventually get loaded on with Big Blue, down in the bowels of the ship and having to manoeuvre in backwards to a space! Finding Emma upstairs I get the lowdown on her wheeling and dealing! Before we set sail we get the included meal, basic local food, and a drink. Shortly afterwards, Horacio returns and we head to the Pursers office where a cabin is available for the agreed ‘total’ price, in cash. And a lovely cabin it is with four bunks and own shower and toilet facilities and in a quiet part of the ship. Best 500 extra pesos we’ve spent so far!
We watch the ship depart from La Paz as the sun is setting with tugs providing assistance.
The initial route takes us past Tecolote beach where we had been staying the previous two nights. Then with some beer it’s back to the cabin for a family movie on the iPad and then sleep.
It’s now the 28th of October and after a reasonable nights sleep we notice a little more ship movement as we are still at sea. We pop down for the included breakfast, which is similar to last nights meal and definitely not for Alex.
Emma and Alex disembark by foot whilst I wait outside to be called for unloading. As the truck camper is on the lowest deck it’s quite a long wait … with Emma and Alex getting anxious as to where I am! Eventually I’m off loaded and we reunite at the terminal. The drive out of Mazatlan is careful, with so many lorry’s and no real signs but we get on to the road we need then fill up with fuel, milk and beer! We're also a little nervous being in the province of sinaloa which is one of mexicos most dangerous so we're keen to get moving.
Guy
Comentarios