I “re-bought” the parts from Vela Sailing Supplies. Part of the new order has been sent, and part is coming from their warehouse. After a long conversation with their staff, I learned that they have 5 packages sitting at the boarder waiting for clearance, some have already been sent back to Vela, so I am hopeful to get my money back from the first shipping. So, fingers crossed I will have what is needed within 10 days and Sarantium sails again!
So, today I started the process of getting “checked out” of Mexico. I arrived to the El Capitan De Puerto downtown Guaymas. After explaining to them, in my broken Spanish, what my errand was they scrambled to find someone to translate for the head port’s captain. They told me that their tallest and most intelligent staff member was on his way to help. They called him Bob, however his real name was Beto. He scanned all my documents and sent it to their head office explaining that I was leaving Mexico and heading to French Polynesia and onward west. They are not used to checking out of the country here in Guaymas as most people do so from PV, Mazatlan or La Paz. They were also a bit shocked to learn I was going to sail in my small boat all that way and couldn’t understsand why I would not just go through the Panama Canal, showing me with their fingers and hands how close Europe was by going through the canal comparatively to around the globe…. I said “Yeah, but I’m on vacation!” They just laughed and shook their heads and said “We will call you tomorrow!”
I will also start gathering the last bit of fresh food. The temperature here is rising, so fruit and vegetables are not lasting very long anymore!
Sailing from Guaymas, Mexico will most likely add another 5-6 days to reaching the trade winds from here. So, my estimation of reaching Marquesas from here, will be about 30 days. Deadlines are deadly, however, I am hoping to be swimming and sharing a glass of Ruhm with Amphitrite, on my birthday, at the Equator!!!
Sailaway Sarantium 