Out, About and Back In — INDEPENDENCE CHRONICLES

I am happy to report that the Independence came through her Mexican haul-out with only a few snags, which I am sure you will read in a Captain’s Post soon. I am just here to say that her underside looks great and we anticipate the bottom paint to last approximately a year and half to two years. During the haul-out we stayed at the lovely ‘Hotel Catedral’. Centrally located to the malecon and restaurants and only a few minutes drive to the boat yard. Larry worked alongside the muchachos from 9 to 5 and after that we had time to walk around and enjoy La Paz. After four days on the hard we were back in the water and heading back to the marina. There remains only a few random chores and items to complete and then we can head out for a couple of excursions to explore these beautiful waters.

In the channel in front of La Paz heading to the boat yard

The straps are lowered and the muchachos guide us by the iines into the cradle (a free diver in the water positions the straps to be sure they are clear of the stabilizers)

Larry takes a look at the work to be done

Not a great deal of paint remaining on the bottom

Pressure washing and sanding ahead, followed by paint and new zinks

Boat lift ‘Don Jose’ is home for the Independence for the next four days

When you see someone wander into a doorway with an empty bottle and they come out with it full, you have to investigate. It turned out to be one of the owners of La Miserable - a Mezcaleria. We learned a bit about Mezcal and tasted this proprietary batch of ‘stink-bug’ Cupreata Mezcal. Yes, those black blobs in the bottle are stink bugs and they give the Mescal a slightly almond flavor. Even though this Mescal was not particularly smokey…I think we will stick with Tequila.

Construction on the Malecon was almost complete during our initial visit. This was a recently installed sculpture…one of my favorite

The back/underside of the Manta Ray sculpture

The view from our Hotel Catedral of the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de La Paz. Thought to be built on the original location of the first Jesuit Mission in La Paz; the Cathedral was initially constructed in 1861 and its construction lasted until 1865.

The two towers of the Cathedral were added later. One in 1910 and the other in 1920

Beautiful relief sculpture of Jesus as you enter the Cathedral

The Virgen de Guadalupe in relief on the other side of the entrance

The beautiful stained glass windows of the cathedral look amazing in the evening

The fans provide a little breeze for the devout

Look at that shiny prop and pretty bottom paint!