The Blessing of the Fleet - Bucerias, Mexico

Every year on January 24 the town of Bucerias celebrates the Blessing of the Fleet for the local fisherman and boats. 
The decorated boats are brought on the beach to be blessed the the Padre, then a church service follows in the nice old church at the town square.

Last year I was on one of these fishing pangas with my buddy Ethan. 
The swell was big and the fisherman needed a few more beers for courage
 before we made the beach landing.

Fireworks are a big part of any festival here in Mexico.

After the beach ceremony the whole town gathered in the small church for mass.

Everyone is dressed up for the parade thru town.

My lunch was a mixed seafood salad.
Shrimp, octopus, scallops with cucumber, onion,  tomato and avacado.
Yum!

Ahhh....Mexico!

Of course here a festival is not a festival without this...

Many Mexican cowboys with their dancing horses.

4 out of 5 Mexican cowboys prefer Modelo to other Mexican beers.

Mexico!

In a few days I travel back down to Mexico. Last winter I enjoyed 5 months exploring the Pacific coast from Cabo to Puerto Vallarta. I started as crew on board ''Set Me Free' A Beneteau 42 owned by  Captain Joe. The boat is in PV now and I am signed on as caretaker while the Captain is traveling. 
I have many amazing memories from last years adventure...reeling in that amberjack, surfing punta burro, shrimp hamburguesas, Philos, the Feb 2nd storm, Bucerias seafood, pool vollyball, street festivals, coconut shrimp in old town. You get the idea...the food is pretty good!

Capt. Joe first fish. A little tuna just off Cabo.


In January 2010 Capt Joe and I took Joes brother Pete and his wife Olga  for a boat ride. A few hours across Banderas Bay is Yelapa, the old hippy town, our destination for lunch. Half way there we came upon a fullsized humpback whale tangled in a fishing net. After observing the whales struggles I decided to row the dinghy over and try to cut the net. I remember rowing right over her as dipped under water. When she came up to breathe she was right next to me. I grabbed the rope that was wrapped tight around her midsection. The net extended to the bottom so she could only swim in small circles [water depth 330']. I put both hands on her side a spoke to the whale "relax...Im here to help". She listened and just chilled while I cut net with a paring knife from the galley. After a few minutes the net was free and the humpback spiraled down to deep water.
Olga shot some great video...watch here.

Mexico Sunset

Graveyard near San Blas