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Floating Again

It has been a labour of love – plus numerous sweaty t-shirts. We believe in working – AND playing hard, and there is a time and place for everything. The companionship we found amongst cruisers in the boatyard combined with a great meal and a hot shower by day’s end made up for all the inconveniences.

October went by and our list of projects grew smaller with every day. Our hard labour paid off, and on November 3rd Fortitude X went back into its natural habitat, 150 days after she had been pulled out and stored at Cabrales boatyard for Hurricane season.

Happy Painting

 

Shiny Propeller

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Boat Yoga

New Galvanized Anchor Chain

Fortitude X on the Move

 

Lucio’s tacos are THE Best

 

Dinner with Friends

 

El Dia de los Muertos, “The Day of the Death”, is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their late loved ones, and remember and honour those they have lost. Families have a picnic at the cemetery, make an oferenda, or altar, at home, and attend a Day of the Dead festival in the evening. Far from being a morbid event, Dia de los Muertos emphasizes remembrance of past lives and expresses celebration of the continuity of life. The streets are filled with people – many in costumes, laughter and music everywhere, and the smell of flowers and spices in the air.

La Catrina

 

Dia de los Muertos Celebration

 

A night’s sail further and we immersed ourselves in a completely different world. Leaving the hassle and bustle of Puerto Penasco behind, we dropped anchor in Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, an incredible serene and beautiful place with near-perfect beaches, a lack of crowds, and the beauty of the desert landscape. More stops along the way included small bays like La Gringa, La Mona, Don Juan, and San Fancisquito before seeking shelter from the Northerlies (winds) in the small harbour of Santa Rosalia. The discovery and mining of copper in the second half of the 19th century brought wealth and fame to the little town. One of its landmarks, a church designed by Gustave Eiffel, can still be visited today.

We moved on to Punta Chivato, a tranquil expat’s community; shells line the beach for as far as the eye can see, and a few of them can now be found as part of Christmas decoration on board Fortitude X.  We are moving slow, taking our time to explore the treasures of the Sea of Cortez, well aware that we might not be returning to this part of the world in the near future.

Slow Day on the Water

 

Vamos a la Playa

 

Dinghy Ride

 

Pure Bliss

 

We have met wonderful people along our journey this year, experienced incredible acts of kindness, listened to stories filled with hope and encouragement, and all of this led me to believe that maybe, against all odds, news, and scientific data, there is still faith in the inherent goodness of human beings.

With that in mind, we’ll wish you a Merry Christmas & peace, love and happiness for 2024!

8 Comments

  • Walley Wargolet
    Posted December 11, 2023 at 1:27 am

    Hi Stephanie and Torsten! Looks like you’re working very hard out there and the boat looks great and so do you two.

    I hope you enjoy the holiday season and that 2024 treats us all with kindness.

    Safe journeys!

    Warm regards,

    Walley

    Reply
    • Torsten Schulz
      Posted December 27, 2023 at 7:36 pm

      Thanks Walley, hope you are both doing well. Wishing you just the best for the new year!

      Reply
  • Nicole
    Posted December 12, 2023 at 2:25 am

    Hope you both have the Merriest of Christmases! Miss you and hope we cross paths soon!

    Reply
    • Torsten Schulz
      Posted December 27, 2023 at 7:35 pm

      Thank you, same to you. Big hugs for you and the family.

      Reply
  • Marcia
    Posted December 12, 2023 at 4:40 pm

    Beautiful adventure story from beautiful people(inside and out). You reap what you sow, may your kindness and generosity be repaid tenfold. Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you both soon

    Reply
    • Torsten Schulz
      Posted December 27, 2023 at 7:34 pm

      You are too nice, my friend! we’ll see you in a couple of weeks in Mazatlan; can’t wait.

      Reply
  • Bruce and Kathy
    Posted December 13, 2023 at 8:48 am

    Love your journals . Have a wonderful Christmas .

    Reply
    • Torsten Schulz
      Posted December 27, 2023 at 7:33 pm

      Thank you kindly. We fondly remember our time in Tasmania, exactly nine years ago.

      Reply

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