Mazatlan

23 10.9 N 106 25.3 W

We sailed overnight to Mazatlan on the mainland.  We had read that the anchorage in the commercial port area was near the sewerage plant but presumed with the wharfs for the ferries and cruise ships nearby the sewerage plant would not be a problem.  Hummm about 3 miles out a foul strong odor permeated the boat - I had hoped it was from guano on a nearby rock or rotting seaweed but the odor became stronger as we got closer to the harbor.  It was definitely the sewerage plant and I would not advise anyone to anchor there because the smell was disgusting.  It was intermittent but always appeared as you were about to eat breakfast or dinner - real gagging raw stench. 

During our sail down the Baja coast along with the flotilla of little America (the Baja Ha Ha rally fleet) we became a little competitive.  We would get up at a ridiculous hour, before sun rose, and prepare to leave the bay - hopefully quietly so we didn't wake any of the other cruisers and give them a headstart.  We would power out, put up all sails and hoon our way to the next bay.  Each and every time the others, who no doubt had slept in, had a 3 course breakfast done as only American's can do it, and mosied along the coast would pass us.  We learnt the names of many of the boats as we glared at them through our binoculars - wanting to display a rude sign but too polite to do so !!!  We are a heavy slow cruising boat but surely not everyone has to pass us !