Step 1- Take all your stuff out and catalog what you have
Delos got a complete detail job by a team of local guys. They’re on their 6th day of scrubbing, polishing, and repairing minor gel coat dings we’ve accumulated over the past few years. The chore list is getting shorter by the day with the rigging inspection, oil changes, organizing, and dozens of other tasks crossed off our list.
Delos from the top of the mast (65ft) during the rigging inspection
In the process all three of our Visa cards were turned off due to “suspicious activity”. In fact, we purchased so much at Walmart that the cashier had to stop ringing up items, process our card, and start another ticket. Apparently there is a limit their tills can handle and we exceeded it.
Essentials- juice, wine, and TP
We’re provisioning for 30 days at sea and 90 days in French Polynesia for a total of 4 months of goodies. By this time we should arrive in Tahiti where supplies are available. We’re focusing on staples like canned goods that have a long shelf life. I think Mexico is easier to provision than the US in that respect. Not only is it cheaper, but there is a wide selection of boxed and canned items that would normally require refrigeration. Good examples are milk and juice which we’ve stocked up on.
We pull all the labels off to avoid cockroache eggs hidden in the glue
Our new assortment of trolling lures
In French Polynesia supplies are brought in by boat so everything is very expensive. We’ve heard the cheapest bottle of rum will set you back $60 US. Our favorite Antillano rum costs 60 pesos ($5) so we buy as much as we can carry at every store. Since we’re only allowed to import 2 liters of alcohol per person we’re taking the advice of other cruisers and filling up a 20 liter jerry jug. Supposedly customs doesn’t inspect your jugs on deck. Since we like to drink rum with juice we need about 60 liters of just pineapple juice to maintain our 3 to 1 ratio. The list goes on and on including enough beer and wine for 3 people for 3 months (a staggering pile). Delos is a dry boat while at sea so we’ll be saving this for after we make landfall.
Our favorite (and cheap) Antillano rum
Petter and Octavia assisting with the jerry jug
We celebrated my birthday last night in true cruiser fashion with a dock party. Brady arrived two days ago to assist with the final preparations. Things are coming together and we’re planning to check out of Mexico tomorrow and depart over the weekend!
Happy 34th birthday cruiser style!