After another round of Mexican institutional corruption where two of our crew were fleeced for another $31 each we were finally granted permission to depart Mexico. The amiable customs agent and his charming assistant were friendly and professional which was a welcome change from our previous Mexican bureaucratic authority experiences. The assistant boarded Matilda for a brief, courteous inspection. Multiple papers were signed and stamped. Then we were cleared for a 3 o’clock departure. Unfortunately, the tide was not high enough for Matilda‘s 6.5’ draft so we had to wait about an hour for the rising tide to lift her off the muddy bottom. The truly unfortunate consequence of our late departure was that the assistant customs agent was made to stand on the dock in the hot sun and wait for us to leave. Evidently, a photograph of our departure is required and her colleague saw no reason they should both stand in the sun. She politely refused our offer of water or soda or engage in anyway with us despite our chivalrous attempts to aid her. She was kind enough to take our picture with one of our phones.

The next post will describe the five day passage through the notorious Tehuantepec and Papagayo winds. High seas drama at it’s finest. You won’t want to miss it!