Commentary
I stand on the fantail and stare out at the buildings across the bay from the cutter. We’re moored in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, one of the more popular spring break destinations in this part of the world. Having spent the previous day driving back and forth between the resort and the boat, I can see why; it’s pretty well-developed. There are plenty of first-world amenities, several malls, a Walmart and a Sam’s Club, high-rise hotels, booze cruises, and miles of white beaches and clear tropical water.
The resort was … well, a resort. The staff was smiling and friendly, and 95 percent spoke excellent English. The guests looked like they had been sampled from every middle-class family on the planet. Americans, Chinese, German, South African, Israeli, Russian; I heard it all. I dozed and watched a Pacific sunset before heading back to the cutter to get a full night’s rest (and sleep off the margaritas). Then it would be time to report for watch….