The morning of Day 6 dawns - and you are ready to sail, BUT a minor detail now crosses your mind - only destination open to you is back to your original departure Port or Marina as you only had a week's holiday, your flight home departs tomorrow morning early, and you need to be back in that port that evening !!

What an we learn from this story? However reputable yacht owner/agency, however new yacht and its equipment, however well maintained, however careful you may be - this sort of thing can happen to anyone, anywhere. Just change names and places and a similar problem can arise. Don't forget also that you can be gale-bound in harbour for days on end.

Can you protect yourself against such a happening, and what should you do when it arises?

The answer to first question is NO, and suggested reaction to second is: - relax (difficult though this may at first seem); be patient; try to understand elements of human nature which will be displayed by all around you - your crew and "outsiders".

You could react like skipper in our story and make endless irate phone calls to everyone you can think of or, as we suggest, you can accept facts as they are - problem has arisen.

1. Try and make best of a bad job. Explore locale where you are "marooned". Make short trips by water-taxi, taxi, hire-car, on foot or by local ferries and keep your crew amused and remaining in holiday mood, i.e. shopping, sightseeing, swimming, enjoying special lunches and dinners, etc.

2. Remember, you will certainly be compensated by your charter agent/owner for lost sailing days, provided you take a few simple steps to ensure that your claim will be met.

3. Contact your charter company immediately, PREFERABLY IN WRITING, if it is at all possible, e.g. by fax or e-mail, and inform them of what has happened and that you will contact them again. Give them a telephone or fax number where you can be contacted.

4. NEVER LEAVE THE VESSEL UNATTENDED OR OUT OF SIGHT - Vangelis would love you to give him an excuse or "cover story" for not having come back to boat when promised.

5. Be understanding of Vangelis's problems - he will do his best if you are polite and patient. Tip his assistant - that will work wonders.

6. When all is well again and boat is repaired - contact your agent again, by fax or e-mail preferably, tell him that all is well and tell him that a FORMAL CLAIM for compensation for loss of holiday will be forthcoming.

7. When you finally return home make formal claim, in writing, detailing minutes details of saga as it unfolded - what happened, actions you took, reactions of local agent and his employed contacts.

Make sure you have all paperwork involved, especially contract documents- do not leave them on boat! A sensible thing to have done would have been to look back in Ship's Log Book (if there is any), to see if previous charterers had run into similar problems.

If an accident was part of cause of problem make sure that other people who may have been involved are brought into act, and statements are taken for witnesses.

We can not really advise you as to whether, or not, you will accept any offered compensation - whether it be cash or substitute holidays - THAT CHOICE IS YOURS. Only you know how you and your crew felt about happenings, whether you made best of a bad job at time, whether everyone did their best to mitigate your losses and disappointments, and whether offered compensation is adequate.

Whether you accept cash or a replacement holiday will probably depend on how much holiday time you and your crew have left.

Alexander M. Vournas

Nightlife The nightlife in Mazatlán starts late and will live up to your expectations. Many of nightclubs and discos do not even open until 9 or 10 pm and close around 3 or 4 am. A large selection of dancing, live music, Mexican Fiestas and Theme Night Spectaculars, and festive watering holes to choose from. Music at local bars, sport bars and discotheques ranges from easy listening piano bar music for a quieter evening to mariachi groups or tambora bands. Most places don’t require cover charge, but some do. Many bars offer ‘ladies nights’ during week with free admissions and drinks. One thing for sure, you will love Mazatlán after dark! Event There's always something happening in Mazatlán. They have several activity events every month. What to See Acuario Mazatlán (Mazatlan Aquarium) - located half a block east of Avenida del Mar at Avenida de los Deportes #111. Over 250 species from around world of fresh and saltwater marine life from colorful reef, fish to moray eels. Interesting sea museum and an auditorium with film about sea life. Daily show of sea lion and exotic birds is presented several times everyday in an open-air amphitheater. There is an adjoining botanical garden with various tropical displays and small zoo with crocodile exhibit. Mazatlán's Aquarium, one of largest in Latin America, it's perfect for a family visit. Open daily 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m, admission is charged. Old Mazatlán Historical Zone - oldest part of city just inland from Playa Olas Atlas. In heart of Old Mazatlán is large 19th-century cathedral with its high, yellow twin towers and beautiful statues inside. Two blocks south, attractive Plazuela Machado is centre of a large historic area of Mazatlán. It's surrounded by unique sidewalk cafes and beautifully restored historic buildings such as Teatro Ángela Peralta, built in 1860. Blocks of historical building structures and private residences including rows of town house with wrought-iron and stone trimline narrow streets. Cliff Divers - cliff divers are a tradition in Old Mazatlán. They jump into a small shallow cove and come very close to rocks. The divers are not paid and they only jump for tips and for fun. This is also where families gather and enjoy food and snacks from street vendors, including fresh coconut drinks. Activities Mazatlán is famous for its sport fishing - especially for marlin, swordfish, sailfish, tuna and dorado (dolphinfish). There are plenty of fishing operators, all of whom should offer tag and release options. Water sports such as scuba diving, water-skiing, sailing, parasailing and boogie boarding are all available year-round. The best surfing is at Punta Camarón and 'Cannons', off point near old fort on Paseo Olas Altas.

Guided Tour A tour guide is a good way to see city highlights, history and several points of interest surrounding towns and area. If you want to enjoy sights and best shopping of Mazatlán. We recomand Frank as your guide, he will meet you at your hotel, at cruise ship dock or at airport with a very comfortable, clean and air conditioned vehicle. He speaks English and Spanish, very friendly and knowledgeable about city, and he will answer any of your questions. Visit his website at www.mazatlan-tours.com Jungle Tour - tour boat will pass harbor featuring largest shrimp, tuna fleets in country, Mexican navy boat, Pacifico Brewery, shrimp packing plants and thermoelectric plant where power is produced for state of Sinaloa. You will cruise through mangroves-lined waterways and inlets, and up to Isla de la Piedra (Stone Island). It is ideal for bird and nature lovers. You could see Mexican Brown Pelican, Sea Hawk, Blue Heron, Osprey and other exotic water fowls in this protected wildlife refuge. The tour stops at a native farm for a snack. You will go for an wonderful ride through coconut plantation to a private beach. Where you would enjoy sunbathing, horseback riding, or a stroll down beach looking for seashells and maybe largest sand dollars. A delicious charcoal-grilled fish, Mexican rice, homemade tortillas, and coconut candy desert will be served. On your return, get ready to enjoy Pelican and Frigate bird show.

Recommended Reading "Mazatlan IS Paradise" by Charles A Hall. This book is available at La Vina church and Mazatlán Book and Coffee Shop in Mazatlán, also online at www.iuniverse.com or www.amazon.com

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This article is just a small portion of what Mazatlán has to offer. There is so much about its history, beach, real estate, rental, medical, dining, what to see and do, events, wild life rescrue, charity, fishing, bird watching and much more.

I highly recomand reading book mentioned above "Mazatlan IS Paradise". Then you will fall in love with this city as I did. Whatever your passion, this is place. Mazatlán, where you can still experience "real Mexico" with friendly people, very good food and activities to choose from, and nice long streches of sunny beach and spectacular sunsets.

About the author: Yvon Marier, waiting to retire and moving full time to Mazatlán. For more info about your travel booking, go to: http://www.easytraveling.net