Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Bahia Agua Verde
We had coffee and went out early to snorkel and spear fish with Luke. Megan wasn’t feeling well. We didn’t see much, Scott shot another Parrott fish by mistake, it was a brown one, they change colors as they age apparently Luke Says. We came back and had banana pancakes and eggs. We then did some window shade repairs for these snap on window shades that came with the boat. I had to re-sew all the old seams as they were coming apart and damaged from prior use and sun obviously.
Then I finally laid down to blog and rest a bit.
IT IS SUPER HOT TODAY but the seas aren’t bad.
People in their boats of various types, yachts, fishing boats, sailboats, motor boats etc. are filling up our little bay, probably coming back this way from Loreto Fest. We never made it there but don’t care, we’re having fun right here.
We should leave tomorrow for Puerto Escondido and should be able to empty our stinky trash, do laundry, fill with water and GET INTERNET and hopefully SKYPE to call the fam and friends. I miss talking to everyone and being in touch. We need a sat phone or something.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Bahia Agua Verde to Puerto Escondido
Got a couple nights anchoring permit, then fueled up, watered up and cleaned the boat too. Emptied garbage, had a nice shower in their showers. Got internet and had a drink at the Restaurant. Had some beers by the pool on upper deck, it was nice to meet people and talk and relax and use the internet. Very nice place, not much of a breeze at night though but no extreme wavy boat action, which is good for sleeping. Really nice facilities here, pleasant staff and good VHF cruisers net.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Puerto Escondido
Mandy’s 27th Birthday, what a lovely daughter I have.
A whale shark came by our boat and we watched it for a long while. It was feeding on plankton with it’s big wide mouth. So cool.
Went to Loreto in a cab, dropped off the laundry at Hotel on the way. We shopped and had breakfast. We are all still sick with the runs. But we made it through. Loreto is really cute and we had fun looking at all their goods. There are cool shops and restaurants and an old old Catholic Mission Church. We saw a cop give a lady a bad time cause she threw a wrapper on the ground, he made her pick it up and then some. She was a local. Scott and I got good large brimmed hats, we needed them. Wanted some ceramic bowls but they wanted $10 each and I thought that was a lot, so we didn’t get them. Met some cool locals and enjoyed our day. Rode home and unloaded our goods. Nice to stock up on produce etc. again. I had to do the blankets in the laundrymat as the other place wouldn’t do them. Sat up by the pool with Luke, Megan, a sailor named John and had a cool drink or two. Very pleasant and relaxing, nice break.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Puerto Escondido
We all walked to the nearby Hotel to pick up our laundry and swim in their pool and eat lunch. Very nice place. The manager Carlos even gave us a ride back in his van, we tipped him of course. The mountain here are La Grange de la Gigante’s. They are fabulous, I wish we felt good enough to hike to a fresh water lake that is up there and swim. Oh, well the Hotel had a nice pool, it was so clean and cool.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Puerto Escondido To Bahia Candeleros
As we left Puerto Escondido we went through a small channel that leads in and out. It is really shallow in some areas and we have a 7’6” keel, plenty deep. We almost got grounded going out as the depth sounder said 8’ something and the alarm went off. I was a bit worried but luckily we made her out ok. YIKES
Once we were anchored at Bahia Candeleros, Scott and Luke promptly went snorkeling and spear fishing. Scott got a 3 lb. barracuda and Megan made FRESH SPEARED BARRACUDE POPPERS with a great sauce and brought it back for dinner on our boat Bliss. There was a whale shark in this bay too.
Scott also had made pasali. We all ate and enjoyed the company of Sapphire (Luke and Megan) and Buena Vista (Don and Debbie). A whale was blowing in the dark somewhere near our boat as our guests left. And the phosphorescence tonight was absolutely amazing!
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Bahia Candeleros To Isla Monserrate
Mother’s Day, wish the phone were working, ah, wish granted for one call got through. I got one call through to my Mom, the angels must have made the connection for us! Missed my kids and grandbabies today. What can I say, I’m a mom. There was a whale shark in this bay also. Scott checked it out with Don from Buena Vista.
Scott and I went to shore and walked the beach and looked for cool stuff as always.
We all went Spear fishing, and Scott got a hawkfish and a trigger fish. I got two shots off at same but missed. I’m learning to swim with the gun and all the ropes trailing behind and how to load the gun in the water etc. I keep having issues with my snorkel mask leaking water into my mouth. Might have to get a new one, don’t know what’s wrong with it. It makes it hard to swim when your gagging every 5th breath. All the women made sushi on Buena Vista, Me, Megan and Debbie. It was fun, I learned how to make the rice and roll the rolls better and we all enjoyed them and used plenty of wasabi and soy (Kikomans).
Monday, May 10, 2010
Isla Monserrate to Puerto Los Gatos, San Evaristo
We said goodbye to Sapphire whom we left sailing off in the other direction. It was sad, I am not good at good bye’s and cried quietly to myself. I know, I’m emotional, what can I say. What a wonderful couple they are. What is impressive though is how outgoing, friendly, helpful and genuine these two young adults are. They are also focused and family oriented. I so respect them and smile when I think of the beach gatherings they would initiate with new friends. They don’t miss a minute of life those two, an inspiration to us. We will miss them and hope to run into them at a later point. We wish them the best in life. Knowing them has given me a better feeling about our world, they are another bright light.
We anchored at Puerto Los Gatos but it had attacking bees, we only stayed 15 minutes before getting the heck out of there. Scott got bit twice on the same knee and luckily I didn’t get any, I was running around the cabin with my dish towel flying!!!! I’m semi-allergic so I didn’t want to deal with that. We headed onto San Evaristo which we reached and anchored in nicely. Were tired so we just read and went to bed. We are still dealing with the dreaded Montezuma’s Revenge. It will seem to be getting gone then POW, you are running to the head (toilet) again. We may have to get something in La Paz I think from a doctor. Saw some dolphins today as we were out, big ones, 2 came way off the pod and swam at the bow for quite awhile, so cute!!!!! Strong big and beautiful. Love em.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
San Evaristo to La Paz
We left San Evaristo for La Paz this morning after Scott worked on the auto-pilot, as it had started making odd noises yesterday, the chain was loose but we think he got it figured out and are testing it on our way to La Paz today. The winds are coming from the wrong direction at 12+ knots (South) so we are heading into the wind with the motor. We’re raising the main sail now. The sky is blue today, the hazy blown thin clouds gone. The sea reflects the sky so it is also blue and it is nice out. The seas are mellow, 1 foot is all, that’s why I can work on the computer now, it’s mellow enough to do so.
Well, I guess you’ve figured out we’re heading the wrong direction and are wondering what we’re up to. Scott and I decided that we are heading to Alaska via the West Coast. We were going to go via Hawai’i but are just past the safe time to do so, but sooner or later I’ll get us there. I’ve always wanted to see Alaska and the heat down here is really miserable for Scott and it will rise another possible 20 degrees this summer, so if he’s already miserable at 90 degrees, we would not be enjoying ourselves. So off to cooler climates with less bugs as well I guess.
We can visit family midway and friends.
We are sad to be leaving Mexico but are also excited about our new plan as well.
Will be nice to get certain things that are hard to find here on the baja, (too bad we didn’t get to Mexico mainland where produce is much better in small places I assume). Some produce in small places is old and wilted and hard to get at all. Larger places usually have a better selection though nothing like we’re used to in the states, we are spoiled with selection and quality on a regular basis. Would have like to get to mainland farmers markets though in Mexico, they are supposed to be fantastic!
We have totally enjoyed what we’ve seen here in our journeys. We have also had the fun experience of learning how to spear fish, compliments of Luke and Megan, on Sapphire,
We are much better sailors than we were when we left California last December 2009.
Just a note to all cruisers coming to Mexico, don’t have things shipped Fed-Ex, they charge you customs when they shouldn’t and don’t even get your stuff to you sometimes. Anyway, we’ve heard over and over, not to use them and it was true for us, they are a rip-off. Also, we have not been happy with the local Tel-Cel service or coverage for phone and internet. It’s about all there is though, so what do you do. UGH.
Just saw a pod of Dolphins, they were fishing. Love those guys!!!!
We also saw a fairly large shark slithering on the surface, it is pretty calm today and easier to spot them. Usually we’ve seen them in the morning though and this was late afternoon.
I saw a little skinny flying fish, so cute.
We saw 3 whales that Scott swears are killer whales, I didn’t see the colors I guess. They have been seen around here though.
We saw a seal acting strangely, kind of skimming over the surface, weird.
We got in safely and only 10 minutes after Scott had estimated we would.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
La Paz
We slept well, once the breeze cooled things off in the cabin berth. We read for quite awhile, we are both engrossed in our books. We are really enjoying reading lately.
Scott had to bum a dinghy ride in to get a patch kit for our dinghy ( I call it “THE DINK”, no nastiness, just what I call it). Anyway it had rubbed against the back davet and wore a hole in it. No more riding back there, up on deck it comes.
We had to buy oil, transmission fluid, primary fuel filter, etc. and took a taxi to get some medicine for our amebic dysentery or whatever the MONTEZUMA’S REVENGE is, as we have still been suffering. The Pharmacist gave us each a 2 pill – one day dose of medicine. I hope the medicine works, we took the 2 pill dosage each on the way home!!!! Sorry for the gross info, it’s just part of travelling I guess for some of us.
We did the usual laundry run, trash run etc. and checked in with the Port Captain as required.
Came home, unloaded groceries and put them away, no easy task, but luckily the DINK is fixed and seems to be holding air. Yeah!!!!!
Pretty hot here in La Paz. I’m looking forward to cooler zones I guess now, but watch we’ll be whining about the cold before you know it when we get there.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
La Paz to Ensanada de Los Muertos
We got up and went to fuel dock and got fuel and water, emptied trash again and old used oil at the disposal station. Motored mostly to Ensanada de Los Muertos. I think the medicine is working on us thankfully, our energy has been down a bit from it but we’re bouncing back! We saw a Mahi Mahi (also called El Dorado and also called Dolphin Fish) chasing fish, it was pretty. It surged strongly out of the water and flew forward down into it again. We weren’t fishing but I was tempted, they sure are good! A live band played onshore some really good jazzy rock blues type stuff. Great singer. All for free, that’s for me! We showered and read and slept like babies til morn. Poor Scott stubbed his toe something fierce and took a chunk of skin right off! GROSS
Friday, May 14, 2010
Ensanada de Los Muertos to Bahia Los Frailes
We got up early and pulled anchor at 6:00 a.m. after Scott had checked the oil, it had been fine yesterday. After we started the oil pressure read high for unknown reasons, so back we turned, dropped anchor again and Scott changed all the oil and oil filter. We left around 9:00 a.m. and motored and sailed at a nice 6+ knots until we hit a current it appeared and it slowed us to 4.5 and up. Had a good day, it was cooler and hazy and the breeze was cool. Scott had a couple BBH’s today. BBH is our code word for “BROWN BUTT HAPPENING”, and no, it’s not what you’re thinking. The BBH is when Scott is on the port side of the cockpit sitting or laying and accidentally bumps the autopilot with his butt and it goes way off course and we finally notice, yikes! Scott loves to get the boat a goin’. He plays with the sails constantly to get, just a little bit more out of ‘er. What a character.
I cut fabric squares all day. I want to make a blanket or 2 or 3 or 4 or …… if I can, for all the grandkids, it’s going to take awhile but I love the colors and working with the fabric, the feel of it, the patterns, and the thought of the finished product and my grandbaby snuggling up in it. I got a lot cut out today on the move, hee hee.
We only saw a ray or two and after we arrived and anchored at Los Frailes a big one did a double flip in back of our boat (only Scott saw it) and then it proceeded to do a triple flip right after. What a show off, Scott yelled down that it had also looked at him with it’s eyes. Interesting, maybe to say goodbye from Mexico, see what you might be missing? Who knows. I made a pasta salad, way too much “as usual”. I can’t seem to make small portions. I need the kids here to eat it up with us eh? We ate it with barbequed hamburgers, yum!!! Scott rarely eats beef, so it’s a rarity we buy it and have some. It was delicious.
I’m sitting here watching the sunset change colors, pink, to coral, to deep pink/coral mix, now to shades of purplish and grey, the different layers of the distant mountains, some lighter than others is so beautiful. The breeze is pleasant, the waves are crashing on the sand softly. Voices float through the night air easily from shore and boats nearby. I can hear a slapping on the water near the boat. It is really dark now as it is a new moon, I think it must be the manta ray flipping out of the water again. What a little ham he is, I wish I could see him, I might have to get the flashlight out eh.
I’m going to remember Mexico and the lovely and humble people who struggle here, most with smiles and grace.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Bahia Los Frailes to Cabo San Lucas
We left at 7:00 a.m. without incident, sailed as well as motored. Had to watch for submerged rocks that were on the charts so we steered well clear of them. We passed threw a huge crowd of Sport Fishing boats and saw a whale spout there as well. I saw two dark shadows off the side of the boat, the water is so dark today it’s hard to see but then I saw the 2 dolphins, so it wasn’t just my eyes playing tricks on me.
Saw a few Rays jumping.
Ate breakfast on the go. Some yummy strawberries with cream and sugar on the side. So delicious, they have good ones, I think they come in from CA though. Good just the same.
We are hoping to get into Tel Cel in Cabo and get our internet and phone working again so we can try to use them until we’re out of Mexico. I’m not impressed with them but they are all there is that we know of. We’ll have to look into getting a cell phone and/or aircard in the states again. Anyone know of companies that offer aircards cheap???
We had a new event on the way a PBH, (no a PBH isn’t a PBJ, hee hee), it is a PETERSON BUTT HAPPENING, I bumped the autopilot button near where I was sitting with my butt and it turned us in a circle til Scott noticed and set us back on course. Yikes.
We are just a clipping along at 6-7 knots without the engine, the winds are 12-14 knots. SO about half speed. We have the Genoa and the Main out on a broad reach. The seas are 3 feet.
I’m not taking sea sick pills lately and have been fine so far. They make me groggy so if I can do without I’ll be more helpful on board eh.
