"Sailing" South

A Sea Turtle in Banderas Bay

Dolphins by the bow

These past weeks have been full of fun, peace, and enjoyment.  We left Puerto Vallarta around noon on the 19th of November and had ourselves anchored up in Bahia Chamela by 10AM the 20th.  What a beautiful full moon ride.  We even got to sail for about 5 hours!!!  Along the way we saw many sea turtles (always quick to duck under before we were too close) and dolphins.  They are so much fun to watch as they come swim towards the boat, then play around our bow.  It's amazing to watch.  They don't even look like they are moving and yet the stay with us playing with one another, then shoot off.  During the dark of night the phosphorescence surrounding them as they swim with us is unbelievable.  We could see glittering clumps out beside us moving toward us.  We'd run to the bow and look down upon this beautiful sight of the dolphins encased in their phosphorescent cocoons.  Unfortunately, it was impossible to capture with a camera.

Sunset enroute to Chemala

Moon rise en route to Chamela

Sun rise en route to Chamela

Isla Pajarera, Bahia Chemala 

We stay in the achorage on the south side of Isla Pajarera.  There are lots of birds around and nesting on the island.  The close up of the cactus has black spots on top that are birds.  Maybe turkey vultures.  There are a lot of them along with frigates and other vulture like raptor.  We have a view of 3 other islands here and take a dinghy ride around them all.  We even take the boat over to the main anchorage over by the mainland to see if we can get internet or if is is more scenic.  We return to our Islands and anchor behind Isla Cocinas for the night.  In the morning we head to Bahia Tenacatita, 29 miles south of here.

Close up of anchorage at Isla Pajarera

Monday (the 23rd) afternoon we are greeted by a dolphin right after anchoring in Tenacatita.  Only one other boat here.  How grand to have such peace and quiet.  Oh, come night time the resort on the shore comes alive with loud music and an announcer that is even louder with antics to amp up the crowd.  So much for the "peace" part.  The privacy part is gone by Friday night, although there are only 11 boats (the big motor yachts seem to be attracted to us).  I couldn't see my boat as I was leaving a friend's boat in our dinghy because it was dwarfed by the motor yacht behind it!

Thursday I go snorkeling with Dennis and Terry from s/v Rapture.  Phileta is a bit under the weather so doesn't come along.  I follow them in our dinghy for a ride around Chubasco Point over to "the aquarium" which is suppose to be a good spot.  We dinghy past the area where 700 people lost their homes/palapas, businesses because the businessman who owns the land is going to build a resort there.  Some of those people claim they own the land.  It's sad for Dennis as there were places he shopped and ate the last time he was down here.  We come back to Punta Chubasco and find the water more clear so we stop and explore.  Then I get to go surfing with them too.  I still don't get on my feet on the board, but I'm great on my knees.  The poor inflatable kayak needs more air, it folds as I catch a wave,but it's all fun.  After that I go back to the boat to make brownies for Thanksgiving dinner at s/v Rapture.  A great end for a very fine day.

Friday morning we had a "bloom" of jellyfish.  It started with just a few as the tide was coming in and then there were hundreds of them gliding by the boat.  I had to get in the inflatable kayak to see if they were washing up on the beach like those little purple critters with a single clear 1/2 circle sail on top that we would see by the hundreds on the coast in Bandon.  They weren't.  I don't know where they all went.  Saturday night we were down to only a dozen or so around the boat. They lasted for a few more days then, poof, they are gone.  People coming into the bay on Friday said the bay was full of the jellyfish.

kayaking near the shoreline

Sam, Veronica, & John driving

Saturday it's a dighny ride up the estuary (AKA "the jungle ride") with John, Veronica, & their visiting friend, Sam, from m/v Sea Quest.  Liz & John from m/v Outta Here are in their dinghy as are Maggie & Neville from m/v Blue.  Lot's of little herons, a couple of Snowy Egrets, two little foot long crocodiles sunning themselves, a coatamundi, big butterflies, and lots of little crabs.  We make it to the lagoon and find it true that there are armed guards to keep you from coming ashore.  This is the back side of the area that was bulldozed.  Well, at least one can still come up the estuary.

Can you see the crocodile?

Beginning of the estuary

Looking up the beach at La Manzanilla

Looking the other way at La Manzanilla

Monday, November 29th, it's Phileta's turn to get out and play.  She catches a ride with Outta Here across the bay to La Manzanilla for breakfast.  I'm going ashore at the anchorage to do yoga with Lena from m/v Hobo.  We all have a good time. 

I get another day of yoga onshore, this time Sue from s/v Moonshine joins us.  Nothing like it.  Yoga on the sand, then a refreshing swim in the ocean, then kayak back to the boat.  Life is truly appreciated here.

The next day after yoga, we pull up anchor to head Bahia de Navidad to anchor in Melaque where we are now.   There is much more "civilization" here.  This is the Canadian side of the bay.  Lots of trailers, 5th wheels, and monster buses all with Canadian plates.  The bay is not as clear as our last stop and I'm not eager to jump in for a swim.  Barra is on the other side of the bay.  I'm told it is the American side.  All the boats in the bay here are friends we've made in La Cruz.  Guess we have become part of the "cruising community".

Across the bay to our anchorage

This post is getting a bit long and I've nearly used up my battery, so I'll close this for now.   I'll post our pictures from our roamings around the bay here in a few days 

We are well and happy and hope that you are also.  Josie just looked up to say "Hello" too.

Love and Light to All,

D & P

A local with her wares for sale