Cruiser Fun

Well cruising is not always about great sailing, dinner with friends or walks on endless beaches. Sometimes you have to repair the head (thats a marine toilet for you landlubbers) Linda took this to remind me life is not always what we wish for. I am trying to put on a couple of hose clamps in a mostly inaccessable area.

More Cruising Friends

When we are in a marina we enjoy going out to dinner with our friends or having them on board. The top photo of Hank and Betsy of Equinox, was taken at Barcelona Tapas overlooking the Bay, the second is of our neighbors, Kim and Dave of S/V Maluhia on board Iron Rose for an Indain Food dinner prepared by Linda. The bottom photo is of Bill and Cynthia of Creme Brulee, Dick and Carol of Tanoshii, Don of Freezing Rain, and of course, Linda. Our friends from San Diego Gary Kowal and Dorthy surprised us and joined us at Barcelona but the photos of them did not turn out. Sorry Gary.

Turtle Release

What are all of these people doing? They are releasing the baby Olive Ridley turtles, which come to this beach near our marina to lay their eggs every year. The Mexican Government protects this area and the eggs are placed inside a fence and covered and dated so that 45 days later when the eggs hatch, the turtles are carried to the ocean by eager tourists and released. Only about 2 percent survive normally, but since the eggs and the baby turtles are protected from the birds during this process, maybe more survive. We have done this outselves and taken several visitors to the turtle release. It is always a thrill to be a part of the ongoing process of nature. The turtles seem to be coming back as we have seen more each year as we cruise up and down the coast.

Restaurant Maya

Linda is standing by the best table at our favorite restaurant in Melaque, Maya, which is owned by two Canadian women who are cordon bleu chefs. The cusine is excellent and the views spectacular of Barra Bay. The surf was so high and close when we were there that spray was coming onto the patio.

Fast Passage

We left Chamela at dawn and arrived in Punta Mita less than 12 hours later, an average speed of over 8 knots, the boat's theoretical hull speed (1.4 times the squre root of the water line). As you can see, we did over 9 knots over the earth at times according to all 3 GPS units. We had about 3 knots of current and 12 to 15 knots of wind on the beam, a perfect passage. You can see the crew was pleased to be back in Banderas Bay and enjoyed the run. I caught a nice yellow fin tuna for dinner to top off a great day.