Sailing Encore

We have been in Manzanillo for over a week now. On the 20^th we left Puerto Vallarta before sun up and sailed across big Banderas Bay to head south down the coast. We were able set the spinnaker and had an enjoyable sail about 95 miles down the ‘Gold Coast’. This area is where a lot of cruisers spend the winter months. We arrived at Chamela Bay and went to the anchorage at the north end, tucked up in what would be winter protected NW wind. But currently there is a big south west swell so the two boats that were there were really rocking. Instead we picked a small anchorage by a group of islands in the bay that should have protected us from the south swell. Very pretty anchorage but the swell slipped easily around both ends of the little islands and we rocked and rolled through the night. I took pictures from the cockpit as the sun set

and watched the Frigate birds and pelicans and seagulls all come to nest on the branches of trees and cactus for the night.

Frigate birds are big amazing flyers. They have a wingspan of 7 feet.They use the wind currents and thermal inclines to gain heights and rarely flap their wings in the process. They sometimes travel up to 70 miles off shore. When they fish they swoop low and dip their beaks in the sea to grab a surface fish – they do not land on the water. They soar as they circle counter clockwise through the air. We have been enjoying watching their flight ever since we got to Baja. We bet on how long we watch before we see one flap their wings. Beautiful birds.

At very first light we got off that rolly polly anchorage (did not sleep well at all) and motored away before even having coffee.

The Frigates and others were up even before us, flying off to get some food. I could see the younger pelicans gathering on the small beach as their parents went off. Pretty anchorage but not in this swell and wind conditions.

We motored on down the coast again to Bahia Tenacatita, a big bay just 30 miles south. We anchored behind Punta Chubasco off a small beach. There we sat for two days enjoying the quiet anchorage and reading. I snorkel geared up and swam to a set of rocks about 150 yards from the boat but it was too surgy and murky and I did not see any fish. Snuck up on some pelicans though.

We talked with some other cruisers we had met when we first arrived to Puerto Vallarta several months ago. They are going to stay in the area for the summer and were traveling up into the Sea of Cortez.

On Sunday April 23^rd we pulled anchor and sailed on down to Manzanillo. We passed by a large 735 foot tanker, Los Llanitos, crashed against the rocky coast line. Found out later that it wrecked there in 2015 with Hurricane Patricia – which reached peak winds of 215 mph off shore. All 27 crew were rescued by military helicopter but the ship was lost. They are still trying to decide how to remove it. In this day and age of technology it is scary how vulnerable ships still are with storms.

We anchored in Bahia Manzanillo in a small bay off of Las Hadas.

There is a large resort there that was built in 1960 and its’ claim to fame is that the Movie “10” with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek was filmed there.

It is a bit run down since then but according to the guide books we have we could buy a pass to sit at their pool, use their facilities and wifi. But no, the ownership has changed and no such luck. Instead we climb the steep hill and catch a bus to town.

We have found several places with internet and we buy lunch or ice cream (that one has the strongest, fastest internet:) ) and take care of the paperwork for the boat transfer. We surf the net looking at information about the Florida coast- anchorages and marinas that will allow our 9 foot draft in. We met with the Mexican officials that help with the boat transfer to the ship and so all is ready to go… Just need the ship. It is coming from Vancouver down the west coast. At first we were told all was set for this Wednesday, May 3^rd, but the ship is still in Ensenada as of this morning–so maybe Friday?? Or it could be the following Monday before we transfer on board. Until then we wait, do little projects on the boat, and wait, read and wait, watch some movies and wait. You get the idea. Let’s hope it is sooner than later….We have basically cleared out the larder so I will have to pick up some more groceries after we leave the ice cream wifi.