Puerto Angel

What a sweet sweet town. This is a small anchorage, with a lot of pangas taking up most of the room. But we managed to squeeze ourselves in. It was still a bit on the windy side, but so worth the stop. We walked thru town on Sunday, and the streets were filled with music and beautiful voices coming from a church service. It was one of those moments that sent chills down my spine. The water is now 90 degrees, so we spent some time snorkeling. I found eggplant at a local vegi stand and made eggplant parmesan in my Barbie kitchen. I have to say that after 5 months, I have fully adapted to my tiny tiny kitchen. My basil plants are still thriving, in case you were wondering.......We were boarded by the navy, and all I was worried about was them taking my basil! It was a simple routine check, and was no big deal. It is a little intimidating because these guys are toting really big guns with one hand at the ready. Jack thought it was the coolest thing ever! They were very nice, and even tried to teach me how to speak a few lines of spanish. Our stay was brief as we are still a bit unnerved from drifting anchor at our last windy spot, so today we head on just a 2 hour hop to Puerto Sacraficios.


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Puerto Escondido

We departed Acapulco at 2pm and arrived in Puerto Escondido the following day at 5pm. For the first time in months, we sailed upwind with winds ranging from 10 to 18 knots. Seas were flat to mixed swell, making for a sometimes bumpy ride. A counter current slowed our progress much of the way. We stayed true to our 4 hour watch shifts during this 27 hour passage and we both had plenty of rest. Upon leaving Acapulco, it felt like we were entering the wild kingdom! On this passage we had over 12 whale sightings, a ton of sea turtles, dolphins, and lots of flying stingrays like the little guy in this photo I was lucky enough to snap. None of the whale photos were worth posting. They are hard to catch in action, but I will keep trying! We had our hand lines out during the day, and only hooked one fish, a small skipjack tuna, so we let him go. We have not had much luck fishing, but we hear it will improve as we head further south. The sunrise and sunset, that I was lucky to have entertain me on my watches, were beautiful. Our stay in this beautiful little bay was short lived. It was windy and we were wondering how we were even going to get to shore. The next morning when we woke up, we noticed quickly that our anchor had dragged and we were no where near where we first laid our chain. That was a bit unnerving, and the winds were still going strong. So we decided to pull up and out and make our way to our next stop. Whatever our anchor hooked on prevented us from blowing out to sea, but also gave us a good fight trying to raise her from the sea floor. It took us 45 minutes to get it unstuck, and the winds were picking up their force. The three of us kept our cool and worked well as a team, but my knees were knocking just between you and me. I reminded Jack, and myself by saying out loud, we just have to think positive thoughts, and a moment later we were unstuck and underway to our next stop. Puerto Angel is a well protected bay, and just a six hour hop. We really want to check out Puerto Escondido and plan to take a quick cab ride over from Puerto Angel so we can explore this adorable town, known for it's surfing, coffee beans, and the 11 varieties of bananas that grow here. So we are underway once again. Looking forward to putting our feet on dry land soon.



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Leaving Acapulco - Mission accomplished

Our prop is fixed, and we are ready to get the heck out of here. This will be one place we will not miss, but we will forever remember our new friend Benne. He went above and beyond helping us. We tried to pay him for the use of his mooring, use of one of his dive tanks, use of one of his divers, directions to everything we needed while we were here, from propane to little tiny screws. He would not take one cent from us. No catch, just a kind helpful soul we were lucky to cross paths with. What was potentially going to cost us hundreds of dollars, and possibly into the thousand range if we would have hauled out and stayed in a hotel..... ended up costing us nothing. So our Bali fund is still in place, and we are forever touched by this mans generosity and kindness. What is making this trip so meaningful, is not the places we are seeing, but the people we are meeting along the way. There is also a real sense of community in Mexico. Everyone helps one another, families seem to be very close, and not as dysfunctional, or a better word - separated, as in the U.S.A. Today we are off to our next spot, Puerto Escondido, a small surf town. This will be a 24 hour passage. We only have a few more stops in Mexico to make before we cross into Central America!!!!

Acapulco

We made it safe and sound and the 18 hour passage from Ixtapa to Acapulca was calm and quiet. It felt soooo good to be underway again after three weeks in a marina. With 10 knots of wind on our back the entire way, we motored along at 6 knots. We, once again, are on the move without the Lisa Kay. ( aka our buddy boat) They are still in Ixtapa working on their water maker and enjoying taking their son Ben surfing. Originally we thought we would be side by side once we reconnected with them in Puerto Vallarta. But it turns out we have different schedules and different interests. I am sure they understand our need to move forward, just as we understand their desire to linger and enjoy where they are. So it is all good. So here we are flying solo once again. We do hope to reconnect with them at some point, if fate should have it. From the water Acapulco is beautiful! We spent our first day/night anchored by the Navy pier. We stopped here to have Santosha hauled out of the water so we could fix one of our props, due to the fact that this is the last place for that until we hit Central America. Patrick went ashore to find out where and when we could do this and quickly learned that it was not going to happen. Being a catamaran has its disadvantages. While researching this he met a great soul - Benne, who is a master diver and repairs the Navy ships as well. He offered us a free mooring, and use of one of his divers at no charge, unless we wanted to pay the diver what ever we felt was fair. I thought OK, what is the catch? But there is none. He is just a great guy, with a great crew, willing to help, which is unheard of in the US. So we moved today to one of his moorings, and Patrick went to work on taking the prop apart underwater. Tomorrow am one of Benne's divers will come and assist in the reassemble of this delicate project. If a little tiny screw is dropped, it goes into the abiss....and we get to go on a man hunt, ummmmm or screw hunt, all over trying to find a replacement. Talk about divine guidance tho. Without Benne, who is from Australia and speaks english......We would be in a world of hurt right now. So today, while Patrick worked on the prop, Jack and I took a Taxi to Walmart. Well .......it was an experience. He and I have decided to rename this place ACAYUCKA. Now this is just our opinion, so take it just for that. We are just not into traffic, crowds, and complete confusion. This city is huge. After being in very small peaceful, sometimes very remote places for the last 4 months, the noise and smell was an overload on the senses and the patients. But we did survive our trip to Walmart, with no spanish - it was a miricle. The people here are so sweet with my lack of spanish and complete gringo - ness. Pointing and smiling is getting me by, but man - o - man do I wish I could speak spanish. My life would be a lot easier. Tomorrow Jack and I are going to explore the nearby history museum, while Patrick continues to put Santosha back together....underwater no less. If I hang arround for that I will bite off every nail, so it is best if I amuse myself and Jack on shore. So back into the Jungle we will head. And seriously - this place is a jungle. I am thankful for my yoga practice, which is why I posted the last photo - because no matter where or what my surroundings are, I vow to remain calm on and off my mat!

Goodbye Ixtapa

After three weeks in this special place in the world, we sadly say farewell and make our way to Acapulco. We have met three very special people who made our stay here feel like home. Adam and Zuzanna are the Captain and Stewardess of Lola which is, lucky for us, docked right next to us. Adam greeted us with a warm smile the first day we arrived, giving us the low down on the place. We invited them over for dinner the next night, and we became life long friends within 10 minutes. They spent Christmas and New Years with us, and we will forever cherish the time we spent with them. They also introduced us to the sweetest man, Alberto, who became our Taxi cab driver. His english was very good, which made finding what we needed very easy! ( CAB # 56 if you are ever in this area here is his phone # 0447551086892.) We promised him to stop back by and take him and his wife sailing on our way back to California when our adventure has us returning this way. That is if we can get him to take a day off. The man has not taken one day off in over a year. He told us once his car is payed off, he will take a day off! That is the way most of this country is. Even the guys working on the boats in the Marina showed up on New Years day. I admire the work ethic here, and the warmth and generosity we have witnessed since arriving in Mexico. If you are considering a place to vacation, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo are just a short direct flight from Lax. This is my favorite place so far. With the added bonus of The Present Moment just a 25 min. Taxi drive from here - you can be sure that I will revisit this place for many years to come.

The Present Moment Retreat Center - Troncones Beach

The other day I was feeling a bit boat crazy. Like I needed to change surroundings or I was going to go mad. So I went on line and googled Yoga centers in Ixtapa. Present Moment, with one click found me calling them and making a resevation for the next day. And I am happy to report, we just returned from Heaven on earth. The Present Moment Retreat Center should be at the top of your to do lists for 2011, if you are into yoga, or need a place to go to reconnect with that part of yourself that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. It is quiet and peaceful. The food was the best I have had since leaving San Diego. Staying in a private palapa with landscape that would make Adam and Eve jealous, was a delight for eyes. The energy in this place, and even on the beach that it is planted on, was the best I have felt since arriving in Mexico. I have been on many retreats, and this is like no other. The yoga classes and meditation class I took this am, were the finest I have ever experienced. Seriously, it was really that good. Patrick, who was reluctant to go, even loved it. He didn't participate in the yoga or meditation, but felt at peace and he was so relaxed by the time we left just from being there. This was his first experience in a retreat setting, and it was nice to share what is such a big part of me, with him. I think next time I suggest a place like this, he will be all for it! Jack loved it as well, and wanted to participate in the yoga and meditation. It was adult only classes so I promised him I would take him back one day when he is older. A promise I am looking forward to keeping! I have no doubt that I will return to this magical place one day and spend a good solid week in complete bliss.

For YOU

I just came across this wonderful Red Blessing for the New Year, and I just have to share it with you because it sums it all up perfectly for me. AND from the bottom and top of my soul - I wish this for you:

May health high-five your cells

May serenity slide down your spine

May pleasure punch your panties

and may you remember that it's all divine ( LOVE)

May trust meet your every corner

May beauty smooch your every curve

May life remind you that it is now or never........

and that we are all here to serve (LOVE)

May forgotten deities paint your eyelids

and giddy angels spank your ass

May your heart tell you to bring it on

and your soul declare its sass ( LOVE )

May fire claim your false

and courage nourish your true

May laughter pump your belly

and passion usher in your new (LOVE)

May authenticity suck your toes

and fear forget its name

May you unleash your RED HOT and Holy power

and may this planet never be the same

written by the awesome and inspirational......Sera Beak