Sunday, November 27, 2011

Videos - Ensenada to La Paz

While we continue to struggle with Internet access, we are able to get on occasionally.

So, while we can, we thought we'd post at least some of our videos of our journey.

Here they are, for your viewing pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojMS76v8h10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUk8_6w0B9A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xhaOoPcLy0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv324ar2eC8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG-nw_YY7pg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqtSHz7qCYA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teIsxNoD6rM&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLdrQF1c9Yk&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egSx_b-Yz58&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui-M4L2myiY&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtnF11YSGdw&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIPZtzl3ChA&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDdnjmrgUPI&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nt7SOGYgxg&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb1xR0LuqXI&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYXppgtbmTQ&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IxeKMGgjpk&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guC0zBLmYvs&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_V9OnDHW1c&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma8rzo0vzz4&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1fq47h5Omw&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhMgVsaDN20&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjJfzQw-kjw&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhYrH7TU9Cw&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo19PX_oJRw&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SM7EZEDg8c&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GReUK3v0PoA&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBBKTS5TWUM&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maaVCKDo7pk&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-coK3FF12s&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-M_N63bi6k&feature=youtube_gdata

Monday, November 14, 2011

The Trip to Cabo

We did it!  We sailed (well, motor-sailed really) all the way from Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas.
We left around noon on Oct 24th, sailed for three days and two nights until we arrived at Turtle Bay (Bahia Tortugas).  The trip was mostly uneventful.  We had 11-foot swells the first night, but that was mostly during Jesus's watch, so we slept through most of it.  We caught our first yellowtail.  Not a bad size fish, probably around 6 pounds.  We made sushi with some of it, but it was too much and we ended up throwing the rest out.
During the day, a tiny little yellow bird flew onto the boat.  He stayed with us into the night, even going into the cabin and spending about a hour or so walking around and checking out the v-berth.  Funny thing, the cats never knew it was there.  It was so cute, we think it was too tired to fly to shore.  He was gone the next morning, so he must have eventually made it.
We didn't see much of the BaJa HaHa fleet until just before we arrived at our first stop.
There was a baseball game the day after we arrived.  Many of the boats didn't get there until the day after we did.  The following day was the famous pot luck beach party.  There were around 500 or so sailors and their crew and families (for some).  The food and company was great and fun was had by all.  There was lots of fish, as most boats caught something, and something large at that.  Someone caught Marlin, but had to let it go, too big.  Someone caught a 61 inch Wahoo.
During the next leg of the trip, we saw some great sun rises.  We also experienced something call the "green flash" during one of the sunsets.  Kind of neat, just before the sun set, it turned green.
This time we caught our first Durado, or Mahi Mahi.  What a beautiful fish!  This one was about 3 feet long or so.  Jesus made us some ceviche, which was delicious.  We later marinated some filets in teriyaki sauce and grilled it.  Also delish. We still had too much and had to throw some out.
We saw dolphins many times, playing in our bow wave.  The water was so clear, it was awesome to watch them.  We could hear their squeaks too.
During one night, many baby squid jumped onto the deck.  We heard one sailor say that one even hit him in the face!  During another night, some flying fish got on deck.
Our next stop at Bahia Santa Maria was a little different than the first stop.  There was not a thing there.  But amazingly, for our beach party, a band showed up and meals were also cooked for everyone.  We hear that this little "town" magically appears once a year, during the BaJa HaHa.
The last leg, to Cabo was the shortest and the easiest.  The first night there was a "I can't believe we cheated death once again" party.  We ran into some engine problems and missed the beach party, but we made the awards ceremony the next night, where we won 3rd place.  (Everyone got 3rd place unless they got 2nd or first.)
We think our engine problems are fixed, so we're now headed to La Paz.  More on that once we arrive.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Checking in from Cabo San Lucas

Well, we arrived safely with the head of the fleet. Currently, we have some major engine problems that are preventing us from leaving for La Paz. Just as well as we've been advised to wait until Friday (today is Saturday) anyway due to a strong northern wind.

We found a mechanic with the fleet who is willing to help us if he is able. We're having breakfast in a local restaurant with WiFi so we thought we should provide a brief update.

We have lots to report, but will wait until we have some time.

So far, it's been quite awesome even with the problems. It's so cool to jump off the boat into to the 84 degree water.