1-9-10 to 1-10-10 Ensenada Candelero

Okay this is just a short one...

Ensenada Candelero is beautiful for it's rock formations, one of which looks like a monk statue. It is a smaller anchorage and therefore quick to explore, so we were there less than 24 hours.

1-7-10 through 1-9-10 Ensenada Gallo

We headed for the next bay called Puerto Ballena which consists of 3 lobes. We weren't in a hurry so although the trip was less than an hour including anchoring we arrived at about 3 pm. Alicia paddled up in the kayak and the evenings plans were arranged in 3 minutes.

She paddled to Windward Star to round up the gang and then picked up Alfredo and the fish he had speared. Then the inhabitants of On Verra and Windward Star came over to Jesse's Girl for cocktail hour that turned into 4 hours. Everyone was having fun so we stayed up late. Well, late for cruisers, for some reason the time is different here and you get tired sooner than normal, even for night owls.
Left to right: Christine, moi, Alicia, Alfredo, Evan.

Next morning it was Happy Birthday Jesse time. Alicia and Alfredo dropped by a fish first thing before they left for the next anchorage. Alicia does the paddling while Alfredo spears the fish.
Trigger Fish

Ewww trigger teeth!

Before Jesse's birthday I had taunted him with this present for a week and made him wait until the 8th (he tried several times to open it early).

Midday, while Jesse had a birthday nap, I went out to kayak and take pictures.

Doing the check it out kinda thing.

Going my way?

Caught you smiling.

Kicking back in tow.

Okay I know this is cheating but I should photoshop Jesse and I in on the beach.

1-5-10 Isla Espritu Santo- Bahia San Gabriel

We got underway late (almost 11am). For all that have been stuck in the La Paz Eddy you will understand. For all that have never experienced it, this place just sucks you in.. There is so much to do, see, and new and old friends alike to hang out with. See it just sucked me in again, I'm here to talk about the islands. Can you hear Twilight Zone music playing too?


We put out hand lines on the way to the first anchorage that provided protection from the North winds, Bahia San Gabriel. Meanwhile, I did my most exuberant bad dancing while Jesse napped a little.


A little after 2 pm a killer whale surfaced behind us. I turned to tell Jesse to get up but he had heard the whale too and was getting up. About the time I told him I thought it had been a killer whale it surfaced closer and there was no doubt. Then it turned and went to check out the 2 hand lines we had dragging lures behind the boat. Jesse and I grabbed the lines and began to pull them in (a whale would simply be too much for dinner) and the killer whale swam right behind them a foot below the surface until he was under the dingy which was up on davits on the stern! What an experience! By contrast the photo I managed to get was just okay as we were too enthralled in the moment to do more than gape in amazement.

View from San Gabriel.

Next day we took a walk on the beach ...

We explored:
the white sand with fossils, rocks, and shells...

the mangroves ...

the old pearl fishery (there was not much more than a foundation left) ...

the fishing grounds of many different species of birds ...

& the hardened lava flows with shells and fossils trapped in the rock.

We also met some people on the beach from Windward Star, On Verra, and Magenta. We got together with Alfredo and Alicia (from On Verra) and Christine and Evan on Windward Star that night for drinks, dinner, and a couple documentaries.

Bahia Santa Maria Day 2 (Party)

Approaching the beach party that is brought in by the folks from Mag Bay. They drive an hour and a half through the desert to bring the Ha Ha people a grand party. The band brings all the instruments, amps, generators, tents, etc. Also there is a huge feast that is trucked in and set up in the fishing shacks just for this event once a year.

The shore view of "town."
First thing we set up beach essentials.

Trouble squared!

Low tide makes for quite a haul if your bring your own tender!

This is why we paid $3 per person each way for the ponga (water taxi).

Margaritas for the girls...

Better watch out boys!

Chatting with Latitude 38's Drama Mama. Apparently there was not enough soap opera stuff going on aboard Jesse's Girl to warrant a spot in the magazine but hey, that's a good thing.

Looking down toward "town."

Shake it.

Singing with the band.

Hanging out with Bob and one of his crew members.

Cheese it up poser style.

Bloodthirsty beach vampire children ingenious to the area. I brought vampire teeth from The States to give to the kids for Halloween.

From tears and temper tantrum to all smiles with orange vampire teeth in 30 seconds.

view of beach after party

The ponga ride back.