Bahia de Chamela to Bahia Tenacatita (19.1N x 105.51 W) 2/2/2014

Bahia de Chamela to Bahia Tenacatita (19.1N x 105.51 W)

Our trip is about 31 miles and scheduled for 5 hours.  We left on 2/4/14 at 9:55am and arrived at 2 PM.  Seas were calm and the weather was warm with mild breezes from the ESE.  Ideal conditions for an offshore trip and we were in no rush to end it. 

Again we had the pleasure of traveling with Neil and Dianna of SALACIA.  Even on this short trip our speed difference allowed us to leave half an hour later and still arrive just ahead of them. 

Tennacatita is one of the best protected anchorages on the this part of the coast.  Very well protected from Northerly swells and good in all but a strong southerly blow. 

Tenacatita 2

A few of these boats have been on the hook here since the season began in November.  It’s understandable after a few days here we got very comfortable.   There is a sense of community augmented by daily radio net calls and group activities organized by standing members.  Activities included a 2pm swim to the beach, Bache ball, Mexican train dominos and more.   Each Friday the “mayor” of Tenactita has a sunset dinghy meeting at Dog Beach (just off of the main anchorage).   This Friday there were over 30 dinghies sharing snacks, cocktails and stories. 

Swimming in or landing on the beach is rewarded with lunch at the palapa hidden in the palms.  We enjoyed a shrimp empanada with fresh vegetables.  I went for the coconut shrimp and was not disappointed.

I’m always amazed at how good and varied the food is from simple kitchens.

The beach stretches almost a mile before becoming part of the resort Blue Bay Lagoon.  This all inclusive resort was chock full of happy and warm Canadians enjoying the sun and surf.  They were not so happy to have Keela visit;  she and I were  very professionally and gently thrown out while Mary and Dianna continued to enjoy the shops and find a cab.   Rumor has it there is a nude resort just around the corner but no evidence was seen. 

We met up with a Canadian couple (Pete & Marietta) on the beach and went for a dinghy ride to the outer harbor in Tenacatita.  In the small world category, Pete works for a copper mine running Komatsu and Cat 300 ton trucks.  Another couple from the hotel met us about 2 miles from the hotel on their paddle boards.  They came out each morning to get exercise and see the whales.   At 10am the water was flat calm.  Still 2 miles on a paddle board is long way.

 

 

We saw a pod of whales about half a mile away and slowly moved in their direction.  We got within about 100 yards and they disappeared. 

 

We all thought they were gone when we head a splash very close by on the opposite side from where we had seen the whales.  About 20 feet away all 3 surfaced.  By the time we found our cameras and recovered from the surprise we finally got this picture.  The picture does not do the whale justice and boy is the dinghy small when compared.

 Note my hand in the lower left corner on the dinghy throttle.  They were much closer and have bad breath!

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Another boat from the FUBAR 2013 joined us (Context) for a dinghy ride up the river into the Mangrove forest.  John and Jan had been there before so we followed them for about a mile.

 

 It was getting very narrow and the roots are very sharp.  They decided to turn around but we went a few more hundred yards up the river until we were rubbing the roots on both sides.  The river is supposed to open up into a large lagoon very near the open ocean.  Years ago you could carry your dinghy out of the river to the open water and return to the anchorage.  Some kind of land dispute has stopped fishermen from using that part of the river and the Mangrove trees have claimed the passage for now.

 

Next day John asked for help on the morning net as he had lost a crown.  Mary had stocked the boat well for emergency medical events but a lost crown was not on the list.  After a search of our medical kits and a few other boats attempts no one found a solution.  I gave him some 2 part epoxy used for emergency hull repairs just in case he needed it until he could find a dentist.  Wisely, he held off and was able to find a dentist in nearby La Manzanilla.  As we were having lunch at the palapa a taxi delivered dropped off a passenger.  The palapa is about 2 miles from the hotel which is 6-8 miles off the highway on a private road.  The driver agreed to meet John later for a ride to the dentist and he found relief.  The constant willingness to help cruisers is a big part of what makes Mexico special.  Will add a crown repair kit to the WORKNOT emergency medical kit as soon as we can. 

This has been one of the most peaceful anchorages we have visited.  Lots of boats but spread out nicely, huge beach, no bugs and very few lights from shore at night.  The stars were wonderful.   Again we are moving from a great location in search of an even better one.   The farther south we go the more relaxed things are.  

Next up, Bara de Navidad and Isla Navidad resort.  (19.12 x 104.41.5W)  20 miles south.