| The next two nights were spent at the protected anchorage of San Evaristo, 10 miles north of Isla San Francisco, as we waited for the strong NW winds to once again subside so that we could continue north. We had our break on Thursday, March 27, with a day of southerly winds. At first light we pulled up the anchor and sailed north 44 miles to Bahia Aqua Verde, making a quick stop at the anchorage of Puerto Los Gatos known for its dramatic reddish rocks and yellow sand dunes. Unfortunately we couldn�t anchor there as we only had one good day to move before the strong northerlies once again kicked in, and Puerto Los Gatos was not a very protected anchorage. We spent two nights at the Bahia Aqua Verde anchorage with the first night at the beautiful southerly cove. Once again, the following day we had to move across the bay to the NW anchorage as the wind changed. Unfortunately, this anchorage came with refracted swells. Because the strong northerly conditions were to continue for the next two to three days, we decided on Saturday, March 29, to take advantage of the winds and make a go for it south. We were planning to sail a distance of 350 miles from Bahia Aqua Verde to Isla Isabella, a bird sanctuary, about a 100 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. We set sail around 9 a.m. and headed southeast. The wind was NW 25 knots and the seas 8 feet � and KUHELA just �flew� � making great time. By Sunday, March 30, the winds had come down to 15-20 knots and the seas were 4-6 feet, but still so consistent that for two days we sailed without ever having to change the sails. It was like being on a �real� ocean passage. It was wonderful! During Sunday night we crossed the Tropic of Cancer and were officially once again in the tropics. Unfortunately we lost our consistent winds on Monday morning, March 31, but it was a good run while it lasted. We sailed off and on the rest of the way to Isla Isabella, arriving there at first light on Tuesday, April 1. Hundreds of frigatebirds were flying high, encircling the island, like something out of a movie. This particular island was a major nesting colony for the frigatebird. It truly is a magnificent bird � a beautiful glider in motion � with a wingspan of 7 to 8 feet. But, not until we watched them at the bird sanctuary did we realize how �piratical� this bird was in flying off with the food of other seabirds. Memories that will linger with me always are watching a frigatebird aggressively go after a small seabird, picking it up by the tail and dropping it back into the water � and watching two pelicans trying to feed their young while a contentious frigatebird tried to steal the food whenever they opened their large pouches. In the afternoon we went ashore to observe closer the nesting of the frigatebird. We pulled up anchor at 6:30 p.m. the same day, Tuesday, April 1, and motored most the rest of the way into Puerto Vallarta � except for about two to three hours on Wednesday morning where we enjoyed a most beautiful sail along the northern half of lovely Banderas Bay. At 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, we tied up to the dock at Paradise Village Marina in Nuevo Vallarta (just north of Puerto Vallarta). Many cruisers had recommended this marina. It's an amazing five star resort complex where all the amenities come with the moorage � truly �heaven on earth�. We�ll be here until around April 15 as we need to wait for mail plus a boat part. Besides working on the boat, we will naturally enjoy some of the amenities at the resort and also explore Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area. We have now moved our clocks one hour ahead as we are on Central Time, plus today we moved our clocks ahead another hour as we, too, changed to Daylight Savings Time. Like everyone, we are tuned in to the war. While cruising along the Sea of Cortez and at sea, we listened to VOA and BCC, and now while at Paradise Village Marina we have been watching CNN. |
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