S/V Loomba-Loomba

After ten days in Caleta Partida on Isla Espiritu Santo  waiting for a break in the parade of very strong northerlies  that were producing large short period seas   we finally had a window to make our way down  Cerralvo Channel (a notorious wind funnel)  to Ensenada de los Muertos.  We had the wind and the current with us so it was comfortable and fast  sail. While just off of La Ventana (no other boats around) and three miles from shore on either side we heard a shout.  We both jumped up - thinking someone either needed rescuing or we were about to run into a small boat. To our amazement there was a hydrofoil kite surfer just off of our stern with a HUGE smile on his face! His kite just missed our mast. We didn't have time  to snap a picture and he was gone just as fast as he appeared! That was a first for us. Sunset at Ensenada de los Muertos and.......... Happy hour! It was cold............. Every afternoon the wind increased.

Five days in La Paz: Valentine's Dinner at El Mesquit with friends, Lots of bike riding, The Children's Parade at the tail end of Carnaval festivities, Really good Chiapas coffee from La Choya, (which is a VERY long bike ride from the marina, but worth it!), A trip out to El Triunfo with Jim and Jeanne (s/vKanga) for lunch at a new German restaurant that serves homemade sausages: (Triunfo is beginning to get somewhat trendy!), Lunch at the Bismark with Ed and Annette  (s/vAnnie's Song), This night heron spent a lot of time hanging out on our dinghy, We also fueled up and provisioned before heading out to the Islands on Feb. 19.

Looking west from from our anchor spot in Caleta Partida The cut between Isla Partida and Isla Espiritu Santo at high tide There are three fish camps in Caleta Partida, but not many fishermen left: There were lots and lots of turtles in the bay.  While sitting in the cockpit we would hear something taking a breath and look out to see a turtle's head above the surface. This probably happened 20+ times a day. While we were there the Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias was there doing a catch/tag/release. http://grupotortuguero.org/ They are a network of fishermen, teachers, students, and other organizations working for the  preservation of sea turtles. One evening they came and placed special nets across the shallow  coves in the bay. The nets are only anchored on the two ends, allowing the turtles to come up for air. The next morning they pulled in the nets and lifted the turtles into the panga to take to shore. The

--> From Puerto Escondido we went to Agua Verde  where there have been some changes!   There is now a stop sign in the middle of town. The Mini Mart has a bank of solar panels, a new roof,  another room, electric lighting, and a freezer! There is now a danger sign at the top of the road  going down to the beach at the north anchorage and  Jose’s house (see middle of picture below) on the north anchorage beach  lost it’s roof and front porch from a wind storm.  He is slowly rebuilding it.   The road down to Jose's house and the north anchorage The north anchorage The women’s cooperative restaurant is still open  and doing well. --> There is a very large new generation of goats.  --> --> There is a new restaurant in the south part of the bay. The road from the north anchorage to the south part of the bay New restaurant From Agua Verde we