Wednesday, December 17, 2008

dec 17, 2008...Puerto ALTATA,Sinaloa
Overnight SAIL from Topo... jumping Manta Rays... many shrimp trawlers...anchored out ,working or resting in port.
This is the undiscovered port of the decade... per Latitude 38.
15 mile unmarked channel from the ocean, less than 2000 people.
They fish from pangas with colorful SAILS and drag bottom nets.
All the masts and outriggers are bamboo...only here in this large windy bay.
We had a personal visit with port captain Mendoza!!
Off to Mazatlan soon...

Monday, December 15, 2008

15 Dec, 2008...Topolobampo, Sinaloa, mainland... 90 mile overnight passage fom Isla Animas...a small offshore island 50 miles n of La Paz...there a day and night dive among ,lush open feeding yellow and orange polyps of hard coral, swim thru tunnel at 45 feet full of baby fish and sea fans...
We took Adam Becker ¨the guitar guy¨ ...24 year old musician and his german shepard ¨Bear¨from La Paz to here...He´s hitchiking to Mazatlan now to catch up with his girlfreind Renee!
We will now head south on favorable winds to see where we celebrate Christmas...Best holiday wishes to all of you. The Bowes BROS

Friday, December 12, 2008

Dec 12, 2008...At anchor in La Paz
Since last post...2 nights Los Barilles...nice town to visit
but difficult for yachts with no protection and lee shore

12 nights in Bahia de los suenos Los Muertos... enjoyed the shelter, the variety...visit to La Ventana... kite boarding training...atv adventure to lighthouse on beach...visits and friendships at waterfront mansions of real estate moguls and retired pro football player-Kyle Turley.
He runs the local restuarant/sportsbar/yacht club...with free wi-fi/phone calls to USA.
He's also an artist and musician with a kind and generous heart.

7 nights around isla espiritu santu/partida
we dove the ferry wreck Salvatierra...with large scale equipment,whole tractor trailers and huge fish...then dove Marisla seamount...8 miles from land...52 feet deep..no hammerheads this visit.
Next was las candeles, then los islotes...gorgeous orange polyps on hard coral...feeding sea fans and turtle encounters.
... kayaked in a sea cave 2' from baby sea lions who showed off their gymnastic skills and fearlessness.
then we dove the wreck FANG MING off isla Ballena

All the while anchoring in various scenic protected coves
Once we visited a fish camp that was leveled 2 months ago by hurricane Norbert
We have great photos and await a chance to upload them to share with you

In la Paz we've replenished stores and enjoyed the food music and people

Off soon for mainland ...