Puerto Vallarta

Jan 18 to 28

Wow here we are in La Cruz and Puerto Vallarta! We had a great day yesterday and4 of us went to San Sebastion... a small mining town from the 16 hundreds. About 3000' and much cooler. There were cobblestones and a stone wall running on both sides for about 2 mi. They stopped mining silver in 1912, now it is just a quaint village of 500 but filled with fabulous restaurants. We ate at an Italian one and it was delicious......We entertained a couple of friends of Dave's with some sailing, diving and clubbing, I believe they had a great time.
We plan to leave on the 29th of this month, for a month off to ski
Worked on the boat yesterday and day before. Went into the La Cruz Marina for one night to recharge batteries and really clean up the boat. we were sure tired but Lady Lexi was shining. Now captn chuck is aboard so we 3 went in our dinghy 9 miles to the Nuevo Vallarta marina and estuary at high tide..., we explored a river that had some beautiful homes and some neat restaurants at the top... Mangrove trees almost completely over the river, almost like a tunnel. Crocodiles and beautiful birds and some iguanas. We also checked out the beautiful hotels between the beach and the river. Quite a fun day .

The last three days and we anchored on offshore islands...dove the Corbatenia in big swell (Dave) and also dove a seamount at la onda and marietta west,

Today we sterilized the boat 4 r departure tomorrow to the USA...join us 4 more adventure soon!!
The Bowes Bros.
Bill & Dave

Jan 09...PUERTO VALLARTA

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL...We enjoyed New Years eve dinner in San Blas with 6 others at a restaurant decorated with shell art...THEN OFF TO THE JUNGLE CRUISE...

where we saw exotic birds ,turtles and crocodiles... Climax was a swim in the fresh water springs...also the public water supply...and they had a trapeze into the water

Next we sailed to CHACALA ...2 nites with a nice mix of locals and snowbirds having xmas vacation at the beach. and a nice visit with the crew from S/V SIDEWINDER

A day sail to GUAYABITOS and on to MITA.

We explored ISLA MARIETA EAST for scuba
Caves, swim thrus, giant parrotfish and a return of hard corals.
I kayaked thru the 50 foot sea cave onto the "HIDDEN SANDY BEACH".
we now prepare for our first boat guests since captn chuck debarked in CABO...

Weather is mild and LEXI is enjoying her exercise...

JOIN US SOON after our Ski Break...1-29 to 3-2

LOVE to all....THEBOWESBROS

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...

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

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 ...

east cape...las barriles

11-17...out a month now. Just brother Bill and Dave aboard the past 12 days...We love the open schedule and when the wind came up yesterday on the way to Bahia de los Muertos...we just sailed into Buena Vista at up to 8.5 mph for internet and banking.

Our diving in Cabo Pulmo was awesome...25 bat rays merging with 15 more and then a flyby while we were on safety stop...the boatman dropped us into big schools and 60' visibility...just 2 other divers...both instructors...we just floated thru the hard and soft coral reefs like 5 more fish... Friendly sea lions up close in your mask....then a blast of bubbles and they're off

A spotted eagle ray jumped out into the air just 30' from us in the dinghy...

up to 35 boats in the anchorage during our 6 nights in las frailes and lots of new friends as the baja haha disperses from cabo...140 boats

We are trying for Loreto before the northers dominate.. and staging for more crew to join soon.
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