So when we hit the first anchorage that had surf at the
beach we were pretty darn nervous. On day
1 we sat in the cockpit with the binoculars glued to our faces and watched the
3 or 4 dinghies that had the courage to head into shore. We decided that we really didn’t have to go
to the beach that day. On day 2 we
figured we’d take a closer look and hopped into our dinghy and meandered along
parallel to the beach; just checking it out.
Geez….those waves were BIG! We
nonchalantly headed back to Vakasa, pretending that we’d never really intended
to go into the beach in the first place.
By day 3, Rizzo was giving us that “you’d better take me to shore, or
else” look, so we grimly decided that it was time.
So here’s roughly how it goes:
Step 1: Put down the
dinghy wheels. OK….no problem…..we have
great big, amazing dinghy wheels that should do the trick. In fact, they’re so big and heavy that the
poor dinghy won’t plane with the 3 of us in it any more.
Step 2: Attach the
kill switch to Tony’s wrist so that if the dinghy flips, hopefully he’ll be
thrown free and the engine will cut out so the prop doesn’t rip Kathy to shreds.
Step 3: Watch the
waves and wait for a lull, then go like stink.
OK…..GO NOW…..no WAIT….no GO….GO, GO, GO….OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!
Step 4: Ride the back
of a wave and then leap out of the dinghy as soon as it gets shallow
enough. Try not to fall flat on our faces.
Step 5: Keep the
dinghy facing straight into the beach so it won’t turn sideways to the waves and get rolled.
Keep it ahead of the wave behind so the stern doesn’t get swamped and/or the
bow doesn’t plough into the beach and flip it.
Step 6: Run like hell,
pulling the boat (which only ways a thousand pounds or so) out of the water;
like a couple of commandos (despite that fact that neither of our bodies does
“commando” any more!).
Step 7: Drag the boat
(which now weighs 2 thousand pounds because it’s full of water) up the beach 50
or 60 feet, leading to severe back strain (Tony) and shoulder tendinitis
(Kathy).
Step 8: Relax….go
have a couple cervezas at the palapa bar because we’ve earned it and getting
into the beach was the easy part. Launching
the dinghy is even harder!
We are now exploring the anchorages south of Banderas
Bay as we make
The town of Yelapa. Home to waves, waterfalls and Bulli the Bully
A beautiful cobblestone road along the river was the start of the trail up to the largest waterfall
A rent-a-mule stable seen on the way
A big rainstorm the day before made the swimming hole pretty brown looking, but it was still fabulous
A pooped Lea after hiking 4 hours in the heat. She was on an airplane for home the next day
A patriotic sunset in Ipala, 50 nm south of Banderas Bay
OK....we didn't take this photo....but we swear this was the same humpback that breached only 200 ft from Vakasa
22 whale sightings in 2 days and this was my best shot!
Our dinghy, Hoop, named after the African Hoopoe bird that symbolizes a "faithful friend and follower"
Hoop on the beach in Chamela...Vakasa at anchor in the background
Lunch in town at Chamela
Rizzo meets some locals
La Manzanilla.....a very quaint town in Bahia Tenacatita
Some southerlies stir up the anchorage in Tenacatita
These dolphins have been swimming around the boat for 3 days and this is as good as we can do. They are laughing at us!
Social hour on the beach....bocce ball, volley ball, dominoes, cervezas.......
The kill switch is clipped to the driver's wrist so that the prop stops spinning when he falls (I mean, "jumps") out
Doesn't look that big, but it can do some damage!
Fortunately this isn't us! It's all in the timing and can get rough if you misjudge things!
Heading back out is usually a very wet experience
A quick "Rizzo Rinse" on the way back to Vakasa
We are safely launched, wheels back up, and heading home...yup, a little wet!
