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1/8/2006 5:00:00 PM
Chacala
Around the corner from Puerto Vallarta

Chacala to Jaltemba

We either have no wind or too much of it, it just never can be right... at least the water is getting warm enough to swim and snorkel.

On January 7th we went on to Chacala, a small bay only about 25miles south. We were prepared for another motor day since the last passages were so calm, Robert even pulled up the whole main (please note that we came almost 1000miles with ALWAYS one reef in, even when motoring!)... Afer a few hours the Martins called on the VHF radio (they were a bit ahead of us) that finally the wind kicked in but was getting stronger too. So it seems there is either no wind at all or too much of it. Within 10 minutes it was up to a steady 20-25knots with gusts up to 30-35 knots on a close reach. It did not take too long before we reefed and at the end even rolled some of the jib in as the winds got stronger. As I wrote in the last report, the water is finally getting warmer so the many unexpected saltwater showers were at least not too unpleasant. The waves were rather steep and close to each other so the boys laid down in their beds and spent the couple of hours below deck. Amazingly enough not too much got tossed around in the cabins and the splash down the main hatch by a huge wave was cleaned up rather quickly too. The last part we sailed in with comfortable 15 knots which felt a lot better and is much more to our taste.

Once in Chacala we took an easy hike up the mountain to an old crater, passing by mango orchards and lots of palm trees. On our way we came by a small bed and breakfast, tugged along the hillside at the very end of the bay. The owner cooks dinner for his few guest and the occasional "drop ins". So we could not pass this very idyllic place and stayed for an early dinner on our way back. The Martins had to be in Puerto Vallarta on the 9th of January and since we wanted to spend our "last" day with them, we decided to go along to the next anchorage just 8 miles further to a small green island - "Jaltemba". The cruisers guide said it was good snorkeling which we did in the afternoon. Unfortunately the visibility was not too great but it was my first time and I was excited to see my first fish! It took a while to get used to breathing only with the mouth, but I got the hang of it - something my boys learned way faster and earlier than me again... !

Well the next day was our first split from the Martins in 2 weeks, since they are expecting visitors from the US for a week and went on to a marina in Nuevo Vallarta. We will be hanging out at an anchorage around the bay and do a bit of school and boat projects. Puerto Vallarta is located in the Bay of Banderas which is about 15 miles wide, with a few anchorages at small villages and the two big towns of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. Everything is about 1 hour by boat and we will explore it all during the next few weeks while Bonnie and then Robert's father and brother are coming to visit at the end of the month.

Now you are up to date again knowing what's going on here. We are all doing really well enjoying it a lot. Just recently the boys claimed that they did not expect cruising to be this much fun... And Sebastian said "I don't really think about it a lot anymore, this is our life now", well more from that then soon. For now big hugs to all of you from

The 4Schmids on Lawur

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