Blasting down the southern Mexican coast

By Nicole

As I write this, we’re crossing the Gulf of Tehuantepec to our final destination in Mexico.  We evidently picked a good weather window, since we’re motoring across mirror-flat seas (the alternative for this passage is 50+ knot winds—it’s feast or famine, as the saying goes).

Aaron takes a self-portrait in the glassy waters

From horizon to horizon, the only interruptions in the smooth blue water are the shells of Olive Ridley sea turtles.  Of the eight species of sea turtles, six are found in Pacific Mexico.  Only the Olive Ridley isn’t on the endangered list. 

The last 600 nautical miles or so, from Zihuatanejo to Chiapas, have essentially flown by.  This stretch of the Mexican coast is fringed by gorgeous beaches and rolling surf with the impressive Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range standing tall in the background.

Beautiful as it may be, this rugged coastline offers few safe, comfortable anchorages.  Which means you need to burn lots of miles to get from one port to the next.  In fact, we’re on the third of four straight two-night passages—the last of which will bring us to Bahia del Sol in El Salvador.

The first two-nighter was from Zihuatanejo to Acapulco, where we stopped at the marina for fuel and water before dropping the hook in Puerto Marques south of the sprawling city.  In hindsight, it might’ve been more fun to anchor nearer to the famed hotel zone (to hit one of the world-famous discos), but Puerto Marques was a fine spot close to Home Depot and Costco—and we needed to pick up a few things (like insulation for our poor, overworked fridge—it’s not loving the hot temperatures like we are).  The Costco was sampling Grey Goose Vodka the day we went (mixed with cranberry juice, no less)—I love Mexico.

Another stunning sunrise on the way to Acapulco


These guys zip around the Puerto Marques anchorage with their colorful patchwork sails.

On the next two-night leg from Acapulco to the Bahias de Huatulco, we had a pair of fabulous sailing days buddy-boating with Jace and Panache.  Sure the ocean was littered with sea turtles and the occasional pod of dolphins, but on this passage we saw dozens of yellow-bellied sea snakes as well (which aren’t as icky as you might imagine, although if I were in the water with them, that might be a different story). 

J.P. on Jace had his 8th birthday while we were in Huatulco, and the crew helped him celebrate with a pool party, dinner out and a Star Wars-themed birthday cake back on the boat. 

 Happy 8th birthday, J.P.!  (J.P., Aaron, Mickey)

So that brings us to today and our Tehuantepec crossing.

Air temp (85 degrees) + water temp (89 degrees) =
Swimming off the boat in the Gulf of Tehuantepec!

We stopped the boat and took turns jumping into the warm, crystal blue waters. It was fun, but we both couldn’t help thinking that there was something down there watching us!

 
No land in sight

I was a chicken and held onto a rope.  Hmm, now that I think about it, I look like a lure on a fishing line…

Aaron cools off (in 89-degree water) by taking a dip in the Gulf of Tehuantepec during our passage

Southwest winds are predicted to develop over the next few hours, so with any luck, we’ll get some sailing in later today.  On to Chiapas!