RETURN TO LA PAz

April 8, 2012

Return to La Paz

We’re back! After a four-month break where work, friends, family and other lives were revisited, we returned to sunny, friendly La Paz on April 02. My sister Margaret joined us for the first week here. We were delighted to find that our boat was in great shape.  With the exception of a film of surface dust on the decks, it was like we had never left. We spent one day getting the boat ready, putting on the sails, getting supplies and checking the systems out before heading out to the islands for four wonderful days of snorkeling, swimming and sailing.

The sea is still quite cold. We used our light body suits while swimming.  They provide a small amount of insulation and protect against the many little jellyfish and their shredded parts often found in the waters here that can cause stinging and skin irritation.  

We spent our first night in Caleta Lobos, which is a lovely protected anchorage ten miles from La Paz but at this time of year has quite a few bobos (pesky little flies that are non-biting but annoying). Next day we went to a small and little used anchorage just north of Caleta Partida. It was picture perfect and had good snorkeling along the extended reef that lies at its southern entry. It also provided us good shelter from the Caromuel that piped up later in the evening.  

Heron Rookery on cliffs at Isla Partida

John rows while Margaret enjoys dinghy ride

The following morning we headed for Los Islotes and an encounter with the sealion colony there. It is a popular place for both Mexicans and cruisers to spend some time swimming with the sealions. I have to confess to feeling quite vulnerable in the water and was thankful that they were not too interested in coming close to me except when I was making a fitful and inelegant attempt at getting back into the dinghy. A rather large sealion (according to my sister) came over to watch the proceedings popping its head above water as I flailed about in an ungainly manner and finally hauled myself into the dinghy, quite exhausted from my efforts. She got great mileage out of the performance. I may try again on our next trip to the islands now that I have survived the first brief encounter.

John snorkels with sealion close by

We anchored for the night at Playa Bonanza and had a walk along its spectacular white beach. It is covered with many wonderful shells and provides a great opportunity for detachment as the islands are protected and the collection of shells and any other pieces of natural beauty is prohibited.

Sailing conditions for our return to La Paz were ideal with a 14-16kn following wind bringing us all the way back to Marina de la Paz with only one gibe required half way up the channel. We had decided to try sailing up the channel as there was very little traffic and the conditions were so favourable.

Heading back to La Paz under full sail

Margaret relaxing on deck

Entry to La Paz