Well its been an exciting month sailing from Chiapas Mexico to Bahia Del Coco in Costa Rica. 5 countries in four weeks and we even were detained at gunpoint by the Nicaraguan Navy as we made an illegal landing in the Bay of Fonseca. A long and hotly disputed body of water where El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua all come together.
Below are excerpts from the Log of the Maiatla and emails that I sent home to Jan in an effort to keep her posted as to our whereabouts. Maiatla is equipped with A Ham radio Station capable of sending and receiving emails as well as giving me voice communications with anyone around the world who would care to talk to us.
We had a mix bag of weather, calms and full blown gales were the norm. We actual sailed approximately 60% of our 700 mile voyage. The remainder of the time we spent either motoring through a calm or motor sailing into stiff headwinds.
All in all it was a great trip that was filled with exhilarating sails, erupting volcanos. Catching and landing massive dorados a 50 knot gale that did its best to drive us onto the rocks- (it came uncomfortably close) and a crotch grabbing Nicaraguan Petty Officer- ( his rank) and men with big guns that were upset that we had landed on their beach. Never a dull moment aboard Maiatla.
So if you have a few minutes, check out the excerpts and see some of the pictures below and enjoy. Andrew Gunson. 
December 4 2014.
Al and I have spent the better part of two weeks cleaning the boat and for me, the big project was the installation of the central air conditioning unit. A big project but one that ultimately came together and we would enjoy the cool air while tied to the docks in Costa Rica and El Salvador. The boat fared well being after left for almost 8 months in Chiapas. Had some mold, actually patches of fuzz inside the boat but not as bad as it could have been. I had planned to hit the high seas as soon as Marina arrived on the 5th of December.
December 6. 2014.
We departed Chiaps Mexico bound for Costa Rica. We will bypass Guatemala as the ports are not too cruiser friendly and checking in and out of the country is relatively expensive. Our first stop will be Bahia Del Sol in El Salvador, approx. 250 miles away with its notorious river bar crossing.
We had a good sail for the first 15 hours with the wind building to 15 knots out of the ESE, putting us on a tight reach. There was a deep low swell out of the south but widely spaced making for a very comfortable ride.
The sea life was sparse, not turtles, dolphins or whales but we were hopeful that as we moved down the coast our sightings would increase. The nights were presently warm and the days not too hot.
Thursday, December-11-14
Well departed Bahia Del Sol right at sunbreak, High tide and slack over the bar. The customs lady met me at her office at 5 am then after stamping our passports for our exit zarpes, she walked me back to the boat and stood on the dock to watch us cast off and head down the estuary. She even used her cell phone to record our departure. The pilot met us on the inside of the bar and escorted us out. The bar crossing was even less anti-climactic than our arrival. It was like glass and I could have just followed our GPS course in and gotten ourselves out without any trouble.
Shortly after exiting the bar an off breeze filled in and we were quickly sailing, at 7 knots on a tight reach. By 10 am the wind built until we had to drop the main and furl up half the headsail. We were still running with a full mizzen. With only a ¼ of our sail plan up, we clipped along at 6 to 7 knots. It was actually cool, marina went below to put on a hoody.
The coast for the first 40 miles was low laying with mangroves and estuaries inland but we could see the mountains inland, several of them were active volcanos with fresh ash covering the tops and we actual saw another one spewing steam. We fished all the way but didn’t catch anything. By 1 am the wind died and we had to revert to motor sailing, close hauled driving into a low, gentle swell. It warmed up but it didn’t get unpleasantly hot. There was a nice breeze that made it quite nice. With the calm conditions we moved closer into shore- 1 to 3 miles and admired the scenery.
Nearing the bay of Fonseca we ran into dozens of El Salvadorian panga fishermen. Hand to weave around fishing nets. Got lots of friendly waves. The last 5 miles we BBQed chicken and Al made mashed potatoes & salads. The only real excitement was just a couple of miles from the point where we wanted to anchor for the night, the boat lost power and we slowed to less than one knot. The problem was the transmission.
Anyway when I check the fluid, I discovered that it was low. Seems I remembered to check everything on the engine when I got back, except the tranny fluid. Ugh! I topped it up and we were off again.
We dropped anchor at Punta Amapala in 20 feet of water just as the last of the light faded. As we dropped the hook the wind shifted from bellowing off of the sea to coming off the land at 10 knots which filled the wind sock I put into the forward hatch filling the boat with a nice breeze.
Well we made the bay of Fonseca after covering 60 miles in 12 hours, some of t sailing. We had a really fun day and it was like being on the Strait of Georgia on a nice August day. Will spend the next 3 days sailing around the bay Exploring the island of Honduras and El Salvador. Really beautiful here and little ocean swell.
Anyway its 730 now and I’m about ready for a shower and bed as I have been up since 4:30 am. May try and find a rocky point to see if I can find some lobsters while snorkeling.
So that’s it for now, love you guys. Will try and email tomorrow night.
Bye.
Snorkeling at Playa Del Cocos, Costa Rica
My beach in CR
Our anchorage and beach at Bahia Papagayos, CR
Sunset at Papagayos
Someone is getting footie prints on my beach!!!!! oh wait! its me!
December-12-14 Good morning Babe. I thought I try the radio and its turns out that the propagation at 6:30 am is better than it was last night.
Slept well but it was really windy. A popagoyo started blowing just after sunset and is still howling. A steady 20-25 knotts with gusts up in the 40s.We are hobby horsing a bit but not rolling. If I knew I would have anchored closer to the shore. As the wind is coming off of the land the waves don’t build up till about a half mile offshore which is about where we are. Next time I will tuck in close. Looks like a beautiful day, don’t know if the wind will die as the weather reports don’t mention these isolated gap winds. The office reports says we should be getting 5-10 from the SW, not 30 + from the east. Oh well. Should make for a good sailing day. Will sail into the lee of some of the islands and see if we can re-anchor and swim a bit. Anyway I’ll be intouch when I can.
Friday, December-12-14
Hi Babe. We had a great day here in Fonseca. The wind stayed up for most of the day so we pulled anchor and motored along the shore deeper into the Gulf then we popped the headsail and had a screamer of a reach across the golf to the El Salvador Island, Isla Conchaguita. 13’13”4N 87’45”3W
There is a small bay on the south side where we anchored for the day. We went ashore (got a little wet in the dinghy landing)onto our privet beach and lounged about and the three of us practiced nude body surfing. We decided to spend the night here so we got the Barracuda that Al caught a couple of days ago and BBQed it.
But as we were about to put the fish on 6 pangas with 10 or so fishermen came along side. One of them spoke decent English so we talked about where we came from and where we were going. As they were leaving he offered us some fish. I asked how much he said Nada. Free. I thanked him then gave him $5 anyway. Had to talk him into taking it.
The sun is now setting and I’m having a glass of wine while writing you and doing my log. There are dozens of small bat Rays circling the boat right on the surface and Al saw what he thinks was a more Ell , 5’ long swimming on the surface. Lots of Pelicans hanging about begging. No Bugs so far, just lots of butterflies and weird looking dragon flies buzzing about. The Island looks a lot the Channel Islands in California, dry with some cactus with black volcanic boulders lining the shores and a fine black sand beach like we saw in Hawaii.
The day was pleasantly warm with a nice breeze in the lee of the island. Blowing stink around the corner. Will leave in the morning to sail the rest of the way through the island and will probably stop for the night in Nicaragua behind Punta San Jose. It’s only 15 miles from here but should be a nice sail down wind, so I don’t care if it’s blowing.
Another pangas just came by with three teen boys in it. They asked if we had any chocolate. I thought of your Hidden stash of bars but I gave then a sleeve of Oreo Cookies. They were very happy.
Anyway that’s about it for now. Love you. Bye for now.
Bahia Payagayos, CR
Crew unwinding in Cocos, CR after a 700 mile voyage.
Me at our first restaurant after leaving El Salvador- Cocos, CR
Cocos street vender selling meat on a stick. awesome- $2
Marina tidying up the foredeck after anchoring in Playa Del Cocos CR.
Saturday, December-13-14-morning
Morning Babe. We had a good night at anchor, flat calm but the wind was whipping overtop of the island at 20-25 knots. With the hatches open it was very pleasant below for sleeping. Had to put a blanket on early this morning as it was quite chilly. I was in Bed by 8 pm last night but Al and Marina stayed up a while in the cockpit talking. Not sure what time they turned in but they are rather slow to get moving this morning.
Having tea and cereal for breakfast. Its 7 am sunny and about 78 degrees in the cabin. I can see whitecaps racing past the mouth of the bay. Looks to be blowing a steady 25-30 knots out there. We will be leaving shortly and putting the boat on a run to head to Nicaragua and the Point where there is an anchorage, about 15 miles from here.
If conditions permit we may anchors for a bit and go ashore for a couple of hours, but I’m now thinking that we may just leave again and use this wind to make a run down the coast of Nicaragua. Make some miles. Anyway. All is good.
Love you bunches and miss you. Will try and email tonight if conditions permit.
Saturday, December-13-14- evening.
Crewman Al hoisting the anchor, Playa Del Cocos. Costa Rica
12’ 50”.32 N 87’ 39”W
PS- Shooting stars- ½ moon waning- smoke from burning crops on shore- wind on the nose from the SSE.- no dolphins- passed through a group of poorly lite pangas that didn’t show up on radar.
Cool this night needed to wrap pareo around my arms to keep warm- no big shipping. Seeing more turtles and dolphins.
Steve, yes the locals are all pretty friendly but very shy. We need to initiate contact but once we wave first, they break out into big smiles. The AC, is working great but haven’t been able to use it since leaving the dock at Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador. But really we really haven’t had the need for it the past 4 days as it has been quiet pleasant most of the timer. Noon to say 3 gets a bit warm but there has always been a breeze and in the shade of the dodger it’s nice.
The bay of Fonseca reminds me of the Channel Islands off of California but the water is a bit murky as there is several rivers dumping into the bay.
30 to 50 knot winds off of Bat Island CR
More wind off of Bat island . CR
Sunset on the river with bats and the crocs, Bahia Santa Elena. CR
Well we had a great leisurely sail over Punta San Jose in Nicaragua. Wind was light- 7-10 knots
on the beam for most of the day. We past a dozen fishing pangas with long strings of nets out that we had to sail around.
Held hostage at gun point.
We had a bit of excitement this afternoon. The wind died as we anchored in the lee of the point. We were officially in Nicaragua but for the most part illegally. As there didn’t seem to be anyone around other than a few fisherman we decided to go to the beach for a swim. We took the cameras ashore to take some pics. The beach was beautiful, long with a fine dark sand. There were only two sets of foot prints, a bare footed man and dog.
We walked through the bush to the far side which was just a couple of hundred feet or so where there was a small lagoon. There was a fishing panga working its nets in the lagoon and dozens of seabirds diving after the small fish that were teeming in the shallows. Quite cool.
Anyway we walked back to our side, stripped off and went for a swim. The water was bathtub warm and clear. Al and I were standing waist deep as Marina was taking picture of the surroundings when I suddenly noticed 4 people dressed in military fatigues carrying assault rifles walking towards us. I said to Al, “Oh shit I think we are in trouble!”
There were about 100 yards away but they were coming straight for us. I slowly walked out of the water and headed back to the beached dink. In an effort to try and keep the mood light I said to Marina and Al, there is only 4 of them, “I think we can take them but no prisoners as we don’t have the room!”
Anyway I think heading back to the dink upset them because as all of a sudden they started running at us clutching their weapons.
Marina, not wanting them to think that she had a gun dropped her camera down and held out her hands. I grabbed my shorts, quickly slipped them on and stared to walk towards the waving and saying “Ola”
Over and over again. Well I guess they realized that we weren’t going to make a run for it or had weapons.
When they got to us, the leader of the croup approached me and as he did so he crabbed his crotch and gave it a hefty tug, a gesture design to intimidate and let me know that he was in charge, the big “heffey” or chief of this beach. In Spanish they demanded to see our papers. I told them that they were back on the boat and that I would have to get them. We offered them cold bottled water which we had in the cooler, along with a couple of beer. The water they accepted. So I left Al and Marina as hostages and while being accompanied by two of the young sailors, I went back to the boat to get out documents and passports.
Costarican Octopus fisherman
Pulling the dink up river-CR
Maiatla at anchor Bahia Santa Elena CR
Lobster hunting CR
Marina with 39 million Clones. Approx $35 US. While on boat one of the sailors asked if I had beer. I pulled a couple of cans out of the fridge and gave them to them, and they appeared very happy and drank. For the most part they all seemed quite friendly.
While I was gone apparently Marina and Al
tried to be as friendly as possible asking their names and if they were married and if they had any kids.
Anyway I grabbed my papers and took them ashore to the leader of their group who was a young petty officer of about 25 or so.
After examine our papers and a lot of hand gestures and using my smart phone translator, they seemed satisfied that were weren’t any threat to national security. Just when it seemed that they were going to let us go, a Nicaraguan gun boat pulled around the corner. What got my attention was the big 50 calibre machine gun on deck and the sailor who went up to the foredeck to clear it for action by pulling the tarp off of it.
All of a sudden, our 4 sailors sudden got excited and it became very apparent that things had change. We all watched as the gunboat stopped 50 meters off of Maiatla’s stern. Then 12 more marines loaded into a pair of pangas that they were towing and approached Maiatla. After circling the boat for a few minutes the boats came to the beach.
Our young petty officer took all my papers and passports over to a middle age officer who turned out to be the gun boats commander. We waited several minutes while went over our papers. I joked with Al again saying that I think we can still take them!”
While standing there I noticed Al holding his little go pro video camera and he looked like he wanted to secretly turn it on. I casually said while smiling, I wouldn’t do that Al, not now bud! There was a lot of talking going on that I couldn’t understand but I did catch one phrase, “San Ropa” Apparently the young Petty Officer was talking about he found us naked.
After several minutes they called me over. I tried to explain in my broken Spanish that we had some engine trouble and came in to let the engine cool down, while waiting we just wanted to go for a swim. Well I guess he bought it. He gave my documents back and asked how long did I need to be anchored here. I said 1 more hour. He said ok but this was not a good spot to be later today as a “big wind was coming”
I thanked him and said we will leave as soon as possible. Well the gun boat departed leaving us with our 4 young sailors on the beach. Once the captain was gone, one of the sailors asked for $20 for cigarettes. I was so happy to be leaving that I gave them $40 and told them to buy some beer to go with the cigarettes. They stayed on the beach until we hauled anchor and motored around the point. Al announced that it was time for a stiff drink!
I concurred so it was a couple of rum before dinner. Marina said something about almost crapping her pants.
The wind filled in from the NW so we set up the main and Headsail on a wing and wing and had a glorious sail close to shore as the sun set. The coast here is quite striking with tall read cliffs that drop for a couple of hundred meters into the breaking surfer below.
Our Costa Rica Arrival pic.
An offshore island with beach. CR
30 offshore of Nicaragua. Dinner just arrived. 20 minutes after this pic was taken we were getting hammered by gale force winds as a unexpected Papagayo wind showed up. Made for a long and rough night.
Our arrival pic in Nicaraguan. 15 minutes after this pic was taken I had my hands in the air and staring down the barrel of automatic weapons as Nicaraguan marines slipped out of the bush.
Maiatla at anchor in the bay of Fonseca, El Salvador
We had the rest of the left over Barracuda with rice for dinner. The wind is now dropping, boats speed down to 2-3 knots as we are skirting around a fishing fleet of 16-18 big boats, all within 5 miles of us. Need to keep a good watch. Al and Marina are on deck while I’m doing the log-net while having a cup of tea.
We plan on sailing all night and should be in Coata Rica in a couple of days. May stop off in a couple of nice bays in the lower part of Nicaragua, just to swim and check them out for later, if we happen to come back this way.
So how was your day Babe? Did the guy come to fix the fence? Concert tomorrow? Last one right?
Anyway, I’m going to send this email and position report, have a show and go to bed. My watch at midnight. Oh, the Bio-illuminences is really strong tonight. The high thin clouds that began to fill in about sunset are now gone and a billion stars are now out. Think we will have a ¾ moon coming up in a few hours.
Love you, talk to you tomorrow. Good night. Andy
Sunday, December-14-14
Position as of 1830hrs 11’38”.6N 86’ 26”.2W
We had a great sail from 3 am on till about 10 this morning. We were cruising between 3 and 6 knots hard on the wind most of the night on a heading that took us well offshore. 35-40 miles. Nice to see the deep blue once you are off the shelf and shallow water. We had the headsail, staysail and main and mizzen up the whole time. Wish we could have got some pics of the boat from a distance.
Had dolphins on the bow last night for a bit, 5 am just as Marina came topside to take her watch. But they dint stay long bout its all ways funny how Marina will whistle, chip and bark at them in an effort to get them to hang around.
Now at 3pm we are motor sailing into 5 knots of wind and a 1 meter sea headed back in towards shore. We are in the height of Papaygyo country and I don’t want to get caught to far from shore if it suddenly starts to blow. Its nice out on deck in the shade but its 90 down in the cabin as I type this. Seat is pooling under my elbows as I sit at the table. Should start cooling down. It was a lot cooler outside yesterday. As our present speed we won’t get close into land again till well after dark so I plan to parallel the shore till morning then tuck into an isolated bay I have pick out and rest and swim a bit. We are only 90 miles from Costa Rica but will be in Nicaraguan waters for about 85 of those miles.
Bay of Fonseca, El Salvador
Al preparing diner on Maiatla
The site of our hostage taking in Nicaragua.
El Salvador and the island that our frined Jannie lives on at Bahia Del Sol.
Jannie and Marina showing off their big lemons that grow on Jannie’s property.
Anyway will update this later tonight before I send.
OK, its just after 6pm, as we were heading in towards shore we caught a huge Dorado, got it on video and stills. Had to use the speargun to kill it and get it aboard. Can you say sushi? Just as I finished cleaning it on deck, the sun dropped below the horizon and the wind roared up to 30 knots. We dropped the full main but left the mizzen and staysail up and tacked to close on the shore.
We got within 3 -4 miles of shore where the seas calmed down so we are now motor sailing into 10 knots of headwind but the waves have dropped to a couple of feet. Will stay in close all night out of the big wind and waves. It’s cooling off quite a bit. Had to put a shirt on as my nipples were getting hard. It will be a dark night till the moon makes an appearance I think around midnight. Anyway all is well. Boat and motor doing great. No problems. Miss you guys.
Love ya. Will report again tomorrow.
Jannie’s Beach, El Salvador
Marina in El Salvador
Crossing the bar in El Salvador
Breakfast on Maiatla off the coast of Honduras
Beach bar, Chiapas Mexico
Monday, December-15-14 position 11’02”.6N 85’40’.6W at anchor at Bahia De Salinas , Costa Rica.
Well we finally made it to CR
Ok we pulled in and dropped the hook in 35 feet of water just after 430 am when it was still dark. Had a half of a moon straight overhead but it didn’t help much. Thankfully it’s a big bay with no obstructions. The wind was on the nose at 30+ knots on our approach and we had a lighting storm several miles off to our port despite have a totally clear sky above us. Still could see the od meteor streaking by. Its 8 40 am now as I write and waiting for my tea to steep as the rest of the crew is still in bed out of it. Been a busy few days at sea.
The anchorage is beautiful and we are the only boat here at the moment. Not surprising as its bellowing stink. 30with gusts in the 40-45 knot range. We are spinning about a bit but Maiatla is rock solid. We are ¾ mile from shore so the wind doesn’t have a chance to build any waves. Quite comfortable and I slept well from 5am till 8 this morning.
Not sure what to do today. The crew wants to go ashore to see if we can find a store as they are out of coffee but looks a bit too rough to launch the dink and battle up wind to try and land on the beach. There is an island right near us, Isla Boland which is a wild life refuge. May move the boat over there and tuck in close and go for a swim and snorkel.
We will have to start eating fish as the freezer is now full. I bought too much chicken and pork in Chiapas. Got 15 lbs of flesh of the Dorado we caught last night.
There is a smaller bay a few miles away that is in the national park and is protected from the winds. May head over there later this afternoon to check it out.
Well is now up. It’s funny how when he tries to speak Spanish, he just butchers the language. He often just takes the English word and adds an “O” on the end while usually adopting what sounds like a French accent. The really funny part is the he is really sincere but it doesn’t go over well with the locals.
Marina is going to make Pancakes with sausages this morning. Despite the howling wind, it’s a beautiful morning. Its 27C inside the boat and a little cooler outside. I had to put a blanket on the bed this morning. Well the new sump pump seems to have packed it in. It turns on but barely moves any water. Not sure if it’s the pump or an electrical feed problem. Do you still have the recite? Or did you send it with Marina? I can bring it home with me if I have too.
Will have to get it sorted out before anyone has a shower. Just what I need, more Boat chores. Nothing new on a boat I guess.
My dink!
Think I found my new favorite beach bar- Playa Del Cocos. CR
Evening landfall in Costa Rica.
We are only 50 miles to Playa Del Coco where we must clear into CR, then we need to backtrack 15 miles or so to the marina where I plan to leave the boat for xmas and we have 7 days to get there. That will leave us 2 days to clean the boat and sample the 5 star 4 seasons marina Resort before flying home.
So we will spend the next few days Gunkholing to Cocos. Should be fun as the pressure is now off. Its cruise mode and sleep through the whole night while at anchor.
Anyway, that’s it for now, will keep you posted.
Love you Babe. See ya soon. Andy.
Monday, December-15-14- Late afternoon-
Position 10’55’59 N 85’47”.47W
Wow! What a place.
Hi babe. It’s incredible here. But I will get to that in a minute.
We stayed anchored in Bahia De Salina for most of the morning as I worked on the Sump pump and pressure domestic water pump. Thought I Fixed the sump as I thought the problem was a hair ball that I attributed to Al and his shedding. But once the clog was cleared the pump bogged down again— the sump box is nice—the pump is crap- they can have it back! Sometimes it works… sometimes it doesn’t.
At least half the time I end up bailing out the bilge because it stopped working when someone had a shower. I will be very happy to tell them that I am sure glad that I wasn’t using one of their pumps as a bilge pump counting on keeping my boat afloat!
We also lost pressure water, the new par pump you bought died. Apparently it overheated as it wasn’t shutting off after reaching pressure. Actually it would shut off, then it would “Pop” then run on and on and there were no taps turned on. We have an accumulator in the water line, don’t know if that has anything to do with it? I will have to ask.
We now turn the pump on when we want water then turn the power off when done. Can you call them and ask what do they recommend me doing? Should I bring it back when I come home? Also we had a bad smell coming from the pantry on the port side next to the vee berth. Turned out that we had one rotten egg. Mystery stink solved. Liberal use of Fabrezz and Pursue to kill the odor.
Ok enough boat crap! Bahia De Salina is big and beautiful bay with a couple of resort hotels a few miles apart and an island off to one side. I wanted to hang out there today but it was just too windy so we popped the headsail and a great sail around the corner to a little bay called Playa Zacata. Nice calm bay but there is a bran new “DREAMS” all inclusive hotel that just opened up last month here. There is a nice beach so we went ashore and went to the lobby to get a tour of the place. We played the writer/ journalist cards to see if we could at least get a cheap beer but no luck. We got a tour but shown the door. Weren’t even allowed to by a beer at the bar but for $80 each, we could buy a day pass. So we left and a good thing we did.
We pulled the anchor after having a swim off the beach the popped the headsail and a screaming reach around the corner to another bay just 5 miles away. The sail was incredible as there was a big inlet with a couple of island to our port. Awesome looking place which reminded me of being up the coast in BC where the wooded hills run down to the sea.
We anchored in Bahia Santa Elena. It’s indescribable. At the mouth of the bay there are a few small rocky islands, a couple of reefs and a beautiful sand beach. The snorkeling should be awesome as the water id so clear here. Inside the bay it’s flat as a lake. We are surrounded by jungle covered mountains and there isn’t a bug in site. There is a constant breeze coming over the hill top making life down below very nice. Marina was complaining that she was cold and she put on long pants and a hoodie today.
I went for a night swim off the boat after dinner. The water was warm and glowed when I stroked. Like up in Huatuco, remember? The water around the boat is just teeming with fish and leap when I turn the spot lite on.
And the best part there isn’t a building, light or another boat in sight. It’s all ours.
I could see us, just you and me just hanging here for weeks just exploring a few miles in either direction around this bay. There are many more deserted beaches and bays in the area, including some very nice bays 10 miles away in Nicaragua.
Anyway, I think you are going to love it here. Can’t wait for us to come back. So we had the Dorado and rice for diner with a bottle of red wine. And now we are going to sit in the cockpit and look at the stars for a while. After I send this message of course. Think we will spend most of the day here tomorrow, hit the beach and try snorkeling. Then move 5 miles down the cast to another anchorage for tomorrow night. So I will go for now. You should look this bay up on google Earth and see how sweet it is.
Lat and Long up top. Have a good night, love you.
Tuesday, December-16-14-
Had a great night anchored at Bahia Santa Elena- wind would gust up to 20 or so, then die for a while then roar back, causing Maiatla to spin about at times and tug on her anchor. The water was flat, no swell at all but when the wind picked up small wind ripples would tickle the bow.
For a while last night it went dead calm for a couple of hours and being surrounded by the dark jungle and a moonless, but star filled sky it all seemed surreal. We could hear that the jungle was alive with chirping and croaking critters. I did see two very slow mosquitoes last night. There were so slow in fact that while reading in bed I just reached up and with one hand crushed them. That was it for bugs on the boat last night. I would guess that the near constant winds keep them at bay.
We had planned on a peaceful evening sitting in the cockpit but at about 8 o’clock last night Marina said. “Hey Andy it would sure be nice if that florescent light over the fridge worked” Well the light hadn’t work since I got back to the boat. I swapped the light bulbs out but it still didn’t work. It was on my “to do list”. Well I decided to get my volt meter out and check it out. So two hours later I had run new wiring and had to have another shower as I was sweaty and grimy from crawling through the cupboards. So light is fixed.
We had a visitor last night. Al and I had retired to our respective bunks and marina was still on deck writing on her tablet when we all heard a couple of great slaps and splashes right next to the stern of the boat. I went on deck to see if Marina had fallen overboard but I found her safe staring off into the night. Apparently a dolphin, probably a spinner Dolphin was playing in our bay. We used to big light in an effort to get a look at him but he was too fast but we could hear him blowing and splashing about not far from the boat.
El Salvador
Marina and I saw the most incredible shooting star last night. We were just looking up and the cockpit suddenly lite up as the shooting star left a long burning tail then the head exploded. It looked like a Roman candle but a thousand times bigger.
I went for a swim off the boat late last night as well. The water felt cool and when I got out, then wind was downright cold. I think that we are becoming accustom to the heat as everyone agreed that it was quite nice yesterday afternoon in the cabin as quite pleasant. When I check the thermometer it said it was 88F.
Well its 830 am and Marina is cooking breakfast now, I’m writing and Al is sitting on deck looking at a turtle next to the boat that is looking at us.
After breakfast we will move the boat over to the beach and have a swim and a snorkel.
The ham radio has been working remarkable well as you can tell by the number of emails coming out. I’ve been routing the emails through Sarasota Florida or Kileen Texas.
Will look for another anchorage farther down the line tonight.
So all’s well on board, just missing you Babe.
Talk to you soon. Love you.
Afternoon- Bats-Monkeys and Crocs.
We took the boat out of the bay and anchored near a tiny island and went snorkeling- nice spot but not spectacular- A bit of coral but pretty broken up. Lots of little fish, rasps and angle fish and the like. Lots of those square puffer fish that follow you around like puppy dogs. Some more than a foot long. There was a couple of Pangas anchored nearby and they were snorkeling also, but they were catching Octopus.
I swam up to one of the divers who showed me his catch. Thing the fishing boats are responsible for a lot of the damaged coral as they didn’t seem to mind anchoring right in it. Lots of wind again today with some cloud cover. It felt really nice. When we got back from our swim I moved the boat back into the bay and re-anchor where it was flat calm. It was about 2 pm so I laid down in the cockpit and fell asleep. It was almost 4 when I woke and when I did I saw Al sleeping on the far side of the cockpit and Marina was out like a light on the foredeck. After waking every one we took the dink for a sunset cruise up a small river at the head of the bay. Saw lots of egrets, herons and baby puffer fish in the shallows. A bit further into the mangroves there were birds just screaming, parrots squawking and other unidentified critters making all kinds of noise- real Tarzan jungle sounds.
We turned one little bend and we saw our first wild Monkey, Cappuccino monkey with its white face. We didn’t see any but we could clearly hear Howler Monkeys that were not far off. Really creepy sound, especially as it was getting dark. The bugs started to come out so we turned around and headed back to the boat, on the way out we passed a small crock, sitting on the surface.
Maybe a meter long. As we motored along, big bats started swooping down to skim just above the water. They had long pointed wings maybe 2 feet wide. We tried to get video but it was getting to dark. Back on the boat we had diner of Dorado again with Mashed potatoes.
Doesn’t seem to be as windy tonight. Some clouds but still now bugs on the boat. Tomorrow I think we will be up early and make the 45 mile to Playa Del Coco to do our check in. sounds like it could be an ordeal and like it used to be in Mexico, port captain- immigration-bank- immigration and then port captain. May have to take the bus to Liberia to see immigration if they ask us too. Rather not cut it too close so the sooner we get it done the better I think.
Anyway babe that’s it for now, Love you and see you soon.
Thursday December 17. 2014.
Hi Babe, Well we made it to Bahia Del Coco after quiet and exciting day. We covered over 45 miles along the coast, we departed in 25 knots of winds but about half way along we had 45 to 50 knots on the nose and it couldn’t have happened at the worst point, just as we were passing between a set of islands. Saw spinner dolphins leaping out of the water. They were actually playing with the big waves. Sailed most of the day with just the headsail and mizzen. When it picked up we had a ¼ of the headsail out and a single reef in the mizzen. We averaged 6 to 7 knots. Tried not to stress the boat so kept to minimal sail plan.
The wind shook the dodger so hard that the poles in the aft part collapsed. We even lost on of the pillows for my chair as a big gust whipped through the cockpit and took the pillow away. But that was the only casualty.
We are anchored in the bay next to a small resort town. Had a dry dinghy landing getting ashore for diner- beers and a New York stake. The town is just hopping wit restaurants and bars. Lots of action as the locals come down to the waterfront at night for the breeze and to just hang out. Bit of a Disneyland atmosphere but still pretty cool.
Anchorage nice but a bit rolley, would be better with a stern hook. We have large schools of tuna and other fish schooling around the boat. I cast a lure and nailed one in a few minutes. Fun to catch on the light rods as they are only a couple of pounds.
Up early in the morning to do the port captain and immigration thing. Should be interesting.
So that’s it for now, love you.
Note: That the small scale charts are Bahia Santa Elena were out by ¾ miles.
Friday, December-19-14 position 10’38”.1 N 85’38″6 W
Had a good day of snorkeling. Not spectacular but nice. Nice quiet bay with lots isolated place to anchor out of the swell. We moved to the end of the bay near the marina where we will be leaving the boat. There is another resort called ALLEGRO PAPAGAYO. And all inclusive resort. We landed the dink on the long black sand beach and I walked to the resort while keeping top the coconut palms for cover. I walked into the resort and went over to their “Activities Counter and asked about snorkeling tours.
They told me about all the good spots to swim but the best was around the corner at Bahia Huevos. The bay looks like a great anchorage so we will motor over there in the morning, claim a spot, just in case a tour wants to share our bay. Will spend the night there then head to the marina early in the morning to get our dock assignment and start cleaning the boat to leave here for xmas.
I also asked the dive master about where the best spots were. On the way out I grabbed a Pinacolada from the bar for the long walk back to the dink.
It’s a huge bay but as always happens, another sail boat came in and anchored close enough to toss a bottle too. The miles of identical looking shore and he needs to be close to us. Oh well.
Its dark now and Al and Marina are BBQing pork chops with rice. In the distance we can hear Howler Monkeys in the jungle, way cool.
Then it’s off to bed early for me because I’m bagged. Oh and I forgot to tell you that the other day as we were sailing along in that gale, we passed a yellow and black sea snake, and it was so close to the boat that it almost got washed onto the deck by a breaking wave. Marina was freaking out. Well that’s it for now, Miss you but will see you in 4 more days. Love you.
Just finished checking out of Playa Del Coco.
Cruising Friends in El Salvador. Bahia Del Sol.
Beautiful morning, water flat with a low westerly swell. No wind yet but it will start building shortly. Its warm already but will feel better once the morning wind sets in. We are going to pull anchor and head out to the nearby islands to do some snorkeling. Then find a little bay to anchor in tonight. All is well. By for now.
Saturday, December-20-14. Anchored at Bahia Huevos, 10’38”.1N 85’40”.7W
Never a dull moment, we moved over this morning to try snorkeling at the bay the dive master recommended. Beautiful bay and calm. Should be nice but as we were getting ready to put the boarding ladder down, Al leaned on the BBQ and burned his hand.
Apparently he forgot to turn it off last night. Not a bad burn but it sure smarts, I applied burn free to relieve some of the pain. Jan I think we need to bring back some more burn free.
So once Al is ready we will hit the water. Its warn, in the mid 80s with a 5-10 knot breeze. With a few clouds. Our last full day of freedom before heading into the marina. Will email tonight.
Love you.
Monday, December-22-14
We are safely tied to a dock at Marina Papagayos in Bahia Papaygayos, Costa Rica. We brought Maiatla into this very expensive, 5 star resort hotel and marina so we could clean the boat in preparation for leaving her. My plan is to return to Canada for Christmas, to see the kids and grandkids then return with Janet on January 8th, and continue to cruise Costa Rica and perhaps go as far as Panama.
Sunset in El Salvador
The marina caters to mega yachts with starched and pressed crews that seem to be made up of 20 something year old kids. On yacht with a helicopter on the aft deck seems to be manned, so to speak with very fit blonde ladies. The boat crews all gather around the bar for happy hour for cheap drinks and a chance to socialize. Despite the “stuffed Shirt” appearances of the place everyone seems quite friendly
From the boat at night we can hear howler monkeys in the nearby jungle and the ruckus of tropical birds in the trees. It’s our last day and our chores are about done so we will spend the time just relaxing and hanging around the pool during the heat of the day.
Then its home for a while.
Drug dog inspects Maiatla as we are leaving Mexico
Volcano in El Salvador
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The Naked Canadian 
