Bahia Ballena, Golfo Nicoya, Costa Rica

We are now anchored up in the pleasant and picturesque Bahia Ballena. We spent a week lounging around in Bahia Culebra, on the beach and numerous bars and eateries in the village of Playa del Coco. Cousin Benny returned after a few days of wandering around Costa Rica and we all had dinner at a seafood restuarant in Coco and afterwood went to a tenth anniversary of one of the local bars that featured an excellent live band. A very late night at 0100H for yours truly but I did manage to stay awake.
We also did a tour of the Rincon de Vieja National Forest and Volcano area. We did all the touristy things like horse back riding,

The Admiral "flying like an eagle"

zip lining and volcanic mud baths that were a lot of fun, all in outstanding surroundings. Lots of flora and fauna too. Monkeys, iguanas, birds and the like.

A missed career as an Al Jolson impersonator

Howler Monkeys making a huge racket

Black and white iguana

We left Playa del Coco on Tuesday and stayed the night in Bahia Potrero about 20 miles south. On Wednesday, with a 15-20kts forecast we left for the run south. Within three hours the wind was up to a steady 35kts with gusts to 48 kts. from the north-east. Fortunately, we were only 2-3 miles of the beach and there was no significant sea running but we did have an interesting ride for a few hours until things settled down. Needless to say, the Admiral was not happy.
We arrived at Bahia Carrillo at about 1700H and settled in for dinner and an early night. The anchorage was very rolly and no-one slept very well.
On Wednesday morning, we had an excellent and fast sail to Cabo Blanco and into the Gulf of Nicoya and on to our current location in Bahia Ballena, which is nice and calm with no swell at all. Haven't seen any whales in here yet, though.

Playa del Coco, Bahia Culebra, Costa Rica

We finally got out of Huatulco as noted below. The run down to Costa Rica was quite difficult with the end of a Tehuantapec gale and then 48hrs of no wind at all. We saw lots of sea life while it was calm, whales, sea turtles, dolphin but caught no fish. The final 24 hours were quite enventful with 30 kt wind gusting to 36 kts. it was a little bouncy. Callisto did great as usual and looked after us well. Despite green water over the decks for much of the time we stayed warm and dry and safe.
We got to Costa Rica on Jan 18 and had to do the immigration cha cha again and finally met up with the Admiral and brother and sister at the Hilton in Golfo Papagallo.

A pleasant evening was had by all and unfortunately, they had to leave the following morning. They brought the ice machine and I set it up today. It works quite well and will bring a new dimension to cocktail hour on Callisto
The trip down was worth it as this little bay is absolutely delightful. Gentle breezes, easy anchoring and no swell. We will probably spend a week here and then go south.
We fueled up in Marina Papagallo and saw my old boat sitting here, which was quite a surprise. New owner was not about though.
The former Callisto

We have left Huatulco

We finally got out of Huatulco on the tail end of a Tehuantapec gale. We made good time today but the first eight hours were quite rough with gusts to 26 kts. The wind died about 2 hours ago and we have been motoring ever since.
Crew is all feeling well and ceviche is for dinner. current position is 15deg 05.6min North and 094Deg 43.3mins West speed 7.0kts course110M

Huatulco, January 12, 2010

Well, as you can see from the weather widget, it's still blowing like mad in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Ongoing gale to storm force wind is still delaying our departure but the weather is now looking good for Thursday morning, and that is our current plan.
The boat is nice and clean and we started the paperwork cha-cha over again. Ron dove on the boat yesterday and the prop is clear of marine growth and we are waiting for customs and immigration to visit so that we can leave very early on Thursday.

huatulco, Friday January 8th,2010

Benny and Ron arrived yesterday with all my spare parts and were keen to get underway. Unfortunately, the 2 day weather window for getting across the Gulf of Tehuantapec has now closed and the forecast is for gale to storm force winds in the gulf for tomorrow and Sunday. So it looks like we aren't going anywhere for a while. The winds lighten up a little on Monday but I'm still not sure if we will be able to go on Monday morning. May have to wait for next Wednesday for the seas to settle down and hope a new system doesn't develop.
Will fix the motherboard on the computer tomorrow and dive on the boat on Sunday and remain optimistic. Will keep you posted.