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.