Shifting Winds and Moving Positions

January 19-20, 2023  

When we had arrived at Bahia Bonanza the wind had been blowing from the south, so we had anchored near the south end of the beach for the best protection.  With the forecast for the winds to switch to blow lightly from the north we moved to the north end of the bay to seek the best protection.  We were definitely protected from the wind, but as the waves built up out in the sea they began to wrap around the point that protected us, and our anchorage became more and more rolly. 

On January 19th we pulled up anchor and headed around the south end of the island over to the east side so as to be well protected from the north and the west.  The forecast was for some strong northerly winds so we picked our anchorage carefully. 

Before the strong winds arrived we had some time to head out in Kiki to explore our new area.  The coastline was very different on this part of the island. 

There were smaller bays with beaches, but the majority of the shore was a combination of beautifully eroded rock formations and crumbling rock, most of which was red. 

 In a neighbouring bay we spotted some large barracudas patrolling the shallows.  We tried fishing for them, but we were unable to troll fast enough in the shallows with the gear that we had with us in Kiki.  What we needed was a casting rod in order to try to catch them, perhaps another time.  

In another bay we spotted many turtles feeding on the bottom sea grasses.  The turtles were in about ten feet of water.  We saw four turtles that appeared to be the same kind, they were probably about 2.5 feet long, but then we also saw one turtle that we think was probably a Leather Back. 

It was quite a bit larger, probably about five feet long, and very neat to see (hopefully you were able to see the video of the turtle, which was attached to the blog e-mail that was sent).  We did not have our masks and snorkels with us, or we would have jumped in and swam with the turtles.   

One thing that we had read about for certain areas in Mexico was an issue with bees.  People had written that the bees would come to the boat in search of fresh water, and people recommended keeping one's sinks dry.  Since arriving in Mexico we had seen a few bees here and there on shore, but we had never had any issues, so we never gave it much thought.  This day, however, when we returned to the boat after being out exploring for several hours, we were shocked to find our boat somewhat filled with bees.  Looking down through one of the closed hatches the whole underside of the glass was swarming with bees.  We spent the next while trying to free all of the bees and to ensure that they headed for home.  We dried our sinks, and will remember from now on to close up the boat when we head out to explore.