Optimus Prime PV to Costa Rica
30 November 2016 | Golfito Costa Rica
Pat / Raining
Well its been almost a month since i flew down to Puerto Vallarta and met up with Keith and Dana on Optimus Prime. They had her already to go, we only need some diesel and groceries. We spent a fewhours with Keith showing us where they stow everything on tbeir boat. We all went out to dinner at a favorite of Melodie and I, Fahita Republic. Keith and Dana flew home and Arnstien and i got things put away for the trip.
After groceries from Walmart our first stop was in La Cruz for fuel. We arrived at around 1700 and filled our 6 jerry cans and the main fuel tank. Our first overnight got us to Tenicatita. This is a favorite spot for Melodieand me. Therewas only one boat there, Bula and we know them! In January there will be 30-40 boats there.
The next stop was Ixtapa, near Zhuatenejo. We got more fuel and a slip for the night. Arnstein picked up a bug (salmonella we think). So we stayed an extra day for him to rest. Then off again to Acapulco, fuel and a slip ( I see a trend developing). We caught the Dallas/Pittsburgh game on TV.
Another overnight to Huatulco. The autopilot malfunctioned so we hand steered a few hours. When we reached Huatulco we found a loose fitting. A q2 trip to Autozone for ATF fluid and we were good to go. The Gulf of Tehuantepec is known for its high winds. We were lucky and crossed during a very narrow window. We made it to Chiapas in two nights.
Chiapas is a Port of Entry for Mexico. Which means you can leave Mexico from there too. We arrived on Saturday to find the Port Offices closed. Ee lost a day waiting for Monday to check out. By Monday night Hurricane Otto was approaching Costa Rica. It was the first Hurricane to make landfall on the Caribbean side of CR since 1851 (when they started tracking them).
We left Chiapas on Wednesday and made a run for Playa del Coco in Costa Rica. The leg was 497 NM, or 80 hours. The longest leg for the Pacific side of this trip. We bypassed Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. We landed in Playa del Coco, a Port of entry for Costa Rica. We arrived on Saturday. Guess what days the Port Offices are open? Thats right! MON-FRI.
We spent Sunday making a fuel run with jerry cans and the dinghy. Not the preferred way, but we managed to avoid any drama. We got checked out and left Playa del Coco on Monday afternoon.
I should mention that all theses stops include lunches or dinners at beachside restaurants. So it isn't all work, work work.
We got to Golfito Costa Rica today. It rained alot on the trip down and was raining today. The locals wanted too much money to complete our check out paperwork, so we did it ourselves. Lots of forms and carbon paper. I haven't seen carbon paper since the 1980's! Well the gov't burocracy is alive and well here in Central America. Tomorrow we leave at dawn for Panama.
Sorry this is a Pat only Blog entry. Melodie is visiting family in Wisconsin. She usually edits my writing and adds some flair.
A few observations: less and less cruisers the farther south you go. Havent seen anything yet that makes me want to go farther than Zhejatenajo. We have had really good weather.
That's it for now.