08/05/2012, Steak, Papas, and Veggie
Some days it seems like the Captain's work is never done. Sure we are waiting for a weather window, but that also gives me a chance for a little maintenance:
Change the oil in the engine.
Change the Generator oil.
Change the transmission fluid.
Change the alternator belt.
Scrub down the engine, generator, engine compartment and bilge with Simple Green.
And then after all of that, once the oil and grime is washed off my hands, someone had to cook dinner for the crew.
And what a meal it turned out to be! We owe our friends on SV REAL TIME for the steak dinner. They were putting their boat to bed for the summer in La Paz and in the process of cleaning out their freezer, these nice steaks found their way to us!
The dinner was so good that it almost caused us to forget that YES we are trying to get back to Port San Luis. Speaking of the weather, if things hold the fleet plans on leaving Turtle Bay this Tuesday morning and make a straight run to San Quintin. We do have more steaks in the freezer scheduled for our celebration dinner of making the next land fall in one piece and without breaking a bunch of boat gear or any bones.
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08/04/2012, Clean and Easy
As most northbound and southbound cruisers do in Turtle Bay, we took on enough diesel fuel to top off our fuel tanks. After a full power motoring run from May Bay to Bahia Asunsion and then Turtle Bay we took on 329 liters of diesel when we arrived in Turtle Bay at a cost of $11.35/L (or 76.85 Gallons at $3.60/gal).
Since our first stop in Turtle Bay back in 2007 we have always taken on fuel from the floating fuel barge of Servicios Anabell operated by Ruben. While other Cruisers as recently as a few weeks ago have reported taking on dirty fuel from the other fuel dealers here in Turtle Bay, we have not had or heard of anyone having a problem with the fuel sold by Ruben. An older fuel service is known as "El Gordo" and ran by Gordo Jr, but we had a weird experience with Gordo Jr back in 2007, they are rumored to short fuel sales, and I have several friends that have taken on dirty fuel from El Gordo. So I'm sticking with a known entity that I have had a good track record with.
Servicios Anabell has two moorings off of their compound and you can grab a mooring on your way into the Bay to fuel, or they will bring their fuel barge to you at anchor and pump the fuel aboard. It can be a little confusing for a first timer because as soon as you enter the Bay people will zip out to you in their pangas wanting to sell you fuel and if you don't know who you are using....then you are risking fouling your fuel tanks. So as we entered Turtle Bay and multiple pangas came out to us to arrange fuel, we politely said no thank you.
Ruben's Fuel Facility in the entrance to the Bay.
Oh and how long will we be here in Turtle Bay? Until the weather calms down, which is expected to NEXT WEEKEND, so we ain't going anywhere until it calms. This trip may be know as the Baja Bash, but why make it a bash when you don't have a schedule. Besides we went into town last night for dinner and had a good taco, torta, and hot dog...so life it good while we wait.
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08/03/2012, Perfect REAL MEXICO
I've used the terms "Real Mexico" and "Fake Mexico" before with Real Mexico describing a Mexican town that hasn't been transformed into Fake Mexico, aka a Gringo-Tourist town akin to a Disney land experience. I know that every time I use the terms it irritates those who enjoy Fake Mexico and perhaps a side of me likes using the terms just to irritate the uptight. However, it's also the honest no BS way we view things. As I remind people who send me the nasty emails calling me everything form a racists to idiot, this IS a blog about what WE like after all. If you want to rave on about Fake Mexico, with it's organized pool events, Gringo Bingo, and restaurants that have menus written in English...have at it.
Bahia Asuncion is Real Mexico through and through and it ranks right up there as one of my favorite towns, despite not having too much time to explore and enjoy it due to our needing to take advantage of a weather window. The people are classic, almost over the top, nice and you won't find condos or all inclusive results lining the beach, just modest Mexico homes with million dollar views of the bay.
Here's a shot looking at the town from the anchorage. On the far right of the photo is the dingy landing and where the next photo was taken from looking out at the anchorage.
And then looking back at the anchorage from just above the dingy landing beach. You can just see our little flotilla at anchor.
One of 4 Tiendas that we went into with plenty of provisions and friendly people.
Amy and Lori buying some eggs
When we hit the beach we were greeted by a local who offered all of us a ride around town in classic Mexican form.
We of course had to stop at the best place to eat in town...aka...his sisters place...Cafe Juanita's...
Once inside we invited our our new friend to lunch and had a great meal and made some new friends.
Then a panga full of fishermen come up to the boat and give us a Halibut! They wouldn't let me pay or trade for it, so we owe something nice to someone else down the road.
I have never cleaned a Halibut before, so as Jason and I tried to figure out the best way to proceed Cortez looked on with impatience!
My thoughts about summering on the Outside of Baja between Mag Bay and Turtle Bay would definitely put Bahia Asuncion on the hot spot list. With TelCel Wifi, friendly locals, and a good source of provisions...what's not to love about the town?
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