A Taste of Cruising Mexico
| Vessel Name: | Journey |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Passport 40 |
| Hailing Port: | Ventura, Ca |
| Crew: | Jeff and Dori Beller |
| About: | We're home ported out of Ventura, California. Jeff is a software engineer and Dori is a special ed teacher. We're both on sabbatical from our carreers or early retirement. We're not too sure which and don't really care. Cruising fits us real well right now. |
| Extra: | This is our third extended cruise to Mexico. I guess we like it there! We hope you enjoy reading this journal of our cruise. |
19 March 2020 | Ventura, CA
Another Taste of Mexico
This is a photo from back in 2008, the first time Journey went cruising to Mexico. The boat was full and overflowing with guests come to wish us Bon Voyage before we set off on our travels. It is a memory we still cherish.
12 July 2012 | Ventura, CA
Home Sweet Home
Journey has been home for just over a week, after sailing into Ventura harbor on the Fourth of July.
20 June 2012 | San Diego, CA
Survivors of the Un-Bash
It seems there is no rest for the weary. (OK, after resting four days, I guess being weary isn't an excuse anymore.) Anyway, we've received a few 'gentle' hints from some impatient readers. They've noticed that our position reports show we've reached San Diego, but our blog hasn't been updated to reflect [...]
12 June 2012 | Turtle Bay
A Night at Anabel's
Last night we debated whether or not to leave Turtle Bay early this morning, but one day's rest just didn't put a dent in the sense of exhaustion we were feeling after this last week. So we put off our departure until tomorrow. Our reward for making that decision was spending this evening at Anabel's. There [...]
11 June 2012 | Turtle Bay
The Half Way Point
Arriving at Turtle Bay is a milestone because it means you've reached the half-way point in your trip up or down the Baja. Several of the boats who left Cabo with us had a little celebration by having a scrumptious potluck lunch hosted by Mary and Jack on S.V. Oriana. We also attended to mundane details [...]
04 June 2012 | Bahia San Juanico
The 'Un-bash'
With one-third of the trip north completed, the good news is that we haven't really been 'bashed' much at all. The closest we've came was the passage around Cabo Falso early Saturday AM which Jeff described in his last post. As he mentioned, once that was behind us, it was all motoring in calm seas [...]
At Night Beneath the Southern Cross
Tuesday evening we were underway by about 10 P.M. Leaving Banderas Bay to the south means rounding Cabo Corrientes. Since this is a prominent point of land, winds tend to be much stronger there. And when the wind combines with opposing currents, you can get much larger waves. So there is a good chance of getting your butt kicked. Then again, depending on conditions, you can have a nice sail or a motorboat ride. Our trip combined both of the last two options.
There was a bit of lump crossing the bay and not enough wind to push through it, so we ended up motoring at first. Once we rounded the point and turned to follow the coast, the breeze kicked up. At 15-16 knots we had a beautiful sail for a good four hours. Even though there was only a half moon it lit up the sky like a spotlight.
For a bit we turned off the auto pilot and I practiced steering by the stars. You pick out a particular star and hold your course by keeping that point of light positioned someplace in the rigging.
Jeff also pointed out the Southern Cross constellation to me. This is only seen close to the equator and further south and it was our first glimpse of it on this trip. The next logical step was to crank out some Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young on the stereo, although Jeff was disappointed that he didn't have the album with 'Southern Cross' on his i-pod.
Approaching Bahia Chamela the next day, we were rewarded with a great whale show very near the boat. The fellow in this photo breached over and over until we were out of sight.
Now we're at anchor off the small village of Perula in Bahia Chamela. It's a traditional little town where businesses still close from 2:00-6:00 for siesta. Yet we also have great wifi internet out here at anchor. And the water temps have warmed up to 72 at least.
Yesterday we walked the white, sandy beach for three miles in one direction without coming to its end. After a three mile walk back, we were ready for something cold at one of the beach palapas.
This is real hard to take, but I think we can force ourselves to stay here for a few days before moving south yet again.
Dori
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We've posted our favorite photos from this year's cruising in the Sea of Cortez
46 Photos
Created 8 July 2012
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Four glorious days of surfing "the longest wave" at Matanchen Bay in warm water, tropical surroundings, and no crowds.
11 Photos
Created 13 April 2012
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Dori shot these photos of a morning surf session at Barra de Navidad. She was standing on the breakwater which adjacent to the surf break, giving great access for pictures.
15 Photos
Created 22 February 2012
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This is a morning spent touring the estuary and river above Matanchen up to Tovara springs.
28 Photos
Created 27 January 2012
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Yelapa is a unique little hidden away village on the south side of Banderas Bay. No roads reach it and the only way to get there is by water.
14 Photos
Created 15 March 2011
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