San Blas - Matanchen Bay
31 December 2010 | About 20 Miles North of Chacala
Captain Frank
I arrived at Matanchen Bay on New Years Eve around 2:45 in the afternoon. I had the best wind for this trip since entering Banderas Bay. I sailed the second half in 18 knots under a single reef and 100% jib. The wind was onshore so there was a long fetch and it was a lot like sailing Monterey Bay except for the 70 degree air. Matanchen Bay is a, shallow, large bay a couple of miles east of the San Blas harbor. I had decided to stay here instead of the harbor to avoid the jejenes (no-see-ums) which are supposed to be quite a problem in San Blas. I anchored about a mile offshore in 25 feet of water. This anchorage turned out to be quite and smooth. In fact, I think it was the quietest spot yet, even on New Years Eve.
On Saturday I went into San Blas to explore. I waited for a bus for over half an hour. Having decided there was non to be had I took a cab which cost less than a dollar. This was my first taxi ride in Mexico. What a luxury. I spent the day wandering around the town which I found to be smaller than I had expected and a little run down. It is certainly larger, however, than any of the small towns I have been at since Banderas Bay. Shopping is limited to mini supers and a small coop near the main plaza. Very few people speak English hear so I'm getting the emersion I came for.
On Sunday I went on the Rio Latovara river trip. This is an estuary about seven miles long which winds through the mangrove swamp surrounding San Blas. It is actually in Matanchen so it's only a short walk from the beach where I landed the dingy. This trip turned out to be the highlight of my stay in San Blas. It is a two hour panga ride through the mangrove forest along estuaries which at times the panga can barely make it's way through. There were lots of birds, turtles, a couple of eguanas and a few crocodiles. About half way through the ride we stopped at a crocodile sanctuary where I could get up close and personal with a croc (see the photo gallery).
On Monday I toured San Blas with Jon and Lisa, a couple from a neighboring boat (s/v MollyJ). We made it out to the beach where I spent some time dicussing the local surf with a couple of young Mexican surfers(in Spanish, mind you). We toured the fort overlooking the city which gave a grand panorama of the area and went to the marina. It was then that I decide to spend a couple of days in a slip. Not only would it give me a chance to cleanup Solitude but it offered a completely different perspective on being in San Blas.
I went into the marina (Fonatur, Singlar) on wednesday morning. By noon I had the oil changed and two loads of wash done. I spent thursday morning, on my own jungle tour, taking the dingy up an estuary near the marina. Afterward I give Solitude a good wash down. I hadn't had fresh water available since La Cruz about a month ago. I went back into town, which was now just a short walk, to provision the boat for the next week or so.
On Friday, My birthday, I got up early and took the dingy out the harbor and down the beach to the local surf spot. Here I anchored the dingy outside the break. It was breaking four to five feet and I got some really great rides. While I was in surfing, the Mexican navy came by the dingy and it appeared they were going to tow it off. I started back out toward them, whistling and waving. Before they absconded with my dingy, they noticed me and waved back at which point they backed off and left. A close call.
I spent friday night on anchor in the river adjacent to the marina and left for Isla Isabel on Saturday afternoon. My stay in San Blas turned out to be quite interesting and enjoyable.