Sailing past Careyas

Friday, February 19, 2016 - Tenacatita Bay

Tenacatita is nothing like I thought. Actually, I don't know what I was expecting, maybe more life on shore. The bay is even larger than Chamela and has three different areas to anchor. We chose the most popular, Blue Bay, some call it, named after the one hotel that resides on the NE shore. Other than the hotel and a palapa that serves food and drinks (hidden behind a row of palm trees) there is nothing here but a long stretch of empty beach.

So that must be the secret! People come here not because there is much to do, but because there is nothing happening. A cruiser's paradise. The beach is clean and the water a perfect temperature for swimming. This morning I did see a group of six people riding horseback on the beach. A tour from the hotel, I presume. And three dolphins came cruising through the anchorage.

There are thirty boats here and yet it doesn't feel crowded. It is hot. Very hot. Except when the breeze comes up, like now. Otherwise one must swim to keep cool.

Every morning there is a net on the VHF. All the boats in the anchorage check in, discuss the weather and talk about the events for the day. This afternoon there will be games on the beach; volleyball and bocce ball. This evening, and every Friday evening, they have what is called the "Mayor's Raft-Up." This is where one or two dinghy's anchor and we all raft together in a circle. We bring appetizers to share, our own plates, forks and drinks and take the time to get to know one another.

Me, I am just content to relax on the boat, have some quiet time to write. Although soon, Jay and I will take the dinghy out for a cruise around the anchorage.

The trip from Chamela to Tenacatita was six hours of which we were able to sail two. It was a slow sail, going 3.2 knots with 6.5 knots of wind. "How does it do that?" I asked Jay. "Magic." He smiled.

Indeed. It was a lovely sail as we passed Bahia Careyas and saw all the beautiful, colorful mansions across the cliffs. When we finally rounded Punta Hermanos, we had no idea we would have another hour before arriving at our destination. By that time the wind had died and the sun was piercing hot. Burnt out by a long day of sun and heat, we were very glad when we anchored and the sun went down.

Wow! I thought. We just sailed to Tenacatita!