Around the world with S/V Zephyr

The adventures of Bill & Tracy as they fulfill their lifes dream of sailing the world. We've dreamed of this for years and now is the time while the health is still good and there is money in the kitty to make it come true.

05 January 2019 | Aurora
07 December 2018 | Aurora, Colorado
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06 November 2018 | Aurora
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16 August 2018 | Aurora, Colorado
15 August 2018 | Aurora, Colorado

The fish killing fields of Candelero Chico.

04 April 2018 | 25 42.410N:-111 12.954W
Bill
When we visited Candelero Chico in the Sea of Cortez eight years ago, we found numerous Hammer Head Shark heads littering the shore line. Through the years we thought that maybe the Mexican Government as well as their National Parks System would have either educated the fishermen or put a stop to the whole sale slaughter of all these animals. Apparently not as when we went ashore yesterday, there were dozens of shark heads all lined up and other just scattered around the beach. We also saw what looked like Mobulla Ray bodies scattered on the bottom of the cove shallow enough that we could get pictures of the white carcasses. I took pictures but they will have to wait for actual internet. Last night, the fishermen were back again as it woke us up as they came into the cove with their panga heaped full of more Mantas. Tracy watched through the stern windows as they were dragged off the boats and slaughtered on shore, with what was left thrown into the water or left on shore for the sea gulls to feast on which they are as I type this. It's not gotten better, it's gotten worse. As to where they sell the meat of the fish, there isn't that much close by other than the resort at Candeleros just west of us or the people that live near the resort. The resort opened a few years ago and even allows boaters to buy day passes to use their facilities. The filleting of the fish took a good two hours before the fishermen left the cove, leaving their scraps behind.

As I wrote in my last post, we were thrilled to have the cove to ourselves as it's big enough for two if one anchors close to the head of the cove and the other out in the channel in. One big catamaran passed us by slowly about 1700 but as we watched a show below in the main cabin, a 54 foot Jeaneau pulled in silently and dropped their hook out in the channel. RATS!!! Our privacy has been violated!!! It's an Italian registered boat and came from who knows where as they have no AIS on board. They have now lowered their outboard onto their dinghy so it looks like they will be visiting shore soon to see the sights. It's going to be a stinky walk with all the dead carcass along the beach.

When I got up this morning, the gulls were ashore all lined up and squawking loudly about their find quite happy that they don't even have to go fishing for their breakfast. Let me tell you, thirty or so sea gulls can make a lot of racket when they get going as a group.

Last night, I sat out on the foredeck and laid back and watched the night sky looking for falling stars. Only saw one in the hour I was out but oh how the night sky lit up as my eyes got used to the utter darkness of the moonless night. The moon doesn't come up till after midnight so it's really quite black. That blackness also allowed me to see all the incredible bioluminescence in the water of the cove. It was like millions of fireflies or lightening bugs all lighting up down in the water. An amazing sight to see. One of the many joys of being back in the Sea of Cortez. Today, go to the beach and hike to the far side and see the south beach plus a few small jobs(as always)
Comments
Vessel Name: Zephyr
Vessel Make/Model: Shin Fa 458
Hailing Port: Denver, Colorado
Crew: Bill & Tracy Hudson
About: We've been sailing since the early 80's on lakes in New Mexico and Colorado and finally took the plunge and bought Zephyr.
Extra:
We moved on board in April of 2008 and have been working and sailing her ever since. Up to Alaska and down to Mexico and across the Pacific to Fiji. From Fiji to the Philippines and down to South Africa for Christmas 2015. We've now made it to the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal. With [...]
Home Page: http::/www.sailblogs.com/member/svzephyr
Zephyr's Photos - Main
Photos 1 to 54 of 54
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It
The electrical connection with switch for the new Spectra Watermaker.
Our new watermaker--it still needs the hoses run but we are getting closer to getting the job done.
La Panga Restaurant and Marina Palmira office
You put your trash out in trash cans by the curb.  Here, they put it in raised steel containers to keep animals out of it while awaiting pickup.
OK, sounds like a restaurant I want to try.  Nothing wrong with a skull on the sign.
Boats in Marina Palmira.
Bigger power boats in Marina Palmira.
More boats in Marina Palmira.
Marina Costa Baja
There
Looking West from the marina.
Looking North towards the hotel La Fiesta.
Boats at Marina Costa Baja.
We sat for quite a while just watching the sun go down and see all her changing colors.  Each night provided a whole rainbow of colors.
La Fiesta Hotel.  Nice place and just about empty.
Matt getting some relaxation at the pool.
They stroll the docks each day.
Along the sidewalk at Marina Costa Baja.
Looking down from above.  Boy, it
The view from the top of the mast of the marina.
Out into the bay.
The "Beach Club at the hotel.
More of the Marina and the hotel.
Pangas along the beach at Los Muertos.
The dingy dock at Los Muertos.
Looking out from the restaurant at Los Muertos.
Pelicans and the pangas along the launching ramp at Los Muertos.
The Sun glinting off the bay at Los Muertos.
What used to be the Giggling Marlin restaurant.  Now El Carbon.
Rock walls out by the dingy dock at Los Muertos.
One of the flying Manta Rays at Los Frailes.  Look closely.
More flying Manta Rays at Los Frailes.
The Eastern end of Los Frailes.
Ensenada de Los Muertos.
The ceiling of the restaurant at Los Muertos.
Blue goes hunting.  She knows there is something on the barbecue grill
With her toes spread, she is weaving on the life line.  The camera is still, she is not!
At anchor in Los Frailes.
The anchorage in Los Frailes.
At the pot luck dinner along the beach in Los Frailes waiting out the wind.  The wind won!!
Our new Fender Step.  It will make coming into dock much easier.
Our new Spectra 200T watermaker.  Now all we have to do is find the time to install it.
The Immigration Office in Ensenada, Mexico.  At least it is all in one building now instead of spread all over town.
The big flag by Baja Naval Marina.  An easy land mark to navigate to.
The Port Captain
The Mexican courtesy flag flying from our mast spreaders.
Celebrating crossing into Mexico.  The white wine had gone bad so we gave it to King Neptune instead.
Looking towards Ensenada Harbor.
 
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25 Photos
Created 22 November 2013
Around Kudat and the Penuwasa Boat Yard
39 Photos
Created 18 November 2013
Up the hills till an opening shows up in front of you and then see if you can get down into it. Not always.
36 Photos
Created 16 November 2013
Some photos of our diving on the reef.
30 Photos
Created 16 November 2013
Our trip around the north end of Borneo
20 Photos
Created 16 November 2013
10 Photos
Created 23 October 2013
Our trip around Malaysia starting at Tawau.
36 Photos
Created 21 October 2013
51 Photos
Created 13 October 2013
Our trip from Tawau around the top of Borneo down to Brunei.
6 Photos
Created 9 October 2013
13 Photos
Created 6 October 2013
24 Photos
Created 6 October 2013
Pictures of our dives off Musket Cove Marina
20 Photos
Created 7 December 2011
Avea Bay on South Huahine and on to Raiatea Island.
39 Photos
Created 25 July 2011
Our arrival in Tahiti through Huahine
91 Photos
Created 18 July 2011
Getting Zephyr ready to go.
37 Photos
Created 28 October 2010
My three days getting not only knowledge and some self confidence but nice and dirty.
8 Photos
Created 26 August 2010
Heading South from Escondido.
23 Photos | 2 Sub-Albums
Created 30 April 2010
An old salt factory.
33 Photos
Created 30 April 2010
Incredible sandstone
17 Photos
Created 30 April 2010
A great place to spend time exploring.
48 Photos
Created 30 April 2010
Honeymoon Cove on Isla Danzante
25 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 30 April 2010
47 Photos
Created 14 February 2010
Our continuing adventure as we head North farther up the Sea Of Cortez.
47 Photos
Created 22 January 2010
8 Photos
Created 1 January 2010
Our visit to the famous "Mushroom Rock" bay.
12 Photos
Created 1 January 2010
Art and statues along the waterfront as you walk through downtown La Paz, Mexico
13 Photos
Created 1 January 2010
Still heading South but now in Cabo San Lucas
24 Photos
Created 8 December 2009
Making our way South along the coast of Mexico
25 Photos
Created 28 November 2009
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