We awoke yesterday in Agua Verde and our main focus was to get the dinghy in the water and get ashore to provision and drop off trash. Ah, dinghy landing #1 went pretty well in the small surf by the village. We wandered up to Maria's tiende and found some vegetables, tortillas, and cheese. Getting OFF the beach provided a bit of comic relief to the fisherman; we only took 1 wave into the dinghy and eventually we got out to deep water. Back on Magic, we stowed our provisions and rinsed off the crew.
Then it was time to up the anchor and continue our lazy sail south. The forecast was for nice afternoon winds. We motored around the point & outlying reef in very light winds. And then enough wind appeared to fly the spinnaker! It is so easy on a cat -- no need to use a pole with the wide bows, 20' apart. We sailed and then when more wind materialized, we dropped the kite and set our genoa. This worked until the wind died completely and the swell continued. Time to use those iron gennys (engines).
We soon were safely anchored at Puerto Los Gatos. This anchorage is known for a variety of rock formations in greens, reds, and browns with long arching white sandy beaches. We went ashore and explored; Ron climbed up the rock hills while Alan and I wandered the beach. This beach departure went off much better. Without any waves (well 4" @ 20 seconds), we made it off the beach without a soaking!
We have been talking about having fish tacos for dinner -- but first we needed to catch a fish. Just about breakfast time -- dinner arrived when a local fisherman (Manuel) arrived in his panga with a large, fresh (living) spotted cabrilla. This is a type of sea bass. Alan and Ron went into the translation/negotiation mode. The fish weighed about 5lbs. They settled on $10 US and some gasoline. (The closest fuel source is back up at Agua Verde.) The fish was placed in our cockpit drain under the teak grating until after breakfast. Then Alan cleaned him on the fish table he made at home. So fish tacos tonight--and we have yet to catch that fish!
Today Alan donned his wet suit (still very cold water here) and set out to gather chocolates/hubcaps/ (clams) and hockey pucks (scallops). He came back with 2 hockey pucks which provided a lunch time appetizer for he and Ron. The rest of the day we spent watching the birds, the clouds, the beach, and reading books. I watched a coyote walk along the beach. There is no village or fish camp here so it is very quiet and secluded. Late this afternoon another boat arrived and anchored behind us.
We are all in good health and high spirits. We expect to continue south tomorrow and hope for the winds to be favorable.
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