The Cariad Adventure - Baja Ha-Ha Leg – Page 2

(Updated: 11/8/03)

Here are Paul’s trip notes as of 11/10/03:

Hi All,

Adrian and I left Alameda on October 16th (I think). It's been so long now I don't know what day it is or even what month it is. We had a mostly uneventful motor sail down to Catalina. We took 2 hour watches through out the night which were cold and damp. By the time we got to Catalina the weather improved significantly. We even got to swim and snorkel around although the water temp was cool.

Wendy and her sister Lori came out and stayed with us for a few days. Adrian had so much fun, he stayed on for a few extra days. After Adrian and Lori left, Wendy and I had a nice motor sail over to San Diego where we met up with Kosta and Edda.

The day before the start of the race San Diego had the worst fires ever. You all probably know more since I haven't seen TV or a newspaper in a month. The boat was covered in black ash and stuff was floating down for days. The sky was almost black as night. Sometimes when you could see the sun it was dark red. We all were coughing for days after.

The first leg from San Diego to Turtle Bay was pretty light. We motored about 75% of the time. Good thing you can buy fuel there. We had a party at the local hotel up the road. They even had a full on disco going with lights and everything. The amazing thing was the town is basically nothing but fishermen and dirt roads. They bring fuel out in their fishing boats and siphon it into your tanks. The next day was the beach party. To get to it we had to brave the surf in our dinghy. Our landing was exciting enough that 3 of the 4 of us ended up in the water, but we didn't flip over. The motor was racing in the air, but it never submerged. Thankfully, I'm better now on those beach landings.

The second leg had some wonderful sailing. The winds were about 15 knots and we were moving nicely. By the last night the winds built to 25 gusting to 30. We had a reef in the main and the jib partially rolled up. It was pretty hairy coming into the anchorage just as the sun was coming up. It was good to get the hook down and get some rest even though it was blowing 20 knots. They had another big beach party, but this time, we just hired a local fishermen to take us to shore in his big panga. It just wasn't worth the trouble to launch the dinghy for just one trip. Bahia Santa Marie is just a big beautiful bay with fishermen living in box shacks. The amazing thing was the locals brought out a huge lobster/fish feast for $10.00 and a live band! They guys must have travelled 100 miles over dirt roads just to get there.....and the band was really really good! We danced our butts off in the dirt. Wendy and I left the party early and Kosta and Edda stayed a little longer. When they showed up, Kosta was toasted. He decided to go for a little swim in his clothes still wearing his glasses. They're some where at the bottom of the Santa Maria. From them on, he had to wear his sunglasses, even at night. He looked like a rock star in the bars in Cabo.

The third leg was beautiful. We sailed most of the way to Cabo in our shorts and tee shirts. We arrived about 4:00 Thursday afternoon. As soon as we got the hook down, it was off for a swim. The air temps are somewhere in the 90s and the water temp off the boat is 84. For all you folks at home, it's almost (almost) too hot here. Thursday night we were dancing at Squid Roe until midnight. Folks were on the tables, doing jello shots and every other crazy thing you can imagine. Squid Roe is pretty cool with a balcony all round the perimeter and an open roof. They really work there to keep everyone entertained....but you pay for it in the $4.50/drink charges.

Friday we walked around town, got the boat checked in and then had a huge beach party next to The Office. The Baja-Ha-Ha fleet got 2 for 1 drink specials and lots of good food. Tonight (Saturday) is the awards party in the parking lot of the marina. This will mark the official end of the 10th annual Ha Ha.

Lien is coming down to meet us tonight and has a hotel for her and Kosta for a few days. Kosta and Edda leave us next week and then Wendy and I will be alone for a few days. She leaves Sunday. Then I'm alone for a few days until Brian shows up. I hope he is ready to sail to Matzlan. Cabo is just too expensive to stay much longer.

Well, that's all for now. I'll try to get some more pictures posted. I don't know how soon I'll be back on the net, but I'll keep you all up to date

Paul, Wendy, Kosta, Edda