Las Perlas, March 2009

We left Bahia Honda and, with a couple of other stops enroute, headed south east to round the dreaded Punta Mala (bad point), and so it was. We decided to overnight it and, in retrospect, that might not have been the best choice. We had many freighters to deal with (at one point we had 7 or 8 on our radar screen). We called those we were concerned about colliding with and several didn't respond at all. However, they did change course to avoid us. Two that responded changed course so minutely as to pass 1/2 mile in front of us!! Now, when you're faced with a boat that large, who is seeming to continue on about the same course as before, you get a little scared! We knew we talked to them, but passing 1/2 mile in front is too damn close when you're the size of an apartment building lying down! They could easily have passed behind, which would have been better because it would have been more obvious they had changed course and there'd be less wake. At any rate, with no autohelm, and freighters up the ying-yang, it wasn't an enjoyable trip at all!!

We stopped in Las Perlas Islands after rounding Punta Mala. Unfortunately, we came at the wrong time. There was a terrible red tide and water temperatures had dropped to 66 F...too cold for this kid! This huge yacht anchored beside us. This is how the other half lives!

Nuage, Carol and Dave, went ashore with Ralph. I wasn't in the mood.

It looked to be a rough beach landing, but turned out to be OK after all.