Puerto Balandra

El Hongo, the mushroom rock.



Lovely clear water and clean beaches.




Weathering of the rock wall, and ...turquoise water.

 It was difficult to leave Muertos, and we were among the last to set off, but we headed around the East Cape towards La Paz.  This is a 45 mile trip, so a fairly short day sail to our next destination of Bahia Balandra, near La Paz.  As we rounded the corner, the water became even more blue and clear, and the sun more intense.  The wind was on the nose most of the way, so we ended up motoring the entire trip, and fishing of course.  We caught one Mexican mackerel, and released it, no marlin today.  Around 1:00 p.m. we arrived at our chosen bay, a small inlet with crystal clear water and secluded white sand beaches.  Or so we thought, as this is Semana Santa, or Easter weekend, the locals are out in full force as would be the case at home.  Everywhere there are tents on the beaches, with cars and trucks parked nearby, and loud tuba and accordion music wafting throughout the air.  It's quite an atmosphere.  Mid-day today there were many smaller yachts, jet skis, and moorings sailboats that dropped into the anchorage to enjoy the day.  It seemed a lot like Catalina or the river.  As the sun dropped from the sky, the coromuel winds started up and the boats headed for La Paz or wherever they were from.  Every afternoon these winds start up from across the land, and they howl all night around 20+ knots.  It's not quiet shall we say.  It sounds a bit like a small hurricane, and in the late morning they die off, thankfully.  We have a really good anchor, once again, thankfully, and we bob back and forth, but stay put. 
   Today we snorkeled the nearby rocky shoreline, where there were corals, small rays, multitudes of tropical fish, and deep caves.  It was the best snorkeling I've had in years.  The water is clearer than Hawaii, unfortunately not as warm yet.  My water camera died in Las Hadas in the swimming pool, otherwise I'd have pictures of these great scenes.  Can't figure out why a water camera didn't like chlorine, but it didn't. 
   Tomorrow our friends on Blue Rodeo and Pacifico are headed into La Paz, we think we'll stay here for a few more nights, as it's so gorgeous.  I've seen pictures of the Sea of Cortez, I just never thought they were real.  Well, I was wrong, it really is that beautiful.  It's incredible.