La Paz

We spotted our first ever real live sister ship at the Marina
in La Paz, we have never laid eyes on another southern
cross 31 before.

La Paz has been a wonderful interlude, it has been a nice break from travelling to be living at the dock.  There is no pressure to make decisions about where to go next or when, we rarely check the weather and life has fallen into a rather relaxed pace.  

With the arrival of friends from Saltspring, Norah, Norbert and Glynis, followed shortly by my Mom and Auntie Anita and Uncle Tony, we started to party!  They had all come down to help me celebrate my 50^th birthday, and help they did.  Along with some of our new friends from the Umbrella Dumpers, we had a fun party with a piñata and cake and tons of wonderful food.  Special thanks go to everyone who came out!

We visited a saturday market that would make all Saltspring Islanders feel
right at home.

Me and Mom and my birthday Pinata

I had a wonderful 50th party, thanks to my friends and family
who could be here. 

During  Norah, Norbert, Glynis and Moms visit we took a Panga ride out to the islands to the north of La Paz.  Our first stop was the area where the whale sharks feed.  I have always wanted to see these amazing animals (the largest fish alive in the world).  They are breathtaking in size and grace and beauty.  Unfortunately my underwater camera packed it in that day so we have no photos, just our incredible memories.  We then headed to a rock called Los Islotes where there is a large sea lion colony.  Here the Panga tied up to a mooring ball and Mom, Norah, Glynis and I hopped in the water to snorkel.  There were all kinds of beautiful fish to see, but the real reason we were there was the sea lions.  They will swim right by with no fear, one of the smaller ones brushed against me as it passed.  The big ones are a little intimidating so none of us were sad to be more or less ignored by them.  Then we were off to Ensenada Grande, a stunningly beautiful beach where we had a ceviche and sandwich lunch.  Loreto, our guide for the trip, took us along the coast of the islands as we returned towards La Paz, showing us the interesting rock formations and beautiful beaches all along the coast.  As we crossed the channel towards La Paz Norbert spotted a massive pod of dolphins, so Loreto took us into them so they could play in the bow wave and wake of his Panga.  Then we spotted another pod of dolphins, these were larger and darker than the first pod.  As we were leaving this second pod Loreto spotted two humpback whales.  They were breaching and tail slapping and we were treated to an incredible show.  It was an incredible day. I have never experienced so many amazing animal encounters in one day before.

Getting ready to leave this lovely beach

aaaarrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

We were blessed with a spectacular humpback show.

Scott and Norbert enjoying the speedy panga ride.

After we bade farewell to our lovely guests it was time to get on with the boat chores.  We had a list of maintenance items to take care of and as we prepare to depart La Paz, Kialoa is looking clean and shiny and all systems are in good shape.  We plan to slowly work our way north into the sea of Cortez, looking for wonderful beaches and hopefully more whale stories!
                                                                                       

One of our projects while in La Paz was making a lifting
harness for the dinghy.  We can now easily store it out of the
water each night.  This acts as a theft deterrent and also keeps
the bottom clean, we have already had to scrape little
 barnacles off the bottom.

Cindy and Journey from Namaste decked out in
their team colors for superbowl.