So, having backpacked across the Yucatan Penninsula, to Merida, Viodalid and Isla Holbox on a previous voyage, we spent our time in Isla Mujeres getting ready to take off for territory that we had not yet explored.

The preparations included, reading every sailing/cruising gude that we were able to buy or borrow, checking as many different weather sites as possible, finding a buddy boat with whom to travel, inputting waypoints (lattitude and longtitude) for the various ports we wished to enter and studying the paper backup charts. Fro sailing the Mayan coast the Raushers' Guide is indispensible.

Since leaving Isla Mujeres, we anchored off Puerto Morales, then sailed for Puerto Adventuras, but strong winds made us change our plans and stop at Hut Point. Then, on to Puerto Adventura, where we stayed for two days. Puerto Adventura is a top ranking resort with lots of entertainment, restaurants, pools, and even dolphin shows. Here, sailboats are always VERY WELCOME and stay for a very modest overnight fee. This beautiful spot lulled us into spending a day longer than planned.

Sarah Grant (our crew member who joined us in Port Charlotte) and I spent one day at Tulum, a beautiful Mayan ruin on the ocean. After walking in the wrong direction for picking up a collectivo, we bargained for a taxi.

Sarah standing ( slumping) inside a Myan walkway that also made me stoop to get through.

After a wonderful 3 hours at Tulum, we returned by collectivo to Puerto Aventuras and on our walk back to the dock visited the free museum on the grounds. The museum consists of treasures reclaimed from the sea wrecks of the past. They have the most extensive collection in the world of religious relics worn by sailors of the past. Well worth the time taken to go through!

Then, Ivy (from Ruby Slippers, our buddy boat for this leg) and I went to Playa del Carmen to re-provision for the next several days. This time we knew where to catch the collectivo and were surprised with the short wait. There is a WALMART in Playa which definitely caught our interest and our money. The ride back was in a taxi since there was no way that we could walk back to the collectivo stand with all that we had purchased or manage to stow it under our seat, if we did find help to get all our provisions transported there.

We left Advenrturas that same evening in order to keep to our deadlines. (Sarah and Chuck both had to be back in Isla Mujeres by the January 28th: Sarah to fly home to Ottawa and go back to work, Chuck to entertain company from the states and then to begin a cruise on the boat MUSIC owned by he and his wife Stuart. We are hoping to see them again soon.) Leaving at night also assured us of arriving at Baiha del Espiritu Santo in full daylight.

The Size of this bay left us breathless! Due to our shallow draft we were able to anchor inside an uninhabited island. We went ashore with the dingy after having a short nap, and had the beach all to ourselves. No one else was even in sight! Only the occasional fisherman passed by in their pangas.

Our Private Island inside Baiha del Espiritu Santo