Bits n Bobs

It was a diverse week in Yelapa. Four spectacular sunny days, followed by a gray intruder, then another sunny fellow and lastly intermittent grey-sunny-clear-sprinkles. I was totally confused, but alas my threshold may be ever-so-slightly lower than most.

Our little bay also provided shelter to a diverse collage of visitors. Early on a young hump-back whale passed deep into Yelapa Bay and appeared to befriend a sailboat at anchor. The onboard canine became intimidated and sounded the alert. The owners, perhaps enjoying an early morning cup of java, failed to heed the call. Those of us observing the event wondered if this might not be the adolescent born two years prior just off the southern point of our bay. Following its birth, mother and charge remained in that secure site for nearly a week, all in front of the appreciative eyes of locals and visitors alike.  

        

We also provided safe harbor to seven world-class sailboats. These were not the casual day sailing vessels which inhabit the marinas al norte. These are serious sailors aboard beautiful boats equipped with solar panels, wind turbines and long range communication devices. These are forty to fifty foot vessels commanded by a man and woman who appear to be well-seasoned at their task and mature in their nature.  They treat their surrounds and their hosts with warm respect. Their departure was as skilled and silent as their arrival. Such visitors are always welcomed. 

On a darker side, two outboard motors were removed from local pangas during the night early in the week. Conversation returns regarding re-installing a high intensity light to oversee the bay at night. A year back, one was installed but following a two week engagement was removed once complaints surfaced from bayside residents who felt the light to be intrusive. I sense this activity, removing and redeploying of personal assets, is a fairly fluid one among the seaside villages of Bay of Banderas. Boats, engines, motos, scooters, jet skis, etc. are bought and sold for cash. Few questions if any are asked; ownership documentation may not be an issue. Such transactions are a fact of life. Moving on.

Many of you have sounded an alarm regarding my cessation of “Commercial Breaks” for Yelapa Kayak Rentals. Allow me to explain. A full moon occurred around the first of January. Major tidal swings resulted in a large amount of sand redeploying from the base of my platform. What would be a three foot decent from my platform to the sandy beach was re-sculpted into a near ten foot drop. This action rendered the safe removal or return of equipment impossible. There is a depictive video posted on the Yelapa Kayak Rentals FaceBook page. Once Mother Nature, and her servant, the sea, return the sand I will post an update. Until then, wherever you are-----Happy Paddling, memo