Saturday 26 July 2008

Chicken Pox.....go figure!!!!!

Medical Update (July 26)....well, good news. Peter insisted on taking me back to the clinic yesterday morning and the diagnosis of the day is that I don't have a jellyfish sting (which means that Peter will stop asking me "How could you not feel being stung??). Instead I have the equivalent of adult chickenpox. (not contagious) No idea where that came from. Go figure. So, more drugs, but the Doc figures everything should be cleared up in another week.
The medical system here is quite good...the dentists/doctors etc. are well-trained, many speak excellent English and they are affordable. A doctors visit ranges from 20.00 to 50.00 Canadian. Drugs are alot more expensive than in Canada though...a week of anti-biotics is about $40.00 and a week supply of this chicken pox drug is $100.00.
One of the good things about this little adventure is that we took the local bus back and forth today to the city of Guaymas (as opposed to a boring taxi earlier in the week for 35 minutes each way). It was a blast and we got to practice our Spanish and see more of the area. Better still, instead of 50.00 round trip it was 1.80! We went restaurant and bar-hopping last night and met up with some fellow cruisers, so we know what to recommend and what not to when Ryan and Kylie get here next week (and Doug and Glenda who will be sailing for the 12 days while Kylie, Peter & I go horse trekking in the Copper Canyon).
So for the next few days this is where I'll be.....




Week Ending July 25, 2008

Week Ending Friday, July 25, 2008
Jelly Fish stings and an exciting passage


After leaving Mulage, we motored up to Punta Chiva. A lovely anchorage with a special bonus – we were surrounded at sunset and at dawn the next day with a huge pod of bottle nosed dolphins. It was an incredible sight as they were feeding and showing off. I went in the water to swim with them, but they didn’t come quite close enough to touch. It was still an incredible experience. I even dragged Peter out of bed for the sunrise to watch this dolphin display.


Hiking to the top of the 950 foot volcano - overlooking QuickStar

From here we headed to an offshore island called Isla San Marcos where we spent three nights all by ourselves! It was heavenly – including the total freedom of dipping in the water whenever in our birthday suits, which is how we are dressed (or undressed) while in these remote anchorages. Usually this is a nice benefit, however, I suspect that this may be where I ended up getting some heavy-duty jellyfish stings on my lower back…serves me right for not wearing my full body suit, which I do for my daily 30 minute swim. I didn’t notice the stings at the time, but I have subsequently developed an allergic reaction that has been causing me some pain – even as I write this more than a week later.

Local kids rock diving and cave exploring in an anchorage
The good thing about that anchorage is that it had some great caves that we swam and snorkelled into. From here we headed to the marina/town of Santa Rosalia where we found out that Danny can’t join Ryan and Kylie in Mexico with us. That’s disappointing, but we understand he is a working man! We will see him lots this winter at Silver Star. While here I caught up internet communications/business and we did some touring in town, including visiting the church, which was built by Eiffel (the builder of the Eiffel Tower in Paris). We spoiled ourselves with dinners out each night – by going to air-conditioned restaurants. The temperature is above 100 most days with high humidity.

We spent one more night at San Marcos so that we could make an early 4:00 a.m. departure for the 77-mile crossing to San Carlos. Unfortunately, the seas and wind were pretty crazy and we were in a rainstorm – the first time we’ve seen rain for a year. I wasn’t feeling great (at this point not exactly sure what was wrong with me) so we decided to turn back. After about an hour, the wind turned in our favour, so we changed our mind again and kept going. This change in plans cost us over 2 hours but was the right decision. We had an exhilarating gallop across the sea sailing in 20-knot winds with sea swells between 6 – 8 feet and a chop of 1 to 2 feet. Peter was in his glory for this 13-hour crossing!!!!!

After a night at San Pedro where I couldn’t sleep because of the pain, I woke Peter up at sunrise and we motored over to San Carlos arriving by 9:30 where we spent the day in Guaymas at the hospital getting tests, etc. I also had a bit of an infection, so have been on antibiotics all this week. Yesterday, the pain was still bugging me so Peter dragged me to the ambulance station in San Carlos where they confirmed a jellyfish sting, gave me some cream and advised that it was very painful (duh) and it could take up to 14 days to fully recover…. We followed up by going out for dinner to a great bar right on the waterfront and listened to an original musician. That, and a couple of margarita’s, made me feel much better!!! The good thing about this little inconvenience is that I’ve been playing lots of Scrabble and Word games on the computer…unfortunately my daughter Tara continues to whip me royally!!!

I’m determined to be back to fighting form by August 2nd when Ryan and Kylie arrive. We’ve got lots planned and I don’t intend on being sidelined. We’ve loaded up on groceries and will head out again today for anchorages within this area. I’m counting the days down until the kids get here. Until next time…..celebrate each day.

Sunday 13 July 2008

Coming to you from Mulege...July 12, 2008

Howdy. Just another quick post, as we are in Mulege...which is a 2 mile dinghy ride up the river. It is a fabulous little town - about 2,900 people and it is a throwback to the 50's. The internet cafe that I'm in right now reminds me of the original ones we used to have in the 90's. Very, very cool. Peter has gone off in search of a double hammock and some supplies...so I'm on a limited time frame.
We continue to have a blast and are enjoying the 102 degree temperature. Easy to enjoy when you can just jump off the boat whenever to cool down. Yesterday, while we were motoring to our anchorage we were surrounded by 5 bottle nosed dolphins who played right beside the bow for a half hour. They were so close, they got me wet everytime they surfaced for air. It was truly incredible. I took a video, but we'll see how that works out.
We are heading further north today and will be out of range again for another week. I'll try to check back in when we arrive in Santa Rosalia.....just three more weeks today until Ryan and Kylie arrive (but who is counting????). Talked to Danny today and he will be able to let us know next Friday if he can come as well. My fingers are crossed!
Until next time.....seek out the rainbow after the rain. Hugs....Diana xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sunday 6 July 2008

Week ending July 5, 2008





Hello. Just a quick post to let you know that we are alive and well. We've spent the last couple of weeks out in remote anchorages - each one even better than the last one.



We've just anchored off of Loreto - which is a wide open roadstead - so only have a few hours in town. We came in to call Kylie and welcome her back to Canada. Glad to hear she made it safe and sound - although we didn't connect. If the seas stay calm enough we'll stay longer and try again. In the meantime, we are restocking with provisions. We will then be heading further north and will be out of range for another couple of weeks. Until next time.......stop and smell the roses.
Dolphins swimming around our dinghy - tres cool!


QuickStar

QuickStar
46 foot Beneteau

The journey begins.....

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