Friday 16 July 2010

Kai - Back to Toronto

Hi


Sorry it's been so long since we did a post. For the last week or so we've been getting the boat ready to go back up Toronto. We had to get it all ready in a marina in La Paz. It's a bit tricky because it can get really shallow. Our keel is six feet deep and the depth sounder said it was eleven feet there. It is also very narrow so if you go outside of the markers you can run aground. We made it safely and docked.

We got off the boat and went to a nearby Walmart. We got some cold pizza for dinner, a pepperoni stick for the walk back, a drink, and three luggage bags for the flight.

It was really hot on the way back and we put the groceries in the bag so it was really heavy.

We finally got back and made the pizzas. They were really good. That night we also watched Monty Python, and it was really good. The next morning we woke up and started getting the boat ready. I started getting my bunk ready and packing my clothes and all the things that I was bringing back. At first it was okay but the temperature started rising and it got a bit hot.

Later on that day Liam and I went up to the pool with our water guns and had a water fight. The water in the pool was really cold but refreshing. Then we went back to the boat to have the pizza. It was super hot inside the boat, and the oven was not working so we had cold pizza. I thought it was okay.

The next day we went to a place to rent cars. The one we got was pretty nice. After we headed over to a place that has storage lockers. We got one and started putting all the stuff we had packed so far inside. Then we went back to the boat and kept working. It was getting hotter and hotter every day so it started getting harder to do stuff. That day we were mostly cleaning inside. We also had to move the boat to a different slip. It was kind of hard because we had to get really close to the rocks. But we made it. Liam and I went swimming too and played with my Lego boats. It was pretty fun. Although eventually we had to go back and work some more.

That night we went to a restaurant called La Fonda. We had been there before and it is pretty good. I had Sopes and Liam had tostadas, but I can't remember what my dad had. They were really good and big!

After we were done we went down to the plaza and had ice cream with Watcha Gonna Do. I could not finish mine because I was to full. Then we all started playing soccer with the locals. It was really fun but that same night Liam also lost one of his little soccer balls. Then we gave Watcha Gonna Do a ride back to their boat and said bye for good. Then we went back to our boat.

The next morning, and the last we started doing the deck. My dad took the jib down while Liam and I washed the deck. It had reached forty degrees but we had to keep working. At one point Liam and went up to a little restaurant at the marina and watched the TV for a couple hours. We had to do a few more trips to the storage lockers and dump some stuff of.

We finally finished and went out to a restaurant and ate out for the last time in mexico. I had two beef tacos. Liam could not even finish half of one. Then we went back to the boat a went to sleep.

We woke up really early and said bye to the boat and also got the blankets in the car and took them to the storage lockers. Then we went to the bus depot and got the tickets, and then my dad returned the car. We got on the bus and I sat at the front. The seats were really nice and it was air conditioned. They also played a movie. The trip was three hours and we finally got off in Cabo San Josa. We went inside and deposited our bags and then we had to go through immigration. After we went to security and then we waited about ten minutes until we got on the flight. So the flight is from Cabo to North Carolina. Then we will be catching a plane from there to Toronto. So I am writing this on the plane right now.

I don't think I'll ever forget the last few days of getting the boat. It was probably the most work I had ever done.


Well, see' ya!
Kai


Sunday 11 July 2010

Liam-Leaving Friends

When we went to Watcha Gunna Do we played Lego the hole time. We built a
really cool marina with a dock, and it had a fuel dock, Mini Tienda, and a
Restaurant with Bathroom.

It was really cool.

Then we went to collect would for a bonfire while some of the kids went up
for a hike.

There was a an eight year old girl named Elstasha on a boat called Theopolis
and Harrison and Daniel on Watcha Gunna Do, and a girl from Madrid Spain, so
all the kids were there.

Then we went back to our boat for dinner.

After dinner we went to the beach, we were the first people there. Then
Rocinante came, then Watcha Gunna Do, then Theopolis and then the Spanish
girl. We lit the bonfire.

We had a great time, we went exploring around the rocks while the Grownups
sat around the fire singing and playing the guitar.

Then we were playing around the fire eating stuff like Cheezies and
Pretzels. We had our own little fires on the side that we would try to
light.

We had a great time.

The next day we got up, had breakfast and then went fishing. Harrison and
Elstasha were in one dingy with Harrison's dad while my brother Kai and I
went with our dad in our dingy.

They caught one skip jack and one Snapper. We didn't catch anything.

After that we left. We went fishing but didn't catch anything on the way to
La Paz either.

We saw a ton of dolphins.

It was a four hour passage, so by the time we got there we were all up for
Tacos.

We all got tacos and then we went for a walk on the Malaccan. There was a
little soccer match that they put gates around and then people that signed
up for the soccer played. Then I went to play soccer with Mexicans, while we
were playing there were fireworks in the distance, it wasn't for anything
special, they just do stuff every Saturday.

Then we walked back.

The next day I got ready for the World Cup final, Spain Vs. Holland. I was
cheering for Holland because my aunt is from Holland.

I cleaned my Holland shirt and painted the flag on my face.

We got to the place we were supposed to watch the match but there was only
like four people so we went somewhere else.

When we got there we sat down and ordered.


When the game started in was really exciting but there was only one goal in
the whole game, and it was to Spain. I guy called Iniesta scored it.

Then I played some soccer. And then we left to another spot in La Paz.

Now Shoo

Kai - Boat Friends

Hi

We are not in Nopolo anymore. We stayed there the night and woke up
really early to go on an eight hour passage. We played, did music and
fished. We couldn't sail because the wind was coming out of the wrong
direction. While we were under way, I hooked a fish but it got off the line
and we didn't know what it was.
When we got closer to shore we changed plans and decided to go to
Caleta Partida because our boat friends, "Rosinanta" and "Watcha' Gonna Do"
were there. So we anchored there.
First we went dinghy trolling but didn't catch anything. Liam hooked
a lady fish but it got away. We had tostadas for dinner and then Harrison on
Watcha' Gonna Do came over. We looked at our Lego magazines and then headed
over to Rosinanta's to play music. Larry on the their boat has an acoustic
and electric guitar, so my dad and Larry took turns. The mom on Watcha'
Gonna Do made some brownies and also brought pretzels. It was really fun.
After Watcha' Gonna Do left we just chatted for about another hour,
and then went back to our boat and went to sleep.
The next morning we all decided to head over Ensenada Grande for the
day. First we went out into the ocean until by dad's internet thing started
working. It worked a little and then we headed back. Watcha' Gonna Do was
already on their way. We got to the anchorage, cleaned up, did a little bit
of homeschooling and we are going to be going over to Watcha' Gonna Do.
Bye,
Kai

Wednesday 7 July 2010

Liam-What a Snorkel

When we got to Puerto Escondido we went to shore. My brother and I went to
the pool, while my dad went down to where all the cruisers hang out.
Then we played a bit of soccer and then went back to the boat.
The next morning we did home schooling, cleaned up and then took the boat to
the dock and filled up with water.
While we were at the dock, we got stuff from the store that we needed, and I
played a bit soccer. Then we left Puerto Escondido heading for either
Candeleros Chico are Agua Verde.
When we saw there were no other boats we went (Because it is only for one
boat). But then we saw a power boat that was heading straight for Candeleros
Chico so we thought we wouldn't make it, but then the boat completely
changed direction and started heading somewhere else, so we went in the
anchorage.
When we got the anchor down we relaxed and then went snorkelling, it was
great. There was an Octopus and a Zebra Moray eel. Then headed back to the
boat.
After dinner we went for a walk. We walked along the beach and named some
little rocks that were like Islands. We were there for about an hour and a
half.
After we went back and watched Monty Python's Flying Circus.
The next day we left for an anchorage called Nopolo, it was a ten hour trip.
We played games and my brother and I played with cards called Yu-Gi-Oh
cards.
It felt more than ten hours so by the time we got there we were all
exhausted, it looked kind of rough but we didn't want to go another hour to
the next place. But when we got further in the bay it felt better so we
stayed.

I made Macaroni and Cheese and then we played with hour Yu-Gi-Oh cards.

Well that's all for now
By Liam

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Kai - A Bad Passage

Hi,

We are back in Puerto Escondido. We were in Isla Coronado for two nights and it is an old volcano.

We woke up in the morning and got the dinghy ready to go to shore, when some cruisers came to say hi. We had been having engine problems, and they said they had the say problem. They said that our prop might be dirty and that we should consider cleaning it, but while we were talking, Liam dropped the second pair of pliers. After they left, Liam and I begged our dad to dive seventeen feet to get them, because without them we could not go fishing. So he dived, and I do not know how, but he got them.

So we got in the dinghy and went to shore.

First I went to see if the fishermen were cleaning the fish, because I like watching them, but they weren't. So I went back to the my dad and Liam. Liam was collecting little clams right under the water next to shore for dinner so I helped.

We got quite a few because they are really tiny. We put them in Tupperware and went back to the boat and then went fishing.

We decided to go to a small Island in the dinghy not far off to go fishing. I caught a tiny Bass, but we let it go and we caught a ton of three feet long Needle Fish, and let them go to. You can't eat them because they are too skinny. We kept going and Liam caught another little Bass that we let go.

Then we sped over to the other side of the anchorage to go fishing there. I hooked a Lady Fish but it got away. You can't eat them because they are to bony. We kept going and then decided to go back. I hooked another Lady Fish but it got away, but Liam caught a nice big Barred Pargo. They are like Snappers. We kept it and then kept going.

I got a huge tug, and it was either a big fish or a rock, but it snapped my line and I lost my lure. So we went back to the boat. I cleaned half of the fish that Liam caught and Liam cleaned the other half, and for dinner we had rice, clams, and fish. It was really good.

After dinner my dad wasn't feeling good so he took a nap while I did the dishes and cleaned the blood out of the cockpit while Liam put everything away from dinner, and then we all watched Doctor Who.

The next morning we went to Loreto to anchor just for a few hours. The engine was doing fine and it was pretty calm. We anchored there and then went to shore.

We started looking for a taco stand that we went with Rocky and Brew but couldn't find it. So we started looking for a fishing gear shop but couldn't find that either. So we asked directions from another gringo. He recommended a few restaurants so we just went to a one that we found. I had chicken burritos, my dad had fish tacos, and Liam had scrambled eggs. It was pretty good. After we finished we went to a little shop and bought drinks while Liam played soccer, and then we asked the tourist information for the fishing store and they told us where to go. We went but they didn't have what we wanted. So we went back to the boat. It started getting windy, and it was not a good spot for where the wind was coming from. So we headed off.

The engine was getting really bad. The problem is it doesn't give any power, only a little bit even when we put it on full throttle. So we had to sail there, and the only way to sail, was to zigzag there, and so it would take even longer. We were going pretty fast and tipping a lot so Liam and I went up on deck. When we were getting pretty close, my dad's tools fell of the couch and went everywhere, and then our our little computer slid of the table and fell on the ground. Half of the screen cracked so it was broken, and that was what we used for navigation. But we kept going. And finally, we got to Puerto Escondido. We got off the boat and went to shore. I went for a quick swim and then looked at magazines while Liam played soccer.

After everyone had left we went back to the boat, cleaned everything up and then had dinner at nine o'clock.

And then went to sleep.

This morning my dad found out what was wrong with the engine and he fixed it. Right now we are getting ready to go to the dock and fill up with water and then we are going to either Agua Verde or Candeleros Chico.



Bye ,
Kai

Saturday 3 July 2010

Liam- Escape

We are in Bahia Marquer still. The wind was getting strong because of
hurricane Alex, it was blowing around 10 to 15 knots.
We were supposed to do home school but we chose to do it the next day.
We didn't do much. But there were about 30, 3 foot needle fish eating the
millions of fry(baby fish) swimming around the boat. So for about an hour I
was scooping the fry up in a bucket and then throwing them back in.
Then we were just hanging around the boat not doing much.
Then we had pasta for dinner but we were all out of cheese so we had no
cheese.
Then we watched a show called Monty Python's Flying Circus.
---
Editor's Note: "We didn't do much" - actually, we stayed because you and Kai rediscovered your 'Wizardology' book and the both of you dressed up as wizards, practiced your wizard spells, and made pouches for your spells. You did that all day - remember that Liam?
- Dad
---

The next day.(July-3-10)
We got up, I made Pancakes for breakfast, we then cleaned up and finally got
sailing. It was a great passage considering we played one of my favourite
games.
We saw Manta rays jumping, and we saw dolphins.
The waves were about three to four feet.
When we were getting to Isla Coronados is got to 27 feet deep when we hadn't
even entered. But then got deeper when we got closer.
When we dropped the hook we looked a bit close to one of the power boats but
we didn't move.
And then we did home schooling, if we weren't doing it today this would be
different!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well what are you doing!? It's over, you can get on with the rest of your
day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday 1 July 2010

Kai - Rock and Brew

Hi Everyone
We have been anchored in Bahia Marquer for quite a while now. "Rocky
and Brew," our friends came in with us and we went snorkelling with them
yesterday. There weren't too many fish, and I got cold pretty fast. We then
decided to go hiking later on, after we went fishing of the dinghy, but we
couldn't find the pliers, (which I found today) so we didn't go.
After we were all in the dinghy we headed for shore to go hiking
with half the dinghy sinking, because a few days ago, we got a hole in the
dinghy so we've been sealing the hole with duck tape.
We got to shore and started walking through the dried bushes and
cactuses. We talked about things, took pictures, and decided that we would
go over to Rocky and Brew and watch "A series of unfortunate events."
Once it started getting to hard to walk, so we headed back. On the
way we went inside a big cave in the mountain. It was in complete shade and
it seemed that it was a bit cooler. The floor was covered in nice cold sand,
and on either side there were even smaller caves that looked like beds. I
could have slept there. But Liam also found some skin and bones.
After we climbed back down, we headed back to the dinghy and then to
our boats. On the way there, me and my dad jumped in the water and pulled
the dinghy to the boat. The water was really refreshing but I got stung by
sea-lice. They sting a bit but not as much as jelly fish. So I got out.
When it started getting cooler we headed over to Rocky and Brew.
First we had some mango juice, and then we started watching the movie. It
was really good, and when we left it was very late.
This morning we did homeschooling and then went snorkelling one last
time with Bill on Rocky and Brew, there weren't too many fish but to me it
felt a lot warmer.
When we got back to the boat, Liam and I went outside and tried to
cook cheese by putting it on metal and then we used a magnifying glass to
cook. It kind of worked, but we stopped as we waved Rocky and Brew of.
Tonight while I was eating dinner, one of my wiggly teeth came out.
It feels pretty weird.
Bye