Everyone waits for a weather window

Puerto Chiapis is a popular stop for boats like us, getting ready to leave Mexico for points south in Central America, as well as for boats northbound, stopping for a weather window to cross the Tehuantepec. Rich and I on Windarra are waiting for a weather window to head to Costa Rica. We hope to avoid the Papagayo winds along the way. We receive the gribs daily with a 7 day look ahead. So far, it is better to wait here.

 

We are not the only ones waiting. Ed and Annette of SV Sand Piper are planning to go to El Salvador. Gil and Lexi of SV Sunday will be heading to Mazatlan. Another couple on SV Eyes of the World will be heading north as well.

 

The ocean is a great equalizer. It doesn't matter how small or how big your boat is, whether it is sail or power, whether you are rich or barely scraping by, you are treated the same by Mother Ocean and the weather. On Friday, another boat, MV Lady Lola, arrived from Costa Rica to wait for a weather window before crossing the Tehuantepec. Her crew of 16, negotiated the narrow passage (thank goodness for bow and stern thrusters) and moored to the end tie of the dock behind us.



 

MV Lady Lola and her tender

Windarra under a sunshade with Lady Lola in the background

Lady Lola extends beyond the dock a little

 

At 205 feet long, 34 foot beam, 12 foot draft, with 5 staterooms, she is quite the yacht. If you have some spare cash, she is available for charter. You may find out more on the website. It was fun to hear the Australian accents of some of the crew members.

 

In the meantime as we wait for our weather window, we do a few chores early in the morning before it gets too hot. Yesterday we caught the collectivo or local van bus to the mall. The van would stop along the way picking up more passengers. It was chock-a-block full when we arrived at the mall and 4 people had to get out before we got out. The mall is air conditioned! We had plenty of time so we went to see the movie, "Silver Linings Playbook", in English with Spanish subtitles. We both enjoyed it. After the movie we did a little shopping at Walmart and then a taxi ride back to the marina.

 

Not sure when we will be leaving, but it probably will not be before Lady Lola leaves. She will have to back out as there is not enough room in the marina for her to turn around.

 

No worries,

Elaine and Rich