Merry Christmas!

Christmas is here, and we find ourselves anchored in Playa Tambor, Costa Rica. Things are a bit different aboard Samadhi V compared to a traditional Christmas in the US. I thought I would outline them for those of you "back home".

• Replace "White Christmas" with white sand beaches.
• Replace Christmas carolers with howler monkeys. (There are remarkable similarities!)
• Replace the roast goose with a fresh caught Mahi Mahi to grill.
• Replace the Christmas tree with a palm tree, and the ornaments with coconuts.
  
• Replace the Christmas lights with phosphorescent ocean water that lights up at night and a sky that is absolutely white with stars.
• Replace eggnog with a Piña Colada.
• Replace skiing or sledding with wakeboarding.
• Replace the roaring fire with a blowing fan. (It's 85 degrees!)
  

However, some things are still the same. We are thinking of and missing our family and friends and wishing that all of you could be here with us to experience this magical place and time.

Warmest Holiday Wishes,
Kelly & Phil

Arrived at Bahia Ballena (aka Playa Tambor)

We're anchored in the NE corner of Bahia Ballena, off of a lovely white sand beach with palm trees. After a brief bout of sailing for an hour or so this morning, we motored the remainder with a slightly favorable current. The weather was absolutely clement, and we saw few other vessels. The total time underway was 8.5 hours.

The main entertainment of the morning was an ever-growing flock of boobies who continually circled the boat and dove on the lures. We counted at least ten at one point. This went on for hours.

Just after we rounded the cape at the southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula, the clicker in one of our reels went off. This time was different than the two previous (a couple of little bonito), and it was clear that we were dealing with a very different class of fish. Just as Kelly took the rod, we saw a beautiful bull dorado clear the water behind the boat. He put up a good fight, but thanks to the gaff which we purchased in Playa del Coco, Phil was able to boat him without too much of a struggle.
Kelly attempted to hold him up for a photo, but she couldn't lift the fish! He definitely weighed well in excess of 50 pounds.

Altogether it took about two hours to land the mahi mahi and process him. Our scale was insufficient to the task of weighing even one of the fillets. We figure we'll be in fish for at least a month. For the first time, our freezer is FULL.

While we were underway, Kelly made another delicious pineapple upside down cake with the remainder of our fresh pineapple before the excitement of the dorado. We're planning on a celebratory piece while we wait for the ceviche to "cook".

On the hook at Bahia Samara

We've anchored for the night in Bahia Samara, one bay north of Bahia Carrillo. We decided to change destination because this looked like a more secure anchorage with a little island to protect us from the swells. There doesn't appear to be any WiFi access here. We're not sure yet if we'll be leaving tomorrow or the next day for Puntarenas.

leaving for Bahía Carrillo

We're off to Bahía Carrillo about 65 miles south from Playa Hermosa.
The passage shouldn't take more than a day.

Playa Hermosa has been an idyllic port. Leaving is not easy!
Regardless, it's time to continue south.

At anchor in Playa Hermosa

Just a quick note to let you know we anchored in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica on the Nicoya Peninsula just before lunch today. We plan to be here or at Playa del Coco for a few days before heading further south.

Hola de Costa Rica

We're happily anchored inside beautiful Bahia Santa Elena in Northern Costa Rica. It was an uneventful overnight passage here, even though the papagayo winds started blowing on our second day out. S/V Hooligan and S/V Carpe Vita are here with us.

Our current plan is to leave here in a couple of days for El Coco. There's a possibility that we may stop at Key Point and the Bat Islands on the way though.

Arrived at Isla de Meanguera

We are safely anchored at Isla de Meanguera. The trip down from Barillas was very smooth, and Samadhi V performed flawlessly. Our plan is to cook dinner and get some rest and explore the island a bit tomorrow.

We're off!

Up at 3:45 in the morning in preparation for a 5:00am departure from Barillas. Kelly brewed coffee while I took care of last minute tasks before we got underway. Everything went smoothly. Our pilot boat arrived at 5:00 sharp, and we were off down the channel in the darkness. We headed out into the Pacific once more, bound for points South just as the sun was rising.

We don't enjoy getting up early, but we couldn't have asked for a nicer day!

Now we are off to the Gulf of Fonseca and the island of Meanguera.

Bound for Isla de Meanguera

After far too long attached to a mooring ball, we'll be heading out
for open waters tomorrow. Our planned (and guided) departure is set
for 5 a.m. We expect to make it out of Bahía de Jiquilisco by 7 a.m.
and to the anchorage at Isla de Meanguera by evening. There will be
one other boat departing with us (S/V Hooligan), but they're headed
further south to Bahía Santa Elena, Costa Rica.

We plan to stay in the Gulf of Fonseca for a few days before heading
further south. Our first port of call in Costa Rica will be El Coco
(also known as Playa del Coco). Our itinerary is not set beyond the
arrival in Central Costa Rica (probably Puntarenas) by the 27th.

Our Salvadorean phones should work on Meanguera. We will probably have
new cell numbers when we get to Costa Rica.

Cheers,

Kelly and Phil