Los Frailes: First night in the Gulf

It is our first night in the Sea of Cortez (or Gulf of California, still not sure what to call it). It is an 8 hr trip from Cabo to Los Frailes.  There was no wind, so we prepared ourselves for a dull day of motor sailing. About an hour in, Daniel saw something in the water just off the bow. There were three whales, all larger than the boat, right in front of us!  We made a sharp 90 degree turn to avoid running straight into them.  We sailed along side them just a boat length away, for a quarter mile.  There were whale sightings the rest of the day. They were all around us,  jumping up and landing on their backs, slapping the water with their fins, blowing water into the air and arching their backs, smoothly gliding through the water.  Sea World can suck it!!

We arrived  in Los Frailes delighted to find palm trees, mountains, manta rays flying out of the water, no noise, and a beautiful sunset. The beach is full of strangely ornamental cabana style umbrellas, as if they were put here for some hotel that was never built. On closer inspection, the Palapas, as they are called, are actually free, shaded camping spaces, each with a grill and table. Close by is a small fish camp with shacks and tents. Then there’s the drug lord house on a nearby hillside…A large and beautiful house with a helicopter parked out front.

For dinner, delicious home made tacos. He can sail and cook! The stars are out, and we have wine. Lovely.