Puerto Angel

Bettie amongst the pangas.

This sleepy little coastal town treated us like family. Exhausted after seven long days at sea, we pretty much fell into its arms, getting a place to stay, working out our diesel dilemma (Puerto Angel doesn't have a gas station, much less a fuel dock) and just generally recovering. People were exceptionally friendly with lots of "holas" to go around. Here are just a couple of examples.

1. We had to beach land the dinghy, which wasn't a big deal since there was little swell, but there wasn't a good place for us to put it as the beach was literally covered with fishing pangas. We asked a family if we could leave it in front of their house, and they agreed. Well, overnight the swell kicked up, and monster waves were crashing on the beach, and the family literally dragged our dinghy onto their patio to make sure it was safe. How incredibly thoughtful!

2. Getting diesel to the boat with the sometimes 12-foot waves that were crashing on the beach was Vlad's big excitement for the next day, but he wound up making friends with all the fishermen who helped him load up the diesel cans, push the dinghy into the water when there was a break in the waves and then help him time the waves to get back in. Despite the looming threat of having the dinghy flip in heavily breaking seas while filled with diesel cans, everyone seemed to have a good time, and I think Vlad became something of a legend around town. Seriously, for the following two days we couldn't take a walk without hearing someone shout, "Amigo!" and then proceed to discuss the sea state with us for several minutes.

3. It was a great place to stay by myself. The town is almost absurdly safe, like a more colorful and Spanish speaking Mayberry. I walked all over town, explored little markets and stores and had a decent time, despite missing Vlad. Plus, there was a surplus of watermelon those few days, and I reaped the benefit. Mmm, sandia agua fresca.

The only bad thing about Puerto Angel is the anchorage. It looks decently protected on the charts but in reality it's an open roadstead anchorage with occasionally large swell and not the best dinghy access.

P.S. Vlad made it to Acapulco on Saturday, and I joined him via bus. Way to go, single hander!