Well they can't all be tens. This was the sentiment going through my head as we approached Punta Chivato. While offering good north and northwest wind protection this seemed to be all this anchorage had going for it. Once a port with a nice hotel right on the water now rundown and abandoned still some nice looking houses remain. We passed one other sailboat anchored here as we nosed our way towards shore finally dropping in the hook in 15 feet of water. At least it was nice and quiet and a good respite from the noisy places we had been. Once again no need to go to shore but instead we read and relaxed and waited for the stars to appear.
Leaving Santispac
Approaching Punta Chivato
Sunset at Punta Chivato
We scratched our heads a bit wondering why the guidebook would recommend this particular anchorage but enjoyed the quiet and by 10a.m the next day we were back on our way. Our next stop was an actual town. Santa Rosalia according to wikipedia has 14,000 residence and we were looking forward to exploring. We tried calling the marina number that was listed in the guidebook with no luck and as we got in range Jeff tried hailing them on the vhf. No luck. We made our way into the harbor and dropped anchor near the marker from the guidebook and were kinda amazed that this was an anchorage. In the middle of a circular harbor surrounded by a dilapidated factory, an old sunken boat, two panga basins and the marina we wondered if people really anchored here. The familiar sounds of traffic and town filled the air. We figured for the night it was fine and we would try again tomorrow to call the marina.
Leaving Punta Chivato
Houses on Punta Chivato
Heading into Santa Rosalia
Santa Rosalia
Santa Rosalia Harbor
Sunken Boat in the Harbor
Old Factory
Old Tower
Marina From Anchorage
Panga Basin
The next day was the Monday after Easter and we thought for sure someone will be in the office today. Sometime after 9 Jeff hailed the marina once again with no answer. Luckily another boater heard his call and gave him an alternative phone number for the marina which worked. Within 30 minutes we pulled anchor and were in our slip at the marina. Shortly after checking in at the office we set out on foot to explore. Before we got 10 steps out of the marina we saw some old mines across the street and roamed in to see what they were all about. After a couple minutes a man saw us and asked if we wanted a tour. We told him yes, paid our money and he gave us an explanation about how the french came to Santa Rosalia and started mining as we walked through the mines looking at old pictures and relics. After about 20 minutes we thanked the guide and went on our way. Our first stop was the museum which was an old mining office building full of artifacts and furniture from the days of the mining business. The museum was small and sweet and we enjoyed seeing it. After, we walked to the library which was supposed to have old black and white photographs from the old days but when we walked in we just got stared at and the photos didn't exist. As we made our way through town we next came to the old church that was built by Eifel the same man who designed the Eifel Tour in Paris. It was really pretty and interesting to see something else he had designed. We continued our city tour looking for a place to have lunch when we stumbled upon the tortillaria where we bought hot flour tortillas right off the conveyer belt. They were so hot and fresh that they burned our hands as we tried to hold them while pounding them. They were insanely good. Finally we found a placed called Muelle where we had a lovely lunch while sitting outside watching the action of the town. Full and tired we made our way back to the marina.
Docked at the Marina Santa Rosalia
Marina Santa Rosalia
Touring the Mines
Mines
Downtown Santa Rosalia
Downtown
Padres Artifacts in Museum
Museum
Old Train in Town
Outside of Museum
View From Museum
Eifel's Church
Inside Eifel's Church
Stern View From Marina
Walking to the Lay
Evening
Sunset
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