Bahia Balandra

Before reaching La Paz, we decided to make a one night stop so that we wouldn’t be too tired when we finally arrived.  We ended up at a pretty cool anchorage called Bahia Balandra about 15 miles outside of La Paz.  The bay is famous for “El Hongo”, a rock formation that has been eroded by the seas and winds into a mushroom like shape.  Apparently people climb on top of it for photos and such and after many years of abuse, it finally toppled over.  What is there now is a recreation using parts of the original El Hongo.

We dropped our hook in about 8 feet of water and had our swim suits on and were in the water almost before the boat stopped.  The water temperature was 80 degrees and was pretty clear.  It was fun to pull yourself down the chain to the anchor, something I’ve never done before.  Later, we fired up the BBQ and had a relaxing dinner as the sun was setting over the colorful ridge to the west of La Paz.

The following day we were up early and off to La Paz.

Isla Espiritu Santa marks the entrance to the La Paz
Harbor.  We'll spend a few days out at the island
on our way out of La Paz.

Janet and Louie setting the anchor at
Bahia Balandra.

Note El Hongo on the left center.  There's even a
replica of it in the La Paz town center.  I'm not sure
of the significance, but it must hold something
for the locals.