March 2005 Manzanillo Area and Barra De Navidad

We have arrived in Las Hadas Resort Marina, just outside of Manzanillo. Here we are awaiting the arrival of our oldest son, Greg. This is a beautiful resort, but not for people much more "senior" than we are...very steep and lots of steps.

In this marina we were required to "med moor". This means we had to drop anchor in the middle, and back up and tie our stern to the dock. Those of you with sail boats know this is not an easy chore. Those with full keel boats know this is next to impossible. Throw into the mix that: 1)I am not comfortable steering in marinas, especially backing up into a spot, but I always steer when anchoring because our chain often jams and I'm not strong enough to yank on it to fix it. So, I have to steer. 2) We are a centre cockpit, so we have Ralph on the bow dropping anchor, me in the cockpit steering, and no one at the stern to jump off and tie up. We seem to be one man (at least) short!!! 3) The marina was not supplying us with any help.4)We've never ever done this before, and we're not even all that good at stern tying in an anchorage where there is plenty of room! You have the makings of disaster here!! To be continued...

Greg arrives at 4am after a long plane trip and bus ride from PV. After paying $45 for a $4.50 ride (tired, early morning, difficulty with exchange rate, and willing cabbie), we had a visit, he had a nap, and then we went exploring the resort. The film "10" was shot here, and no, that's not Bo Derek!

So, you can see we did manage to tie up. Some Mexicans felt sorry for us and one came aboard while two manned the dock. We were forever grateful! This was at least a 2 drink anchoring/docking...and probably more!!

Endeavour joined us here as they also had relies show up. Beside them, in the foreground, is the boat owned by Dan Sewell, of Sewell Marina in Horseshoe Bay. Talk about a small world!!

Here's Dan with his newly acquired cruiser. He's taking her back to BC.

It is quite a spectacular view from our boat, but we'd never moor in this marina again. It was far too hard to get into and the facilities for boaters were very poor...filthy washrooms etc.

While there, Ralph had to do some chores up the mast. Explorer is now next to Endeavour. Three Bluewater boats in a row.

Here' s the captain hard at work.

This is the crew, Greg, soaking up some rays and turning his customary shade of pink! As you can see, he had a tough time adjusting to the cruising life!

No denying it, just as handsome as his folks! Although he would have loved to stay, he only had a week to visit with us because of work commitments. It just wasn't long enough for a good holiday, and Manzanillo isn't nearly as nice a place to visit, and hang out, as PV.

After Greg left. we went back out to Santiago Bay. Much nicer to anchor here, rather than be in the Marina.

This is Brenda, from Explorer, helping some kids with their kite.

Success, trouble is, the kids wanted their kite back and Brenda was reluctant to give it up!

John and Mary must have been involved in a very deep and serious conversation...probably wondering if they should have a margarita or another beer!

This was Semana Santa (Easter weekend) ...what a zoo. On other occasions, we had been here and the beach was virtually deserted.

Another difficult day. Bill and Nancy Brown, our landlubber friends from Vancouver, met up with us while in Manzanillo. Great to see them and they joined us, and all the other cruisers, during the Semana Santa weekend.

We pushed on to Barra de Navidad. This was a farewell dinner with many members of the cruising community, all Bluewater Boats. We were heading north, and they south. What a beautiful spot and a beautiful evening!

We stumbled over these little girls sitting outside a store in Barra. The little one on the left did NOT want her picture taken.

She didn't actually say a thing, but it was obvious.

Never to be discouraged, Ralph continued to snap away. I think these are precious!

On the weekends, Barra was a Zoo. Everyone came to the beach!

Even Linda and I!

Another gathering of cruisers. Charles and Sandra Cohen, off Right Galah are in the foreground.

A close-up of Mike, Kelly and kids from Wyndeavor. They are heading south, and then west. We wish them luck!

We experienced some of the most beautiful sunsets in Barra. Here are a couple of them!

Can you believe this beauty?

March 2005 South To Tenacatita

We have arrived in Tenacatita, south of Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta. It is a lovely area. This is a shot of a hotel that has been under development for some time. This will really spoil this place, if it's ever finished!

This is John, Mary, and Mecca from Java. While in Tenacatita, several Bluewater boats joined us to head through the mangroves in our dinghies.

Ahead of us are Kim and Linda from Endeavour. I am hear to testify that Kim tried to kill Linda driving their dinghy up into the mangroves. This was under the pretense of being helpful by towing us (our motor is noisy, smelly, and undependable). He tied us on and put the motor in full ahead...then went off into the toolies! Linda, having quick reflexes, ducked and avoided being ka-bobbed on a tree branch! Better luck next time, Kim!

It was great fun, with great friends on a great day!

We didn't see as much wild life as we had hoped, but had a wonderful day anyway! This was as close to as much wild life as we saw!

On the other end of the dinghy river cruise, was another lovely beach. Friends here are Lorraine (Zephyrus), Bob and Brenda (Explorer), and Kim and Linda (Endeavour).

People could camp on the beach here...that' s the campsite for me!

A view of some of the beach palapas.

It was a lovely beach...fine white sand.

Here are the "ladies" in Tenacatita...sitting in the sun. We were all cold under the palapa...canya believe it???...so we moved out into the sun! All the fellows were so taken aback by our beauty, that they all considered this the photo-op of the day!! Mecca, boat dog from Java, requested that she be included in our bevy of beauties!

Paradise Found!

Back we go!

This is where we entered for the "jungle cruise". This is after our return. We parked and walked the beach shelling and spending time with our friends. A tough day, but someone has to do it!

A shot of Mike and Kelly and kids, from Wyndeavor, also Bluewater Cruisers. They are heading south, and hopefully across the Pacific.

These are our friends Denis and Michele, off Aquastrian. We met them in Bodega Bay and have become great friends. They are heading to Central America, but back-tracked to visit us in Tenacatita before heading south. Only "family" does this!