Exploring La Cruz
15 December 2013 | La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, MX
Sunny & warm
We’re getting settled into marina life, after a delightful period of isolation at Punta de Mita. This is the busiest cruising community we’ve experienced so far. In Puerto Vallarta and La Cruz there are 4 large marinas, and an anchorage that currently holds 40 boats. There are constant social and educational opportunities. There are dock parties, pool parties, movie night, restaurant events, etc. Plus La Cruz is a major music hub. Every night there are3 to 5 different bands playing in La Cruz. We can hear them from our boat, sometimes more than one at a time. Uggh. The number of bands playing is pretty impressive since La Cruz is a very small Mexican “pueblo” that covers about as much land as the marina covers water.
Every week there are multiple educational seminars, on such topics as single sideband radio, ham radio, celestial navigation, battery care, Central America cruising destinations, sail care, etc. Many sailors are anxiously preparing for their first ocean crossing and “pods” of buddy boats are forming. On the daily radio net 70-80 boats check in and swap local information, to seek information about boat supplies, and offer items for trade or sale.
Boats from all over are converging. Joe from SV Cygnus has arrived. We met him in El Salvador in 2011. Good friend Lare Byers, from SV Rocinante has arrived and will be playing guitar and singing in the various bars in town. Hilbre and Traveler will both be here soon.
To our surprise, we find that there hundreds of Canadian “snow geese” in Banderas Bay for the winter. We discovered this fact when we found the weekly Sunday market, and found wall to wall Canadians. The market has many artisan products, foods, crafts, clothing, etc. And, if you are thirsty, there is a local man selling coconuts (see photo). Buy one and he will cut off the top and pour your coconut water into a glass for a refreshing and nutritious beverage. We stocked up on local cheeses, yogurts, and beautiful vegetables.
The US press has created a belief that Mexico is a dangerous place, which is absolutely not true. It is much safer than the US. So, Americans are not a common sight of the streets of Mexico. So, we were a bit surprised to see Canadians everywhere. The neighboring town, Bucerias, is filled with houses and condominiums, owned by Canadians who spend every winter here. On a trip to Bucerias, we saw more Canadians than Mexicans.
It’s a Wonderful Life – On Adesso!