Here in this image, you can see how close Andres came to us... our boat is as cose to the red dot as you can get! Still, we had no problems!
| Mexico Sailing Trip 2008-2011 |
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Hurricane Andres made a visit. The sign says, "Emergency: Dangerous cyclone is approaching the coastal region that includes Manzanillo" (which is where we are at).
That being said, the lagoon here in Barra is very well protected. Hurricane winds would normally come from the south, which means there's a mountain between our boat and the oncoming winds.
As we returned from Colima, we found very windy conditions along the coast in Manzanillo, and very heavy rains. The harbor where our boat is located however, was relatively calm.
After we arrived, the winds increased. I turned on the wind instruments so we could read the wind speed. I saw 18 knots gusting to 22, at the maximum.
Other parts of Colima, I suspect, saw greater winds, judging by the extend of plant detritus that covered the roads. The roads were covered with palm fronds and mangos.
| Mexico Sailing Trip 2008-2011 |
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Some of the superb masks made by the artisans in Suchitlan. It's basically one family that produces these superb masks (there are imitators but they don't come even close in terms of quality).
These beautiful masks are wearable and used in traditional dance. They are carved by hand using only sharp bladed instruments (no electric cutting tools). After they are carved they are painted beautifully with oil paints. It takes about seven days to complete one mask.
We purchased two of these masks, a goat mask (second from left in the forward row), and a coyote mask.
| Mexico Sailing Trip 2008-2011 |
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We drove east from Colima to see this active volcano, which has an eruption on the average about every ten days. When that happens, the flow of ash can exceed speeds of 100 km per hour. You don't want to be on the slopes of this volcano when that happens!
| Mexico Sailing Trip 2008-2011 |
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Ann
We visited Aztec ruins at near the village of Chanal. This was the fifth ruin in the area, hence it is called Chanal #5.
All seriousness aside, the structure in the photo was used for human sacrifice. The victims were taken to this mound, where there hearts were cut out as offerings to the Aztec gods.
| Mexico Sailing Trip 2008-2011 |
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Here we are in front Hotel Ceballos, located right on the town square in the historic colonial city of Colima. It looks like many European cities. The cathedral on the square was built in the 16th century.
| Mexico Sailing Trip 2008-2011 |
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We arrived at our hotel in Colima, and then drove out to a nearby town of Comala. It was a hot afternoon, so we stopped for a beer at this restaurant in Comala.
Little did we know, the restaurants have the tradition of providing you with abundant free (and delicious) food if you just order a drink. No sooner than our beer arrived, than our table was filled with four huge plates of appetizers. Boy we were stuffed!
| Mexico Sailing Trip 2008-2011 |
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This boat, INTREPID, showed up in the marina near us. Its captain, Zack, just 17 years old, has nearly completed a singlehanded circumnavigation. I think he's going to set the record for the youngest person to do so. It was great to meet Zack.
| Mexico Sailing Trip 2008-2011 |
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