D & D
03/02/2011, Barra Navidad

Pictures of the crowd on the roadside for the parade.

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Donna
03/02/2011, Melaque

3/1 We hooked up with old highschool friends of Donna's who are vacationing here - George and Margory Pentland . Delightful time over dinner getting reaquainted and catching up with each other's lives, while reminiscing of our interesting highschool years. To get there, we took a water taxi from our boat to Barra Navidad (we're in the lagoon) and then a taxi to Melaque, about 6 miles away. Our ride back was quite fun! we became a part of a parade that was on the roads, our taxi slowed to a snail's pace and we just waving and laughing with the people that drove by - I'll add some pictures to show the spirit. Our taxi driver was great, just took in stride, but finally, asked if we minded walking the rest (8 blocks or so)and we happily agreed, so we could walk with the meandering crowd of party goers. It was interesting, colorful, very different from our parades - and a slice of Mexican culture.

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Donna
03/01/2011, Barra Navidad

1/28 This day started out so pleasantly. We left Santiago Bay with very light winds, dolphins swimming along side and headed a very short distance - 28 miles northwest to Barra Navidad. I would like to end the story there; however, there's a bit more to write about! Winds built to 10 knots, we turned off the motor and were thrilled to sail, though the winds were turning toward our bow. The winds continued to build to 27 knots, the waves were short (think staccato) and high as in 6-8'. Our forward progress slowed to nil and we tacked back and forth, with waves coming over our bow, drenching us every so often. It became so wild, that we reluctantly tethered up with our life jackets, just to err on the side of safety. We put in reef #1 on the main, furled the genoa and plowed through the waves, at times only making 1 ½ miles an hour. 9 hours later, and we finally rounded the tip into the Barra Navidad area. We were two whipped pups, had showers and a very very simple dinner at 8 PM and went to bed with achy muscles. The boat held tight overnight and at least we had something a bit more interesting to write about in the blog (I assured Darryl). And, as Shakespeare says, "All's well that ends well!"

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02/27/2011, Santiago Bay

Picture is Darryl working on new connections between the anchor chain and line.
2/26 Rise and the sun is shining - haven't seen rain since we arrived. We decide exercise is on the docket today, along with a Mercado (market) In Manzanillo that is more for the residents than the gringos (though we are certainly welcomed). So, we take turns rowing in, manage to not get wet and park the dinghy. Other cruisers zip by us in their motorized dinghys and look at us like we are nuts, but, hey, we don't care - we are anxious to keep fit and we have many quiet days of sailing. It's a couple mile walk on the beach to the bus stop. This is when the fun begins. . . we hop aboard a bus that comes by, Darryl pays our 6 pesos each (about 50 cents) and explain where we are going. The short version is that 1 ½ hours later, we are politely asked to get off the bus; he points off to the right and indicates 5 blocks. 10 blocks later and several turns along with asking passersby - and we have found it. I find it perfect fodder for teasing Darryl, the rest of the day. However, fact is we saw a good deal of Manzanillo that we didn't even know existed. We were the only gringos and yet had absolutely no problem. We were offered lots of help in Spanish, as we were trying to explain where we hoped to go. The market was fun, lots to see, some beautiful vegetables, and we had a great Mexican lunch upstairs at a little booth. We were ready to traipse home, but having no idea exactly where we were, we just walked up and down blocks, stopped buses asking and finally boarded one that said, "Se, Playa de Santiago". Ok, so this bus was a bit noisy, but it was only about a 40 minute ride. One of the scenes: a young dad, maybe 19 years old, boarded with a tiny baby I estimate to be under 2 weeks old. The babe was dressed immaculately in a little yellow sleeper, with hand-crocheted booties. Daddy was so caring, it was a very touching thing to watch. He protected her little head, rocked her gently, gave her a bottle of water, burped her, kept her face covered when the bus door opened and people walked by. We both were touched. Finally, dropped off at our stop, and then the two mile walk back to our dinghy. A wet launching, but the water was warm and we had spent almost 6 hours in our journey. It was time for dinner and cards by the time we got back to "Luffin It."
1/27 and it's a work day. I get to clean the refrigerator, Darryl works on projects, and we break off and enjoy the bay around us every so often. Weather is warm, but not hot - maybe 78 which is a good temperature for us.

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Donna
02/25/2011, Santiago Bay on 2/24

2/22 We awaken in Maruata to some cool air and haze. We have the anchor up, a cup of coffee in each of our hands, and sailing by 7:40 AM. It's a quiet day of puttering along at 4-5 knots, and arrive in Cabeeza Negra at 5:15 Pm. As we arrive, a couple of whales and a group of dolphins put on a "welcoming" show for us. We are again, the only boat in the anchorage. In the morning, we wonder if it is because the anchorage was rockin' and rollin' all night long, at (we swear!) a 45 degree angle - both directions! Did we sleep? You figure it out!
2/23 and we are off on our last leg in Manzanillo - whew! We love Zihuatenajo, and we know, it's a trip both ways, but It's always good to get to Manzanillo. It's kind of a quiet sail, we get out our Nooks and curl up in the shade and read. We anchor in Las Hadas at 7:30 PM, just before dark. Sleep comes easily.
2/24 And it's a new day. We connect with family and friends or their voice mails. Darryl and I take "Luffin It" into the diesel fuel dock and what an experience. The cleats are rusted and falling apart, some out of the dock. The dock is an odd shape, but Capitano Darryl gets it in there, we tie it down best we can and fill her up with diesel. Darryl leaves to pay the bill - I think a mile at least away (a bit of exaggeration, but a good distance). I suddenly notice that the lines are being peeled away by the surges of suf in the marina. I grab extra lines, add additional tiedowns, and as I get the last one on, the original lines break. I quickly put on extra lines everywhere I could possibly make them fit and we hung tight, despite the surges, until Capitano returned. It seemed like ages! We've decided that will be the last time we get diesel there. We anchor, and then get on our bathingsuits, grab our nooks, and head for the swimming pool. We have a snack and drinks and then spend the afternoon in the pool, and meet a lot of lovely cruisers, doing the same. Duane and Joy of Sailing boat Happy Nest and their friends Don and Jackie of Little Christian are from Yakima, so we have lots to share, since one daughter still lives there and I used to call it home. We also meet Dick and Nancy of Askari who are just returning from 11 ½ years circumnavigation of the globe and we are fascinated! The four of us end up going to a delightful restaurant for dinner and 4 hours later, laughing, talking and sharing wild and wonderful stories, it's after 10 and we need to get back to our boats. What a delightful day!
2/25 and it's a slow morning. Darryl cleans boat filters (water maker, engine raw waterfilter) while I make bread. After lunch, we motor over to Santiago Bay and drop anchor. We take the scenic route around the bay and enjoy seeing all the beautiful seashore homes. We think we'll head for the local market tomorrow.

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D & D
02/23/2011, Zihuatanejo Cooking Class

Ok, last piucture from the cooking class, but this shows the finished product - basically a Pablamo pepper, burned and peeled,stuffed with 3 different cheeses, then dipped into a batter of whipped eggs and fried quickly. The sauce that accompanied it was delicious!

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