03/03/2007, Manzanillo, MX
The Perfect Margarita
In our relentless search for the truth, we've spent countless hours sampling different recipes, tasting astounding concoctions so that we can, selflessly, pass this information on to friends and family who may lack the stamina for such scientific research. After exhaustive testing, we've found the World's Finest Margarita, courtesy of Donna from S/V Endless.
1 Part Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
1 Part Controy Liqueur (Mexico's version of Cointreau)
2 Parts Tequila
That's it. Serve over Ice, salted rims optional. Use caution when operating anything more complex than a spoon after consumption.
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01/18/2007, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, MX
Life in a Nature Show
Since we left MexiDisney (Paradise Village Beach Resort and Marina) and got back on the hook, it's almost as if we've been living in our own Nature Show. The variety and wealth of marine life here in Banderas Bay is incredible and is wonderful to see. We spent last weekend at Punta Mita, a small fishing village at the Northwest Edge of the bay, now the home to a Four Seasons resort and bustling condo development. Since it's right at the open mouth of the bay, the ocean swell wraps around the corner to form a Malibu-like surfing wave without the Malibu crowds. Throw in a generous handful of Palapa restaurants and bars on the beach and you've got a very pleasant place to spend time.
We'd read in Latitude 38 and other publications that the marine life at Punta Mita was exceptional but were thrilled when no fewer than five humpback whales swam around and through the anchorage on Sunday evening. There were four adults and one very small juvenile no larger that a minivan, spouting away and rolling their pectoral fins in the air, all within 150 yards of Hooligan. The baby kept slapping it's tail fluke on the surface to get the attention of the others, making for a spectacular display. But the show didn't stop with the whales. While taking the dogs to shore one morning, we passed right over a large spotted eagle ray lazily flapping along just under the surface. Very cool to see.
When the Northerly winds began making the Punta Mita anchorage rolly and a bit uncomfortable, we moved Hooligan ten miles East to the former fishing village of La Cruz for a bit more shelter. Along the way we encountered more whales, some being shadowed by whale watching boats, others just doing their own thing without an audience. Even below the surface, the whales make their presence known. We were snorkeling a few miles from the boat yesterday and could clearly hear whalesong whenever our ears were in the water. I had an up close and personal encounter with a pair of eagle rays that almost bumped into me in some turbid water next to a washrock. I'm not sure who was more surprised, them or me. And this morning we saw a very large adult humpback breach just off Bucerias, lifting it's huge body completely clear of the water before crashing back with an enormous splash.
Not all marine life is benevolent, unfortunately. Paula is a veritable magnet for anything in the ocean that stings and kept the tradition going when she was nailed on the arm by an unseen jellyfish while swimming off Hooligan's stern. The sting left a 10 inch long swarm of welts and was quite painful. But the speedy application of vinegar (knowledge painfully gained through a wealth of encounters) kept the welts from spreading and Paula was back to normal a few hours later, as if nothing had happened.
We'll be leaving Banderas Bay next week, headed South to the Mexican Riviera. We'll update the blog whenever we can and would love to hear from all our friends via sailmail.
Hasta Luego!
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01/18/2007, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, MX
January 17, 2007
On the Hook Again!
We broke the bonds of the dock. And not a moment to soon. I know we have been quiet since Christmas, but nothing was really happening to write about. Here's the story. We were in the marina. Plain and simple. Not much happens sitting at a dock. Or maybe it would have if we had been somewhere else.
Paradise Village Resort is beautiful. It is a resort with hotel, condo complexes, a golf course, shopping center (read: mall), zoo and marina. It is a resort. Those who know us well, know that we are not resort people. We don't sit under umbrellas on the beach and drink beverages with umbrellas of their own. What PVR and M is not, is close to Puerto Vallarta if you don't have a car. So we didn't get out to wander town with the locals or walk the Malecon with the dogs. We worked on boat chores (up the mast, sewing machine work, cleaning.) and walked the puppies in the limited areas they were allowed. They did get many walks on the beach, and we found ostriches (Nigel did NOT like) and a pony (which he did), but life was very lazy for all. It doesn't help that the marina is in a mangrove estuary behind the spit where the beach and resort are. This meant two things: any breeze was cut off by the buildings and we saw no sunsets sitting in the cockpit of Hooligan.
That said, we did use the marina pool (small and VERY cold) almost daily, we did enjoy the iguanas and herons in the mangroves, and saw the crocodile at least once. The mangroves go off into several different canals, with beautiful homes right on the water. There was a local restaurant, The Estudio Café, which has killer cheeseburgers and French toast made from whole grain nut bread. We also met some new friends (Anticipation and Summer Wings), and hooked up with John and Lela on Yachtsman Dream who we met in Catalina last August. There was a swap meet to get rid of those things we haven't used, and find some new. More of the former, and few of the later.
And we did get into town 2-3 times a week, mostly via bus. The provisioning in PV is great, and we explored many different SuperMercados and the local markets as well. We found a wholesale meat store with already frozen rib-eyes. I found Tim a helicopter for the back deck so we would fit in with the big yachts around us. And for the major provisioning run, we rented a jeep for a few days, which meant getting out for dinner, and exploring. Provisioning took the major part of that time??"getting fuel, meat, veggies, canned goods we can't pick up easily out of major areas, and margarita makings that are cheaper in the city than in small towns. But we did spend a day at the Botanical gardens, south of the city. They are carved out of the jungle on a hillside back off the coast a little. The parking lot is on the highway, but we walked back in past open fields with formal trees and agave plants to a spectacular two story building with a flower walkway to one side. That is where the restaurant is. There are several other paths to walk down: one into a jungle area with a stream, filled with butterflies and birds; the other to the river where there are a few rapids, and many bugs. It was very peaceful and quite a change of pace. And they are DOG FRIENDLY!, which means that the Plushies got to go for a walk. Always a bonus.
I understand why many cruisers like Paradise Village. It does have great amenities and the facilities are top notch. It is US prices for these, but it can justify that. However, we prefer being out on the hook again. Anchors work just as well for us. Tim will follow up with our adventures of this week, but I will hint of things to come??"humpback whales in the anchorage for one! Keep reading and commenting!!
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