We left La Manzanilla and headed south to Barra which was only 16 miles away. We arrived and went into the narrow channel to the lagoon and the marina at high tide and made it to the marina without running aground. We signed up for a month since once you pay for 10 days the balance is free but it is expensive. About the same as Cabo at $2.70 per foot per night plus 16% tax and they charge for electric to boot. Although it is the most we have paid for a slip it is not the best even though the Grand Bay Hotel is a 5 star hotel. We do get the use of the hotel facilities and the pool is a nice place to hang out. The hamburgers at the pool are good and really not expensive at $90 pesos ($7.20). Plus the occupancy is supposedly 5% but I think that is an optimistic number. No problem finding a lounge around the pool.
To get to the village of Barra you call the water taxi and they come and pick you up for $20 pesos each for the round trip. Great deal and a good way to get to town without having to worry about your dinghy. Plus it is an exhilarating trip at high speed with an expert driver.
Penny decided to get her hair done and I went to the port capitan's office to check in and do the official paperwork. I met Penny at the salon and I got a haircut after 3 months for only $40 pesos and it is probably one of the best that I ever had. We have done a bit of exploring and hanging out by the pool. So far it is cheaper to eat out than to cook on the boat and you don't have to wash the dishes! There is another town called Melaque that is only a 15 minute bus ride and that is where the only bank is located. It is a town of about 6,000 people located on the beach and has a good place to anchor. We will explore that town soon.