We had a very different Anniversary on the February 13th - 36 years, quiet a feat!! From the northern anchorage in Bahia Tenacatita we went on a jungle safari in our dinghy up a mangrove river to the little town of Ravelcito. We had been warned in advance about the crocodile infested areas, so kept a sharp lookout. We did see one little croc about three feet long and wondered where his mummy and daddy might have been hiding. Ravalcito is nestled in a gorgeous little bay to the west of the main northern anchorage. It's a very pretty little Mexican town, full of little palapa bars and one tienda (little super market). We had a lovely lunch at one of the palapas on the beach and a few cervezas to celebrate our anniversary before heading back to the boat.

Greg had a spurt of energy early in the next morning, his birthday, 14th February (yes, he's a Valentines baby) and got up about 6am to put his new alternator on and changed a toilet valve (how exciting for him on his birthday!!!!) We pottered around and were due to go snorkling with the Talerras but they backed out, had visitors and things to do on board etc... but were secretly baking a cake for Greg's birthday. We went ashore and threw our frisbee around and had a walk along the beach to the resort at the other end. Had lunch back at our little palapa bar near the yachts with some new people that we met who also had a Catalina 42, and were joined by their friends with a 44ft J Boat (there were about 35 boats in the anchorage) So, all very nice. Then back to Volare to prepare for the party on board.

The Talerras came over with their boat guests and what a lovely surprise, they had a bottle of Moet to celebrate our little granddaughter Jade's birth, Greg's birthday, and Valentine's cards and a Happy Birthday sign to string up on the boat. What a lovely night, ending with Melanie's fabulous chocolate birthday cake.

Yesterday (Friday 16th) we motored about 21 miles down the coast to the little town of Bahia de Navidad (not sure whether this is where the song came from?) At the southern end of Navidad is a very small unmarked channel into a lagoon. Upon entering the lagoon we were presented with the magnificent Isla Navidad Resort, complete with 18-hole golf course and marina. We followed a 130' motor cruiser complete with its own helicopter through the channel. Needless to say we're not anchored in the marina but in the lagoon.

The whole of this week is Carnivale and last night we went ashore to the little cobblestone streeted town of Barra and joined the festivities.

We leave tomorrow, weather permitting, for another resort town of Manzanilla and we will anchor off the hotel used as the set for the movie 10. Perhaps we'll bump into Bo Derek.

If you like photos we have added another album to the gallery. Click on the link and open 'Puerto Vallarta to Manzanilla'.