02/11/2011, Puerto Vallarta
More artwork.
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01/31/2011, Barra de Navidad
This sunset picture I did take it was a beautiful evening and I rowed out a bit to get Kasasa in the shot.
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Lv Pat
01/31/2011, Barra de Navidad
This photo was taken of Kasasa by another boat called Katti Hill which was nice of them since I'm not usually awake that early to see it myself.
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01/31/2011, Barra de Navidad
This bubbling Mexican stew is called a Molcajete (pronounced Mocahetty) and is absolutely the best stew I've ever eaten (except of course Ian's Oxtail Stew). A Molcajete is actually the lava rock bowl which the stew is served in. They heat the bowl very very hot and put the stew which is not spicy hot but kind of tangy, and they put the Mexican cheese on top of the stew and serve it to you bubbling hot in the hot lava bowl. Comes with your choice of chicken, seafood, beef or pork. I just LOVE it.
Most of the restaurants here in Barra seem to serve it so I may just have to sample my way around town!
Barra is a laid back place and we are enjoying it. Yesterday there was a fund raiser in the town square and it was a Chili Cook Off. You bought tickets for Chili tasting at 5 pesos a ticket which is less than 50 cents. There were about 20 different booths with Chilli and Salsa which was also in a contest. We managed to taste about 5 places and then we were full. You got a small bowl for 1 ticket. During all of this there was raffle draws, live music and after the cook off there was local dancers from the village in their beautiful costumes. Still later there was a band and a dance. We didn't quite make it that late. But it was a very fun event and we hoped they raised lots of money for the local charities. It was very crowded so I'm sure that they did.
Today we took a long walk around the very posh golf course that is part of the Grand Bay hotel here in town. I don't golf and if I did, that would be a nice course to try but I believe I heard prices start around 2 hundred dollars to play and you have to hire a caddy, cart and tips so your probably looking at 3 hundred dollars to play. YIKES. At least it was free to walk around.
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01/25/2011, Tenacatita
The picture of the dolphin is Chippy. He is missing a part of his fin which is where the name comes from. He visits the boats in the anchorage almost everyday.
Well after 2 weeks in Tenacatita we are moving on but we will be back on the northbound trip. We have had lots of fun playing. You don't really get to play everyday as an adult unless you are retired and out here cruising. Some days we played Baucci Ball other days Beach Vollyball and then there was Mexican Train Dominos as well as swimming and snorkling and body surfing, kayaking etc. Needless to say we enjoyed our time here.
But despite all this fun, it was time to move on. We pulled up the anchor which now has a colony of something growing on it, and headed out towards Barra. It's about 15 miles from the Tenacatita to Barra and we meandered along slowly as we wanted to make enough water to fill the tanks before we got there. Once in the lagoon we won't be making water as the quality is questionable. We saw a few whales on the way and Ian caught a fish which was a Jack Cravalli which we didn't keep as they are not the best tasting fish.
The lagoon in Barra is very protected and very shallow. We are anchored in 9 feet of water right now. It's very protected and quite calm. We had gotten used to the swells and now it seems weird to be so still on the boat. You would almost think you were ashore.
We will be here a few weeks. My dad and Kathy are coming down in a week and we have some day trips around this area planned and then a few days out in the boat. After that who knows.
I've posted a few photos in the gallery of Tenacatita if you want to have a look.
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01/19/2011, Tenacatita Bay
We are anchored in front of the village of La Manzanilla which is also in the bay of Tenacatita. It's a place that Ian and I have spent 2 land based holidays in 2001 and 2003. We love it here! In our fantasy of living in Mexico one day this is the place we would no doubt choose. The village is built from the beach up into the surrounding hills with most houses overlooking the bay. The people here are very warm and seem to accept that their town has become a magnet for gringos who want to stay long term.
We spent some time yesterday visiting with people who we met here in 2003, Mike and Tracy who have since built themselves a beautiful home that they spend a part of each year living in. It was so fun to see them again and we hope in the next few weeks to see more of them.
I mentioned in my last blog our friend Al is also building a home here. And we visited with Helga who has 3 little houses that she rents out to tourists. That is where we have stayed in the past. She is a wonderful, warm person and makes you feel right at home when you are staying in her complex. The houses are all completely self contained and access to the beach.
This is a town that you feel safe walking in broad daylight and in the dark. It's got a little bit of a touristy feel but not like the bigger places where you are constantly being approached by the street/beach vendors. And for excitement, you can walk to the end of the main street and spend some time looking at the crocodiles. There is a chainlink fence stopping them from coming into town!
I could go on an on about this place but I will stop here and leave it to your imagination. If you do want any info on this place send me an email and I'll tell you what I can.
Our plan is to stay here another day or two and then go back to the main anchorage for a few more days before leaving for Barra. My dad and Kathy will be arriving in a few weeks and we need to get settled in Barra for a few days before they arrive. Really looking forward to their visit!
The pic is of me at our favourite breakfast place in La Manzanilla, updating the blog.
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