Travels with Tapatai

27 March 2016 | Amsterdam - Centrum
23 March 2016 | Amsterdam, Amstel River
16 February 2016 | Durango, MX
14 February 2016 | San Miguel
14 February 2016 | Angela Peralta theatre, San Miguel de Allende
12 February 2016 | San Miguel de Allende
10 February 2016 | San Miguel
09 February 2016 | Weber Tennis Camp and RV Park
09 February 2016 | Patzcuaro, Michoacan
07 February 2016 | Villa Patzquaro RV park
03 February 2016
03 February 2016 | Roca Azul RV Park
29 January 2016 | Sayulita Trailer Park
28 January 2016 | Mazatlan
24 January 2016 | Mar Rosa RV Park, Mazatlan
20 January 2016 | El Fuerte
19 January 2016 | El Fuerte
18 January 2016 | San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico
18 May 2015

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Dinner

24 January 2011 | La Manzanilla
Fred with Penny's wet 2 cents
Ian and Ellen had been to La Manazanilla 7 years ago and dreamed of the day that they would have their own boat in Tenacatita Bay anchored off the village. We both anchored and launched our dinghy for a surf landing for breakfast. We had a successful landing and a great breakfast where they really know how to serve you a large cup of coffee. Unfortunately, it was late morning and all the fresh baked goods were sold out so we opted for bacon and eggs with toast and small roasted red potatoes and, of course, refried beans. All extremely good. We then went to the house that they had rented and we met the owner, Helga. It is a beautiful property on the beach on a cliff overlooking the bay and our two boats at anchor. Helga gave us the grand tour and Penny and I have decided that we will be back for a week or so rental next winter.
We then explored the village which has a lot of expats living there and there were several art galleries that were interesting. They were going to have a 4 day watercolor class that Penny really would like to take but we won't be here at the time. We heard that at the end of the main street you would come to a chain link fence and there would be a river behind it. The reason it is fenced is to keep the big crocodiles off the street! We saw 4 really big guys and talked to a person that said the biggest is about 22 feet long and we didn't see him. Just as glad as the fence had some good sized holes in it.
Penny and I did some grocery shopping as we were pretty low on food so we picked up the essentials, milk and wine. We also got a kilo and half of marinated Angus beef Arrachera which is like a flank steak. They also had some cheese and Breton crackers; crackers are hard to find in Mexico unless you like Saltines. No Wheat Thins or fancy crackers. So it was back to the boat with our groceries and we told Ian and Ellen that we would meet to go ashore for dinner at a place that they remembered. They called it Chop Chop because all one of the cooks does is chop meat with a cleaver for the tacos and it is supposed to be quite good.
Alas, it was not to happen. We both changed into our dinner clothes and jumped into the dinghy for the ride to shore and a surf landing. So far we were experts but somehow I missed the timing and the wave was a little bigger than expected and guess what? We got dumped and the last I saw of Penny she was upside down in the water completely submerged with her head in the sand. I went over too but when she got up and we got squared away we were both drowned rats and not suitable company for dinner. Unfortunately, there were two other cruising couples that we knew that were sitting on the beach with a cocktail and gave us a standing ovation. With that we put our tails between our legs and hightailed it back to the boat for a shower. We told Ian and Ellen that we would pass on Chop Chop.
Once on the boat we shucked our wet clothes and showered and I decided that I would cook up a big pot of tuna helper and we would continue our Cribbage tournament. Must be my bad luck as Penny won but just barely. We were surprised when Ian and Ellen stopped by the boat and brought us each an ice cream. That was wonderful and they were able to do it without spilling with a surf take off. I need more practice I guess.
Penny's Wet and Soggy Two Cent's: BOINK. One minute nice and dry and the next my head was actually bouncing off the sand under the dinghy. And of course the timing was perfect since it was front and center of all the bars on the beach at happy hour.
Comments
Vessel Name: Tapatai
Vessel Make/Model: Jeanneau International 50
Hailing Port: San Diego, CA
Crew: Fred & Penny Delaney
About: Fred is retired from the commercial real estate business and Penny is retired from the airline industry. Long standing members of San Diego Yacht Club where Fred was Commodore in 1992. Captain Fred holds 100 Ton Coast Guard license and a HAM license.
Extra: Tapatai (tahitian for fearless of wind and sea) is a Jeanneau International 50 designed by Bruce Farr and Associates and built by Jeanneau in France for The Moorings in 1995. She was a charter boat for 6 years with a full time Captain and crew until purchased and shipped to San Diego.
Tapatai's Photos - Main
We left San Diego on January 16, heading South al gusto - with a sketchy plan written in sand at low tide (that is a quote from my buddy Ellen Gallant!) Mexico lends itself to beautiful photos which we will try to honor.
3 Photos
Created 14 February 2016
14 Photos
Created 22 January 2016
12 Photos
Created 7 May 2015
6 Photos
Created 4 May 2015
Pics along the way to San Jose del Cabo from the border
16 Photos
Created 24 April 2015
Aboard Scout
18 Photos
Created 1 November 2014
12 Photos
Created 25 April 2014
11 Photos
Created 25 April 2014
6 Photos
Created 24 April 2014
10 Photos
Created 28 October 2013
5 Photos
Created 11 March 2013
9 Photos
Created 29 December 2012
16 Photos
Created 29 December 2012
37 Photos
Created 17 December 2012
6 Photos
Created 9 December 2012
10 Photos
Created 1 December 2012
14 Photos
Created 1 December 2012
21 Photos
Created 20 August 2012
8 Photos
Created 20 August 2012
5 Photos
Created 3 August 2012
12 Photos
Created 3 August 2012
10 Photos
Created 3 August 2012
3 Photos
Created 27 July 2012
16 Photos
Created 6 May 2011
21 Photos
Created 6 February 2011
12 Photos
Created 5 February 2011
9 Photos
Created 5 February 2011
8 Photos
Created 24 January 2011
13 Photos
Created 18 January 2011
15 Photos
Created 14 January 2011
5 Photos
Created 14 January 2011
12 Photos
Created 7 January 2011
25 Photos
Created 3 January 2011
3 Photos
Created 24 December 2010
11 Photos
Created 24 December 2010
9 Photos
Created 24 December 2010
12 Photos
Created 19 December 2010
7 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 18 December 2010
Race from Los Islotes to the Muni pier in La Paz
21 Photos
Created 13 December 2010
7 Photos
Created 10 December 2010
8 Photos
Created 10 December 2010
17 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 10 December 2010
Annual Subasta benefitting the children
9 Photos
Created 7 December 2010
Pictures of the Fiesta after the 1000
19 Photos
Created 29 November 2010
These pictures courtesy of Club Cruceros.
4 Photos
Created 28 November 2010
17 Photos
Created 16 November 2010
12 Photos
Created 16 November 2010
9 Photos
Created 14 November 2010
The trip from Ensenada to Turtle Bay, about 48 hours.
12 Photos
Created 14 November 2010
Doing the paperwork necessary
9 Photos
Created 14 November 2010