Mexico, A Second Look

A little over a year ago, we passed through southern Mexico on our way north from Panama and Central America.  Back then, we were on a mission to get Moonshadow to a berth in Puerto Vallarta so we could make a surprise appearance at Deb's sister's 2013 Christmas party in California.  Because we were rushing, our stops at ports along mainland Mexico were brief.  Now with the 2014 holidays behind us, we sailed around Cabo Corrientes heading south to revisit some of the ports we'd missed before, and spend more time at those we had seen.  

Like most capes, Corrientes has a reputation for bigger seas and wind, but this time we were greeted instead with flat seas and a beautiful peaceful sunrise.

After a full day's sail we arrived at Chamela in time to watch the setting sun light up the mountaintops to the east.

The nearby Isla Passavera and Isla Cocinas provided a secluded place to anchor among beautiful and rugged surroundings.

Just around the corner, rugged cliffs protected Moonshadow from the open seas.

We found a great spot to enjoy sundowners drifting in the dinghy.

The views here are both wild and serene.

Birds love it here too.

Evidently this booby thought our new solar panels were a perfect place to hang out for the afternoon.  

Deb tried to explain how his shadow was causing havoc with our solar charging, but this guy wasn't about to budge and looked at us like we were crazy to suggest he fly away.

Further south, we stopped at Tenacatita, a large protected bay that can really grow on you.  

Photo courtesy of Ed Quesata aboard Sirena

With crystal clear water and 83 degree sea temperatures, Tenacatita is a great place for swimming.

These porpoise seemed to enjoy swimming here too.

They weren't bothered in the least when John joined them aboard the paddle board

They swam near and below the paddle board then surfaced about 5 feet next to John (not pictured)

We stayed here nine days and never ran out of things to do from watching horses on the beach...

... to enjoying the scenery...

... to using the paddle board to pick out good snorkeling...

... then finding underwater life among the rocks and coral.  Unlike his cousins in other tropical reefs we've visited, this blue guy wasn't shy at all.

Not so with this very shy striped eel.

Some days were capped off with sundowners drifting in the dinghy...

...where the colors of the nearby rocks come alive ...

... and the plants sometimes need to be stubborn.

When you get tired of the view...

 ...just drift a few feet, and everything changes.

In Tenacatita, you can while away the afternoon 

just hanging out at the beach palapa bar with cruising friends.

No matter how you spend the day at Tenacatita, you can always look forward to a magical sunset where the colors make everything glow, like friends Ed and Connie's Sirena who we caught on camera a year ago when their mast came down sailing in Banderas Bay.  See pictures from our previous post.

  Sometimes you're even treated to a terrific moonrise.

Cruisers on the morning VHF radio net arranged a panga ride to the nearby village of La Manzanilla.

In La Manzanilla,  we  explored the town and their art walk displaying local artist's excellent paintings and sculptures...

...tasted locally made tequila...

... enjoyed tacos and margaritas on the beach while watching birds fishing in the shore break...

...and visited los Cocodrilos.

 The approaching Super Bowl beckoned, so we continued south from Tenacatita to Marina Puerto de Navidad.

The marina is adjacent to the Hotel Grand Isla Navidad Resort.  Here you can slide down multiple water slides then discover a swim up bar.  

.

 You can also climb to the top floors to take in views of the town of Barre Navidad, before taking a ride in the panga water taxi across to dozens of bars and restaurants.  From the top floor you can also find another bar with a wide screen showing the Super Bowl.  

Then in the morning, you hail the French Baker on the VHF radio to pick up some fresh baked croissants and a baguette. 

So far, our decision to delay crossing the Pacific this year so we could spend a second season exploring Mexico has been brilliant!

Good Byes, Hellos, Good Byes and Hellos

Baja Ha-Ha crew Jeff and Annie had to return to Sacramento but took with them some memories they'll long remember.  Two short days later, we were on a plane to San Diego.

Another wedding in the family, Debbie's birthday, and Thanksgiving gave us a chance to catch up again with family and friends.

This old friend can barely hear, but with her 15th birthday just around the corner, she's looking pretty good.

We detoured just a bit from the regular route to John's Dad's house in Grant's Pass, flying to Portland instead where with John's brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Wendy, we enjoyed a couple of days wondering south...

...and tasting wine through the Willamette Valley where they grow delicious Pinot in abundance.

We finally arrived at Dad's beautiful home on the Rogue River, to find John's other brother Bill and his wife Karen were already checked-in.  

Being guys, the guys started a project.

  In this picture, John is either holding a seminar on how to turn a screwdriver, or being thoroughly supervised, or both?

The girls shopped and cooked...

...took walks in the neighborhood...

...and...went out to a dive bar and slammed down tequila shooters?

 Well, the times, they are a changin', but that's probably a different blog.  Anyway, the food was delicious and the project turned out pretty darn nice.  

We built a stage over existing steps so Dad can negotiate the route from his bedroom at one end of the house, to the kitchen at the other (this route goes through two time zones) without going down and up any stairs.  

At the end of each day, we gathered in Dad's pub for some laughs and lots of stories, old and new.

Then it was time for Thanksgiving dinner around the dining table where there'a always great conversation.

Back in Southern California, we had more time with family who moved Christmas celebrations to early December so we could enjoy seeing everyone before our return to Moonshadow.

After saying goodbyes (again), we hit the ground running back in hectic La Cruz.  The cab ride from the airport is about 35 minutes... just long enough to realize we're back where things are, well, different.

 No, seriously, it was hectic.  We had to get Moonshadow ready for the Banderas Bay Blast which roughly translates to an opening party put on by the tourist bureau and our marina to show appreciation to the visiting cruisers, followed by three days of racing among cruising boats to benefit local school children... 

Moonshadow cruised to the middle of the fleet on her way to Punta Mita

... and parties every night.

Punta Mita is the ideal place for a yacht and surf club...

...they have a protected anchorage for yachts and they have ideal waves for paddle board surfing.

But the club has an old tradition where new members are swatted by the Commodore as initiation.  

They never explained this tradition to Deb when she agreed to serve, but she seemed to adjust to the swing of things right away.

Next morning, we were treated to a performance by local school children.

These are the youngsters for whom all this racing is meant to raise needed money for extravagant things like pencils.

They were adorable!

But then it was off to the races, this time a downwind run from Punta Mita to Nueva Vallarta.  A big part of the racing on that third day was about getting a panga ride from the morning brunch ashore back to the our 15 anchored boats and then get the anchor and sails up before our start time. 

 We were all winners who got to enjoy a beautiful spinnaker run accompanied by playful whales.

What a great way to return to life in paradise.  We're getting right in the groove.