s/v “Sun Baby”. This catamaran coincidently met us at the fuel dock in Ixtapa Marina and is owned by Chuck (from Jacaranda’s) brother Bill. Ixtapa, Mexico
After 7 weeks “offshore”, “Beach House” filled up at the fuel dock and settled in to the lovely Marina Ixtapa. Ixtapa, Mexico
We were warned NOT TO GO SWIMMING in this marina an here’s the reason why!…. Ixtapa, Mexico
“Pancho” as this 11 foot crocodile is affectionately known, is one of several “crocs” who inhabit the Ixtapa estuary. A little known fact is, that in Mexico, about 10+ people are killed by crocodiles every year!…. Ixtapa, Mexico
Pancho is not considered agressive by the locals who actually feed him scraps and fish…even HOT DOGS! However, I wasn’t going to jump in and see. Ixtapa, Mexico
These animals are big, and VERY quick when they want to be. We learned this at the “reserve” in San Blas, Mexico last year. Even on land, you could not outrun these big boys. Ixtapa, Mexico
As you can imagine, small pets are at great risk here and the boaters are warned about “Pancho” and his friends. Pretty brazen, right in the slip between two mega yachts and a few sightings off the stern of “Beach House” made us keep our “ABREJOS” (EYES WIDE OPEN) in Spanish! Ixtapa, Mexico
I’m only 5 feet away from “Pancho’s” head (I’m on the dock!) and you can see how easily he camoflages into the water. Ixtapa, Mexico
I’m only 5 feet away from “Pancho’s” head (I’m on the dock!) and you can see how easily he camoflages into the water. Ixtapa, Mexico
Pancho hanging out at the dock with “that look” in his eyes……..Gringo Photographer being very careful!….. Ixtapa, Mexico
Brave or foolish? I take the photos, not grab the leather…… Ixtapa, Mexico
This seemed to be a bit of a right of passage for some of the local big yacht crews…..I’m too old for this kind of fun and games…. Ixtapa, Mexico
Ah youth!…..as we all know, it is wasted on the young!…. Ixtapa, Mexico
Ixtapa, Mexico
Pancho in stealth mode…. Ixtapa, Mexico
Two other cats came to Ixtapa while we were there and went for land tours up to “Morelia”, the winter home to 5,000,000 Monarch Butterflies (that is not a typo). We were going to do this trip, but it would have taken 5 days to do it right and easy….We were anxious to head on down the beach to get ready for future adventures. Most people have said they’ve loved the experience of watching so many butterflies on one tree that the branches are bent down to the ground…..When it warms up, they fly away and the sky looks like “Orange Snow”….. Ixtapa, Mexico
Tami (head cook and bottle washer) of m/v “Quan Yinn” became a good friend. She’s got a heart as big as Texas (where she is from). Ixtapa, Mexico
“Beach House” getting ready to say good bye to Marina Ixtapa after our 3 week stay here. Ixtapa, Mexico
Captain Rob Shannon of m/v “Quan Yin” with his “better half” Tami and my better half…….Looking very dapper with the ladies!… Rob and Tami gave us some great ideas and recommendations for our trip toward Central America where they had been many times. Ixtapa, Mexico
The Marina’s exit was very narrow (see the buoys in the channel). Last year, the Nordhaven “Sans Souci” powered out between 8 foot breaking waves. Fortunately it was calm but windy as we headed out the short 7 mile trip to Zihuatanejo….. Ixtapa, Mexico
