We went out for a day motor (partly to dump the head!) and took a tour of Malaque the town just north of Barra de Navidad Malaque, Mexico
The view from the beach… Malaque, Mexico
This is the Tamarindo resort where we drove via rent a car. It is at the south end of Tenacatita Bay. Quite the place… Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Alberta, Cindy and Scott had lunch with a lovely view of the water. It was pretty hot outside and we only saw one threesome playing golf. Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
This is the beach town of La Manzanilla opposite where the cruisers anchor in Tenacatita Bay. The locals love to have family day on Sundays, and this was a very busy one. La Manzanilla, Mexico
Ten Bay is in the background as we look north from La Manzanilla. La Manzanilla, Mexico
This was the crocodille reserve that we had heard about at La Manzanilla. These animals are not really in any thing resembling a pen. They can leave this estuary anytime they want. Mexico does loose a few people every year to crocodilles! La Manzanilla, Mexico
Termites share the swamp with the crocs. La Manzanilla, Mexico
Here the ladies are enjoying a swim back at the “secret 10th floor pool” at the Grand Bay Hotel. Barra de Navidad, Mexico
Barra de Navidad, Mexico
Barra de Navidad, Mexico
This is the narrow entrance (but not too bad) at Barra de Navidad from the breakwater across from the hotel. Barra de Navidad, Mexico
We took a hike on the south side of the Lagoon. Barra de Navidad, Mexico
On a windy afternoon, another cruising boat got across the wind in the narrow channel and we had the maritime version of a fender bender. We were “parked” at the time. Barra de Navidad, Mexico
On a windy afternoon, another cruising boat got across the wind in the narrow channel and we had the maritime version of a fender bender. We were “parked” at the time. Barra de Navidad, Mexico
Alberta had just flown home and it was time for us to go to our southern most extent of our voyage for the season. In Mexico, whenever you check into or leave a port for the first and last time, you go through the check in/out paper work. Mexico has eliminated all fees and streamlined this process quite a bit, so it’s not really difficult. Barra de Navidad, Mexico
Here is the Las Hadas resort in Manzanillo (not to be confused with La Manzanilla). This is where Dudley Moore and Bo Derek filmed the famous movie “10”. The resort has lost a few numbers since the film, but it was still a lovely spot. Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
It was disappointing that this was the worst water clarity we had yet seen! If I put my hand in the water, I couldn’t see it 6″ deep. Needless to say, this did not encourage a swim. Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
The harbor was a bit rolly, but pleasant. We were advised to “tuck in tight” just outside of the swim line by Bill and Mary off s/v “Raptor Dance”. Info was very helpful. Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
We met a nice young Mexican entrepeneur who owned a chain of coffee shops. He was kind enough to take our photo at the marina. Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
Entrance to Las Hadas Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
We had a few neighbors, mostly from the US… Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
The hotel next door to Las Hadas was the Karmina Palace. It catered more to the Mexican tourist than Las Hadas and was quite a bit busier. We could’nt resist putting these photos in as our “Carmina” (aka: The Guatemalan Princess) would have felt like she was finally getting the due she truly does deserve!…. Manzanillo, Mexico
The Karmina Palace was on a point. You can see the water has some kind of foamy/soupy stuff. It didn’t look inviting to us. Manzanillo, Mexico
Cindy loves a place with a pool… Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
Cindy thought she would comune with the Universe while here at the “Palace”….. Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
We finally headed back toward Puerto Vallarta and en-route again passed what we found out is called, “The Cup of the Sun”. The condiditions on this pass north of Tenacatia Bay were far more inviting than when we were headed south. As such, this allowed us to try and enter Cayeres which we had missed on the way south. Careyes, Mexico
It’s a bit tricky entering here, but turned out it was worth the effort Careyes, Mexico
There is one hotel here with cottages on the cliffs and a few incredible private homes. Careyes, Mexico
Careyes, Mexico
Alas we left Careyes too soon and wished we could have stayed more than one day. We pressed on directly to Ipala as we were anxious to get back to Puerta Vallarta to get some needed boat projects going. Ipala, Mexico
We had left Ipala very early in the morning as rounding Cabo Corrientes can be a bit like rounding Point Conception just north of Santa Barbara. For those of you who are boaters….you know what that means Cabo Corrientes, Banderas Bay, Mexico
The Mighty Corrientes was fortunately calm as we rounded into Banderas Bay. The village of Yelapa is just behind the last bay on the left of the photo. Cabo Corrientes, Banderas Bay, Mexico
This was an odd scene we experienced a few times. An apparently sleeping turtle many times had a bird land on it’s shell. Banderas Bay, Mexico
Safe and sound in Puerta Vallarta, we took a few weeks to relax (which meant doing boat projects)…. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
While in PV, we took a day with Bill and Mary to explore the botanical gardens about 45 minutes north of town. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
A little forced perspective makes Bill look a very long way away in this photo….you go Cindy. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
After our tour of the gardens, we had dinner at “Le Kliff” (The Cliff) restaurant. The restaurant is totally outdoors and one of PV’s most famous. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
They do weddings here and you can see why Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
We had a lovely dinner and were soon to see some unexpected company! Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
“Kevy” as he was affectionately known, is a Coatamundi. We had first seen one of these little devils when we were in Careyes. Cute, adorable, had free reign of the restaurant (they feed him). And lots of buddies around too. Don’t think I’d want one as a pet however. Kind of a cross between a opposum and a puppy. Cindy loves puppies. She doesn’t love opposums. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico