First night out in Zihuatanejo

We went out the Corner Bar for Michaladas

Leo and Lucero at the Corner Bar.  Some kids borrow the car to take a girl out on a date, Leo borrows our dinghy!

Florie all packed up for the dinghy ride to shore.  She was heading back to France via Mexico City and Costa Rica

Leo sold the bike he bought in Berkeley, CA to a restaurant owner in Zihuatanejo.  His cruising kitty was getting very low.

Noyo, a local here, is always around to lend a hand.

Hilda has a panga service to delivery beer, water, soda, fuel, laundry, trash disposal etc.,  This is the only anchorage we have been in where this type of service is offer.

Zihuatanejo

Florie sitting by the dock of Bahia de Zihuatanejo

 Our first morning here we went for a walk around the waterfront just to stretch our sea legs.

A flock of egrits

 It is really common now to see egrits instead of sea gulls

A fleet of over 50 pangas

We arrived in Zihuatanejo around 8:00 am in the morning.  There were many, many fishing boats out in the entrance to the bay.  Our friends Jerry and Lauren on SV SOMF were at anchor here, it is nice to see familiar faces.  They left the next morning and were headed down to El Salvador.  They plan on coming back up to the Sea so they wanted to get a move on.

Caleta de Campos

Body surfing at Caleta de Campos

Leo cooking fresh fish and veg at Caleta de Campos

We tucked into Caleta de Campos and spent part of the day at anchor.  We wanted to time our entrance into Zihuatanejo during the day light hours.  Caleta de Campos had a lot of surf and was very rolly so we did a bow and stern anchor.  Doug, Leo, Florie and even Tucker swam into shore to go check out the small town.  They bought some fresh fish and a few other provisions.  Doug and Leo swam them back to the boat.  The surf was pretty rough and everyone, including Tucker took a few tumbles in the waves.  Doug came back with a big red raspberry on his forehead.  At least he had a big smile. 

Barre de Navidad

Linda and Leo on the bow in Barre de Navidad

I'm really am out here on the boat, I don't show up in too many pictures

Barre de Navidad

Florie thinking about her night watch?

 We did a over night trip to Barre de Navidad.  It was Florie's first night at sea, underway and she took her own watch.  We had home made lasagna for dinner while we were underway.  Love the freezer!

Nils and Caro, crew from Blue Dolphin showed us the way into the lagoon.  We only went aground once!  Seems everyone does.

Crew catching up, but first beer for everyone!

.

Pot Luck dinner by the pool at the Sands.  I know it looks just like drinks but there was a very fine meal.

We only spent a 2 days in Barre de Navidad, we figured we could always spend more time there on our way back North.  We mainly stopped to drop off a care package from home for Blue Dolphin.  We had a quick visit with Blue Dolphin, when I say quick I mean quick.  The second morning we were there I went over to Blue Dolphin for coffee and a chat without taking my radio.  Doug decided it was time to leave so he weighed anchored and yelled as he went by.  I had to jump in my dinghy and catch up to the boat.  I'm sure it looked like another chapter of the Simms family circus.

Yelapa - Just across Banderas Bay from La Cruz

Florie's first day sailing!

I'm on Aquadesiac in the background.  Doug likes his new found friend

Florie being very brave indeed

Now that's an interesting hair extension

Our first stop was a little town called Yelapa just across the bay. Only accessible by boat or trail, yet still many tourist there.  It was a very steep anchorage so we anchored bow and stern on a real steep slope.  Since we were not planning on staying long we did not put the dinghy in the water.  Doug, Leo and Florie swam into the town to sample the local watering hole.  They make moonshine here.  I opted for staying on anchor watch and having a club soda.  I was nice and dry.  Doug and Florie managed a water taxi ride back to the boat but still had the effects of the moonshine the next morning.  Leo swam back to the boat sometime during the night.  We were awakened at sunrise the next morning by the anchor alarm announcing that the stern anchor had let go.  Guess it was time to continue our journey South, hangovers and all.

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

 February 16th, Our crew Leo and his friend Florie, from France, (via Costa Rica) arrived right on schedule!  We had been on the boat provisioning, cleaning and resetting etc., for about a week so we were ready to head South.

Crew Leo Lestant and Florie Blanc

Mango and Crepes

Internet on the boat

Florie fit right into the cruising lifestyle on the first day.  What a trooper she is.  With everybody’s gear on board it was a bit tight, but not really a problem.  Breakfast the first morning was crepes!  Crepes are the most amazing little breakfast delicacies ever invented.  I had my crepes with mango, but I think Nutella was invented just to spread across nice warm crepes.

Tucker, where are you?

Circus, Circus

We could not pass up an opportunity to see a circus high wire act performed on a cruising boat.  This French couple, along with their two small children are cruising on a small boat and have come up with a circus show to entertain fellow cruisers and make a little money while they are at it.  It was a very good show.  The Show was so good that we went back for the encore show later that evening.  I have video of their slap stick show, there was a more "romantic" show later in the evening.  They are both really talented and no there were no safety nets or lines.  They actually plan on being in the bay area next year.
This is their website link:
http://www.voilierspectacle.com/spectacles_eng.html

Muggs and Larry from SV Peregrin blew into town for the show