03 & 04 – 2008 – Barra de Navidad-Manzanillo-Puerto Vallarta
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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
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The view from the beach…
Malaque, Mexico
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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
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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
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Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
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Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
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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
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Ten Bay is in the background as we look north from La Manzanilla.
La Manzanilla, Mexico
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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
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Termites share the swamp with the crocs.
La Manzanilla, Mexico
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Barra de Navidad, Mexico
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Here the ladies are enjoying a swim back at the “secret 10th floor pool” at the Grand Bay Hotel.
Barra de Navidad, Mexico
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Barra de Navidad, Mexico
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This is the narrow entrance (but not too bad) at Barra de Navidad from the breakwater across from the hotel.
Barra de Navidad, Mexico
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We took a hike on the south side of the Lagoon.
Barra de Navidad, Mexico
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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
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Damage was superficial and the Harbormasters nephew fixed us up in a few days.
Barra de Navidad, Mexico
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
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Entrance to Las Hadas
Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
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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
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We had a few neighbors, mostly from the US…
Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
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Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
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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
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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
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Cindy loves a place with a pool…
Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
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Cindy thought she would comune with the Universe while here at the “Palace”…..
Las Hadas, Manzanillo – Mexico
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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
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It’s a bit tricky entering here, but turned out it was worth the effort
Careyes, Mexico
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There is one hotel here with cottages on the cliffs and a few incredible private homes.
Careyes, Mexico
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Careyes, Mexico
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Safe and sound in Puerta Vallarta, we took a few weeks to relax (which meant doing boat projects)….
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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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
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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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A little forced perspective makes Bill look a very long way away in this photo….you go Cindy.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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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
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They do weddings here and you can see why
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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We had a lovely dinner and were soon to see some unexpected company!
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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“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
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Kevy on the prowl. “How is that steak you’re having Scott?”
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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Of course one of the main attractions of this beautiful restaurant is the sunset.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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Before continuing north, Cindy was relaxing outside on the “veranda” and got to catch up with some friends on Skype. Skype is the main telephone service we use back to the US. At 2 cents/minute, it’s a great deal if you’ve got an internet connection…
Next, we head north toward Isla Isabella, San Blas and Mazatlan en-route to “The Sea of Cortez” for the summer hurricane season.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico