Wednesday, December 19, 2007

more pics-Bahia Tenacatita-




Tenacatita has been our favorite spot-included are pictures of the bay and the entrance to the jungle trip via our dingy.

pics-isla isabella south to Barra de Navidad






It is so difficult to decide which pictures to send. I have many pictures of animals and I can never get enough of the beautiful sunrise and sunsets!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Mazatlan to Barra de Navidad

Hi to Family and Friends!! We miss everyone and wish that you were ejoying this peaceful place with us!! Today is my birthday December 17 and the first time I have enjoyed my birthday in a warm and sunny climate! We are currently anchored in Barra de Navidad. So much to catch up on since our last writing in Mazatlan. We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner and dancing to a live band with fellow cruisers. We spent one week of warm and humid weather at Marina Mazatlan. We toured the city, ate some great meals and liked the convenience of stepping out of the boat to a dock at a Marina, however, we were ready to sail away into the peace and quiet of the ocean. Our first distination was an overnight passage to Isla Isabella. The best "overnighter" we have had! Warm weather and calm seas on a full moon of glittering ocean. We arrived at Isla Isabella at sunrise. A bird sanctuary compared to some as a "little gallopagos". Thousands of frigate birds nesting in trees and flying around the island-see attached photo of male frigate with large red explanded chest (a mating thing). We hiked the hills and enjoyed the sounds and sight of many types of birds and reptiles-these animals were oblivious to our presence. I loved it!! After enjoying this place of serenity with sea life shared by 3 other boats-we were off to our next distination- Chacala was just a day sail away and we enjoyed three nights of quiet anchorage, swimming and visiting with fellow cruisers for dinner and drinks at palapas and one day dinner at a local womens home. She spoke NO engish-this was challenging but very fun and a great meal. Off to anchorage and fun in Punta Mita and La Cruz. A bus ride to Puerto Vallarta-very busy tourist filled areas. We were ready to head south. Day sails to anchorages in Ipala and Chamela-saw many turtles and continually thrilled with the dolphins that play at the bow of the boat. We went ashore in both little villages and enjoyed cerveza and meals with locals. Off to Tenacatita-one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! Our first dingy landing was quite humerous and makes me smile every time I think about it! It would have been a great home video. It can be tricky with the surf-Well-we had trouble with the outboard at a bad time-got it restarted in time for the wave to break onto us-we jumped out and the dingy kept going as the motor was now running fine-it would have been hilarious to see two people chasing the dingy (motor still running) thru the waves to shore! Some other cruisers who were at the only palapa got a good laugh! We anchored out for seven nights in this beautiful place and truly believe this is Paradise! We swam, snorkeled and even heard the whales singing- we took the infamous dingy thru a jungle ride to bahia tenacatita-our only place to buy groceries at a little market. We celebrated with a local cruiser for his birthday and watched a video of their dive trips to Sacorro island-they are divers and photographed swimming with humpback whales, 18 foot manarays and dolphins.

This brings us to our present distination of Barrra de Navidad-we will be here thru Christmas. This is a quaint little area of small villages with cobblestone streets -We feel so very lucky to be enjoying the culture, beautiful water and meeting so many interesting people. We wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! It doesn't really feel like christmas-except in the morning I can hear the local church playing christmas carols. We miss family and friends and send love and happy days to you!Have a wonderful Christmas!