At 0945 we said adios to San Blas and made the short 24 mile journey to the anchorage at Chacala. The sun was shining the cruise was easy and when we arrived we were happy to see two boats we knew from Isla Isabel and San Blas- Tiamat and Aimless. We found a good spot close but not too close to the other boats and settled into the anchorage. Lunch reading and afternoon swimming took priority today and we enjoyed seeing the beach and the many palapas from the boat. That evening the sunset was spectacular and we were happy with our front row seat.
Heading to Chacala
Entering Chacala
Chacala Anchorage
Palapas on the Beach
Locals
Sunset
Sunset Stern View
The over night in Chacala was a bit rough. Despite having our flopper stoppers out the boat rocked and rolled most of the night and Jeff was more then ready to head into town. Since it was windy and rolly we decided to lower the dink but not the motor. We didn't want any mishaps or it crashing into the side of the boat during a roll. Once launched Jeff rowed us to shore where we checked in with the port captain who proceeded to sneeze and cough the entire time we were in the small enclosed office. I had to step outside several times to get some fresh air. Once checked in we took a leisurely stroll into town along a nicely paved path. We saw the few shops and markets in the town and Jeff chose a palapa for his lobster lunch. Having nothing but chips and guacamole for me I opted for a beer instead. After Jeff's lunch we went to a second restaurant for me where they had a nice falafel burger and a cinnamon roll for Jeff. We bought a loaf of their fresh homemade sourdough bread then headed back to the boat. We spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and rolling around.
Tidings of Joy & Big Surf
Mariachi Band at Lunch
Downtown Chacala
Chacala Anchorage
The Beach
Jeff at Lunch
View From Lunch
You Can See Why Anchorage Was Rolly
Downtown Chacala
Chacala
Fed up with the rolling we up-anchored at 10:15a.m the following day this time heading to our first stop in Bandaras Bay - Punta Mita. The 41 mile cruise brought 3-5 foot swells and lots of whale sitings. We rolled along until 3:20pm when we dropped the hook in Punta Mita. The anchorage was large and full of boats with lots of room. We quickly get set up and then turned on the Seahawks 49ers playoff game. Don't ask who won.
Punta Mita Anchorage
Whale Underway
Sunset in Punta Mita Anchorage
The next day we were getting 4-6 foot rollers in the anchorage and didn't feel comfortable lowing the dink. Instead Jeff waved over a panga and asked if he would take us into town. He agreed they negotiated a price for a round trip run and we were off. The town was very modern with upscale shops and restaurants and we could feel the influence of the four seasons hotel and all the gringo cliental that it brought with it. Eventually we ended up at Pescadora a cute restaurant that our friends Randal and Michelle recommended from their previous visit here. We sat right in the sand with an incredible view. Jeff had fresh fish and they were kind enough to put a vegan plate together for me. Throughly full we made our way back to the panga bay where our driver waited for us. The waves crashed hard into the bay and getting on the boat was a bit scary. The driver timed our exit perfectly in avoid the 5 foot swells rolling into the bay. I rode tightly gripped to the panga the entire time. I couldn't wait to get back onto our boat. We enjoyed another afternoon swimming off the boat while watching football playoffs on the Ipad.
The Beach
The Beach
Punta Mita Anchorage
Our Panga Driver
Our Panga
Panga Bay
Lunch
Lunch With a View
Punta Mita
Tidings of Joy at Anchor
Pulling the Panga in to Leave
Pelicans
Back Home
The third day at Punta Mita we didn't get off the boat. Instead we stayed in p.j's all day and read and played rummy cube. At night we watched Monday Night Football and had dinner.
Evening
Sunset
La Cruz is only 10 miles from Punta Mita and our reservation at the marina started today on January 17th and after two straight weeks on the hook we were looking forward to some power and not getting tossed around for awhile. Underway we saw a whale breeching which was amazing. After we checked in at the office we walked around town which was right at the entrance of the marina and were shocked to see all the gringos there. Everyone in town was white. Where were we? This is the first time since we've been in Mexico to see nothing but Americans everywhere. And funny enough every time we would smile or say hello to them they ignored us and looked the other way. It was bizarre. After strolling through town for awhile we ended up at a place called the treehouse where a white woman speaking english waited on us. The place was empty except for one other table, an older white couple. One drink was enough and we made our way back to the marina to regroup. We had heard that La Cruz had a good live music scene. After a little rest back at the boat we headed back into town. First we went to the La Cruz Inn where we sat upstairs in an open bar/restaurant once again filled with only Americans. The shelves of the bar were empty and the vibe was weird. We listened to two Mexican guitarist playing what sounded like traditional music. At one point a hostess who also looked like she could have been an owner (American of course) asked us if we would mind two other people joining our table or if we wanted to move to the bar since we weren't eating. We of course moved. Once again one drink was enough. From there we walked to the Green Tomato and arrived before the band started and were the only table there. We had drinks and dinner and by then the band started playing. It was rock and roll with two Americans and two Mexicans. They were fun and sounded pretty good. As the people started filling in once again it was all Americans. Full bellies and tired we went back to the boat and went to bed.
Sailboat Heading to La Cruz
La Cruz Marina
Downtown La Cruz
The Treehouse
Street Downtown
La Cruz Marina
La Cruz Inn
Cathedral
La Cruz Inn
Big Iguana in the Tree
Guitar Players at La Cruz Inn
Green Tomato
Band at Green Tomato
Sea of Americans - Green Tomato
The next morning we were due at the port captain's office which was on the other side of the marina. We took our folder of paperwork and quickly we were checked into La Cruz. The rest of the day we spent doing boat chores and catching up on things we couldn't do while anchored or underway. That evening we got a real treat. We ubered back to Punta Mita and went to Casa Teresa which came highly recommended. As we walked in the door it was packed and we were greeted and asked to sit and relax and someone would be with us shortly. After the group was seated a a girl with a drink cart wheeled over and told us about the special drinks of the evening. Jeff had one and I the other. Mine was watermelon something and Jeff's was gin. The making of the drinks was a fun show to watch. The girl threw the liquor bottles in the air and threw the liquids from one glass to another and we were quite entertained. The restaurant itself was stunning. We sat outdoors and there was an old world patio feel to it. Jeff ordered some fancy gold leaf lobster pasta entree and before it arrived they gave him a gold placemat, a fancy gold napkin ring and as the waiter brought the entrees Jeff's was accompanied by a song, dance and sparklers. It was quite the show. The food was delicious and the night very special.
Lounge Waiting for Drinks
Drink Girl Making Drinks
Beautiful Lounge
Coctails in the Lounge
Our Dinner Table
Restaurant From our Table
Jeff's Fancy Gold Leaf Setting
Dancing and Sparklers for Jeff
Gold Leaf Pasta on Gold Leaf Plate
We felt fortunate to have had such a nice diner at a great recommendation because for the next week the boat would sit alone in La Cruz while we had to fly back to San Diego to take care of a family member. Days would be spent at doctors appointments or at lunches. We saw the kids one night and cousins another. Jeff got sick while there and we both were exhausted and ready to get back home. Our plane landed at 11pm on January 25th in Mexico and we spent the entire next day getting provisions and doing boat chores in order to leave La Cruz the next morning.
Breakfast with the Kids
Hanging out with Cousins
Back in La Cruz
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