2005-12-15 17:27:55

Hola Amigos, Only 10 shopping days left until Christmas. Fortunately, Lois and I are in a place where that really doesn’t matter much as there aren’t any places to spend our Cruising Kitty. Right now, we are anchored in a beautiful bay in Chemela. We are here with about 6 other cruising boats as we all work ourselves further south for the winter. Our Christmas destination, Barra de Navidad, is only about another 45 miles south of here. We will make another stopover before hitting there about the 23rd and stay through the 26th before moving to Santiago Bay/Las Hadas for New Year’s. Last night, entertained the other cruisers and beach side residents with the first night of lighting up the bay with Christmas lights strung to the top of mast to resemble a Christmas tree. We’re able to accomplish is small task with the help of running our portable Honda generator to provide the amount of electricity to power them. It was just beautiful out here on this darkened anchorage. There were two other boats that also contributed to the color with strings of lights in their cockpits. It tis the holiday season. We sure hope your’s is going well for you. After spending so many months in the Paradise Marina in Puerto Vallarta, it is truly wonderful to be back out traveling the sea and enjoying all of the interesting places along the way as well as the abundance of sea life that is around us all the time. Now, we’re not complaining about the marina accommodations in Paradise Village, don’t get me wrong. It’s really very nice. With the beautifully maintained marina, choice of three spas and either beachside or lagoon swimming pools, yacht club facilities for eating, drinking or just chit-chatting with fellow cruisers, on site zoo where the female leopard gave birth to three cubs over the summertime (which Lois got to hold and give love to), the choice of about a dozen restaurants within walking distance from the slip, shopping mall within 100 yards of the boat, etc., etc., etc., how can one really complain? Oh yes, it did take a bite out of our cruising kitty, but it sure was a treat after spending most of the previous three years on the hook. (Meaning at anchor) But this also gave us the opportunity to do some boat and body rehab and a chance to do some inland travel into other parts of Mexico. Since leaving Paradise, our trip down the coast has been pretty much a breeze….or should I say a bit less breeze than we really like for sailing. After rounding Cabo Corientes (the Point Conception of Mexico known for it’s high winds and torrential seas, but pretty tame that day) we had a beautiful 7 plus knot sail to our first overnight destination of Ipala. Immediately, we were surrounded with the great sights of sea life around us and like the previous year were welcomed to the small cove and village of Ipala with the sighting of a huge whale off our port beam. Must have been about 40-50 feet long and seeming to be having just a great time as it spouted, surfaced and dove repeatedly as we moved along the coast together. Sea turtles were out in abundance as we pulled into the cove where we spent the next few days. We met a fellow, delivering a boat to Barra de Navidad, and we all had dinner together at a beach side restaurant we had eaten at the previous year. The shrimp Diablo was simply wonderful as always. After enjoying our time in the tiny village of Ipala we made a ten hour passage to our present location of Chemela. Now this anchorage is much different as it is a huge bay about 4-5 miles across, with white sand beaches and many “local tourist” hotels and beach side restaurants. The water is clear and clean and we will remain here to do some bottom cleaning on the boat, a little provisioning of fresh veggies and fruit before we continue on. Throughout the day here we have visits by porpoises, curious as they are, as they jump and play around the boat and seem to be scratching them selves on our anchor chain. The anchorage has been calm except for last night when for some reason the rocking of the boat was a reminder we are no longer tied to a dock. A BIG boat came in and anchored next to us after dark and I was able to notice that it had a helicopter on it’s rear deck. Although it appears like a working vessel, I’ve yet to determine if it is a private yacht or not. Sure is big though, compared to our little sail boat. That is about all the news for now. The sun is rising and it’s about time for us to get on the morning single sideband marine radio net. It sure is a great way of keeping in touch with all of our friends throughout Mexico and down into Costa Rica. Lois and I both wish you all a very merry holiday season and hope the new year will bring you all that you dream for. Take care of yourselves, your families and friends, and thank you for those of you that continue to stay in touch and keep us up to date on what is going on in your lives. Adios for now.
Feliz Navidad,
Gary and Lois
S/V TEXAN
Currently lying in Chemela Bay, Mexico