Barra de Navitad Manzanillo

Hello everyone from what has proven to be the best cruising grounds in Mexico. Not sure why they call them cruising grounds as the last place you want to be in the boat is on the ground. I am in Barra do Navitad which is in Jalisco state just north of Colima State. The weather is warm in the day and cool at night, which is just about perfect. Since my last post we have visited Chacals. Chemala and Tenacatica, All three of which were small, relativly isolated and picture postcard of the Mexican Rivera, The towns (villages) ae all small when they exist and the beaches are sandy, long and invite strolling for hours. Tenacatica was my fravorite in that there was a cruising community that met and played volleyball, frisbe and Bacche Ball on the beach. When I remember my camera I will add pictures of the dingy raft-up there. Took the dingy up the estuary to the lagoon, a trip on 2.5 hours on a small gas tank. I was somewhat concerned about us being stuck up there as the tide turned but sure love that gas sipping honda. Hard to believe that it still runs great after being under water (salt) all night last year in Cabo.
Barra is another world from the isloated spots, but still vfery interesting and fun. Barra has been designated by the Mexican government as a tourist zone and it sparkels in a simple non condo vein. I anchored in the lagoon and spend the day doing boat chopres (re-wire, paint cabin top and bulwarks and maintain the batteries for the extra load of keeping the cooler operating. This si the furthest south I will go on the boat and will stay here for Harps arrival. Carl and Pam have chosen to go ashore as there will be no further destination for them. Manzanillo the prior farthest south destination is 30 miles south of here and has no draw for me. I did go there to get paint and found it to be typical of large Mexican towns. You need to get to the old centro area and there you find the real city. As with our cities and outskirts are loaded with Walmarts and Home Depots, restruants with familiar names and seem to be the focus of the gringos what haunt the resorts and condos. We saw 2 gringos in 3 hours in the old city.

Must mention gthat in Tenatacita the Mexican navy boarded all of the boats in the anchorage. They took pictures of all the instuments including radios, clocks, barometers and computers. They were very pleasant and courteous in comparison to our coast guard and customs.
Pictures arre of Tenacatica (up the laguna, yachties on ther beach and in the raft up, Mexican navy) Manzanillo ( big fish sculpture, me eating in the marcado central) and Barra (Malacon)
Forgot to mention, watched the Packers win and what a great game. Both teams have nothing to be ashamed of. Competative and entertaining.

Fair winds

Ken