The Fresh Catch in La Cruz

Fishermen taking fish from their nets

one of the market stands

The morning TAKE

The shrimp is fresh and cheap

Cutting a huge Tuna

The La Cruz anchorage

Views of La Cruz

Pacho's dogs have a nice ride

Huanacaxtle Cafe with WIFI

the local roofer

The streets of La cruz

 We enjoy the fishing village of La cruz and it's daily life.

A day in Puerto Vallarta

Looking up the hill into the residental area

The cathedral

Equilibrium Man

One of many sand art sculptures

Chris, Liz and Rick on the Malecon

Christmas at Philo's

 Philo on the guitar and Leo on the washboard provided entertainment before Santa handed out presents to the children of this fishing village, La Cruz. The event was attended by 170 sailors and local expats and 450 kids. Philo is a musician and restauranteur who has a heart for the children.

Christmas Eve Potluck

 Potluck on the docks at Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz was attended by sailors from several nations.

Friends, Chris and Liz from S/V Espiritu

Girls day out in Bucerias

The children of the Huichol Indians play in the plaza near their parents stalls. They play marbles on the cement while their parents create the beaded artwork. The beach at Bucerias is beautiful. Several of the gals from boats in the anchorage had a girls day out in Bucerias.

La Cruz, Mexico

A pelican catching more fish than Rick

Pablano peppers roasted for rellenos

Cooking for dinner with friends

Snoball helps Rick skunk me at cribbage

La Cruz is in Banderas Bay, the largest bay in Mexico. The most widely known city is Puerto Vallarta. La Cruz is a fishing village on the north side of the bay with cobblestone streets, a marina and small tiendas. We are anchored here just off a pretty sand beach. The marina has events which are open to the sailors anchored in the bay. The fish market is overflowing with several kinds of fresh seafood. There is a bus we can pick up along the highway to explore the larger cities of this beautiful bay.

Chacala Bay

Chacala Bay has a quaint town on a beautiful bay of soft white sand. We traveled to a nearby town for market day and bought a breadfruit. Passing mango groves and pineapple fields made the drive through the farming area so interesting. When we arrived back on the boat our friends joined us to open the huge breadfruit. It contained creamy orange balls of fruit encasing a seed. Between the fruit balls was a white, super sticky fiber.

The Bells of San Blas

The small city of San Blas is famous for the poem written by Wordsworth, 'The Bells of San Blas'. The church that held the bells still stands and the bells are in the cultural center.

Matanchen Bay

The peaceful Matanchen bay anchorage was delightful. We met up with friends from S/V Espiritu and traveled by panga up the mangroves estuary. The 6 crocodiles we saw were from age 3 to possibly over 30 years as the older one was at least 8 feet long. Many birds, turtles and iguanas were basking in the sun along the waterway. Swimming in a fresh water spring at the end of the estuary was made 'safe' by a fence to keep the crocs out.

Pulmonias

municipal Mercado

Mazatlan is a great city with colonial architecture in the old town which is being lovingly restored. The marketplace was a beehive of activity with fresh meats and produce alongside shops selling almost anything you would want. Christmas shopping is in full swing here. The pulmonias are large golf carts that take you and your purchases anywhere in the city. We plan to leave for San Blas, south of here (remember we are always going south until we go through the panama canal) tomorrow.