Scenes from around La Cruz

We have been enjoying La Cruz for over a week now, and have started to venture out to other areas as well.  The boat jobs have been accomplished; varnish, wax, clean, etc.  Bryan Savage's show was excellent, and we see him in the mornings as well out walking.

Local dancers at the Sunday marketplace.

A day in the life at Marina Nayarit.  Dogs swimming, fishermen fixing nets, sailboats arriving.

   One event was the engine belt replacement, which ended up taking 3 long days of searching refactionarias (auto stores) for the right size.  This can be challenging as one needs either a car, or endless bus trips. Fortunately our friends on Sirena ferried us all over creation to find the right belt.

Band practice at 5a.m.

On one early morning( 5a.m.), after a late night, we were awakened by a rather loud Mexican band playing.  Since we couldn't sleep with the music playing, we went for a walk to find it's source.  Alas, in the middle of town, on a corner, there was a small band set up practicing their music.  We still don't know what the occasion was, but they were quite good.  Probably had jobs and the only time for all to get together to practice was 5 a.m.
  Yesterday we took a cab and a bus into Puerto Vallarta, stopping to drop off some blankets that we definitely don't need down here at the local DHL delivery service.  $200. later, our 2 packages will arrive in the states in 3 days.  Most expensive blankets we ever bought!  But, space is more valuable on the boat.  Then, on to PV for some lunch with Wolf and Judy, friends of ours from our first trip down.  I ran into Judy in the bano in Cabo on our way down last time, then caught up with them later in La Cruz.  We had a nice lunch at a very American/Canadian place called the Cheeky Monkey.  I wouldn't exactly recommend it, but it did have $1 beers.  Afterwards we walked the malecon, the beach, stopped for some local students presenting folkloric dances and later an art walk in old town.  It was quite a busy afternoon and evening, and ended with a bus ride back to Bucerias and a collectivo after that.  Collectivo's are mini vans that are a blend of taxi and bus for the local folks.  They are cheaper than a taxi, but more expensive than a bus.

As we were already up, we took a long walk and saw this fellow near the beach.

   I'm still a little unhappy that I haven't gone swimming yet, but soon.  It's my own fault, I need to pump up the kayak and get myself out into the bay for some clean water, and hopefully no sea snakes or sharks.  Yes, they do have sea snakes here.  I saw a lovely yellow and black banded one last trip down.

The view from La Cruz across Banderas Bay to Puerto Vallarta.  Quite clear this year.

   Also... after much thinking and wine, we have come to the conclusion that it might be better to stay in Mexico, go back up into the Sea of Cortez this spring and not head south until next fall.  We didn't get to see as much as we had hoped the last time, so this would give us a better chance to see more.  Also, it would give us a head start towards heading south in the fall, and we could make it to Panama in one season, not having to stay the summer in El Salvador or Costa Rica, yet have time to tour and visit. We shall see...