La Cruz to Puerto Vallarta, Whales!

Finally, on our way from the anchorage in La Cruz to Marina Vallarta we saw several pods of whales!  I noticed groups of boats gathered together and they didn't appear to be fishing boats, so out came the bino's.  Sure enough, there were huge humps appearing and disappearing near them.  I totally forgot to yell "thar she blows", as I had been so adamant that I would when I saw them.  We slowly circled around behind the boats and stayed a long distance from the pod, while trying to take pictures, tough on a rolling vessel with a high power lens.  I had just previously attended a seminar given by the local institute on how to behave when near whales in a boat, so we knew to stay at least 80 meters off, and behind them.  They are trying to educate the local tourist industry which gives whale watching tours, and they have rules which only allow one boat at a time to be 30 meters from the pod, all others must be at least 60.  Next year the distances increase.  These are humpback whales, although apparently blues do enter the bay as well, not as frequently.  They are keeping a basic count of them over the years and the numbers are increasing slowly. 
   We are in Puerto Vallarta, due to getting some chores accomplished.  Yesterday we went to Walmart for some supplies, and today we have a long list of required check-ins and check outs, with the marina first, then the port captain.  Of course the port captain isn't near our port, it's a bus ride away near the ship terminal.  Then on to find a shipping company for some mail to the states. 
   We've been riding the local buses, which are owned by the individual drivers who decorate them according to their taste.  Most are rather religious, as the Catholics are the dominant group here.  It feels like being in a shrine when riding on them.  But very blessed!  Which is necessary as they drive sooo fast!  The locals are busy getting ready for Christmas, and shopping is much like at home, perhaps a bit less chaotic.  There is a definite gap between the haves and have nots here.  We have been donating to some of the charities, but it is a constant stream of requests. Then, on our gangway there are several LARGE yachts which take out the rico Mexicanos for day rides and whale watching.  They have boat crews to clean, cook, and do maintenance, much like Newport Beach.  I feel more like the locals as I scrub the Honcho, do the cooking, and help sail.  Well, off to town once again, hopefully the last for awhile. 

   We are spending this week in and around the bay at several different places, Yalapa, Los Arcos, the Tres Marietas, then back to La Cruz for Christmas.