Cookin’ Up The Coast

We could have easily spent six months exploring the Pacific coast of Mexico from Acapulco to Puerto Vallarta, despite our State Department’s new security warnings equating it with Syria or North Korea. Time was not on our side, however, so we raced northwards, stopping only in Zihuatanejo and Barra de Navidad.

Early morning entrance to Barra
Early morning entrance to Barra

DSC_0005It was in Zihua that we finally caught our stowaway. After evading our conventional mousetrap and somehow floating over the glue trap, we procured a live trap from the ferrateria and, within a half-hour of setting it, had a new pet. I think if it’d been a destructive rat, it’s life would have been forfeit; but cuteness can be a lifesaver, and we ferried it to the palapa restaurants lining the beach. A quick refill on the water tanks—50 gallons delivered to the boat via panga for only $12.50—and we pushed on to Barra.

Bonjour, mon ami de pan!
Bonjour, mon ami de pan!

Originally, we’d hoped to be in Barra de Navidad by Christmas, but better late than never—especially with this guy showing up every morning. The French Baker is a Barra institution, visiting both the marina and the lagoon anchorage with butter-filled deliciousness. He rings his bell, and you throw all your money at him, finally enjoying baguettes with a crust and slacking off on the nutritious-breakfast front. So good.

How do you resist this deliciousness?
How can you resist this deliciousness?

Barra was also a slowish reintroduction to the idea that, yes, other people travel on sailboats as well. There was a morning net, and we had to remember how to anchor with more than one boat around. We actually felt too close to our nearest neighbor, briefly; but as the anchorage filled up, we realized that we were just out of practice. F was invited to jam with some neighboring boats, but popped a D string tuning up—one more thing to add to the sherpa list for our incoming family.

Leaving the anchorage at Barra, on our way to the grim slog up Cabo Corrientes
Leaving the anchorage at Barra, on our way to the grim slog up Cabo Corrientes

Our last leg was an upwind schlep around Cabo Corrientes. We delayed one day, waiting for the north wind to die down, but it was still in our face all night, with the wind blowing against the current and producing sharp, steep waves. Loud, uncomfortable, annoying—not dangerous, but not ideal. It was a relief to round the corner into Banderas Bay, knowing that we had at least a month to enjoy the area. We were all so sick of moving; the longer we live aboard, the slower we want to travel. Time to suss out the best tacos in the target-rich environment of Puerto Vallarta.

Waterslide! We did spend one afternoon hanging out at the resort in Barra; the tiered pools had waterslides connecting them. Research for our upcoming resort time with family.
Waterslide! We did spend one afternoon hanging out at the resort in Barra; the tiered pools had waterslides connecting them. Research for our upcoming resort time with family.

One Comment on “Cookin’ Up The Coast

  1. Hi to all –
    I was cleaning up old emails yesterday and unearthed your
    website – Al and I had a fun time catching up on your travels –
    I am jealous!!!!! Looks like fun….and work too – Well, Al has
    just retired and we will be hitting the road, sky, and perhaps sea more often – can’t wait to see you and hear all about the
    magical life aboard a sailboat – Love, Maria and Al

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