The weather continues to be warm but usually with a nice breeze in the afternoon to keep us cool.  The wind is reliable in the afternoons therefore day sailing is a treat in Banderas Bay.

We still bump into cruising friends we have not seen in a year or two.  It seems to be a crossroads with boats coming and going, both north and south.  Many boats are preparing for the “Puddle Jump” a colloquial expression for taking the 3,200 nautical miles, three-to-five-week sail across the Pacific to the South Seas; the Marquesas, Tahiti and beyond. We already had friends do this and we know two boats planning on a transit of the Equator this year headed to the South Pacific. Most boats leave around the middle to the end of March when the weather is reliable. To support these sailors, there are frequent presentations on various aspects of ocean crossing at venues around town and at our marina.

• 

• 

Monday, 3 February 2014 – Off we went to get Pesos at Santander Bank near the Mega Store. Afterward, we took the short ride to Bucerias so we could explore its colorful street stalls. Bucerias is loaded with restaurants, including Mexican art, and music, especially in the evening. We had a filling lunch at a beach Palapa overlooking the beautiful Banderas Bay. There are plenty of beach restaurants to choose from including many street foods sold from stands that open in the evenings; all tasty foods to try. 

Tuesday, 4 February 2014 – We took the bus from La Cruz to Paradise Village to visit our friends Ralph and Angie who have their boat “Naner Moon” there. Getting around the area on the local busses is usually OK but it can be a bit of a challenge if you happen to be going somewhere where a bus change is required.

Lunch with Ralph and Angie was in Paradise Village at the Vallarta Yacht Club. It is a pleasant spot overlooking the marina and the food was good. After catching up on everyone’s news, we stopped by the Marina Office to see if they had available berths. There was nothing and the marina has a long wait list for boats through March.

Being in the Paradise Village area was almost like being in the US, American shops with Gringos everywhere. We said goodbye to Ralph and Angie and then asked which bus would take us to the Wal-Mart, which is where the Santander Bank is located.  We were directed to a bus however there are two Wal-Mart’s and this bus, instead of heading north, headed into Puerto Vallarta and the Wal-Mart there. We had to jump off and then take another local bus going north to get to the Bank.

Wednesday, 5 February 2014 – The morning was spent doing email and working on the internet. John had another massage in the afternoon and then in the evening there was a film on the Whitbread race at the marina lounge.

Thursday, 6 February 2014 – While out buying shrimp at the fish market, we ran into Greg and Diana on Sea Monkey.  They are preparing to leave in March for the South Pacific. We arranged to have dinner on Friday at the Black Forrest restaurant.

Friday, 7 February 2014 – The stay in La Cruz continues to speed by and this evening we shared dinner with our Australian friends, Greg, and Dianna at the Black Forrest restaurant here in La Cruz. It was Flamenco night, and the musicians were quite good. The place was full and although we did not have reservations, we were accommodated.  Apparently, you should have reservation at the weekend. We had some great German food and beer with Spanish music; then afterwards we stepped out into a Mexican night, it was quite a mix.

Saturday, 8 February 2014 – We plan to leave late next week, weather permitting and head south to Barra de Navidad via Perula in the Bay of Chamela. Doing this will mean we miss the Banderas Bay Regatta, a big sailing event which starts in early March.

The local Butcher had a leg of lamb which we bought, after cooking, it could be best described as a leg of mutton, the owner of which had died of old age. We enjoy eating lamb, but it is doubtful we will purchase another ‘leg’ in Mexico. A lesson learned!