Imagine an ideal tropical paradise; a bay with several bays within with clean white sand, right next to a lovely little coral-bottom cove referred to as “the aquarium”. This describes where we are now…….. sigh.
We spent the first three days in a small bay at Rebalsito. It was a Mexican holiday and the playa (beach) was filled with families enjoying each others company. We were visited by 6 young children and teenagers who thought they could swim out to the boat and back. They miscalculated how far we were anchored out. We heard a bump out front and went to check out the source. To our surprise the young boys wearing lifejackets were holding on to the anchor chain to rest. We invited them aboard and filled them with Pepsi and learnt a little about them and them about us. They were very interested to hear about Canada and wanting to know how we liked their country. After about 45 mins. back into the water they went to swim back. We watched ready with the dinghy if needed. They arrived safely
Beach camping is very popular among middle class Mexican families. The best spots typically have a shady palm grove for camping and a palapa (palm thatched) restaurant. Some palapa beach houses are available for rent. This beach was filled with families from Guadalajara.
The sea kayaks are now seeing water under them. Ken and I enjoy spending hours following the beach looking at the fish beneath us. Once in awhile the fish are being chased by a dorado a little to close for comfort.
The work on the boat has continued and she is looking shiny.
The following 3 days saw us anchored in Playa Boca de Iguanas. There is an all inclusive resort hotel at this location. For $45.00/pp we can go use their pool. I think I will jump in the ocean instead. Free. The beach here is wide and level with firm white sand good for hiking and beachcombing..
A reef and bar breaks outside the mouth of Rio Iguana. This is the jungle river entrance.
This fun self guided tour takes about 1 ½ hrs – 2 hrs to go round trip. We started in the morning with the tide high and lowering. To get over the rock and sand bar, we got out of the dinghy and raised the motor. We walked the dinghy in until we were over the bar and past the shallow entrance. The whole time I am thinking crocodiles. Remember the last jungle cruise we saw big crocs. Anyways walk we did. We jumped back inside the dinghy and used the engine to guide us up the river.
We slowly drifted through mangroves and vine canopies and now know where Disney got their ideas for the Jungle Cruise Ride. we exited into a large lagoon with fish jumping everywhere. We saw some birds but no crocodiles. I read that crocodiles once prized for its meat and hide came close to vanishing in the Pacific coast lagoons. They are now protected and are being raised and re-introduced into their natural habitat. I guess this lagoon has not been effected by the change yet. San Blas had a reproduction sanctuary thereby the crocs are back to levels of yester years.
The little fishing town of La Manzanilla is at the opposite end of the bay. It is a working town that has not seen tourist development like so many of other areas. I hope it stays the way it is now.
Our clothing attire now seems to be bathing suits, and shirts to stop from burning. This should make for light laundry loads.
We bid farewell to Mike and Julie.(Crysalis) They had become very good friends and we enjoyed buddy boating with them. Unfortunately their plans have changed and we wish them well as they head back north.
We are now continuing south to Bahia de Navidad.