No Swine Flu

I wasn't going to write a blog but hysteria over the swine flu has people wondering about Mexican travel.

We arrived on Thursday from Puerto Vallarta. We are currently staying on Murdo's yacht.

On arrival we went dirrect to the Flying Beaver Restaurant (named after planes). All the waitresses stopped, came running over and gave us hugs. Free rounds of drinks were had with each one stopping by when they could.

This would be the beginning of friends greeting us. I had no idea that we had any kind of impact. Even the young girl at the post office wanted to hear about our trip.

We have been to Marysville to visit with Pam and Stu and visit one of my favourtie stores. Admirals Nautical. $300 poorer, I now have all the necessary marine guide books for The Caribbean.

We have decided once through the trench we are turning right. Visiting Columbia, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Venezuela and possibly Guyana. This will be May - Nov 2010. Next hurricane season. One thing this trip has taught me is time travels fast.

Ken, Antonia and I are currently working hard on putting a power point presentation together for the yacht club. I have spent countless hours going though hundreds of pictures. I hope everyone will enjoy what we have been so lucky to experience.

This week will be filled with acquiring all the things we cannot find in Mexico for the boat, meeting with friends and family and Ken's annual blood tests.

Vancouver is such a pretty place in Spring. Flowers, trees in bloom, green grass and snow still on the top of the mountains.

What is the main difference between here and Mexico? Quiet. Mexico is busy and very boisterous. People look you in the face and greet you all day long.

So we are hoping we can get back to the boat on our scheduled air flights. Only time will tell.

As far as the swine flu goes. We are fine. The area we have been has not been infected yet.

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. -- Jawaharal Nehru

We have been in Mexican waters for almost 6 mths., an adventure with a duration of one year. The people here make us feel safe and very welcomed. Spanish has not been easy for us to learn but day by day we learn something new. A visitor with a rudimentary knowledge of the language will find that the Mexicans will embellish our efforts and forgive the butchering of their language. They will politely correct you to help make the process of learning much easier.
This week seemed strange. All of a sudden my eyes seem to be an issue. They’re BLUE. Everywhere I went either English or Spanish people were commenting on my eyes. How blue they were. My answer. Go see the eye doctor. I needed to get a pair of prescription sun glasses as one pretty much has to wear them all day. My doctor was a wonderful man. He wanted to practice his English which was all right by me. In Spanish the vowel I sounds like E. For example bahia (bay) – ba – hee – ah. When I was reading the eye chart there was a bit of confusion because of my pronunciation. I think I gave English lessons during my examantion. For $25.00 I had a full examination. I have young eyes he said. Just can’t see!!!!!!!!!
We are back at the shipyard waiting for our oil change on the genset and an exam for the port engine. Manana, is a very common expression here. It was to be looked at on Saturday but unfortunately no hoy. (Not today). It’s ok we are getting the boat looking pretty. All the outside bright, teak wood is now stripped and re-stained. She looks nice. Her bottom is full of growth, but there is not much antifouling left in the paint. We have been having her dived and cleaned monthly of the barnacles. We will have her hauled out in La Paz and have a new bottom paint done there for 1/3 the price.
I met a women that was 75 years old. An artist, singlehandler. She traveled around the world singlehandling her sailboat selling paintings to fund her adventure. She has written a book that is truly inspirational. It highlights what women are capable of doing.
Another strange occurrence happened on Friday, I had to check to see if it was a full moon. It wasn’t. Maybe the earth tilted strangely. Ken actually got up to dance. Imagine, there might be hope that I can get him to dance on a regular basis. It has only been 30 yrs to convince him.
When in Rome do what the Romans do. Respect their country. Well last night there were many people in the anchorage quite outraged. A very large 75’American sailboat decided to have its hail speakers on and play the Star Spangled Banner as he lowered his flag. For a mile you could hear the anthem. Not a polite thing to do in another country. As another American said, “it is why so many of us don’t even want to fly our flag when one individual can make us all look bad.” It made me think that I am not certain I have even heard the National Anthem for Mexico.
When we bought the boat it was named Genesis. At first we wondered if we should change the name. We I guess would be closet Christians. Like so many people now a day. I think my Grandparents would be so disappointed. Anyways, it is bad luck to change a name on a boat and it means New Beginning and that seemed appropriate. The name has actually given us opportunities others may not see. Locals see the name and point them strike up a conversation. Fishermen will give you fish, Workers will do little extra things. This week we were given 2 fish. A trigger fish and an African Pompino. Both excellent tasting fish.
The marina is starting to clear out as people head north to the Sea of Cortes. Out of the hurricane zone.
As I mentioned we have been in Mexico for almost 6 months. Our tourist cards (visas) will be expiring so we must leave the country to get a new tourist card allowing us to stay for another 180 days. We decided to fly home. Hug a tree, see some family, friends, hopefully not shovel snow, DO TAXES. We leave on Thurs. Apr 23 and arrive back May 08. We hope at that time to continue our adventure of Mexico heading North then back south again for the end of Oct. beginning of Nov. continuing through Central America.
So Adios to Mexico for now.

Punta de Mita Beach scene

For Mexico, Easter is a combination of Semana Santas (Holy Week - Palm Sunday to Easter Saturday) and Pascura (Resurrection Sunday until the following Saturday).
For most Mexicans, this 2 week period is the time of year for vacation (good time to not be on the highways .Taking the bus was very time consuming for us.
Holy Week celebrates the last days of the Christ's life. Easter is the celebration of the Christ's Resurrection. It is also the release from the sacrifices of Lent. Not really sure if many people still practice this or not.
The beaches were filled with families camping and enjoying themselves.
Festivals began on Thurs and went from 2100 hr until 0600 hr the next morning. Around the town squares fair rides and games were set up. Food vendors everywhere. The people showed up with coolers filled with their favorite beverages. Usually tequila or cervesas. There were 100’s of people milling around visiting with relatives and old school friends.
The bands played the typical Mexican mariachi rhythms, salsa dancing on the street.
Saturday a large stage was erected by the town square. At midnight the recorded music stopped and the band began. Fireworks went on for 20 minutes. The party went on until about 0700 in the morning. I was surprise that there seemed to be no church services until the afternoon. Could this be because the town didn’t go to bed until 0700 in the morning?
Sunday seemed quiet. Not really what I expected, but I guess families were gathered celebrating in their homes. The night atmosphere returned.
Mexicans love their fiestas.
We took a bus to Punta Mita, east to where we are staying. The picturesque fishing village of Punta de Mita is nestled on the southwest point of The Rivera Nayant. It has lush jungles and great beaches. Now, it is a tourist trap for both Mexicans and others. It has reefs making it a great place to snorkel, surf and fish. The fishing village has now been surrounded by all inclusive hotels and golf courses. The streets were filled with salesman vying for your business at their restaurant, to sell you a time share. Our line is we live here already. They seem to leave you alone. I can’t help but wonder what the locals feel about their prime land being taken and used for resorts. It creates jobs but it changes their lifestyles. The pangas are now anchored stern and bow in the water instead of on beaches. They still have a fair size fishing fleet from the boats we could see.

Girls 1 VS Boys 0

Alanna and her girlfriend Jessie arrived at the airport. There would be no interrogation like RJ encountered.
They were treated to the local bus system. Always an eye opener.
We spent the first night at a German restaurant listening to flamenco music. Flamenco embodies a complex musical and cultural tradition. Although considered part of the culture of Spain in general. Flamenco is the music of the gypsies and played in their social community.
A ride into Puerto Vallarta Saturday to Old Town observing the creation of the Last Supper in a sand sculpture proved interesting.

Saturday evening we frequented Philo’s bar. Philo’s Bar is a pizza restaurant and community center in the lovely town of La Cruz in the Mexican state of Nayarit, 28 km from Puerto Vallarta.
On a typical Thursday- Saturday evening at Philo’s Music Bar, the musicians are tuning up while, in one corner of the palapa-covered space, a group of grinning Mexican children are playing “Simon Says” – in English. Out on the patio, boaters are perusing the bulletin boards filled with ads and information, checking email or using the international phone. By the time the English classes are over, the bar and restaurant are bustling and the band is set. Friends greet each other as couples step up to the dance floor, and the evening is on. Old time rock and roll. A treat after muchas mariachi bands.
Philo Hayward, sailor, singer, songwriter and owner of Philo’s, sailed into La Cruz in 2000 looking for a place to make music and showcase local talent. Now, musicians from all over flock here. Philo often helps them record their CDs in his studio; the musicians pay with performances. It has made us wonder if we should pick up a guitar and learn to play. They are cheap to buy here. I may even write some songs that Wayne can put to music.

Alanna’s jinx phase seems to be over. We departed the dock. To date every time she has tried to go out on the boat there has been something that has kept us from going, mechanical or weather.
The boys had spent several days trying to land a fish. They had learnt new techniques by a local fisherman. They were not successful catching anything. The girls got their dad to hook up the lines and BANG on came a 20 lb fish. Fresh fish for supper.
When we were out with RJ and Mike the Mexican Navy went by us a few times paying no attention. Not so with the girls. Two 24 year old chicas in bikinis on a boat, they felt they must take a closer look, I thought great we are going to get boarded just so these young Mexicans can get a close up look. Luckily they passed and just waved and smiled. Their passing vessel left a large wake.
We arrived at our destination, Playa Chacala. The girls spent their time in the water. Swimming, body surfing and sea kayaking. Soon the same Mexican Navy vessel came and dropped anchor beside us. We have nothing to hide and would welcome the boarding but it is just not convenient. They seemed content to stay on their boat and just use spy glasses (binoculars) to continue observing the girls.
Playa Chacala’s oft gentle surf is good for close in bodysurfing. Many palapa bars line the water. This is Santa Semanas (Easter Week) and the beach is filled with families camping. The atmosphere was one of fiestas. The fireworks turned out to fizzle. Fun was had by all.
The evening was filled with Mexican Train. As always the girl child won. At least we know where the genes came from!!!! She just expanded on them. (Quite a bit.)
It was a quick 5 days but it was great to have them here. They went home less burnt than RJ and Mike but the temperature was much less than the boys had. 95 VS 80 . As Alanna said it beats Calgary’s weather.
The generator ran wonderfully, little sound, no diesel smell and continually. Now we await the new battery charger.
The weather is changing here and I can see how we are starting to get into the spring and what will be the rainy season. More wind, more afternoon heated clouds. I am sure soon they will be accompanied with thunder and lightning. Time will tell.

The girls swimming off the boat.