Acapulco to Zihuatanejo, and Las Hadas

 

Zihuatanejo beach

As we bob along up the coastline it brings back memories of all of the fine places and people we had the pleasure of meeting and are now revisiting on the homeward trek. One reflects on the kindness of strangers, and in particular, the warmth and hospitality of the Mexican people. We are making good time now, two double-overnighters to Acapulco and on to Zeetown, our favourite Mexican port of call. We returned to this idyllic harbour exactly four and a half years to the day that we arrived on our way southbound. The placid bay and bustling community were just as we has left them.

    In the bay we revisited Kirk on SV Freedom Kirkland, whom we had met on our way down so many years before. On the morning net he invited fellow cruisers to attend his up and coming wedding the following afternoon! It was a halcyon day on the beach when he and his lovely bride Charlene tied the knot, (no pun intended) which we followed with a sumptuous dinner at Coconuts.

Kirk and Charlene wedding bells!

 

Spanish coffee at Coconuts

Back on Chantey V, with deadlines to meet, we reluctantly pushed off for Las Hadas in hopes of reuniting with other sailor friends from yesteryear and sharing the joys, trials and tribulations of our travels.

Joel & Daraghs new panels!

Los Hadas Resort and anchorage

Arrival at Barra de Navidad Lagoon

     Las Hadas resort was as impressive as remembered with it's imposing white turrets and clear pools, but the price tag had gone up! What used to be a small charge for keeping your dingy at the dingy dock and buying drinks, has now escalated into two full day passes for use of all the facilities during high season. In dire need of a shower and the pool beckoning we reluctantly dug deep into our pockets and paid up.  It truly is a special place, but the new policy may put a chill on the visits from cruising community.
    The following we day set sail for Barra de Navidad, dreaming of a morning visit from the French Baker with fresh croissants from his jaunty panga.
 

Breakfast from the French Baker!

          Look to this day for it is life!
          In its' brief course lie all the realities and truths of your existence,
          The bliss of growth, the glory of action, the splendour of achievement,
          are but experiences of a time,
          For yesterday is but a dream,
          And tomorrow a vision of hope,
          But today well-lived makes yesterday a dream of happiness,
          and every tomorrow a vision of hope,
          Look well therefore to this day!

          Kalidasa

Huatulco

 At last the weather god's are smiling on us and we were able to set sail northbound for Puerto Madeira, Chiapas Marina, Mexico. After a breezy double-overnight we tucked in to wait for a reprieve from the dreaded Tehuantepeque, a wicked wind that whips through the narrow isthmus of Central America. A few days later we crossed the now-becalmed gulf to arrive at Huatulco, and the little pleasant village of La Crucecita. Fifty miles out and miles from nowhere I was sitting in the cockpit at seven a.m. when suddenly a panga appeared and two smiling pescadores peered up at me. "Agua por  favour? " The usual request was of course for water. We gave them some water, a couple of beers and a snack for lunch and they went blissfully on their way, to where we shall never know?

Shark Fishing in the Tehuantepeque

   At the marina our friendly neighbours popped their heads out of SV Misty Michael, a formidable steel and aluminum power boat out of Vancouver, BC. Chris and Gerry kindly offered to give us the grand tour of the area in their car. The scenery was nothing short of spectacular along a series of nine scalloped beaches.

    Back to the boat for the never-ending list of repairs...Daragh ordered a new set of solar panels for the radar arch in preparation for the long Clipper Route via Hawaii. Otherwise they are certain to run out of power (what, no cold cervesas!)After the usual commotion and problems getting materials we are now power efficient for the first time on the trip! Next stop Acapulco.

Gerry and Chris and Goof, SV Misty Michael