Anchored in La Cruz - Getting Kayak racks made, s\v Pied-a-Mer IIl, m/v Context etc. - 2014

Middle of January 2014 - s\v Elegant'sea is currently in La Cruz anchorage in Banderas Bay Mexico (across the bay from Puerto Vallarta)

 Wednesday we had another full day. We started out dingying over to s\v Pied-a-Mer IIl and picking up Pam and Eric and then after going to the dinghy dock we piled into the Ka for a drive up to Pieter’s electronics place “Marine Vallarta”  in La Cruz so Eric could have a chat with him. Then off to Starbucks in Paradise Village Marina to meet with Sebastian to have a set of Kayak racks made for s\v Pied-a-Mer IIl.  Sebastian made a set for us and we like them. So we waited for Sebastian to show up but after Debbie got a text message that he could not make it until 1:30 PM instead of 11:30 AM. It is the Mexican way.

We were also all having lunch with Hugh and Barb on m\v Aussie Made at the Vallarta Yacht Club at 11:30 so Pam and I left for the Vallarta Yacht Club(VYC) to meet them.

 After lunch (Hugh and Barb on m\v Aussie Made had to leave to pick up friends) we all went to Jorge’s shop (chandlery) at Paradise Village Marina where we picked up a new Garmin wind vane for our Garmin GWS 10 Marine Wind Sensor. The one the (prehistoric) bird knocked off in Barra-Bahia de Navidad and we had Jorge epoxy back on fell off again into the drink that time. We also got some varnishing supplies. Eric, I believe, picked up a couple things also.

  While at Paradise Village Marina Debbie and I stopped in the Dock Masters office and picked up our new bank cards that the bank insisted we have after the big credit card security slip that store had. They sent them Fed-Ex and wanted us to pay $60.00 to have them sent but Debbie called and complained that this was not our fault and hardship so our credit union sent them free.

 Then it was back to Starbucks to wait for Sebastian.

 As it turned out Sebastian canceled till Monday. That’s Mexico…😩

 So now it was off to the VYC for the free seminar on radar that we were all going too. It started at 3:00 PM and it was a good seminar.

 At this time of year there are lots of free seminars on about everything to do with cruising and some specific to the Pacific Puddle Jump. Usually we would be cruising south but because of my hip we are making lemonade out of lemons and are going to the seminars we like.

As the cruisers mind works, if the seminar is at the La Cruz Marina it is inside the locked doors where the showers are so you are able to take a shower. You just leave the seminar a bit early (remember you are not the only cruiser with this idea and the La Cruz Marina showers are not known for their hot water) and jump in the shower before the crowd 😁

After the seminar on Radar by Terry LSparks, we met up with John and Jan on m/v Context and we all went to dinner. 

 Now we can walk into Paradise Village and we know where the showers are but we decided to just take showers on our boat from now on unless at a nice marina like Paradise Village Marina. That way we do not need to lug around our shower gear and we do after all have a Spectra Water Maker and are not hurting for nice clean fresh water. The sun showers have been working out nicely for now. It is nice every once-in-a-while to grab a nice long hot shower and that is not possible with endless hot water on the boat.

First though we got a guided tour of John and Jan’s m/v Context.

John and Jan Cone

 m/v Context

Engine room is down and then through the door.

Pilot house. with me and Jan Cone.

On the left is Laurie, John's sister, who is visiting 

from New Jersey..and that is Pam from s\v Pied-a-Mer IIl talking with her

The Galley, complete with espresso maker!

Going below to the two state rooms.

Guest shower.

Guest bed forward.

Master Stateroom

Then off to dinner on the water taxi!

 Dinner was at “El Muelle Grill” which is in Nuevo Vallarta so we took the water taxi over which picked us up at their boat in the ParadiseVillage Marina and taxied over and had a nice dinner. 

They have killer fish tacos, like better than Rubio’s.

Debbie's vegetarian enchiladas (too spicy for her though). And the price is way good.

Our friends boat that we met when we stayed here (Marina Nuevo Vallarta) for a week. 

They now are looking for an Islander Freeport 36'!

The water taxi waited for us so after a good dinner and conversation we ferried to the VYC where all chatted and Pam and Eric and Debbie and I piled into the Ford(Ka) for the uneventful trip back to La Cruz. We stopped at Philo's bar to see if Pam and Eric’s crew member was there for the Puddle Jump but he was not. Debbie grabbed some veggies from the market and we all dinghy’d back to the anchorage.

A full moon on the water taxi ride back!

Context now at anchor at La Cruz..

1/20/2014 - And Sebastian now has picked up the order for the kayak racks for S\V Pied-a-Mer III.

And there you have it!