Hola Amigos....This afternoon we wished our kids (Chelsey, Ryan, Jayden and Ethan) a safe journey back to chilly Spokane, WA. The high temperature there today is forecast to be in the low 20's. The kids spent a wonderful 10 days with us aboard Serena Ray....enjoying warm Mexico, the water, the pools and culture of this fabulous place. Before we get to their story...here are a few notes about our wonderful Christmas in Bara Navidad.
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| Sunrise in Barra Navidad |
Sunrise on Christmas Eve day was especially beautiful.... no white Christmas for us with temperatures in the 80's!!
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| Barra Navidad Spirit |
Christmas is really a great time of year everywhere we are. Here in the Marina several boats (including Serena Ray) dawned lights and decorations.
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| Christmas Boat Parade |
The locals in Barra also organized a beautiful "Boat Parade"....boats of all sizes cruised by the marina and Barra Malecon
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| Christmas Cheer aboard Serena Ray |
We had packed lights and ornaments before we left last year (and bought a few more here)...Rosie enjoyed decorating and listening to Christmas music ...........
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| Christmas Eve Dinner aboard s/v Chrokeva |
We had a traditional Christmas Eve turkey feast with all the fix'ins, thanks to Mark, Jackie and Amanda. It was a truly great meal with very good friends.....
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| Cruiser Christmas Party at The Sands in Barra Navidad |
Christmas Day founds us again dining on turkey (and also fresh dorado Sushi) with fellow cruisers at a great potluck dinner.
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| Gift Exchange |
Barbara Saul (s/v Hooligan) did and excellent job organizing and also MC'n a cruisers gift exchange. Lots of very fun(ny) gifts!!!
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| Grand Bay Marina, Isla Navidad |
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| The kids being introduced to the French Baker |
Our kids arrived in Barra on December 28....and the first order of business was to acquaint them with the French Baker. He delivers fresh pastries to the marina and the adjacent anchorage every morning...about 9:00AM. The kids (and mom and dad) were immediately hooked ......... so this became a daily appointment. After such a hearty meal....pool time was in order!!
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| Pool Time...who do you think is actually toughest a "Croc" or a Shark??! |
The men also had to try out the pool-bar. Drinks all around boys!!!
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| Some say there is a bit of resemblance!!?? |
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| Barra Main Street |
Barra Navidad was a great place to explore with the kids... The boy's were on the hunt for shark's teeth.
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| As you might expect.... Barra Navidad was showing off its Christmas spirit!! |
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| In the town square |
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| Negotiating a good deal on shark's teeth!! |
After 3 days of pools, shopping and eating French Pastry...we cast the lines and took Serena Ray up to a beautiful anchorage known as Tenacatita.
Well we had only 4 days to squeeze in kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, swimming, beach bocce ball, boogie boarding and the Jungle ride.....we actually did it!!!
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| Bocce Lessons...The boys loved it!! |
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| Paddle Board 101 |
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| Advanced Kayaking |
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| Boogie Boarding 101 |
We timed our stay well as we had some fairly high surf for this anchorage on several days...
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| Ethan loved it!! |
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| Kayak Surfing |
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| Gotta love the water!! Move over jellyfish!! |
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| Even time for some Introductory Beading |
A visit to Tenacatita is not complete without taking the jungle ride in your dinghy. Several miles of narrow channels through the Mangroves....
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| Jungle Ride |
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| Ethan wasn't sure about seeing real "Crocs".... |
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| Being the first ones up the estuary means you get a good shot at seeing a lot of wildlife!! |
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| Four "Crocs" spotted on this trip, plus 3 Mexican raccoons, assorted crabs, termite nests and even armed guards at the end of the trek.... |
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| Returning to Barra for more poolside activity |
After 4 days of pretty much non-stop FUN... it was back to Barra for R&R....more "pooling" around and shopping...
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| Jellyfish Bloom in Tenacatita |
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| Dolphins on the bow for the kids!! |
Arriving back in Barra....we weren't sure if everyone was having fun....Hard to tell, right?? Well we put a few pesos's in the kid's pockets and headed back into Barra.
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| Colorful Mexican pottery.. |
Grandpa's store...I found this cigar shop/factory 3 years ago. It is the only one I have run across so far in Mexico. Cuban cigars are available most everywhere....
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| Barra Navidad has a cigar factory...and they are great!! |
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| And more shopping..... |
OK.....we're done...can we go back to the pool????
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| Heading to the WaterTaxi for a ride back to the boat... |
Ten days flies by pretty fast!!!! So for their last dinner in Barra...we hopped into the "dink" and went into the lagoon to eat at one of our favorites...Fortino's. Fresh fish and seafood!!
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| Dinner at Fortino's |
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| Fresh shrimp ceviche.... |
Well.... the kids are enroute back to Spokane as we conclude this entry on the blog. We will spend the next couple of days getting Serena Ray ready to head south. First to Las Hadas and then on to Zihuatanejo and Huatulco. We wish you all a prosperous and healthy 2011. Until our next posting...Hasta Luego Amigos!!
4 comments:
So glad you had such a wonderful time with your kids!! The pictures are *wonderful*. Happy New Year!
Your family vacation looks wonderful! Everyone looks so happy. I have wonderful memories of the times spent with you in these areas. Happy New Year! Wishing you more great adventures in the coming year.
Looks like you gave a bunch of people some big smiles and great memories! Look forward to seeing you here in Z-town when you get here!
Happy New Year from Val and Stan
What fun having Grandkids visiting.Beautiful family. Looks like you fit everything in. Can't believe that you were able to recover in just 2 days. It would have taken us at least a week.
Safe voyage,
The Merry Lee
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