10th Annual Zihua SailFest!!

Hola Amigos.... We wrapped up our stay in Bahia Zihuatanejo where we participated in the 10th Annual Zihua SailFest.  This was a week long event that attracts fellow cruisers, tourists and locals to join in the fun and through donations provide educational support to local disadvantaged kids (check out http://www.porlosninos.com/ for more information about the the kids!!).  This is a great annual fundraiser making it possible for these kids to get schooling and meals.  

The week was full of events including a Pursuit Race for the sailboats and a Boat Parade for all... lead by the Zihuatanejo Port Captain, live and silent auctions, great concerts showcasing local and regional musical talent, a Chili Feed and a Kids Day at the Beach, where kids benefiting from SailFest get a day of fun and games at the beach.  Over 430,000 pesos ($38,000 USD) was raised during this years event.... That goes a long way in Mexico!!!!!  Thanks to all those that gave! 

View of Zihuatanejo from Serena Ray

Zihuatanejo Panga Landing

Rafa's Bar...Home base for SailFest in Zihuatanejo

Volunteers man the Sailfest Sales desk where donations are accepted for T-Shirts and to sign up folks to ride on boats for both the race and parade. 

SailFest Sales Desk



Zihuatanejo Main Square (with basketball courts) is busy every night with craft sales and live music.

We also took the opportunity to tour the remote schools that have received support from SailFest and meet the kids that benefit.  It was a great day interacting with both the kids and teachers (most of which are volunteers!)  

Kids are kids everywhere we go!!

One of the classrooms we visited on the tour (background)

All the kids wear clean, white uniforms even in these remote schools and the classes are most often mixed ages...

School kitchen and cook...

She was very pleased that we visited and was very proud of her kitchen!!

Lunch for the kids consisted of cut tortillas with cheese and salsa...The cook even gave Rosie and I a bowl.  It was actually very good!!

This school is on the list to be replaced with Por Los Ninos funds.

Path up to the school...





 Serena Ray was asked to be the Race Committee vessel for the Pursuit Race and be positioned at the Port end of the Start/Finish line.

Serena Ray and Cloudy Bay (both Nordhavns) marking the line as the race starts.



Serena Ray..decorated and anchored on the Port end of the Start/Finish line.

The Race was actually delayed for 1 hour due to lack of wind... to the fleet's joy..it finally filled-in nicely.

Finishing boat under spinnaker

Race Committee aboard Serena Ray..Liz, Pamela and Rosie ran the entire event. 

The Sail Parade later in the week brought out more than 30 boats...many decorated.  The Port Captain lead a procession of boats around Bahia Zihuatanejo and then up to Ixtapa.  Over 150 guests (each donating 300 pesos) (about $25.00) came along for a day of cruising/sailing with the fleet.



Sail Parade enroute to Ixtapa



Serena Ray had 6 guests aboard for the parade.



Serena Ray was called into action when a fellow cruiser and friend, Pamela on Precious Metal, ran into difficulty.  The engine failed and also the electric winch quit so she was unable to motor or sail her guests back to the anchorage.  Serena Ray diverted to her location and provided a tow.  Guests aboard both boats actually enjoyed the adventure....

Towing s/v Precious Metal

We made some great new friends here.  John and Liz aboard Outtahere, a beautiful custom built trawler (which is also up for sale....Interested??)

M/V Outtahere

John and Veronica aboard SeaQuest.  SeaQuest is a converted WWII (Coast Guard) sub chaser.  It is rich with history and rescued some 1,500 wounded souldiers from the D-Day beaches.  Also part of the group was s/v Easy Lady with Bob and Louise aboard and Precious Metal with Captain Pamela aboard.

This group of 5 boats had some great times in Zihuatanejo.  SeaQuest and Precious Metal will go south and join us in Huatulco or El Salvador.  M/V Outtahere and S/V Easy Lady will head north, back to PV.

The guys...Bob, John, John and John!!!

The ladies formed what they call the "Coven"....while in Z.  You don't mess with the Coven!! Fun times!!!

The Coven (Rosie, Pamela, Liz, Louise and Veronica)!!!

The day we left Zihuatanejo, 2 whales cruised through the anchorage.  Whales are common along this part of the Mexican coast.

Whales visiting the anchorage!!!

We are now anchored in a beautiful bay just around the corner from Acapulco (Puerto Marques).  The water temperature here is 82 degrees (4 degrees more than Zihuatanejo) and very clear.  The air temperature also continues to rise as we move south.  We plan to leave tomorrow morning at daylight for Huatulco, 210 miles further down the coast.  We will stay there 3 to 4 weeks and tour inland.  Our friend Linda Winn will also join us there and crew from Huatulco to El Salvador (Bahia del Sol).   

Entrance to Acapulco

 We decided not to anchor in the main bay...it's busy and pretty crowded.

Our anchorage in Puerto Marques.....

Instead we moved a few miles south and found a beautiful bay with much less traffic.

Until our next update.....hope this post finds you all well!!!!