Still in La Cruz… and loving it

By Aaron
It’s been really nice to stay in one spot for awhile.  Several other boats are doing the same thing, and there has been no end to the various fun activities that fill up our days.  And the weather has been absolutely fantastic!  It’s in the upper 70s every day and frequently over 80.  Last week we had one day set a new Bella Star high temperature record...
At least there was a nice breeze blowing
We recently went on a sail aboard SV Profligate.  This is a huge 60-something foot catamaran owned by the publisher of Latitude 38.  We had a wonderful time, and many thanks to Richard and Donna for inviting everyone out.
Nicole and Rachael making up some appetizers for the sail
Upon rounding the point coming out of the marina we saw a boat (Looks like a Hans Christian 34 or 36?) washed up on the beach.
After several unsuccessful attempts to drag the boat off the beach by the four pangas, a patrol boat took a halyard from the top of the mast and powered up their three 250hp engines – this heeled the sailboat over and the pangas were able to pull it off the beach.  Scary thing to see though… and rocks were on either side of the beach so it could have ended pretty badly.  But if you have to go ashore like that, a Hans Christian is a good boat to do it in.
So after the drama on the beach we got back to work relaxing and sailing on Profligate.  And wow is she a fast boat!  Much more than double our hull speed without even working at it. 
Thanks to Lori on SV Camelot for taking some pictures of us!
That’s Tom from SV Camelot on the left, and our friends Erlin and Jen from Ventured. 
Here’s Erlin multi-tasking with a Modelo
Nicole considering laying down on the trampoline
Decision made
The next day the crews of SV Panache and Ventured joined us for a walk down the beach to the town of Bucerias – about a 2 mile walk.
Zack, a professional photographer, “doesn’t DO sepia” but here he is in Sepia.
Checking out Bucerias
It was hot and the walk was long so we were forced to drink several ballenas of Pacifico once we arrived.  Then we got hungry and of course we stopped for some tacos.
I’m not sure why, but I really like that soda is served in bottles down here.
After lunch we needed some dessert.
Bellies satiated, we took the bus back to La Cruz and coincidentally arrived just in time for happy hour at the Huancaxtle Café.
Like this picture, the rest of the evening is somewhat of a blur.