Barra de Navidad - February 12, 2009

Barra de Navidad has a population of about 5,000 people whose name literally means Bar of Christmas. The name comes from that the town is built on a sandbar. In addition it was named Navidad as by history Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza disembarked on December 25, 1540 to put down a rebellion in the area. Barra currently has cobbled stone roads, and shady streets with 2 main streets in the town. The town people are quite friendly.


One of the things that is required when entering and leaving new towns or villages by boat, is we must sign in and out with the Port Captain of the area. We always have to show our boat documentation, our crew list, our passports, where our last port of entry was, how long we are going to be in the area and where we will be heading next. The Port Captains have all been friendly and accomodating.






Music jams are quite popular with cruisers. Sunday we joined with many cruisers at the Sands Hotel (a local cruisers hangout). There were all kinds of instruments represented including drums and amplifiers. I don't know where they keep these large instruments on their boats.




We have explored Laguna de Navidad by dingy which actually forms the border between the state of Jalisco and the state of Colima. It is surrounded by mangroves with mountains in the background. The lagoon is actually an estuary. It is a very shallow anchorage and the water is dirty. Our friends on Meerkat and Ahea Kali have been anchored in the lagoon.









Yesterday we went to San Patricio Melaque (locally known as Melaque) with our friends Jim and Heather on Meerkat. Melaque's patron saint is San Patricio. St Patrick's Day celebration is told to be quite large. The town is a few miles west of Barra. We use the local buses. It has a population of approximately 10,000 people. Melaque has many more services to be offered than Barra and also has a beautiful beach. We did our grocery shopping at the local tiendas and had lunch at Jim and Heather's favorite restaurant.



We are enjoying the marina, especially the pool. We spend most afternoons at the pool, swimming, basking in the sun and playing cards. We have also enjoyed potluck dinners with our friends.

Tomorrow we are heading south for a few days to Las Hadas. We will be going with EagerDreamer, Suebee, and Kat den rie. It's been rumored that the men are planning a big party for the women on Valentine's Day! We will return to Barra next week. Life continues to be good!!