Legacy Sailing
 Photo Gallery 26  
January 2005
South to Zihuatenejo, Mexico
After enjoying the holidays in Tennacatita and Barra de Navidad we started down the coast towards Zihuatenejo.  Our first move was only about 20 miles to a wonderful, undeveloped anchorage at the north end of Santiago Bay, called Ensenada Carrizal.  We liked the seclusion there so much we stayed for five nights, though we were visited by other cruisers.  Our second move was even shorter, only about 4 miles to Jualapan Anchorage off the residential community of Miramar.  Unlike most other beaches with palapas, this one shuts down at dusk and is quiet all night.

After a pleasant week and a half in Santiago Bay we headed for Zihuatanejo.  We made the trip in one 32 hour passage down the coast.  Although we did get some pleasant sailing in, as is all too common, much of the trip was made under power in light winds.  Zihau is filling with cruisers arriving for Sailfest during the first week of February.  Sailfest is a series of events all raising funds for schools for the indigenous children of the area so they can be taught Spanish.

Kira sometimes takes being close to her people to ridiculous lengths.  Here she has insinuated herself behind Heather only to find she has become a soft fuzzy cushion. Things are always happening on the beaches.  This poor boat was holed and sunk in the surf when a wave smashed it into its trailer as someone tried to pull it out of the water.
From under the shade of the palapa the sand and water of Jualapan anchorage gleam in the sun. Zihuatanejo is ringed with hills that come right down to the water.  At night the lights glitter on the hillsides beautifully.
Andy and Nancy Spear left Juneau to go cruising about 10 years ago.  We ran into them again in Zihua where they are staying before heading for Central America. One of the hazards of anchoring in tourist areas are the para-sailors.  Here the small powerboat has pulled the parachute and passenger off the beach and into the air.  One hopes they avoid the masts sticking up everywhere!
Zihuatanejo has an attractive downtown with well kept businesses and lots of plants.  Because of the tourist orientation many streets are restricted to pedestrians. This flower stall opens directly on the street.  The profusion of flowers that practically spill out onto the sidewalk.  Much more effective marketing than having them in coolers.
The old city offices along the waterfront have been converted into the Archeological museum.  Arranged around a courtyard are several rooms of exhibits. One fascinating item was this 300 year old water filter.  Carved from pumice the bowl on top is filled with water and it soaks through the stone and drips of the nipple at the bottom.
The Mexican Riviera is known for its rolly anchorages.  As a result we often have to put out a stern anchor.  Chris is in the dinghy paying out the rode. At the end of his rope, so to speak, Chris lets the anchor drop to the bottom.  The rode is then tightened holding the boat in line with the swell between the bow and stern anchors.
One of Minnow's duties on board is to pre-clean all dirty pans before washing.  She takes her work seriously, always maintaining a tight grip and cleaning diligently. One of the Sail Fest events was a pursuit race, which we won!  We didn't get any pictures during the race since we were busy sailing fast, but after we crossed the line we looked back on the fleet trying to catch us.
Although we didn't get many pictures, others did.  Here we are shortly after the start tacking out of the bay in pursuit of our main competition, Shibui. After rounding the second mark we led the way away around the next point of land and back to the finish.  Shibui is right on our tail, with Snow White further back.
After the last point of land it was a spinaker run to the finish.  We had to work all the way to hold off Shibui. Here we are sliding slowly approaching the finish line for the win.
The biggest fund raising event for sailfest is the boat parade.  We had 6 paying guests for the parade and a sail after. Returning from the parade, Snow White passes closely one of the rocky headlands near Zihuatanejo.
 
Updated 11/14/2006