back online

Well, we think this is now working from the boat, so we can keep you all informed better. Sorry about the lack of info. I hope to post daily once we're underway to French Polynesia.

We had a really nice time in Barra with Lou and Irene. We did our share of eating Camarones Ajo (garlic shrimp) which is a local specialty. We also bargained through the market stalls and socialized with other cruisers. Carter had saved his birthday money and bought himself a sombrero. He looks pretty great in it. On Wednesday we did the short trip back up to Tenacatita so we could enjoy the beach. We stayed until Friday morning. Pete took them up the jungle river trip and we made lots of sandcastles.

We're currently in Ixtapa marina awaiting the arrival of my parents and Peter's cousins. We'll be here until about the 29th, when we plan to head west. We're actively doing last minute projects, laundry, provisioning and organizing.

Provisioning went relatively well yesterday. We had no problems with the buses, I guess we're getting pretty good at public transportation. As usual the port captain thing took too long though. It's very hot here, so the kids and I wilted a bit walking around town. Zihuat is nice, a lot like Barra only considerably bigger. There are real stores here as well as the tourist stuff, even a Dominos Pizza. There is a Bodega grocery, owned by Walmart, they had most of what I wanted. There are also two more large grocery stores and a market, so we should be able to find everything. My shopping list is a bit daunting, and putting it all away is even crazier.

It's very hot here and the humidity is high, both in the 80's. We've also been infested with biting bugs. My ankles have been chewed up. We have been seeing crocodiles in the marina. We have banned the kids from the docks. The one that hangs out near us is about 9 feet long. THey show up around sunset and cruise around. They can also get up on the docks. Scary. We had to wait for one to move out yesterday as we dinghied over to a friend's boat.

Well, I'm doing laundry, school and stowing provisions. Better get back to work.