Los Arcos and New Years in La Cruz

I had a week full of fun.  Spent one day with friends Steve and Patricia and her family going out to Los Arcos on their boat Ahelani, an Outbound 46.  Then it was off to La Cruz de Huanaxtle for a couple of days to bring in the new year with several groups of friends.  Exhausting, but fun!
Once I recovered sufficiently, I started getting ready to depart for points south again.  Several of my friends have already left, but I decided to delay a few days until Saturday so that I'd have a better chance of getting into the tight and marginal anchorage at Ipala where many folks stop for an overnight rest.  As a bonus, I'm less rushed and the weather window is better.  Tonight I'm going for a bon voyage dinner with friends Dennis and Janet to Fajita Republic.
Good thing I'm starting to get used to fun!

Off to Los Arcos

Heading to Los Arcos on Ahelani with Steve, Patricia and

his in-laws.

Steve at the helm

Passing by Puerto Vallata

On the bow keeping a lookout

The snorkeling was fun.

Back in the slip enjoying margaritas muy grande y muy fuerte.

New Years in La Cruz

New Years Eve sunset

Heading for the New Years Eve celebration dinner at the

Octopus's Garden

Pretty cool place, full of cruisers.

Our table was on a balcony overlooking the stage.

Nice spot to eat, drink and be merry!

The main floor

 The band was quite good, and included the legendary

washboard player who is 82 and going strong.

Kids are always included in Mexican celebrations!

Shortly before midnight we walked to the little 

malecon to watch the midnight fireworks.

There were several displays happening at the same time

in different places around the bay, so it was

hard to know where to look.

 If you listen carefully you will hear a "rat-a-tat-tat" that

is not in sync with the fireworks.  I was told by a local 

that it was someone firing an AK-47.

This is Footloose, the  luxurious 47 foot Catana catamaran

that I stayed on for the two nights I was in La Cruz.

The view from the porthole of my cabin

Lisa and Mike were very gracious hosts.

Here Lisa is brewing the morning coffee.

The New Years Day potluck on Footloose

As the sun went down, the full moon came up.

Beautiful way to cap off the holiday!

Back on Circadian

Great blue heron poking around in the mangroves

behind my boat.