We went into Barra for one last dinner with Barry at Magdalena's. We had a scrumptious feast of molcajete - a lava bowl brought to your table bubbling with a mixture of prawns and chicken and Arrachera (marinated flank steak) in a spicy red tomato and pepper sauce. I must go on line and get the recipe for this wonderful Mexican stew. The evening was topped off with the restaurants' version of banana's Oscar, a beautiful moon and Barry's wonderful company.
The next day I went into town for the final provisions. The French Baker (El Horno Frances) is open for business but does not do the boat and anchor delivery yet - not enough boats yet. So I picked up a couple of almond croissants and a couple of plain Croissants for the road. I was hoping to get some cinnamon buns from the local lady down by the big tree but it was Sunday and she was at church and does not start baking until after mass. The fish market was open so I managed to get a kilo of prawns for $15. That should do us for several meals. Last run on the taxi aquatico where I said goodbye to Patricia and Fortina
The following morning David finished up the last few items on the list in preparation for departure. He was pleased with Isreal's decision to only charge us the summer rate for the 8 days of November which worked out to about $16 per day.
1037: away from E37 with the help of Barry. Sure hope we run into him again as we both head South. Barry is planning to bring his boat though the canal and down to Florida where he has a winter residence.
1058: we passed the Barra bar. Winds were southerly. Seas were slightly rippled with a gently swell. Light cloud cover. Steering 120* 5.3 knots at 1600 rpm. Motor sounds good!
1155: raised the mainsail and put out the staysail. The furling was not operating as it should and will require look at down the road. Winds were southerly at 5 knots so we motor sailed. The theory is that the land breeze should pick up strength in the afternoon.Didn't happen.
Navy is coming up aft. Bulk carriers are heading into Manzanillo. There is a bank of cumulus clouds sitting on the mountains but above us it is mostly blue sky with a few cirrus clouds thrown in.
1240: Dolphins sited abeam the Manzanillo Airport- Playa de Oro International. This stretch of beach is so named as a result of the historical sinking of the SS Golden Gate. It was a 269 foot side wheeled steamer built in New York and used to deliver supplies and gold between Panama and California during the gold rush. It was the fastest ship in the Pacific fleet during it's time but caught on fire in 1862 and went aground somewhere along this part of the coast. Many lives were lost along with 1.4 million dollars in gold only some of which has been recovered.
12:58 Navy passes us on the port side but shows no interest in us . Maybe it has to do with our Canadian flag. It is heading into Manzanillo - the home of one of the Mexican Navy ships.
1445:We set anchor in Ensenada Carrizal. I was like an impatient child at Christmas waiting for David to put down the swimming ladder. If he had taken much more time I was planning on just jumping in. The last time we were here it was fairly chopping and the water was a bit grungy but his time it was clear and warm.
No houses! No boats! No people! A new definition for Freedom 55 or 59 or 67 - Swimming butt naked in 30*C water, showering on the deck. Left over molcajete served in the cockpit. The sound of the surf was our music. The light show from the lightening out at sea was our entertainment. A perfect end to a perfect day.
But after midnight the rains came and we had a restless night with onshore winds and surf and lightening and thunder. So at 1530 we decided to raise the anchor and head to Santiago.
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