Thea got a new job in La Cruz working as a yacht broker for Vallarta Yachts. On March 16, Randy returns to US Airways in Tempe, Arizona to upgrade his training on the Airbus 321.
Lost Elvis is now in Marina Riviera Nayarit, aka Marina La Cruz. La Cruz Marina is a nice change from Paradise Village for a number of reasons. Although it is about 40 minutes from the airport as opposed to Nuevo Vallarta's 15 minute drive, the marina in La Cruz offers many activitie for cruisers and their families. Marina Katrina has arranged a Kids Club, movie night, swap meets, beach bonfires, potlucks, Cooking with Amanda, Happy Hours, Tuesday and Sunday brunches, Hiuchol art classes and this list goes on. Rumour has it that a yacht club is in the making.
The marina in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is only three years old. The water in the marina is clean and hosts schools of fish and a large turtle. The rates at the marina in La Cruz are the same or better than Paradise village Marina. The summer rates begin on May 1 as opposed to Paradise Village's June 1. There is no marina clean up fee. La Cruz charges for water and Paradise does not. However all in all, we estimate $2000 a year in savings by moving to La Cruz.
Just a 10 minute walk from the marina is la playa La Manzanilla. With its seafood palapa restaurants and mariachis, you can enjoy Mexico with few or no tourists. Even closer is Don Bidou, a restaurant on the beach owned by a French Canadian. He offers 10 peso beer all day long. Huanacaxtle Bar offers high quality food at reasonable prices and happy hour all day. Try their Huanacaxtle Burger for about $4.50. Live music is everywhere at Britannia Bar, La Cascada, Phylo's, Anna Banana's, the Black Forrest and that's just La Cruz. The Twisted Rose, Eva's Brick House and Quixotes in Bucerias have live music, karaoke and salsa.
It isn't well known, but there is actually a little surf break off the break water when the swell is up. Lanchas and Pools are breaks that are a panga ride away and Punta de Mita, Sayulita and San Pancho are surf spots within a half hour ride from La Cruz.
Rafael Alcantara, the manager of the marina works hard to accomodate your needs. He has arranged access to a nearby upscale beach club which has a pool, bar, restaurant and little furnished cabanas with a fridge and TV if you need to get out of the sun.
The town itself has all you need, carnicerias, organic markets on Sunday and an Oxxo about a 20 minute walk away. There are four salons, numerous restaurants, organic coffee shop, a Subway, fresh fish markets at the marina, street tacos, a veterinarian, doctor, dentist, hotels... any thing you need. What we enjoy the most is the fact the we really feel like we are in Mexico here in La Cruz. Whereas Paradise Village was very American. As Randy says ..... you can just see Mexico from Paradise Village......
No photos on this post but if you go to Thea's Facebook there are many.
I get my first listing today. If you know anyone who wants to buy a Yankee 30 for about $29,000, let me know. It's fast, roomy and set up to cross the Pacific with extra sails and equipment.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
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