Cocodiles, Bees, Armadillos, Panthers OH MY!!!

This crocodile in the picture hangs out in our marina at Puerto Vallarta. The locals tell us that they come from a swamp on the other side of the marina. Needless to say we will not be swimming here or diving the boat.

Bees, Bees and more Bees!!! When we were sailing from Ipala to Puerto Vallarta (about a 10 hour trip north, we were about 2 miles out at sea and a bee flew into the cockpit-we really didn't think too much about it but then another one came and then another and another and another, and another until there were about 1000 bees swarming all over the cockpit. We locked ourselves in the cabin below. It was very scary as they were trying to get down below any way they could. It was a good thing that we were on autopilot and some miles out to sea as Liebling had to steer herself. Not knowing what else to do, Jim donned all of his ski gear (including goggles, gloves and hood) and totally covered from head to foot climbed out the forward hatch to try and swish them away. As Jim went into the cockpit the bees just flew around him and they were not aggressive. Maybe they were just trying to rest as they were so far out to sea. We couldn't get them to leave so Jim had to kill them with his trusty fly swatter. I was also killing them from inside the cabin as they were getting in through a little hole in the Plexiglas door that we use from the cockpit to the cabin. For about 1 hour we were captive until we could kill all of them. We are still finding dead bodies and do not have a clue on why they swarmed us. We have asked other cruisers about this and most say they have never heard of bees doing this. Someone said say that it could have been because we had a bucket of fresh water in the cockpit and it hasn't rained here since last summer during the rainy season. I sure hope this is the first and last time this will ever happen.

We are now in beautiful Puerto Vallarta at Marina Vallarta. The marina is very close to the cruise ships and downtowns PV. We haven't seen so many Gringos since we left the states. This is a great marina with lots to do and see. We have some cruising friends who are condo sitting so we even have access to a pool. Today we are going to go to old town PV and have dinner and walk around just like all the tourists do.

Yesterday we went with another cruiser friend in his truck to San Sebastian. A small mining town about and hour and a half away in the mountains. When we got to San Sebastian, which is at elevation 6,500 feet, our friend said that there was a road up behind the village to a cell tower about 2000 feet above the village and the view is supposed to be wonderful. Needless to say we headed up and up and up and finally got there about an hour later. I have posted pics to the right, they are of the town and the view from the lookout above.

When we were driving to San Sebastian there were signs posted to watch out for armadillos and panthers. We didn't see any but I thought that they were great signs.

We haul out on the 30th of March for about 5 days to paint the bottom and do other boat maintenance chores. We will stay in a little hotel next to the haul out facility. It will be interesting to sleep in a full sized bed and not be on the boat. This is something that we haven't done since last August when we left Seattle.

All is well with us except Jim has been having an eye problem so we went to a local eye doctor here and he informed Jim that he has a severe cataract in his right eye and must have surgery to remove it. He will be coming home in June for the surgery, see friends and family and get other land based things done. His dad will be in town for his 90th birthday and our nephew Matt is graduating from high school. I will stay in LaPaz to take care of the boat.

Please write a comment or two or just email us as we miss you all greatly and would love to hear from you. Linda and Jim