La Manzanilla

La Manzanilla

We motor across the bay to the little town of La Manzanilla to do some grocery shopping and to explore the town. We hear the anchorage off the beach is not so great because of the swell, so again we set out a stern anchor. This process takes awhile longer because there IS a swell with an onshore breeze which makes setting two anchors with the boat positioned into the wind a longer process.

The dingy landing too, required a little more timing of the shore break to land WITHOUT getting wet.  We are practicing and getting better.  We’ve attached the dingy wheels so that they are down at all times. This enables us to keep the engine running while landing on the beach as the wheels keep the engine up off land.  As the wheels touch ground in the shallow water, we both get out and pull the dingy on wheels  up higher on the beach. This is the standard procedure for cruisers and some reading this essay will understand the process. I’m explaining to those readers who don’t use a dingy for transportation. Some cruisers are better at this than others and it’s always fun to watch and also offer assistance to the landing party if needed!

La Manzanilla is a great little town with great food! We happen onto an organic cafe, Cafe Risa with press coffee and a wonderful menu of vegetarian choices, omelets, yogurt with fruit, homemade muffins, salads and smoothies! Now, this of course, caters to another crowd...the American/Canadian "expat" population we observe in this town, 10-1 to Mexican locals.  This is a gem of a resort town with many repeat customers. We are told of a market, Lidia's where you can get anything you want; cheddar cheese, wines, meats, fresh veggies! Awesome.  Lidia personally greets us and shows her wares..."what ever you want just ask!"

I love fresh veggies!

We next visit Palapa Joe's, a sports bar owned by an American from the Bay Area.  Also, you know, our famous restaurateur from Sonoma county, Johnny Garlic's Guy Fieri?  Well, he visits here and has made his "mark" on the restaurant's wall.  It's such a small world!

"We'll have the usual...two margaritas, please!"

Our next stop is to La Cato for the best margaritas we have tasted so far and shrimp dinner! This restaurant was recommended by a repeat vacationer and is one of the remaining original locals business that was displaced from Tenacatita by a "land grab" that is still in turmoil. We understand that many local beach palapas were displaced and tried to re establish themselves in La Manzanilla. We enjoyed the food and atmosphere while dining and watching our boat sway in the bay!

Wizard in the bay at La Manzanilla

The beach scene at La Manzanilla

Horses on the beach

And of course, we couldn't miss the crocodile preserve in town...it's really creepy to walk to the end of town and there, fenced off is a swallow of estuary with huge old crocs lazin' around! There is a tour ride offered up the river but, why take the ride when you can see these big guys  right here at the fence? They are waiting for their chicken dinner, I'm sure...

The crocodile preserve in town

Our day ends with a beautiful sunset over the bay. We return to Tenacatita for a few days, but will return to La Manzanilla for Sunday 49er's football at Palapa Joe's. Ahh... doesn't get any better!