Last night we sailed through a strong low pressure system, and the Captain chose to alter our course to stay closer to the coast, as the wind was coming off the land and accelerating through the mountain valleys. To minimize swell he decided to stay around 20nm off the coast. The wind got up to 78 knots, with prolonged periods of 60 knots. It was a bumpy old ride.
By the time we arrived at Huatulco, Mexico, we had passed through the wild weather and were back in relatively calm weather to enter a beautiful bay, with white beaches (finally), and a huge jetty sticking out in the middle of it for the cruise ships. It was another reasonably tight entrance with plenty of rocks to avoid.
Nevertheless we were all secured by 8 am, and off on a 3.5 hour scenic drive by 9 am. The ship berthed in Santa Cruz Bay, which is a very pretty setting. There are 9 bays in the area and more than 30 beaches. Huatulco was set up as a tourist destination after great success in developing Cancun. Now there are resorts and hotels everywhere and some of them look very nice indeed.
The bus took us around the coastline, where we got some great views of Santa Cruz bay and a few others, before heading off to the village of La Crucesita, the main township in the area. Here we looked at the Church, (the only landmark of significance, and quite recently built), before a walk around town and a bit of shopping for the girls.
Views of the Veendam in Santa Cruz Bay
The Church at La Crucesita
A hour later, we are back on the bus and heading to a local restaurant for a Beer and local tortilla with salsa and guacamole.
It was then back to the port, where there was more shopping, and lots of restaurants. David went in for a swim, and we settled in to a local restaurant on the beach for a drink and chicken fajitas for lunch. It was a bit of a rip off, but most enjoyable nevertheless.
The ship sailed at 3 pm for Puerto Vallarta. Tomorrow is a day at sea, and the Captain is closely watching a hurricane that is forming ahead of us. We get an update a couple of times a day, but the forecasts of its path vary so much, we will only really be better informed when are closer.
Time to head back on board
Huatulco was a most enjoyable stop over and a longer stay there would have been nice.
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