Barra de Navidad and the hotel property tiered above the marina, the Grand Isla Navidad Resort, is a special slice of paradise – for cruisers in particular. A slip at the marina includes use of the hotel pools complete with two water slides and lazy river, daily yoga classes on the beach, and folio numbers assigned for food and drinks around property. A French baker rings a bell as he comes thru the marina each morning on his panga to alert those who may be interested in a fresh bread or pastry delivery. We can tell you first hand the croissants are heavenly and we stowed away a baguette and mini loaf of cheddar jalapeño bread as we prepare to head back out. How can you say no to these divine provisions brought right to your swim step?
The town of Barra is a short water taxi ride across the channel with many restaurants, streets to explore and a three mile beach ending at the town of Melaque that we enjoyed walking. Our first night in we shared a water taxi with two other couples and an eight piece Mariachi band who were headed back from the island. You can probably guess that a quick ask was all it took for a serenade of “Guadalajara” on our short trip over to town. It was so much fun.
The regatta for Cruise-In Week was wrapping up while we were here and Brian and Joanna introduced us to a few other cruisers they knew as we listened to the awards ceremony. We checked in with the port captain in Barra, took a dinghy ride through the scenic canals and watched the Rams beat the Bengals in Super Bowl 56 from the ballroom at the hotel with endless plates of Velveeta cheese nachos, ribs and wings. We met a woman in Melaque selling nopal and dried jamaica (hibiscus flower) and she gave us directions to her home welcoming us to knock anytime; adding another loving and genuine encounter with the Mexican locals to our already lengthy list. With the help of a marine mechanic, Miguel, Jim was able to resolve the issue with our start panel which was a corroded and stuck breaker. Over the next few days Miguel also brought us coconuts and papaya he picked from his property. We thoroughly enjoyed having fresh, cold coconut water in the mornings and papaya with lime for lunch.
We had a special dinner with Brian and Joanna in town at Barra Galeria de Arte. There are only two entrees on the menu that change every few days and several “surprises” that are served throughout the meal. The courtyard garden has seating tucked amid lush greenery and a room with photographs of Barra and beautiful portraits of the local people. We enjoyed sipping tequila with the owner and artist after dinner. We are feeling rejuvenated and ready to continue south.
SV Solitude 