Beach at Playa Grande, Costa Rica
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Still enjoying family time in Ecuador, we returned to Quito and then off to a Hacienda near Cotacahi for the weekend. Then, sadly leaving family behind, it was on to Costa Rica for another look, this time at the north coast near Tamarindo. After a week of relaxation on Costa Rica's Playa Grande it was off to Nicaragua and our first visit to the Corn Islands off the Caribbean coast with is colourful, bucannering past.
Hats for sale in the Cuenca 'museum' of Straw Hats
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Travels include a warm Christmas in Zihuatanejo as well as discovering more of Colonial Mexico City; a brief trip to Toronto for the birth of grandchild #9 on New Year's Eve: family visit in Quito's outlying residental district of Cumbaya; and on to Cuenca, the former capital of colonial Peru and a UNESCO Heritage site and one of our favourite cities. Deciding to keep to the mountains, we continued on to Loja and Vilcabamba.
Museo Nacional de Arte in Mexico City's Centro Historica
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A much needed trip to the warmth of family and sunshine begins with a stop in Toronto to see our daughter Christina, and her family, then a brief visit to Mexico City's historical district and on to Veracruz to see Rachel's family.
Passat enjoying a brisk sail off Victoria Harbour
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The asking price on Passat V, our 45' teak ketch, has been reduced dramatically to encourage new "stewards" to step forward and enjoy this beautiful and able cruising vessel. Now at $165,000, or reasonable offer, the Passat is poised to undergo her annual spring refit to keep her in Bristol condition.
Hotel Victoria in Cuenca-a tempting business prospect!
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The Clarks return to Costa Rica and Panama to re-visit old haunts and discover some new ones in Ecuador and Mexico.
45 foot teak ketch built in Germany in 1951
Passat sailing in Ladysmith Harbour
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After extensive summer cruising, boat shows, (with Passat winning best sail at Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival) and various family celebrations, the Clarks are reluctantly putting Passat on the market to pursue some new business ventures. Full specifications are available under Passat V.
Cathedral in San Cristobal de las Casas
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The Clarks travel to the colonial town of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, visit the ruins at Palenque and the beaches of Puerto Arista. Then on by road to Guatemala.
Sunset over Bahia de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta as viewed from El Panorama Restaurant
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Returning to Puerto Vallarta for Christmas and a family reunion, the Clarks once again take to the road and wind up in Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city, to welcome in the New Year and reflect on the abundance of the past decade.
The restored Melville Suites Building
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The Clarks take up residence in Mazatlan, “Tormented”, as sailor/author Herman Melville wrote while in that city, “with an everlasting itch for things remote”.
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Snow in Mexico while travelling from Veracruz to Mexico City
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Crossing the country of Mexico from Puerto Escondido, the Clarks enjoy a family reunion in the bustling port city of Veracruz, visit the highland state capital of Xalapa and return to the Pacific coast at Barra de Navidad.
A garland of skulls (Oaxaca)
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The Clarks embark on the first leg of their journey south - visiting Toronto, Florida and Mexico City en route. Mexico gears up for one of its major festivals - The Days of the Dead - as they stop in in the colonial city of Oaxaca and take an eleven-hour bus ride to Puerto Escondido, a surfers' haven on the southern Pacific coast, viewing the windy Gulf of Tehuantepec from the safety of the bus window!
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Two restored classics: Passat alongside original pilot cutter Carlotta
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After extensive summer cruising, boat shows, (with Passat winning best sail at Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival) and various family celebrations, the Clarks are reluctantly putting Passat on the market to pursue some new business ventures. Full specifications are available under Passat V.
Passat at anchor Princess Bay, Wallace Island
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Passat underway. Cruising this spectacular coast first south and then to points north.
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