http://www.clarksmaritime.com News from Clarks Maritime en Copyright (c) 2008-2012 Clarks Maritime web@www.clarksmaritime.com PawPrint XDe News Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:40:55 -0500 120 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=16 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=16 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. http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=15 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=15 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. http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=14 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=14 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. http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=13 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=13 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. http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=12 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=12 The Clarks return to Costa Rica and Panama to re-visit old haunts and discover some new ones in Ecuador and Mexico. http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=11 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=11 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. http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=10 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=10 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. http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=9 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=9 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. http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=8 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=8 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". http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=7 http://www.clarksmaritime.com/news/?action=view&nid=7 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.