We left Acapulco harbor about 5 PM yesterday and sailed sort of East Southeast some 248.7 nautical miles and arrived in this beautiful, pristine, protected small harbor at 7 AM. As we approached the entrance to the bay we were greeted by three Mexican Naval vessels which kept a watchful eye on us as we turned around and backed into a small dock.
This area is in the State of Oaxaca but seems to be surrounded by mountains, which makes it quite isolated. It is at 96 degrees 07.71 minutes West - which is at about the same longitude as Minneapolis and Des Moines. The temperature on arrival was 76 degrees which is quite refreshing. This area has some 9 separate bays of which we can see about 3 or 4.
Just ten years ago the bay of Santa Cruz Huatulco contained only a tiny fishing village, veiled in obscurity. Today, as you can see from the pictures I will post, the area is still quite undeveloped. However, by 2020 they plan to have 20,000 hotel rooms along the 9 small bays that hug the coast, along with 36 beaches. By that time they think upwards of 300,000 are expected to live here.
We received a written notice this morning that the flu is becoming a problem among both passengers and crew members. When detected they isolate to cabins those infected. They say it lasts about 2 or 3 days and should cause no serious permanent damage. They have Purel dispensers all around the ship and have personnel posted at the entrance to the dining venues that make sure everyone cleans their hands before entering the dining areas. Besides this, they are also having crew members clean stair rails, elevator buttons and doors and other surfaces which can be touched. So far, the Lord has protected us for which, of course, we are thankful..
Since writing the above, we went ashore for about an hour this morning, but it was too hot for Ruth. On our return to the ship we went to the Lido Deck to listen to a Mariachi Band at Noon. While waiting for the band to show up, crew members came around and picked up all salt and pepper shakers; they had set up a Mexican Taco Bar on the deck next to the swimming pool, but while we were there they came and took down all the dishes, the canopy, table clothes, beach towels and announced for the time being all self serve buffets are closed. You can go thru the line, but they have saran wrap along the line and they serve you what you want. When we returned to our cabin, the Room Steward told us that two lower decks have an outbreak of the flu.
On departure at 4:30 PM we set a course South Easterly towards our next port of call, Puerto Chiapas, about 225 nautical miles from here.
Sunset today is at 7:11 PM and sunrise tomorrow is at 7:16 AM.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
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