Special Encounters

Approaching the Grand Bay Hotel at Bahia de Navidad

Stunning Grand Bay Hotel and Resort

Our Adorable Visitors

Posing on the Bow of Got D' Fever

Friends Doug, Lynn, and their dog Higgins aboard Miramar

Java Playing with her New Friend Higgins

Another short two-hour excursion along the coast and we were at Bahia de Navidad, home to the five-star Grand Bay Hotel and Marina Puerto de la Navidad. The day seemed to be filled with one special encounter after another. The first was seeing the impressive Grand Bay Hotel in full view as we entered the marina. The exquisite architecture of this hotel nestled in the hillside looked as if we had just arrived in France or Italy – a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the amenities of a first-class resort. The second encounter was most unexpected. We heard what sounded like children's voices close by. Leonard stepped outside and found two adorable little kids dressed in nautical attire having their picture taken. Their parents were using our boat as a backdrop for their photo. The kids were so cute, I had to grab my camera and take a picture as well. The parents seemed to know we were enjoying the company of their children and asked if they could take some more photos on the bow of our boat. We said sure, welcome aboard! The four-year old boy looked the part of a sailor handling the windless, and the one-year old girl in her sailor dress acted as mate. We gave the kids some candy as they finished their last photo and then it was adios; what a fun encounter! Our arrival at Marina de la Navidad also coincided with the start of a week-long Fishing Derby. Contestants were bringing in their prize catch to be weighed and measured – an opportunity for us to see some really big and colorful looking fish. Boats were coming and going throughout the day as people gathered to inspect the fish, take photos, and enjoy the festivities. Finally we found time to go to the office and pay for our moorage and to locate the showers, laundry, and other services. As we walked back to the boat, we met a guy named Doug from Victoria, BC. We struck up an interesting and enjoyable conversation with him and agreed to get together the following day. Before turning in for the evening we met his wife Lynn and the four of us briefly shared our mutual experience of traveling down the coast from the Pacific Northwest. As the conversation progressed, we learned that they had stopped at Alameda California; and like us, had become friends with Michael and Judy. We soon realized that this was the same Doug Michael had told us about and the same Doug who was bringing Michael some boat parts. What a small world! In the morning, we had another pleasant surprise. The French Bakery boat was making his rounds through the marina and stopped at our door to deliver some pastries, compliments of Doug and Lynn - what a nice gesture! We returned the favor with a bottle of Pellegrino and spent the day with Doug and Lynn touring the nearby village of Barra de Navidad. The following day, the four of us rode the bus into the town of Melaque on the northeast end of the bay and had lunch together at a seaside palapa. The day finished with a fun spirited game of dominos back at the marina aboard their sailboat Miramar. We brought Java along to get better acquainted with their dog Higgins. After several introductions over the previous two days, Java decided Higgins was pretty cool and they have became doggie buddies.