The Chamela camp-out with Mike & Marianne proved to be quite the adventure. The beach was all ours except for the local fishermen. Soon after setting up camp and having a small lunch Mike & I went out in the water for our adventure. Mike took one of his surfboards and was way out in the break as the waves break far off shore. I followed with my canoe a short time later making my way through the large surf near the south end of the beach were the waves were smaller. I got out in open water with all my fishing gear and was headed to the islands off shore when I decided to go have a chat with Mike. I got over near him and asked how the waves were. He said there’s a big one coming and I should try to catch it also. I looked around and here’s this wall of water coming and I’m sideways ! No time to move or correct my position. The canoe went up on the crest of the wave sideways and as the wave curled around me an my canoe went with it. Sailing over Mike as he dived underwater to escape the canoe. Next thing I knew was I was buried deep in the water, the canoe was up side down and Mike was asking if I was OK as i bobbed to the surface. Yes, OK, I guess but my glasses were gone as was all the fishing gear except for the tackle box which floated ! Trying to get the canoe right-side up proved to be a challenge in the big waves but after some struggling and help form Mike we got it set right and then I attempted to crawl back in which was also not easy. After figuring the only way back in was over the end not the side I gathered up the paddles and headed back to shore ! Well, so much for Chamela surfing. Waves way to big for me ! We watched the shoreline for signs of my stuff washing ashore but that never happened while we were there. Back at camp we all had a good laugh and luckily I had a spare pare of glasses to get me by until I got a new pair in Ciauatlan. If your ever in Chamela and find some gear on the beach – IT”S MINE !

Since it had turned windy and cool by Monday evening we left Chamela Tuesday to go camp by the sulphur hot springs on the river in Agua Calinete a few kms south. We got there and set up camp again right next to the river and went out exploring to find that the river certainly had hot springs and some of them were boiling. After some testing we found spots where we could soak in pools of warm sulphur water. Rita & Marianne liked this a lot. Wednesday morning we bathed more in the warm waters and then started packing again as Marianne had things to do at home. Getting out of our camp spot proved to be a challenge as we we’re in a loose gravel and sand base and the Westys were having a hard go of it. It took us a few hours of digging, shoveling, stone placing and advice from a native before we found traction to get us out of there. No more camping next to the river in Auga Calinete !

Back in La Manz now and preparations for the Easter Parade are still in progress. New vendors have now opened shop in many locations and signs of parties in the Casino have been posted everywhere. Will anyone get any sleep over the next couple weeks ? We shall see…………

Chamela

Agua Caliente

Frank, Rita & Hunter

Posted on March 15th, 2008 by FrankandRita
Filed under: Rita and Frank Condelli