Chacala

Sherry
May 5, 2022
2 min read

I know it’s been a while since my last update, and that I’m quite behind. Some may call it laziness, but the struggle is real!

Just as most of our itchy little bites from Mantenchen had started to heal and the ritual Deet application had become habitual, we decided to haul up the anchor and move a little further south to Chacala. It was smooth sailing for the 23-mile, 5-hour sail. We were under full sail (all three of our sails were up), for most of the trip.

Along the way we were enchanted by dolphins, as is always the case when we see them. Many times they zoom past at a distance clearly on the hunt for their next meal. But this time was one of the special times when they have time to swim along the boat’s bow curiously looking to see who’s aboard.

We do love Chacala. What used to be a sleepy little beach town has grown to quite a tourist destination for Mexicans with many Americans and Canadians in the mix. It has an excellent sandy beach lined with palapa restaurants. While pretty mellow during the week, on the weekends things can get pretty busy.

A person could lose track of time between all the beautiful rise and sets of the moon and sun.

When we have anchored here before (usually earlier in the season), there have always been more boats anchored here than this time. Since all of our goings to shore happen by rowing, we always try to get as close as possible to the best spot for landing our dinghy. There was a spot we have always coveted here that we finally were able to secure—this added to our feelings of leisure here and not being in any hurry to leave. We snuggled up close right next to a fishing panga, (kind of puts the size of our boat into perspective anchored by a boat used only for fishing—in case you are tempted to think we are cruising in a yacht—we are quite cozy!)

While we discourage birds landing, resting or pooping on our boat (for obvious reasons—although the flyby excrement is an unavoidable hazard), having the panga nearby was an excellent opportunity for some pictures of one of my favorite birds (which happen to have some of the biggest and stinkiest of, shall I say…outputs).

We had some great times in Chacala with some cruiser friends we’ve made this season!

While we were in Chacala there was a festival of music and arts. We that weekend enjoying friends, sun, ocean, beach, food and drink by day and music, dancing and more (dare I say too much?) food and drink by night. It was an awesome weekend where a good time was had by all. Including our friend Barbie (much to the chagrin of Josie, owner of Barbie who was not at all happy with the drunken shenanigans of the adults!).