International Relations Boat Trip 2018

Last Saturday I tagged along with Isaac and some of his International Relations students for a boat cruise to Playa Organo.  We set off before the sunrise.  Everyone was in high spirits.

Will brought along his cerviche ingredients just in case we caught a fish.  You never know.

How about that?  The first fish of the day and it's still early.

The boat, Hermano Zorro, was a huge double decker catamaran with enough space for five times more people than we had.  We felt special.

We saw a whale!



There he is again.

And again.

The fish kept coming.

Some of the daredevils on board, jumped off this platform on the second level.

It was too high for me.

Even the lower level offered a substantial jump.

Playa Organo.

 We're back where it all began.
 

It was a serious fun day we won't forget.  Thanks again to Isaac for organizing the trip and making everybody happy.

Pre-dawn boat cruise with Isaac and International Relations students. good times

Here's a short video and a few pics from a sweet little day adventure Isaac planned for students towards the end of last semester.  We embarked from Marina Chahue at a crazy hour.  It's not really morning to me if the sun isn't already up  but it was worth it to watch the sun rising from the flat calm ocean.  Definitely not something we see every day.

Isaac caught the only fish of the day.  It was a beauty and Will (left), served it up cerviche style

as soon as we landed at Playa Organo.   Several people dined off that one fish.

It was a day to remember.  Thanks again, Isaac.

Playa Organo Revisited. Fantastic new developments

 

 

It has been a few years since I last visited Playa Organo.  It's a lovely beach but they all are and others don't require a hike through the woods or hiring a boat.  That is going to change soon.

 

Cruising around on the new scooter, I learned that the whole area, including the scenic route from Playa Entrega all the way to the trailhead at Playa Cacaluta has had an incredible upgrade.

 

 

 

 

 

  There is a concrete bicycle trail at a safe distance from the auto route, sometimes with guard rails to keep 2 wheelers protected on tight turns.  Bus stops are in place.  Soon these more distant beaches will be only an affordable bus ride away.   

 

This will mean fewer days like this most recent visit where there was virtually no one there.  Some people may not care for that but the truth is the beaches are for everyone and populated beaches are automatically safer than deserted ones. 

 

Six years ago, I took pictures and gave complicated directions to help others find the place .

Just compare now and then.  Today the trailhead is well-marked with signs and safety reminders.

Even the trail itself is better kept, wider and tidier.  This time there were no fallen trees to climb over, under or around.

 

 

For a while at least, there is still time to fantasize about enjoying your own private beach but don't waste time.  Get out and play immediately.

 

 

 

 

Beach Barbecue

Semana Santa has begun. One week of sleeping in and following where ever whims lead. Most of my friends and co-workers have hit the road to distant points of the country and won't be seen again until it's time to punch the clock on Monday.

We had a great barbecue on Saturday morning at Playa Organo with Mike serving up tender steak sandwiches, Matthew caramelizing chicken wings to perfection and Asa providing a huge fish for the vegetarians amongst us. There is always too much food at these events. Somehow it all gets eaten. Most of us have learned to pace ourselves and save room for the best stuff so my lazy contribution of chips remained untouched.

I could barely move, all flopped out in the shade from where these pics were taken. Eventually I forced myself up and staggered in to the water for a long lazy swim\float. The water isn't chilly at all these days and in another month it will be soup again. By the time I drifted back, everyone else was up tossing frisbees.

Playa Organo has become "The Beach" for several reasons. It is onefot he few palapa free zones remaining that doesn't always attract huge crowds and the currents are benign.

We didn't have the place entirely to ourselves but it wasn't too bad for Semana Santa. I decided to linger with my book when the rest packed up. That lasted for about 15 minutes when a man from a huge clan further down the beach came up to regale me in Spanish about his religion. So much for personal space. I was surprised how much I understood. But I wasn't interested. His daughter stole my water bottle when I went behind the trees to change. Time to go. The best part of the day had ended with the party. Except for two independents, probably blood relatives, the faithful all had their heads bowed in prayer when I left.