trip reports

May 2005

Hi Everyone,
I have been asked to relate my experiences about my stay in Yelapa, so I'll try my best to create a picture in your mind. I went for the nurse's spanish class with 4 other coworkers. [nursesspanishmexico.com, if you're interested.] We boarded a panga [small boat-water taxi] in P.Vallarta and took an exciting 40 min. ride to Yelapa. [That's the only way to get there, no roads, no cars.] There is no pier, so you get your shoes wet as you leave the boat. We stayed at the Hotel Lagunita in 2 rooms that were connected by a common door. The rooms were nicer than portrayed on the internet however our room had no bathroom door. We made due by hanging a sarong over the opening. The beds are covered with netting for sleeping but we didn't have trouble with flying critters in April. There are no clocks, phones, T.V.'s, radios, newspapers, etc. in the room, which would ruin the whole ambiance of the place. The bay was 10 ft. from our window, great for sleeping. Getting out into Yelapa is like taking a journey back in time. This reporter grew up in S.F. and had never seen anything like this before. The pace of life is slow and no one seems anxious. Everybody greets you on your travels through town and makes you feel welcome. They tried their best to assist us in our broken Spanish and those who knew English would practice with us. As days go on, you feel a connection with the land and people. There were many activities available. We went horseback riding up river to visit a lady who used to be the midwife for Yelapa and was treated to a Vegan meal. A friend and I snuck off and went swimming in the last bit of river we could find. [It was the end of the dry season and the river was down to a pond.] If you are so inclined, there is parasailing off the tops of the hills daily. One day, we took a panga to Pizota down the coast and hiked to a beautiful waterfall [cascada] through the jungle. It was hot and muggy climbing over the boulders but the payoff was swimming in the lagoon under the falls. Our guide assured us that there were no creatures waiting to eat us in the water! We attempted snorkeling on the beach but it was a bit rough that day so we found a vernal pool and hung out there. A great day for $15. U.S. We visited the clinic and met the doc, wow, definitely a step back in time from U.S. medicine. They don't have what we do, so, if you can bring anything that might be useful in a clinic setting, they would be very greatful. [Gauze, tape, gloves, etc.] No trip would be complete without a stop at the Yacht Club for dinner [and disco dancing every Wed. and Sat.] The action really gets going late by our standards, dinner 8p.m on and dancing 10:30p.m.-2:00a.m. Big booming speakers belt out good old American toons that you just can't stop moving to. They drug me 'outa there twice. A treat, while walking back to the hotel from town, was finding a group of people celebrating the full moon on the sandbar. Since no one is a stranger, we sat down with them and enjoyed the music and bonfire. Funny, I would have been scared to death to do that anywhere else! Dogs are everywhere, literally, but are the best behaved animals I've ever seen. They will lie at your feet in the restaurants, beach, bar, etc. but never beg. If you decide to feed them a morsel, they gently take it and then go away. Our fleabags could take a lesson from them! After a couple of days, you begin to feel your "need for speed" deteriorate and let the easy way of life take over. Kind of like a massage without the rubbing. I stopped by a panaderia [bakery] while walking through town and wanted a nibble. [I was not hungry in Yelapa and ate the minimum.] This bakery was someone's home and she invited me in to choose from banana bread or cookies! The bread was delicious! So much for not eating at prescribed places. Isabel, a dear lady, lives past the town and the beach there is named after her. She has a collection of Huichol Indian art that is for sale. I left with 3 pieces. Bring extra cash 'cause you're going to want something. If you kick yourself for not having bought more at Isabel's, there's a store in Vallarta that sells it too. The highlight of my trip was meeting the moderator and assistant of this board, Brad [and wife Veronica and kids] and Yelapa Dave. Brad showed me their lovely casa [home] and I will never forget their "open air" bathroom! One must leave modesty behind in the states! They have darling casitas to rent and I shall be doing that on my next visit. Thanks again, Dave for the Yelapa baseball cap. The palapas [open air thatched roof houses] are a sight to behold. Most often, 4 sturdy beams with an A frame thatched roof and partial or no walls! Truely living in nature. In all my travels, somewhat limited as they are, I have wanted to return for fun, but with Yelapa, I am being "called" back. [Wendy, I too have been bitten by the Yelapa bug.] There is something indescribable about the place, a way to loose all the "junk" in life and feel "free" in a natural setting. How can one stress out with a hen and baby chicks crossing the street? It was hard coming home and having to be sucked back into society. If you want to shake off all the cares of life and don't mind being in a natural setting, [the possibility of scorpions, geckos, land crabs, etc.] then this is the place for you. It was for me.

Sue, California