Mexico Day 3: First Day of 2025 with No Federales and Major Mishaps!

 Mexico Day 3 started with a very hot, very repetitive run around the hotel--on cobblestone, briefly on sand, up the exit hill three times, around piles of trash, and around new construction.  The best part was having Elise and Walker join, followed by a tip in the 90 degree pool water.  I know that is too hot for most people but a pool without a hot tub is perfect at 90 degrees.  Kristen was stung by a bee--again!  This time on the booty and while FaceTiming Rach.

We took so many of these elevator shots.

For lunch, we went fancy at Pescadero.  Many other shops were closed up for New Year's Day.  We rushed through lunch after ordering on a poster-sized menu and getting schmoozed by our server.  The kids lived large with virgin pina coladas and never have I been so happy to receive a reject drink after Zac decided it was "too crunchy."

Oh, deliciousness.

Full size surfboard decor.  My favorite kind.  It's even better than tiny tacos mounted to the wall of a taco shop.

We ordered so much food that I had exactly 1/2 of 1 of the 4 tostadas I ordered.  So good!

Why the rush?  Emily Waltman connected me with a local surf guide she's been out with a few times, and we arranged a tour.  Zac was unsure about this decision but was won over the day of the experience and happy to go meet Apache, our guide.  He rented out nice boards to us, we loaded them at the dock, and we went to the La Lancha to start.  The waves were rollers but there were plenty of people.  Elise, Sariah and Walker also rented boards to play around with, and I was so proud of Walker for paddling into waves and his gutsiness knowing we were over shallow reef.  Elise did a nice job navigating, and I will admit to feeling terror seeing Sariah paddle for a wave and get pushed in pretty far on the outside of the shallow reef--knowing surfing was absolutely a no go for her knee surgery recovery and wondering how I would explain myself to Brett and Shireen.  Another time, she ended up inside on the reef, and Zac paddled with no hesitation to bail her out.  I was so impressed by his rapid response and willingness to help.  Also, I'm really glad he was there because I would never be able to paddle someone out of the inside.

Kate was apprehensive about the whole experience--the reef, the crowd, and the new conditions.  Even with all these worries, she caught at least 3 excellent rides.  The local surfers yelled out, "YES, CHICA!" and "WHAT A DROP!" every time.  

Having a guide was fascinating.  At first, I was not sure exactly how much he was going to "guide," how much English he really spoke, or what to expect.  After catching some fun waves on my own, he waved me back and said, "No more of those waves.  You are too good to take smaller waves.  Wait 10 minutes for the big ones."  Then he gave me tips on paddling the smaller board I was on, pointing out that I often kick my feet when paddling for a wave and that makes me rock side to side and steals momentum.  I remember doing that on my shorter board and thinking it actually helped, but I had no idea I was doing it that day and it was a helpful tip.  He also gave me directions about paddling more toward the inside before the steep drop outside.  I had plenty of overheads and surfed my heart out for 2 hours.  Zac lapped me at least 2 waves to my every one, and probably more like 3.  He snaked me a bunch and we laughed, party waved together, and had an overall spectacular time.  I really enjoyed learning about Apache's life.  He was a sponsored surfer in Mexico, which, like many other places, simply doesn't pay the bills.  He became a guide and now has two kids and a girlfriend.  The night before (New Year's Eve), he was up playing cards with them until 2am and just as he was going to bed, his phone pinged with a 7am online reservation for a guide.  He had been on the water since that time and it was now evening. 

After almost 2 hours, Apache said, "Don't waste too more energy!  I can see are getting tired paddling and you still have 2 more hours at the next break!"  I was pretty worked and we had already been gone 3 hours from the rest of our group, plus Kate, Elise, Walker and Sariah were already back on the boat.  I told him we were pau and he said he at least hoped he could take us whale watching for a few minutes before heading to the harbor.

Whales everywhere!  I am still giddy seeing whales close, and to see the enthusiasm with Elise, Sariah and Walker thrilled me.  I just wished the rest of group could see them and felt so much whale-guilt.

Mama whales, baby whales, and even whale sounds!

One of Apache's friends took this picture for us.

Meanwhile, the land group took pictures of birds, napped, and tide-pooled.  Owen was with Kristen and so impressed with her tide pooling that he exclaimed, "Kristen is awesome at this!  She's more Hawaiian at this than I am!"

Cory and Brady made more jokes about one and done with Mexico, but I came back from the surf and declared my love for Mexico.  We finished off the night with tacos across the street from the surf shop.  We were not even one tiny bit hungry but still gobbled down the delicious Al Pastor tacos and polished off with churros.

Happy first day of 2025!