After a lovely visit with friends in Punta Pérula…

We are safely home; tired, but home, and already getting busy addressing the challenges of Spring 😃
The grass is growing, the garlic's up and Shannon's Spirit is patiently waiting for her once a year overhaul. Hope your gardens rise as planned and you're enjoying the Olympics. Happy spring! Always, And... wishing you all a very happy Valentine's Day  CJ

The persuasive draw…

> Of deeply moving music and song.
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> I went for a walk yesterday morning. I wasn't heading anywhere special and I hadn't gone very far down the dusty dirt road leading away from where we're staying in Perula. It was a beautiful morning, complete with crystal blue sky, a light breeze and warm sun. I wasn't far down the path, heading to nowhere in particular, when I was surrounded by beautiful music. It felt like a soft orchestra blending with the strings of a well-played guitar and it filled the air surrounding me. Then, to perfect this magical aura, came the perfect voice of a gifted tenor. That's when I realized I was walking by a church and I slowed my pace so as to hear more… longer. I neared the intersection of my road and crossed… and then I stopped. My feet would go no further in that direction but turned slowly around and carried me back towards the music. There was a set of stone stairs, up the rock and gravelled slope in front of the open church doors and an older man lounged on the top step, also enjoying the music. I moved on so as not to disturb him. I stood for a while, enthralled by this beautiful, soul searching music and song, and I looked for somewhere I might sit but I found no such throne. Shortly thereafter I saw the man had moved on and, somewhat surprisingly and despite my cranky knees, I scrambled up a loose rocky path from the street where I stood, to the steps in front of the church door…and I sat to listen with my ears and with my heart. I can tell you this. I have never, in my rather long life, been so moved by church music and I will try never to forget the feeling. The music ended not too long after that and I moved on to continue my walk, as it turned out, down to the sea where I sat again - thinking about that music and my love of salt water… and all that has brought me to this place. Finally, and as the sun was getting very hot, my feet carried me back to where I started and I carried on with my day… like you do… even after experiences that are so moving.

I hope that each of you have the chance to be so enchanted… always, CJ

PS:  We have had a wonderful visit with dear friends from home; here, in Perula. Long walks for Kathy and time for contemplation for me, along with great happy hour discussions about almost everything have filled our days and, far too quickly… it is time for us to head home. Burda picks us up at 0800 and, by the time you read this we will be well on our way to PV where we will catch our plane for the first leg (to Calgary).

Best driver ever… we made it to Perula!

Our driver, Burta, is an amazing young woman (of 55). A mother of two and grandmother of four…a taxi driver and caring for her mom…she set off from Perula to pick us up in Melaque and then return to Perula; despite the major tanker truck accident and warnings the highway was closed. True to form, she convinced the chap holding back traffic on her end of the closed portion, to send her via a rough path down around the accident and back up onto the roadway…and she arrived at our address within 20 minutes of when she had predicted she would arrive. We loaded all our stuff, including two suitcases, two backpacks, one styrofoam cooler and two grocery bags with the dregs of liquids (of the sipping sort :-) into her trunk and settled in for the drive. Burta is an excellent driver and good conversationalist and when we got to the spot where the journey fizzled to a stop at the end of a very long (like a km long) line of big trucks and a few cars…our euphoria slowed down too. The head of this very long line of stopped vehicles was, of course, the accident scene where the bridge was damaged and impassable. Dusk settled in as we sat, telling stories and learning more about each other. As time dragged on and the daylight began to wane, I worked out how we could take turns sleeping in the back seat and how, if we opened both front and back doors on the passenger side (which was handily on the brush and gravel side of the road)…well we could probably relieve ourselves with some semblance of privacy. I even had a collection of tissue and serviettes in my pockets (necessary for my old lady runny eye (another story) that we could use. This may sound like over-planning. Trust me; it's not. Anyway, just as we finished the serious planning on how to survive an overnight stay, the cars in the lineup started pulling out of the line and into the oncoming traffic lane…and ever so slowly, off we crawled past the trucks, past the fellows directing traffic and past the accident scene. Then we slid off the rough road, down and around and back up on a very rough path and….voila! Back onto the highway. We were on our way again!! It was, by this time dark and we were all pretty chuffed that we didn't need to spend the night. Not too long later we arrived at our new digs and Burta got to head home. She had even stopped at a store for us so we could pick up some ice (necessary for a well deserved night cap before hitting the sack). Suffice to say… we have arrived safe and sound at our new address in Perula. Our suite is very nice and we're looking forward to meeting up with our friends and touring this new to us town and beach. There is even pickleball here although I think we are both kind of tired and may just leave our paddles in the suitcase. We're only here for a couple of days and need to rest up for the journey home. This is me wishing you… a good day and safe adventures. Adios for now. CJ

www.cjdaley.ca
svshannon.blogspot.com

Our driver has arrived. A most amazing young woman and a very good driver. We are on our way! The adventure continues. 😁

www.cjdaley.ca
svshannon.blogspot.com

Friendship and kindness…

An interesting situation but we are fine. It's now almost 4:30 and there is still no news that the highway is open. Our friends have been wonderful. Several of them
Have offered us their spare bed(s) and some have made room in their fridge for our fridge stuff. Rosa, the manager, has offered her office space and all our luggage and dry food is now stacked in there and we wait for news…. Not the most exciting day so far. On another note, a Norther has just arrived. I ve spoken of them before. They are the strong winds that wreak havoc with cruising sailors who haven't found an island to hide behind until they pass. My thoughts are with those sailors as I have experienced what they may be going through.

Adios for now. Will write again when there is more news.
www.cjdaley.ca
svshannon.blogspot.com

Feb 7: Our last day in Melaque and on our way to Perula…

as soon as the big accident on the main highway is cleared. We've had a great time in Melaque, met friends, old and new, ate too much and played lots of pickleball. We are packed and have abandoned our room as you can see in the photos. Currently camped out in the courtyard and plating cards. Isn't life exciting 😉. CJ

Enjoying Melaque and having some fun…

Hola mis amigos… the experience continues. There is no lack of things to do here. Sorting out what to do and what to leave for another time is the challenge 😎. We have met lots of people, many who are now friends and will likely stay in touch. There's a very active pickle ball group here and they've been very good to us. We have played several times a week since arriving. Kathy's game has become very strong and she has drawn some nice compliments. Mine tends to have good days and not so good days… nothing consistent yet. But, we both enjoy the game and the camaraderie with the folks we have met. The beach and the water continue to draw us in every day. The view and the memories blend into our consciousness… we even took a day trip down to Barra de Navidad and had lunch after wandering the town and working through yet more memories. I have to admit, I really do miss sailing in the Sea of Cortez…wish I could wiggle my nose and be transported back on board the good ship Shannon and continue exploring all the beauty the sea has to offer. Maybe in my next life 🌞. I must also admit the life we are living now is pretty darn lovely…so, no complaints. It's just the memories… and thank goodness we have them.

We have also met several US couples who have actually teared up while apologizing to us for their country and all that is going on. I will stick with my mantra… I do not hate Americans, but I do feel very sorry for them and now the world… I will never likely be able to forgive those who choose to ignore what is going on and continue to support the actions, nationally and internationally their vote has created. Nuff said.

In a few days we will begin to prepare for the next leg of our journey. We head to La Pirula on the 7th and will meet up with a couple friends who winter there. We're looking forward to the visit, after which we will point our noses north and head home. Luckily La Pirula is about half way between Melaque and PV so our trip up to the airport will be much shorter and more relaxed than the trip down. This visit to Mexico has been a great experience. Old friends, new friends, healthy activities… and, did I mention? We have discovered the smoothest tequila I have ever had… and for some reason it may be the least expensive too… a very dangerous situation 😇

So my friends… I hope your days are going well. I've read of the flooding in the Comox Valley and hope it calms down soon. As for the state of our world… hang in there. We humans may not be the smartest creatures on earth but we're pretty tough and adaptable. Our hearts also go out to dear friends, too many, who have lost loved ones, many in the very recent past. You're in our hearts and our thoughts. ❤️ Always, CJ



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Pics for ‘A day in the bay’

A day in the Bay…

> I hope you are all safe and staying warm and dry during the extreme cold this winter. We've been watching the politics and the weather forecasts, both demanding some attention, with concern.

> Despite national and international concerns, we had a fun, busy day yesterday. It started early for Kathy. She headed off in time to arrive for a 0730 pickle ball game. That's the timing for the first wave of regular games and they are followed by 0915 and 1000 games. We sign up every Saturday to play each week. I would normally be playing but have managed to strain my right hamstring a bit… so no PBall for me for a few days. We love playing and have been well received by the group of regular players. We've been playing three times or more each week. There was also a wee tournament for the advanced regular players and, after games yesterday, we all headed to Joyce's place for a social. She is the head honcho and chief organizer of Melaque Pickle Ball and throws a good party as well. Kathy and I have been well received by the group and are enjoying the exercise and the friendship.

We had a little extra exercise yesterday (Friday). We had heard (and so decided to check out) reports of corn hole (bean bag toss) games down at the end of the beach at a beach bar called TiTo's. We went. There was. We played, and CJ and her assigned partner made it to the semi-finals. We had met Leevee (spelling?) the previous week and I was glad to be partnered with someone I had already met and liked. Kathy and her partner did well too. Fun was had by all. The 'fun factor' was bolstered by the fact it was 'Happy Hour' all day. We were also impressed to learn that all proceeds (entrance fees and a raffle draw) were donated to a seniors home and used to provide groceries for them. After our games and lunch we headed home along the beach (which may not have been the wisest for me as my knee is aching this morning). Hopefully the ice wrap will fix it up quickly. We (the novice players) have a PBall tournament this Monday. I've had to withdraw because of my knee and have been assigned to manage the scoreboard; definitely not as much fun as playing 😵‍💫.

I mentioned the cruising sailboats the other day. Well, over the past two days, we've watched three different boats enter our bay and anchor; riveting stuff for us land-based sailors. During our walk home, along the beach, we were able to meet and greet one couple as they arrived at the beach and hauled their inflatable dinghy out of the water. We had fun swapping stories for a bit and then we all continued on our ways. The weekend looms and will be filled with more pickle ball, more walks, more tacos 😱etc. etc. Hope your days are filled with good friends, and warm hugs. Adios for now… CJ
 

Crashing thunder, sizzling lightning and pelting rain…


Mother Nature was in a mood last night.

We had gone to one of our favourite, small restaurants. We went carefully as the thunder and lightening were still around albeit becoming quieter and our dinner had just arrived. We were one of three or four tables spread over the sidewalk and we were protected by a material tarp of some type - set up I imagined to protect diners from hot sun and wet showers. The world was at peace…or so we thought. All was quiet, like a soft hush. That’s when the rains arrived, like a high wave or, more accurately, like a wall of falling water stampeding up the road, through the shade trees, through the protective tarp and, finally, through the roof itself… well, actually the seams of the roof.

What a flurry of activity followed. Heavy comfortable chairs and diners tables were picked up off the sidewalk and carried or dragged into the narrow walkway inside the restaurant. Staff and customers worked together to save what could be rescued from the torrential downpour. We were at the one table that only needed to be moved a few inches back. After helping with the other furniture we returned to our meal, which we enjoyed very much… even with a few drops and sprinkles from above as the water found its way through the woodwork.

It was actually fun. We all pulled together. We all enjoyed our dinners and we all shared a chuckle over our situation. Miraculously, Mother Nature pulled in her claws just about the time we finished our meal which allowed us to walk home, skirting large puddles as we went and enjoying the fresh, clean smell of the air and earth.

The photos show the skies just before the storm hit and the beautiful sunset we enjoyed tonight, complete with a largish sailboat that came in and anchored while we watched from afar. They are like magnets to our eyes anytime we see a sailboat come near the bay. I only wish I could go out to greet them, but then what would they do with an aging ol' lady like me anyway? Oh well. Time to catch some bunk time. Adios from hot, sunny, windy, wet, and warm again… Melaque. CJ

Fun in the sun…

> A few more photos

Sun, sand and salt water 👍

January 13, 2026
We are slowly getting used to the 'volume' and the heat (mostly) and today began with our debut at the local pickleball courts. Registration is required and the people who showed up were very nice. After two hours in the hot and humid air, we called it quits and scuttled back to our homes and the shade. Great fun! We'll be keeping this up while we're here.

As today is Kathy's birthday she decided we should head to the beaches of Coastemate, another bay we had anchored in so many years ago. A nice taxi driver delivered us there with a promise to return in three hours; which he did.
We enjoyed watching the pelicans doing their coordinated dive bombs and some actually dove right into groups of bathers lingering near the shore; quite entertaining. There was also a fellow spin casting from shore who managed to hook, not a big fish, but a wayward pelican who must have thought his lure looked edible. it took the help of three other fellows to remove the hook. One held the pelicans beak while the others did their best to keep the flapping wings under control. The operation was successful and the pelican rejoined his group (rather sheepishly I expect). Kathy had a quick swim after which we enjoyed lunch on the beach before it was time to head back.

Our day wound down, closer to home and we enjoyed some quiet time on the patio. it's been muggy and cloudy all day and this type of hot and humid weather is expected to last for at least a week. Thank goodness we have ceiling fans in our suite. That's it for now. The next several days will be relaxing time by the pool or on the beach; interrupted by forays into town to visit stores and the Market…and then home again for quiet time with our books, on the patio, overlooking the ocean. This kind of repetition is delightful and just what we needed. We've been reading about the atmospheric rivers at home and hope they slow down soon. Wishing you all dry days and tall gumboots.
Adios for now… CJ
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Hola mi amigos…

We made it…. One shuttle to the Nanaimo airport, a plane ride to Calgary, an overnite at the Calgary airport Marriott hotel, a plane ride from Calgary to Puerto Vallarta, a taxi ride to a hotel close to the airport for the night, a 5 hour bus ride to Melaque and a fairly short walk to our new home for a month. If you say all that real fast, it doesn't sound as tiring as it actually was. Yes… our first day and most of the second were spent recovering and 'setting up house'. It's now day five since we left home and we're feeling much better and just need to reset our inner thermometers.

As you can see by the photos we are now residing on (actually 'beside' :-) the beach and we're lovin' it. This is a good location for us… there's 'end Of the road' quietness (most of the time), nearby restaurants, pharmacies, cafes, beaches and walking opportunities. We will have no probable keeping ourselves busy… between siestas, meals, reading, walks and beaches. For those of you who are wondering… it's 2 PM and the temp is 29 degrees. Luckily we have fans in our suite so that helps at night. Know we are well and enjoying our vacation. We hope all of you are warm, dry and cozy. Until I write again..Time for a cold cervesa. CJ
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A quick Follow-up to yesterday's post.

So there we were, one year later, in the same town (PV) and sitting on the same bit of sand as last year before I went for my "unfortunate" swim).  There we were, having returned to the scene of the debacle, and enjoying a margarita on the beach.  It was kind of like the old adage of getting back on the horse you just fell off.  As I had that experience too as a younger person, I knew how important returning to the beach scene wast: and so we did: return.

As I sat there, people watching, I couldn't help but notice this rather elderly gentleman standing at the edge of the surf. Yes, the waves were big again (not like last year) but big enough to get my attention.  The fellow was in his bathing suit and he was standing so close to the water I could tell he was thinking about going for a dip.  That got my attention even more.  But, as I watched, an elderly woman walked out and stood beside him. She spoke to him a couple of times and they both stood and watched the water.  He really wanted to go swimming.  I couldn't stand the suspense any longer so I got up and I ambled/limped out to them and stood quietly on the other side of the man. I asked, "Are you thinking about going swimming?"  He didn't answer but his wife did... "yes" she said. " he is and I don't think he should !"  And so, speaking quietly, I told them my story... the same one you read in the last post.  When I was finished I wished them well, turned, and walked/limped back to my chair in the sand. Shortly thereafter, both seniors turned away from the water and returned to their chairs... and I breathed a sigh of relief.  THAT's why I tell that particular story at times when it seems it might be appropriate and helpful in preventing someone else from making the same mistake I did.  

Adios Amigos... by the time you read this post we will be just about to board our flight from Nanaimo to Calgary... and then the next day (tomorrow) we fly to PV and bus to Melaquie. Aaaah, margaritas on the sand... Here we come!  TTFN  CJ

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www.cjdaley.ca 

www.svshannon.blogspot.com 

 

Sometime when it rains... it just makes things greener

As we head south to warm sun, sand and water. I am reminded of a day, many years ago, when I was faced with a (hopefully) once in a lifetime challenge.  I wrote about that experience for a couple of reasons then.  The first was because I was afraid I would forget. I didn't want to forget and I was quite ill having swallowed half the water in Banderas Bay on the afternoon of March 6, 1999. I also wanted to clear my mind and move forward into the rest of my life, because I could... in time, return to almost normal (for me 😏.  And so, I want to share my story with you; especially those of you who travel south for the winter into the world of warm water and big waves. Please let me share my story so that you may be just a wee bit safer and come home from your vacation in the same condition you left home.  Here we go: 

                            Sometimes When it Rains.......It Just Makes Things Greener.

The Wave...

 

     My eyes were open and my world was filled with pale green water and foaming sand.  My mouth was open and I could feel the seawater pouring down my throat. I was helpless and I knew I could do nothing about it. There was no up.  There was no down.  I had been spun and tumbled and broken.  My time was up and I was too tired to fight anymore.  Those were my last thoughts (or so I imagined) before I brushed up against Kate's legs, and she reached down and grabbed me.  But wait… let me explain.

     We were having a wonderful holiday; a terrific and very special break from the rigors of home. All the troubles surrounding our day-to-day lives and our stressful jobs were left behind.  We were in Puerto Vallarta, the sun was shining and we had met some wonderful friends. 

     This was the sixth day of our seven-day vacation. We spent the morning shopping for our friends at home.  Our efforts hadn't been completely successful but we shook off the frustration and headed to the beach for some fish tacos and sun.  What luck!  We found two chairs and a table overlooking the water's edge. We slathered on the lotion and settled in to enjoy the warm sun. 

     The hot afternoon hours stretched on and we were both getting very warm.  The tumultuous waves of the morning appeared to have calmed down; there were swimmers in the water, and Kate suggested we go for a dip. Getting into the water was a little more difficult than usual, because of the breakers, but by diving under a couple of the bigger waves, we were able to reach calmer water where we floated in the deep blue-green, watching the beach scene and talking.  We were also watching the local parasailing boat as it approached us towing a customer.  This boater was in the habit of dropping his yellow tow-rope right in the middle of the swimmers.  Aware of this, we watched carefully and, sure enough, just when we were ready to head in he dropped the tow-rope right across our path.  This meant we had to wait for him to retrieve it.  Little did we know that, as we waited, our fate took a twisted turn.

     The boat finally pulled the tow-rope away and our path was clear. Watching the waves carefully, we began to move towards shore.  We waited and waited as groups of larger waves marched by and we moved closer to the shore during the calmer periods between them.  It was a practice the local swimmers used and it had worked so far.  There was no reason to believe it wouldn't work again.  Sadly, we were very wrong.

     Believing we were in a suitably calm period, Kate and I began swimming to shore. A stronger swimmer, Kate moved ahead of me and managed to get her feet on the bottom first.  At this point we both realized the waves had built up again and we were about to get caught by some larger ones.  We couldn't have known how large.

     The first wave caught me and knocked me down. It was big and powerful and it pulled me out, away from the beach. I was too far out to swim back and, realizing the wave had met up with number "two" and grown even bigger, I tried to dive under it as it towered above me. This roaring wall of water picked me up, turned me over backwards, and started spinning me as it rushed to shore.  I was spun and spun and twisted and turned.  At some point my left leg must have hit the bottom but what I really remember is running out of air and becoming desperate for it. 

     My head finally broke the surface and I gulped as much air as I could.  At the same time the water was buffeting me and it was the most powerful force I'd ever felt.  Still being tossed around, I was trying to fight the water as well as stand up and make progress towards shore.  I wasn't having much luck. At that point, I caught a glimpse of my left leg. With shock I realized I could only see the end of my leg.  My foot wasn't where it was supposed to be.  Instead, it was hanging off the back of my leg.  My god! My foot was on backwards!  The water continued to force me down and now it was pulling me away again.  I stumbled.  I struggled.  I called to Kate.  I yelled to the people on the beach, "Help, help me please, my ankle's broken."  The people on shore just stood and stared.  The roar of the rushing, tumbling water drowned my words. 

     Finally Kate heard me and saw the look on my face.  "Kate," I called, "help me, my ankle's gone, it's broken!"  She reached for me, and our hands met.  We grabbed and hung on, but the water kept pulling at me.  It was up past my waist and the pull was stronger than both of us.  By now it was clear what was happening. As each wave hit the shore, it retreated and joined with the force of the next incoming wave.  They were huge and getting bigger. 

     The suction of this wave was stronger than ever.  We held on but our fingers were slipping.  I could feel the sand beneath us sliding away.  Kate was about to be pulled out with me. She was losing her footing.  Our grasp slipped even further and finally I loosened my grip and let go of her hand.   I yelled at her, "Go! Go! Get out of here! Get out of the water!"  While still looking at the shore and Kate, I was pulled away by a force stronger than either of the previous ones.  I turned and faced a wall of water; a mountain of water.  It looked like a house.  There wasn't time to do anything but take a deep breath of air, a breath that would be the last air I had for what seemed like an eternity. The wall of water picked me up, burying me deep inside its mass.  I felt like I was in a tunnel traveling 40 miles an hour. 

     I was spun head over heels and then sideways, continually moving at a speed so fast I knew if I hit anything I'd be smashed to bits.  I ran out of air.  I tried desperately to find some.  I couldn't.  I didn't know which way was up or down.  I thought about expelling some air to follow the bubbles but by then I didn't have any air left to give. As I looked out I realized I couldn't have seen a bubble anyway. It was all bubbles. Funny, what you think about in a flash.  Now, my eyes were open.  I saw the pale green water mixed with sand.  The salt didn't even sting my eyes.  I knew my mouth was open and I could feel cold salt water pouring down my throat.  I couldn't stop it.  I didn't even try.  It just was.  I remember thinking that this was it; that this must be what it was like.  I forgot about my horror of drowning.  I just relaxed.

     A miracle saved my life. Against all odds, the same wave that dragged me out of Kate's grasp drove me right back to her in a straight line. I could have been in three feet of water or thirty.  I didn't know, but I brushed up against Kate's legs and she was able to grab hold of me.  By then, two fellows from the beach had come to help and together they wrestled me from the grip of the undertow.  The wave receded without me this time and I was left, waist deep in water, holding onto my left leg, and being dragged out of the water and up onto the beach.

     I will never forget the kindness and support of the people that day.  One man held my hand and another covered me with his towel.  Several stayed with me throughout the long wait for the ambulance.  One fellow, security for a nearby hotel, even stood and blocked the sun while he told me funny stories and chatted with me.  Several people offered me tequila.  I should have taken some as the ambulance ride and hospital stay were something else…but that's another story for another day.

     I survived the entire ordeal and, thanks to an excellent surgeon, recovered almost full use of my left foot and ankle.   I learned a lot about myself.  I also learned it is often a stranger who can best put another's life into perspective.

     I met a woman on the plane going home.  She told me her name was Padyavalli and, we talked about my brush with almost certain death, she told me that "life is like a drop of water on the edge of a leaf." I took some time to ponder her words. Later in the flight, after discussing the many good things that would come from this experience, she shared with me that "...sometimes when it rains, it just makes things greener..."

     I believe her. And, with many lessons learned and several "messages" received, I am determined to do everything in my power to keep this experience in a positive place and to ensure things around me and in my life just keep "getting greener".  

     Several years have passed since that brush with death.  My respect for big water remains undiminished and my memory of the "wave" is still available for instant recall.  I share my story when I can, particularly the words of Padyavalli.  We can all use a little green in our life.

I hope you all enjoy your vacations and come home safely.  Happy New Year!  CJ

www.cjdaley.ca
svshannon.blogspot.com