Chacala

“Queso no es Bueno”

Chacala is a little known beach side resort community on the open roadstead of the mainland shore. It was a short day sail and we got to the anchorage in the late afternoon. It is the sweetest town with cobble stone streets and beautiful beaches lined with Palapas. The houses that decorate the hills are colorful and picturesque. They remind us of a post card from somewhere in the Caribbean. We arrive with only four boats in the anchorage and find a spot next to our friends Ken and Carrie from Bula, a beautiful catamaran.  . Ken is a sound guy for the movies and Carrie is ex Harbor patrol from Catalina with a captain’s license. The next day is Valentines Day and they suggest a candle light dinner at one of the beach side palapas.  We go ashore the next morning, see the port captain and make reservations for dinner. A beautiful beach extends from end to end of the bay with a half dozen restaurants serving the,” best margaritas on the beach”.  This place is all charm.

      That evening we return for the valentine’s dinner with a fixed menu of Mahi Mahi. . As night descends around us we find our beachside table is decorated with a rose and candle. Drinks are served and the wait begins. Although the intentions are grand it quickly becomes obvious that they have overbooked or given the regular staff the night off. The first course is a tomato basil soup that is delicious except for the fact that they brought us only one soup. Oh well, we shared. After a few hours Debbie asks about our main course. The waiter is upset and says he will be right back with our food. Within minutes he arrives and we dig in only to find the food somewhat warm but delicious. The time seemed to pass rapidly, perhaps due to Debbie’s glass of wine that never seemed to empty. I believe it was a way to create amnesia so that the next day we would want to come back for the Charity event.

     We spent the next few days swimming off the boat and enjoying the beach and community. Due to low supplies we decided to move on to La Cruz. We bought some eggs and a half kilo of cheese from a local tienda for the trip south. Little did we know that local cheese carries a different type of bacteria. Arrival in La Cruz was met with very uncomfortable traveler’s illness that laid the crew out for the next few days. Finally we saw a local physician who warned us about the, “Queso no es bueno.”  A miracle at last and a good nights sleep. Stay connected for more on our adventures in La Cruz.

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