Sharkfest Troncones Mexico

.facebook_1515889621702.jpg — Dave, me and the Senior at Mi Casa

The Senior and I along with friends Dave and Vickie went to Troncones on Friday to stay and play at Mi Casa Es Su Casa before doing the 1.1 mile Sharkfest swim on Saturday. Enjoyed the food and the pool there but have discovered cabs are very expensive in Troncones and in future years will stay closer to Hacienda Eden where us Sharkfesters assemble Saturday morning.

There were 22 entrants this year, with the youngest swimmer being 24 years old and the oldest 79, I was the next oldest. The surf was quite flat which pleases me easier to get in and out of. And I have learned a bit about riding the waves or diving through them and they are not quite as intimidating as before. But nonetheless getting in the water at Majhua was a bit of a challenge as we were walking on rocks for quite a way before the water was deep enough to swim and one swimmer never made it off the beach due to a stingray. Once I get to water deep enough to float then I can get my fins on, I prefer to do this after I have passed the breakers, but didn’t wait today as I wanted off those miserable rocks. Now my fit-bit says I swam just mile and did it in 47 minutes. That’s about a standard time for me swimming in a pool. I was sure I swam more than a mile as the paddle boarders who keep us on course were forever turning me in the right direction. I can’t swim a straight line in a pool and sure try to head out to sea in the open ocean.

This is not a competition, there are no time keepers, most of us are happy to finish

swimming strong, and of course I never want to be the last one in. I had asked the senior to be ready to help me get standing after the swim. I always find it difficult to stand up at the shore edge with the sand and waves pulling you back and with my

new knee my balance is still a bit unsteady at times. Once at the shore edge I had a heck of a time getting my fins off as the breakers, small as they maybe, kept pushing me around and by the time I got the right one off I had done some damage to my 3rd toe. Probably just a sprain, but it hurts and is purple and has me limping a bit. Swimming is easy, getting in

and out of the ocean is not easy for me.

The Senior only had his “pre smartphone” cell phone to take pictures with and then the only way I could transfer them to the computer was to use my phone to take a picture of the picture on his cell phone. So picture not so good. All and all it was a good day, I will keep lap swimming and participating. Signing off KO

We took the bus out to Troncones drop off point, and then began to walk to the taxi stand which isn’t far. A nice young couple in a mini van with 3 kids stopped and offered to take us part way in, we were in the process of accepting their hospitality when the “combi” pull up behind them. We thanked them for the offer, but would have greatly over crowded their rig and we took the combi to the Inn At Manzanillo Bay.

Bungalow #8 poolside with the ocean a few steps away ocean

Our room was a charming bungalow with an ocean front view and a hammock from which to enjoy it and the sunset on our patio. It also came equipped with a 10-12 inch iguana, who had established territory in the wall pocket where the door slides. I asked if we got charged extra for the

iguana and was told it came free of charge. The windows are all wood louvers including the sliding pocket doors where you are cooled by an overhead fan and a nice sea breeze. So cool that the Senor got up in the middle of the night and turned off the overhead fan. Before dinner we went for a swim in the pool, then changed for dinner. The Senor enjoyed a sirloin burger, while I had quesadillas of cheese shrimp and mushrooms. We retired to our patio and had drinks before calling the lovely romantic (that translates to no TV) evening quits. It appeared that the iguana retired else where for which I was thankful. In the morning I convinced the kitchen staff to give me a little yogurt to mix with my protein stuff and we were ready for the short walk to Hacienda Eden to sign in for Sharkfest.

This is my second “Sharkfest “swim at Troncones . It is a 1.1 mile fun swim, not a race but still a competitive event. It is not for novices, but for folks who swim a mile in a pool in 50 minutes or less. I just barely make it as I average a 46 minute mile. At 70 and 11/12ths, I’m the oldest swimmer, the youngest was 21. My goal is simple, to complete and not come in last. I was successful coming in about in the middle, unofficially number 10 of 17 swimmers.

We start in Majahua and swim out around the point ending at Hacienda Eden. Many paddle boarders help mark the course and keep people like me from swimming out to sea.

One paddle boarder’s dog rides with him. As this was my second swim it was easier in respect I knew what to expect, but I think there were more swells this year keeping it interesting. It’s a fun event!

As we walked back to the Inn at Manzanillo we noticed the sign posted on one of the residences requesting the fruit vendor to stop. It’s like

businesses at home putting out the UPS sign when they need a pick up. Near the entrance to the Inn was this huge boulder encased by the tree’s roots. The tree was tall and the roots thick and most likely quite old. So how did this happen? Did the tree grow on top of the boulder and an earthquake push the boulder up, or did the tree grow in dirt and the boulder got push up into the roots, or did rain and erosion finally wear the dirt away or was it unearthed in bulldozer construction.

Some things you just have to ponder . I’m the pale one in pink with fins in the group picture.

Tag: Sharkfest Troncones Mexico

SHARKFEST 2018

SHARKFEST at TRONCONES ONE MORE TIME