A Day in the Bay

Fact: On balance, the villagers in Yelapa are hard-working, warm and welcoming people.

Fact: Almost daily, luxury yachts worth huge sums venture to Yelapa, spend time and then depart.

Fact: During five months of each calendar year, Yelapa is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Therefore: I live in a beautiful place, surrounded by warm people and visited by those with immense wealth, right?

As discussed in earlier postings, nothing is manufactured in Yelapa. Long ago, villagers engaged in harvesting coconut oil from coconut palms. Then they shifted to fishing. Now, the only “industry” is tourism; despite the numerous travel books which continue to depict us as “a romantic fishing village.” Perhaps that sells better than stating “a romantic tourist village.” Tourism affords a chunk of the population roughly five months to earn a year’s pay. By May 1 most restaurants close, many lodging sites seal up, and the vast majority of transient pale faces exit stage north. Tourism, unlike the seasonal monsoons, slows to a trickle. Younger males whose backs remain undamaged seek opportunity within the flurry of construction projects. Performing heavy manual labor when it feels like 107 F is daunting to say the least. Alas, I digress.

The other afternoon, an eighty foot luxury yacht pulls into Yelapa Bay and drops anchor in front of my living room window. A quick internet search identifies ten or so such yachts on the world market with their prices ranging from $1.2 to $2.6 million dollars. After observing this boat intermittently for the next hour, two bits of information become evident. Initially, there appears to be a crew of four individuals. They are easily identifiable by their matching polo shirts and shorts. Secondly, the yacht is the private domain of one couple. They are bronze, handsome and mature chronologically. They move among the various platforms with grace and efficiency. They are attended to by the staff with complete professionalism. As the sun sets, the pair retires to the after deck to enjoy wine, snacks and ultimately dinner. Sometime around 10:30 p.m., I detect the sound of an anchor chain as it retracts into stowage. Two substantial engines return to action and push the vessel quietly onward. The yacht departed our little bay leaving no trace of its visit. They were the perfect guests. I wonder if they thought of Yelapa as the perfect host.       

Commercial Break

The seas have been fickle of late. It’s a full moon. Yelapa Kayak Rentals right equipment, right price, right on the playita (little beach) under the giant fig tree. Call Memo to check availability 322 146 5064 (Yelapa cell) yelapakayakrentals@gmail.com or ask you lodging manager for assistance. Happy Paddling.  memo