6th Oct - Mancora Day 3

We had been advised about a breakfast place run by Yanks just down the beach and this morning was the time to try it. Down we went and in fairness it was delicious. Rob wanted to go surfing then. The other lads had rarely surfed before so wanted to do a beginner's lesson.  I'm pretty terrified of deep water but I agreed to do a lesson too. Only once in my life have I ever been further than 20ft from shore and not in a boat. That was snorkelling in Australia when I had people wedged on either side of me and I all I had to do was remember to kick my legs. And that was on a beautiful calm day - this was to be on a narrow strip of board, and I was expected to stand up and balance on this thing as terrifying waves crashed on top of me. What was I thinking?

Well I hated it. Every minute of it. After brief instruction we paddled out to deep water what seemed like light years from the shore. We each had instructors hanging off the back of our boards and my lad Carlos was dead on. His girlfriend's Irish! Eventually after paddling around for a while it was time to ride a wave. I was face down on the board all the way in, fear stopped me from standing up at any point. Matt and Rich saw me coming in and said it was a hilarious scene as Carlos was behind me screaming "Get up John, get up, UP UP UP UP UP!", me shouting back "NO NO NO NO NO!" and I was gripped to the board with a wild-eyed look and complete and utter fear written all over my face. Sadly there are no photos but it does sound v funny now. Not so much at the time! Having said that, flying along face down at high speed was actually great and I could definitely see how someone could potentially love surfing. But that someone will never be me!

Reached the shore, only one thing for it, straight out again. More of the same, Carlos screaming UP UP UP, me screaming NO NO NO, the wild look, the fingers grasping the board for dear life! But the only thing was that while you're surfing there's always a wire attaching the board to the surfer and my wire got caught around Carlos's neck. He was very good about it but was obviously v rattled. Apparently there would have been no problem if I stood up but if I stayed face down it's v dangerous for him. Shite! Felt v bad about that. We sat chatting on the beach for a few mins and then we agreed to give it one more go. This time I was scared shitless again but not wanting to damage Carlos again I stood up. Rode the wave for 3 or 4 seconds and it was a great feeling in fairness. No desire to ever do it again but it wasn't all bad.

Rest of the day was spent playing table tennis, chillaxing by the pool, chillaxing in hammocks etc. Finished my Agatha Christie book - SPOILER ALERT: it was the gardener wot done it.

Found out about buses to Ecuador later on (the lads love it here lazing around doing nothing and will prob stay for another few nights but after 3 days, I think I've enough of it and want to leave tomorrow) and then decided to make up for yesterday by going to see the sunset in time. Rob and Rich weren't interested so Matty and myself headed off for our bromantic date on the beach. Superb sunset, should've brought beer but forgot to. Crap.

Obligatory photo for Rich with lads horseback riding

A lovely sunset. Ah but they're all lovely sunsets!

Back to hostel and had a bite to eat there - found out that fishing was cancelled again tomorrow. Pity. We were forced to join in a game of "I have never" where you name something you've never done and if someone has actually done it, they have to have a quick drink.

At our table were a load of randoms and the game started with a girl saying: "I have never been very inconsiderate and stayed drinking on someone's balcony until 4 in the morning keeping everyone awake" - this was the Dutch girl from the night before. Complete mood killer. Her friend went next and said pretty much the same thing. What a silly pair of girls. They left soon afterwards and in fairness everyone else was sound out. Few Irish girls, the Aussies, gas Argie girl, and a v sound Dutch guy highly embarrassed by the 2 apes. Played a couple of card games, ended up a great night.


Rich and the sound Irish girls



Me and Rich contemplating our next moves