February 9th - Jamurca - aguas termales (thermal springs)

We heard about hot springs east of Los Veras from our friend in Sayulita.  Jamurca was a place where Shamans known as "marakames" of the Huichol indians used to gather and purify their bodies and spirits in hot thermal waters.  I clarified directions with Antonio at the office, and off we went.  As is usual when navigating in Mexico, some en route adjustments were necessary, but we have gradually found that meandering around increases the discoveries of the tour.  We missed the turn the first time past, and pulled in to a Pemex for directions (neatly avoiding a military checkpoint in doing so).  Thanks to the lessons of our Spanish maestro Yvonne, we were able to both ask and understand directions from the patient PEMEX attendant.  (I had thought hot springs were synonymous with balñearios (spa), but nothing worked until I tried aquas caliente (actually aguas termales).  We found our way back to the the initial turn off of the highway, and from there it was easy.

Our first turn (once off the highway) onto a cobblestone road

Many of these side roads are narrow and made of cobblestone.  It must be a lot of work to build a road like this.  This one followed a stream (for about 4 km) as do many of the others we have ventured down.  It is lovely driving these roads through agricultural areas interspersed with jungle.

More cows where we crossed the stream in the road

Shelf fungi

Jamurca or maybe Jamurrca, open 8 to 5 

Our little road warrior

You just never know what you will find at the end of the road.  This was quite developed.

Only about 5 people in the whole place

This pool was not for swimming except for a small cemented area at the end

There were a bunch of frogs singing but I couldn't see them.

There's a frog in there somewhere amongst the flowers

Not sure if we are supposed to use the pool in the centre (above) it seemed a little too green, except for a pool at the end where the ladies are below.

It was quite accessible considering some of the places we have been so we plan on returning with a lunch and others to spend some time here.  We drove back through Las Varas.

Downtown Las Varas

I went for a walk in the ocean surf back at the trailer park and then Cam and I went for a swim in the pool.  All in all a very water oriented day, after all it is back up to 30 degrees here.