It's not our day to die

January 22: 89 degrees

Today is our last day in Samara.  What initially was intended to be a 3-day part of our trip turned into 12 days.

I accompany Sara to a local lumberyard to help her find some wood scraps for future projects.  The scraps are plentiful but we must really climb and pick through to find those pieces that will both serve their purpose and provide a lot of character.  If you have ever seen or stayed at LazDivaz, you would know why this is important.  The grounds are full of little natural creations.

We pick out the perfect pieces with only minor scrapes and splinters!  We then work together to hoist them up to the roof of the car and tie it to the top.  Mission scrap-wood is complete!

Local lumber yard.  The perfect piece is among us. 

We get back to LazDivaz and drop off the wood. It's our lays day, and we had promised ourselves a walk to the end of the beach.  The trick is that we must go during low tide in order to make it all the way to the point.  Low tide is at noon.  Yup, at about the hottest point in the day.  Let's go!

With excitement, we make our way down the beach with a bottle of water and our camera.  The end point looks so close and attainable.  Surely we will get there in no time.  We walk and walk and walk until Mandy finally decides she is going to get into the water.  "Keep walking, I will meet you at the point." Says Mandy from the water.  About 10 minutes pass when Mandy realizes that it is farther than she expected.  She gets out of the water and joins me.  We finally make it out to the point and start taking pictures.  The water is beautiful, our trek is rocky and we begin to notice how many buzzards are circling us above.  We are now out of water and we can feel the sun taking its toll on the back of our necks.  "I think we should go back."  Plus, the rocks are taking a toll on our bum ankles.  Mandy stepped funny and couldn't wear flip flops for a few days after this walk.

Walking to the edge of the world

We begin to make our way back and both of us realize we need more water.  It is damn hot and we have quite a hike in front of us. We see some type of establishment just ahead and figure we can get a bottle of water from one of the beach front restaurants.  We begin to exit the beach and make our way toward a parking lot full of cars.  At this point,  I can feel many sweat beads rolling down my back.  We didn't make it very far before we were stopped by a security guy who was wondering where we were going.  We look around and it appears we are at some sort of retreat with many villas.  Surely they have a restaurant or a reception desk with a sundry or something.  The security guard does not allow us to pass and he explains that the restaurant is only for their villa guests.  This man obviously doesn't realize that we are going to die from heat exhaustion.  If he doesn't let us get some water, the buzzards will pick away at our remains and no one will ever find us.

We make our way back down the beach and just try to concentrate on making it back.  We don't see many other people along the way.  Of course not, what type of idiots go for a two-hour hike on the beach during the hottest time of day?

"Just keep your feet moving and we will get there." We make it a little more than halfway back when we start laughing hysterically.  In front of us, we see some water on the sand but we are not sure if it is a mirage or not.  Then, we see three horses emerge from the brush on the side of the beach and they also look hot, skinny and thirsty.  The buzzards are circling again.  "Just keep moving your feet. We can't die today!"

I don't think we are going to make it. 

Mandy decides she cannot make it without getting back in the water again.  I decide not to stop.  I can see our place and I am determined to get there.  She has the audacity to ask me to carry her shoes and clothes back for her.  I am now convinced she is trying to kill me.  I do it anyways in hopes that if I do die, at least she won't have any clothes or shoes to carry her back to safety either.

Finally, I make it to some shade and shuffle my way to a sink.  I MADE IT!!!  I drank water for what felt like an hour.  I am thirsty and now drenched in my own sweat.  " I just hope we got some good pictures."

One of our favorite pics from the day