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Correction — Total swim time for all 9 bays was 5 hours and 24 minutes, not 10+ hrs. previously reported.  I can hardly believe it!  but it was reported to me by Wayne Overby who was in a kayak next to Luis the entire time.

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We “summarized” in part 2 by reminding people that Luis was a “man with 2 missions,” one to establish an “open water swim” record for the Bays of Huatulco, and the other to be of assistance to the “children of San Felipe.”

He said that he used as his “mantra” the expression, “Cada Brazada, Un Aliento Para La Niñez,” which loosely translated means with, “Each Movement of the Arms, A Breathe For Childhood,” so that he had the energy to make the necessary strokes to complete the course.

One can only wonder how many strokes or “breathes for children” had to take to swim approximately 14 miles in UNDER 6 hours.  No matter, however, for he was doing it for the children of San Felipe. 

More photos and videos just a click away –

One day the children we in Huatulco and saw the ocean for only the 2nd time in their short lives even though they can practically see the Pacific from the mountains where they live.  Here is a photo of them enjoying the ocean.

Luis used the time with the children to also go for a practice swim with his two dogs.  One of the dogs was 14 years old and could not keep up with Luis and the other dog as they all returned to the beach and were greeted by the children.  The children loved the two dogs almost as much as they enjoyed the ocean as you can see in the following Youtube video –

If you would like to support Luis and his “missions,” you can contact him at — losportales_hux@hotmail.com or ”drop” me an email at — silversard@yahoo.com

During the swim, Luis Alfredo Estavillo Chavez was “monitored” by his swimming coach and “shadow” by a security force to protect his safety natural “predators.” However, Luis also had other creatures “shadowing” him, the Dolphins, which Luis has always viewed as a good sign.

The swim lasted many hours (about 10 and 1/2 hrs.) but ended on San Agustin Beach.  Here is a photo of Luis at the beach of San Agustin.

More photos are just a click away –

On the beach, Luis was greeted by many, including this woman of personage.

And later, Luis stopped to thank and pose with the “army” men who protected him on route from natural predators.

However, we need to “summarize” by reminding people that Luis was a “man with 2 missions,” one to establish an “open water swim” record for the Bays of Huatulco, and the other to be of assistance to the “children of San Felipe.”  He said that he used as his “mantra” the expression, “Cada Brazada, Un Aliento Para La Niñez,” which loosely translated which means with, ”Each Movement of the Arms, A Breathe For Childhood.”

Luis is really swimming so the children of San Felipe can produce their own food and have sufficient energy to learn in school each day.  All dontations he receives as a result of his successful swim will be used to futher the food and educational programs these children.  If you would like to meet them look below –

And if you want to see how they actually caught those chickens, go to the following YouTube video –

“Each arm stroke, a breath for children” – says Luis

There are children in the state of Oaxaca who live in a remote village over a mile high in the mountains not far from the head waters of the Rio Copalita . Their community, San Felipe Lachillo, is part of the Santiago Xanica Municipality. Within the community are over 200 school children who live in “extreme poverty” with little food or other needed supplies.

Now, how Luis Alfredo Estavillo Chavez, owner of Onix Restaurant in LaCrucecita, ever learned about their struggles and found them is beyond me because the village is miles inland, slightly northwest of Huatulco, and without roads or rivers to or from its location. Like too many children, in too many countries, the children of San Felipe Lachillio have little food and little energy to attend and concentrate on learning while in school.  

Luis Estavillo, has decided to do something to help the children. He believes his own life and that of his spouse, Elva, has been very blessed, and it is time to demonstrate his gratitude using some of his own funds to help children who are in much distress. Luis would like to see some kind of an industry started in the community of San Felipe that would make enough profit to pay for the food for breakfasts of the school. Perhaps a small scale “fish farming” industry could be started or maybe something could be manufactured from bamboo that could be sold in the markets of Huatulco, Pochutla, or even Oaxaca City.

He has the support of the community already. The following is a photo of families of the community gathered at the “city hall” where they learned about the plan for the children of their community–

With the support of the community, a new shelter was constructed as a kitchen and breakfast area for the children in order to protect from the sun and rain. It is under construction in the next photo-

More photos are just a click away –

The shelter has been completed and is ready for use. The next photo shows a grandfather, his sons, and their spouses and children who participated in the project and stand to benefit from its operation –

What is missing in this picture? It is the children eating breakfast in preparation for a school day. Yes, the shelter is built, but what is missing the industry to produce or pay for the food to be provided.

In order to raise funds to start industries in the community to buy food for the school breakfast program, the Huatulco Tri Sports Club Civil Association and Luis Estavillo are sponsoring a swimming event on the 18^th or 19th of August, depending on weather conditions.

Luis will start swimming at 7:00 am from San Augustin bay and end at Conejos bay around 15:00 pm. His arrival will be celebrated at Conejos beach with food and drinks for everyone. It is a SOLO, NINE BAY SWIM, a total of 23.5 KM or 14.6 miles.

With “each stroke of his arms, he will take a breath and give breath to children.”

Please consider sponsoring him as he swims in one of the following ways:

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SPONSORSHIP PER BAY: Pledge $10, $15, $20 for every bay that Luis swims.

SPONSORSHIP PER KILOMETER: Pledge $5, $10, $15 for each km that Luis swims.

SPONSORSHIP PER HOUR: Pledge $10, $15, $20 for every hour during the swim.

If you are interested in participating in any of these sponsorship options or just making a donation towards the cause please contact one of the people below for banking info.

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Luis Estavillo: losportales_hux@hotmail.com 958 587 0070

Elva Medina Valles : elvacosmo@yahoo.com.mx 958 581 0448

Valerie Verhalen: Valerie@PalmPrincessMexico.com 958 587 2527

Stephen Sardeson: Stephen.Sardeson@Sardeson.org USA – TAX DEDUCTIBLE; e-mail for details

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LUIS ATTEMPTED THE NINE BAY SWIM DURING HURRICANE SEASON —

Luis attempted the swim during the weekend of “Mean Hurricane Dean” in the Gulf. The Pacific Ocean was difficult for Luis to manage even though he had trained for the event for over one year. The Port Captain stopped his swim after 7 hours at the 3rd of the 9 Bays he was attempting to swim. I will post photos about his on this Blog in the near future, but in the meantime you can see them by going to –

http://www.tomzap.com/ph5/read.php?6,7233,7233#msg-7233

Luis received $1,850 in pledges for the attempted swim from people in the USA from California to New York City.

Stephen — http://www.Genuine-Tourist.com — reporting

FIRST OPEN WATER SWIM OF NINE BAYS OF HUATULCO

We are happy to report that on Saturday, November 15^th, 2008, Luis Alfredo Estavillo Chavez successfully completed an “open water swim” of the 9 Bays of Huatulco and “set a new standard” in doing so.  The event was a formal judged and certified by Edgar Pedraza Jiméz.  The following is a very loosely translated  summation by the judge.

The past Saturday 15 of November. I am carried out (certified) the crossing in morning swim of the individual swim of the 9 bays by the sportsman Luis Estavillo Chavez, leaving at 7:00 AM from the Bay of Conejos and arriving after 12:24 PM at the Bay of San Agustin . . . . Giving to faith and legality of, I swim the Judge and Director of Association State of Swimming . . .  announce a new sport event in the Bays of Huatulco under the heading of “open water swimming,” and “open” the invitation to any national or international sportsman to try it and to surpass the time established by our friend Luis. It was one pleasing experience to have participated in this project that as much effort him cost to Luis, but obtained the recognition to its effort and tenacity. Greetings to all. Edgar Pedraza Jiménez

Luis attempted the swim twice before but was thwarted by severe storm conditions and strong currents on the previous attempts.  On his third and successful attempt, he wisely decided to swim the Bays in the opposite direction of his previous attempts.  Apparently, he still encountered strong currents near the lighthouse and Cacaluta Bay but got through by keeping up his strong pace.

The following photo is of Luis receiving certification of his swim from Mr. Edgar Pedraza Jiménez, Judge and Director of the event.

More photos are just a click away –

Luis formally trained for the swim by swimming many times a week for several years in  the Bays of Huatulco and by receiving guidance from a swim coach.  He also “simulated” parts of the event by swimming the distance in three separate legs on more than one occasion.  The next photo is of his swim coach monitoring his swim from a boat.

 His coach was also with him when he received the certificate on the beach at San Agustin.

We congratulate Luis on his success and thank him for “paving the wave” for the sport of “open water swimming” by setting a record of a high standard at the Bays of Huatulco. 

If you are interested in seeing Luis in brief videos during his second attempt, go to –

Stephen, — http://www.Genuine-Tourist.com — reporting from Baraboo, WI, USA

It has occurred to me that some of the readers of this Blog may not be following a forum about Huatulco that is heavily viewed (but often badly participated in) by many people.  I do contribute to it from time to time, although not always posting articles with photos.  However, I recently posted an article about a condo project in Huatulco with photos, and you might want to scan it at –

http://www.tomzap.com/ph5/read.php?6,26004

The developing group (represented in Huatulco by John Graham) has some even more GRANDE plans to build a complex near La Entrega.  You can see initial info about the project entiltled, “the Point,” at – 

http://www.huatulcovacationresorts.com/thepoint.html  

To my knowledge, “the Point” has not been started yet because of the current project “Playa Chahue Condominum” has not been completed nor fully marketed (in these difficult times).

**** OPTIONAL READING FOLLOWS****

I have written many articles for “TomZap.com” which supports a ”Visitors Comments Forum” at –

http://www.tomzap.com/ph5/list.php?6 

but have not encouraged people to follow the forum because many of the postings are so negative. 

Here are a couple of samples of postings that I enjoyed writing a while back –

http://www.tomzap.com/ph5/read.php?6,3346,3346#msg-3346

http://www.tomzap.com/ph5/read.php?6,3344,3344#msg-3344 

So . . . if you are a BIG Huatulco fan, you many want to check “TomZap.com” from time to time.

Stephen, a “Genuine-Tourist” reporting from Baraboo, USA.

In Mexico workers often have their children with them while they work.  However, it isn’t always easy because what are they to do?  We have observed worker’s children playing with rocks, sleeping on blankets, or eating small amounts of food.  One day such a “little person” showed up at our “B&B” and we thought we would give her some colored pencils to entertain herself . . . and she did for hours.

A Serious Artist

But, we have another child in this photo, and he is a “working stiff.”  Notice the CD on the table by the little girl in above picture.  It is a CD produced by a 5 year old singer in Xalapa, and you can hear him peforming on the following YouTube link with his YOUNGER sister dancing (white blouse) on the platform in front of him. 
 

Stephen, at — http://www.Genuine-Tourist.com –  reporting from Baraboo, WI, USA

While on route to deliver school supplies – http://tinyurl.com/5k6wkx  – a few days ago, we decided to take “the path less traveled” and visit a waterfall less advertized and NEVER visited by our season guide.  We traveled on a dirt/gravel road through several villages up the mountains above Huatulco for about an hour and one half before we saw the above sign very close to our goal.

We soon arrived at a rope across the road where a small girl, to whom we had previously given school school supplies, charged us each 50 pesos (excluding our guide and his son) to pass and go down a fairly steep, well graded mountain switchback road until we reached a parking area with a shelter house and restrooms.  The same girl wanted to sell us coffee as we were leaving.  I think someone should hire her to run their business! 

We left the car secured and traveled briefly down through a path in a cornfield to reach the area of a mountain stream.  See next photo of my spouse and the son’s guide, Miguel, working their way through the cornfield.

At first, when we got into the mountain ravine and began to follow it up stream, it didn’t seem like we were going to see very much.  Oh, we saw a small stream and some water coming from springs along the mountain side, but that was about it.  But then we saw a mountain pool that we could look right down to the bottom of because it was so clear.

More photos are just a click away –

 I thought you might like to see it for yourself, so I took some video and added a bit of audio in my first attempt to narrate videos.  Here is the video of this clear jungle pool.

Just when we thought we had seen all the jungle had to offer, we got a our first glimpse of El Granadillo.

But nothing would have prepared us for the full view and force of it . . . .

And so, we thought you would like to see it too.  Keep playing the video for some audio that follows the video.

And so, we urge you to leave the resorts and B&Bs and go back into the mountains on “day trips.”  We simply contract with a taxi for a whole day once we find someone who has some English skills and some experience with such trips.  We did not go to the waterfalls more visited . . . but rather went to a waterfall that we had never heard about nor had our guide ever visited . . . and WE WERE GLAD we did

Check this blog from time to time, please, as more posts are added in the days ahead by this “Genuine Tourist” in Huatulco, Mexico.  Also posting at — http://www.Genuine-Tourist.com

We traveled to Pluma Hidalgo in the mountains above “old” Santa Marie Huatulco yesterday and discovered a hotel on a coffee farm that is modest in price and offers a retreat from the world.  We met the current owner of the farm, Medardo Rodriguez Pérez, who told us the land has been in the family since 1725.

Silversard, Medardo Rodriguez Pérez, and MsSardo

The Hotel, named “El Refugio,” is place for people to spend three days to two weeks in contemplation, bird watching, hiking, and study.  It could also be used as a “conference” site for a modest group of people serious about generating results in a short period of time.  The hotel has 25 nice rooms with modern private bathrooms, a spacious conference room, a large restaurant, and a deck with a wonderful view of the mountains above Old Santa Marie Huatulco.  If you find yourself in some trouble generating the solutions you need for yourself, your family, or your company, there is even a chapel for you to use as a “first or last” resort

Chapel on the Grounds

More photos are just a click away –

Here are a few more photos of this working coffee ranch and hotel.

I mentioned that “El Refugio” is located on a working coffee farm or “Finca.”  So, I thought “mi espousa” should be put to work and become a coffee buyer.  Here is a photo of MsSardo (Patricia) buying some coffee that has been grown organically very slowly under shaded trees  above Santa Marie Huatulco.

MsSardo tasting coffee beans grown under shade organically

As noted, El Refugio is very secluded and can be a place that one has all to yourself for days or weeks at a time.  It has the additional benefit of having a natural fresh water mineral pool used for therapy by some people.  However, it appeared that it was being used by a couple on a honeymoon during our recent visit.  Here are some photos of the pool and the honeymooning guests.

The hotel rents rooms for 250 to 300 pesos per day and has a web site available at — http://hotelrefugio.xauki.com/English.html

But, I thought you might like to see the view before you book, so take a look at the following YouTube video.

The website provides nice suggestions for transportation to El Refugio.  Don’t forget to check out nearby by Pluma Hidalgo when you are in the area.  This blog has another page to acquaint you with Pluma Hidalgo.

Take care and check back from time to time for more postings from this “Genuine-Tourist” also posting at — http://www.Genuine-Tourist.com   

Huatulco is a popular tourist destination for MEXICAN tourists as is clearly evident this Easter (Semana Santa) holiday.  As “Genuine Tourists” we “booked” it out to Santa Cruz to get a look at the ocean since our visit to the area in February of 2007.  It would be an understatment to say we were “startled” by  how filled the beach was with visitors.  You can see for yourself in the following photos.

A popular activity, particularly with the young people, appeared to be riding the “Bananna Boats,” which to us seemed like something fairly new to Huatulco. 

Or better yet, perhaps you would like to go ”out to sea” along with them by clicking on the next “Youtube” video. 

Video of Bananna Boat just a click away –

 Santa Cruz beach was not the only busy beach, of course.  We went to the “newest” of two beach clubs on Chahue Beach and saw a similar crowd of “Genuine Tourists.”   Here are a two photos of the “action” at this popular location.

The “old beach club” had the “Corona Girls” performing, much like the scene in Cancun, but “mi espousa” was not very encouraging of me capturing the moment on “film,” and even less supportive about using video!  So, here is a photo of a girl trying to make it to the top of a climbing wall at the “new” beach club.

Check this blog from time to time, please, as more posts are added in the days ahead by this “Genuine Tourist” in Huatulco, Mexico. 

Stephen and Patricia, also posting at — http://groups.yahoo.com/group/huatulco/

In order to raise funds to start industries in a community to buy food for a school breakfast program, the Huatulco Tri Sports Club Civil Association and Luis Estavillo are  sponsoring a swimming event on the 18^th or 19th of August, depending on weather conditions.

Luis will start swimming at 7:00 am from San Augustin bay and end at Conejos bay around 15:00 pm. His arrival will be celebrated at Conejos beach with food and drinks for everyone.  It is a SOLO, NINE BAY SWIM, a total of 23.5 KM or 14.6 miles. 

With “each stroke of his arms, he will take a breath and give breath to children.”

We saw Luis practicing for the NINE BAY SWIM in a previous post accompanied by dolphins, a great sign  –

Luis is now ready to do ALL NINE BAYS in order to raise money to buy food for this school kitchen and breakfast shelter –