Retire Early
Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler
In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age
of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this
financially independent lifestyle, they invite you
to take advantage of their wisdom and experience. |
|
Hot Springs
Termal Cosala Hotel & Spa
San Juan Cosala, Mexico
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli
It's been cold this winter in
Chapala,
Mexico. Our bones were chilled and the skies were gray.
Time to go to the Hot
Springs! For
about 60cents U.S. each, we hopped a local bus and headed out to San Juan
Cosala where there are several spas from which to choose. We dithered
between two different places, but decided to try the "more expensive" one
because it had such a beautiful garden interior.
Termal Cosala advertisement on the
wall before entry
Doesn't look like much from the outside,
but when we entered, we were pleasantly surprised.
Entry pricing listed clearly on this
board It was
not the weekend, and we were pensionados, so we paid the 330 Pesos
each to enter (about $18 USD). The regular weekly price per person is 400
Pesos or about $22 USD, so we saved a skinny!
Massages here run $54 USD per hour. If
you want a little healing mud applied, that will be an extra $6.50 USD,
please.
Large pool and view of the lake
This sparkling pool of hot thermal water
was 36 degrees Celsius, or about 97 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was lovely, clean and relaxing.
We were the only ones there on this day,
so we had the whole spa to ourselves.
Temperature of each pool was marked
clearly
Here the signs are telling you the
temperature of the pool, and that the water outlet is hot.
Samuel, the man in charge
The service here at the spa was notable.
Samuel (pronounced Sam-WELL) is discussing with Billy how often the water is
changed, how the temperature is constant, how it is kept clean and so on.
There are other spas around the lake who
drain the waters at night, refill in the morning with HOT water and then it
cools down by early afternoon. Since they don't add chlorine to their
waters, these other places have cloudy liquid in their pools where you
cannot see your hand in front of you 3 inches down.
As mentioned before, these pools were
pristine.
Our table area where we had lunch
After changing into our suits in the
bathrooms (equipped with showers), we parked ourselves here at these tables.
A few steps away is the large pool, and
on a small mound behind these tables on the right is another shaded area
with more tables. Everyone has a lake view.
Shampoo, creme rinse, and soap
provided at entrance
It was a nice touch to receive these
shower items to use before and after the soak, but you must bring your own
towel.
You can see the steam rising off the
surface of the pool.
From this location you can also see the
painted sauna hut to the left and right behind the center piece in the pool
is another smaller pool that has much hotter water.
Billy ready to go!
When we paid our entry fee, we all
received a bright red bracelet that showed everyone that we belonged here.
You can see the bracelet on Billy's right wrist.
Behind Billy is the restaurant.
Sauna with painted Aztec design
This sauna was steaming and ready for
use.
Vibrant Aztec symbolisms are painted on
the outside.
This is the Teocalli pool
Teocalli is an Aztec word meaning temple.
Smaller by far, and
much warmer, this pool is 42 degrees Celsius or almost 108 degrees
Fahrenheit.
There was a waterfall
on the back wall of the pool which served as a way to add hot or cool water
to the pool itself to modify the temperature, which was very handy.
Several spa attendants asked us if we
would like the water hotter or cooler. After several tries, we got it just
right! It felt
like a combination of Yowza! and Aaaaahhhhh....
Akaisha lovin' life
Here I am in the main pool, enjoying the
break in the cloudy sky and the warm water.
Before I changed into my swim suit, I
asked one of the attendants if there was a key to the lockers inside the
powder room. I didn't want to have my personal bag, digital equipment and
all my clothing left exposed while I was bathing in the hot pools.
They gave me a key attached to an
expandable band which I am wearing on my wrist, along with the red wrist
band showing I made payment to enter.
Termal Cosala seemed organized and
focused on the guest.
An overview of the area
The mountains of the
Lake
Chapala area are in the background. You can also see the Aztec sauna,
and the small Teocalli hot pool right next to it to the right. The
restaurant is on the left, just out of view.
Another double pool, with very moderate
temperatures is on the other size of the Aztec sauna. These shallow baths
are for children.
Here, Ron and Akaisha are having a very
profound discussion about the delivery of health care in the US, Australia,
Canada, Thailand and Latin America. Since we have all lived overseas for
many years, our perspectives on this topic are wide open and creative.
View from the pool into the kitchen
From this side of the pool, you can look
under the arches and into the kitchen.
With all of the Aztec influence at this
spa, it's interesting to see a stone statue of a Christian monk (or nun?)
right along side tribute to Mexico's glorious past.
Pool with hotel rooms in the
background
The Aztec stela is in the center of the
hot pool, with the rooms of the hotel in the background.
Plenty of umbrella'd tables to sit and
park your belongings while you bathe or enjoy your meal from the restaurant.
To the left of the photo and out of sight
is another small pool advertised as the "Oatmeal Pool."
Lovely.
Other Spas in the area advertise pools
where they put citrus fruit, coffee, chocolate, soy milk and various
healthful additions in their water. All of these ingredients supposedly have
exfoliating properties, invigorating effects, produce skin
smoothing/cleaning results and so on. So here we have our own Oatmeal Pool.
It's a first for all of us.
Approaching the water, it is milky, which
is to be expected. Billy slides in first - emphasis on slide - and I
follow him in gingerly. Billy suggests that I sit down next to him on the
bench, and as I get closer, I feel a pile of soggy oatmeal squishing between
my toes!
Well!
This is such an unexpected sensation that
I begin to laugh hysterically, thinking to myself "if this place wasn't as
clean as it is, I'd be walking on top of this water to get out!!"
I can't stop laughing (which felt really
good - and dare I say - cleansing from the inside?) that I simply
enjoy the laughter and roll with it.
Oh my foot immediately retreated from the
mushy mass and I had NO intention of placing my foot anywhere near it
again... but it was a very fun experience to enter an Oatmeal Pool.
Probably my First and my Last.
I might try the Coffee Pool next time,
though...
Information on this Hotel and Spa below. Definitely recommended. Plan to
stay several hours and have a meal.
Termal Cosala Hotel
& Spa
La Paz 418, Raquet Club
San Juan Cosala,
Jalisco, Mexico
Tele: 387. 76. 104. 94
and 387. 76. 111. 00
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About the Authors
Retire
Early Lifestyle appeals to a different
kind of person – the person who prizes their
independence, values their time, and who doesn’t
want to mindlessly follow the crowd.
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