Fearless in Lastres

Location:
Spain

ocean, boating, port town

By Melissa

I can’t swim and I’m afraid of heights. Those two things, blended together with the beautiful scenery and crisp ocean air, made my short trip to Lastres, Spain, in July 2005 unforgettable. I was vacationing in Gijón, Spain, on a friend’s sailboat when he told me we were pulling up anchor and heading to Lastres. I didn’t know where or what Lastres was but I envisioned a place similar to Gijón: a large port city with docks, shops, public showers, and bars. It took about five hours to sail to Lastres. The moment we pulled into the port, I saw, with a mixture of fear and awe, that Lastres wasn’t like Gijón. It was a tiny fishing port surrounded by rock walls and no dock. The town itself was only accessible by climbing up scary looking ladders that began and ended in the deep ocean water. “I’m not climbing up that ladder!” I screamed in terror. “I’ll fall into the ocean and I can’t swim!” “I’ll catch you!” My friend Borja laughed. When I continued to protest, he looked angry and said, “Then I guess you won’t eat tonight because restaurants don’t deliver to boats.” I was stuck. “Well…I do need a shower.” I looked up at the people standing along the edges of the rock walls with fishing poles. “Oh.” Borja frowned. “I forgot to tell you. There are no public showers here. We’ll bathe in the ocean.” And that’s how my trip to Lastres began. We docked next to a boat since there was no more room along the walls. With a lot of help, I made my way to the ladder. As I looked up, my fear of heights paralyzed me. It took my friends ten minutes to coax me up the ladder. I was shaking like a leaf. Borja climbed up behind me, encouraging me not to stop. When I reached the top, I was elated because I had conquered my fear of heights! (Well, more or less!) We walked along the tiny town, stopping for pictures. The houses were built on top of each other, white or pale yellow. They seemed to be sticking out from every which way. When I looked down at the ocean, I was mesmerized by the fact that the ocean didn’t seem to begin or end anywhere. I was grateful to be there because the memory of the coastline is one I will take with me forever. As I gazed down at the stunning blue ocean waves, I silently made a vow that Lastres would remain with me forever. The next day, we bathed in the ocean. My fear of drowning took hold and I refused to jump in the water. As I stood on the edge of the boat, I looked over at Lastres. It was different in the day, but hadn’t lost any of its charm. I gazed at the rock walls, the little houses, and the people roaming around, and I remembered my vow from the night before. I held my breath and jumped into the ocean. As I sank, I kept my eyes open, taking in more of Lastres. I was smiling when Borja pulled me up.

Further Information

Other helpful information: I think if they can, they should sail here from another place. It's so overwhelming to pull up to Lastres and to look up at it from the ocean! If they can stay overnight on the boat, that would be great as well.

Must see/do at this place: You must go to this bar that overlooks the coastline. I cannot remember the name but the owner pastes pictures of his patrons all over his walls. It has an amazing view and is a nice and cozy bar!

You should avoid here: Nothing. Do everything!