Tuesday - 80 minutes... Really?

After a wonderful evening of great food and lots of laughs, our bed felt pretty good.   I think there is an old saying that goes, “Late to Bed and Late to Rise makes one Relaxed, Rested, with a day of beautiful blue skies ahead.”   I could be wrong on that quote, but it works for me.   With a cup of coffee in hand, our books, and the poolside chaise lounges calling our names our last full day began.   The beautiful view from “my” chair provided all the motivation I needed to do nothing but continue what I was doing.   I was distracted by the gardener as he went about his daily routine.  His care and precision completing each task was admirable

 

 The young gardener saw Sugar and with great pride announced that he had received a promotion, he would now be a bartender at the restaurant just down the hill.  Everyone was excited for this hard working young man who had been working full shift in yard maintenance, then heading down the hill to apprentice as a bartender.   Before he left his hot outside job for the air conditioning below, he presented the ladies with bouquets he made from the day’s clippings.

 

Today was going to be a new experience for me.  The ladies had booked treatments at the spa, so Rum and I decided to get a facial.   Now I had a facial before, (ok once and it was like 15 minutes) but today’s facial was scheduled for 80 minutes.  What the heck can someone do to my face for 80 minutes, I asked myself.   The spa, Armonia, is an award winning world-class palace of relaxation and rejuvenation, but still… 80 minutes on my face?  Really?

 

Suffice it to say there will be no pictures after we entered through these doors, and believe me that is a good thing.   The ladies went one way and Rum and I headed the other.  The experience began with a steam shower, followed by a Rain Shower rinse, and then a 10-minute dip in a 120-degree hot tub.   We were then escorted to private rooms by a facial technician (I don’t know what you call them) to begin the 80 minute experience.   The room was dark, a little cool, with New Age music echoing throughout the room.  Hints of Eucalyptus, or some unknown intoxicating aroma filled the air.  With a soft voice the young lady explained what was getting ready to happen, and I drifted away just slight above anesthetic coma.  No sense of time until… HOLY CRAP!  Some goop or glob that felt like sulfuric acid was being rubbed on my face.   The technician’s voice calmly said, “You may feel some burning… let me know if it is too much”.  Then the guy thing kicked in, “I am ok I whimpered”.   Grateful when that phase was done, I could only think that was the part where she removed the ugly.   More goops and globs, rubbing and wiping, with a head and neck massage and my 80 minutes came to an end.  I dressed, wishing it would have longer.

Rum and I paid for our spa day and headed downstairs to rehydrate.  They told us rehydration was important.

 

The ladies joined us for some rehydration, and who would mix our reviving libation, but the young gardener.  He was so excited, and his cocktail was of excellent quality. 

We decided to head down to the marina for our last dinner.  The sun had just begun to set as we casually strolled looking (snapping pictures) at all the happenings around us.  

 

 

 

 

WARNING - Be careful if you visit Cabo San Lucas and decided to drink too much… you may see a flying cow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or even worst...

 

 

 

We ate at a restaurant right in the marina.  Sugar’s brother joined us for the final dinner.  Once again, we went for the dish that the waiter had to light on fire to enjoy.  This time an appetizer was prepared in a large stone mortar. 

 

 

The bowl is placed in oven to get it extremely hot, then the waiter adds three types of cheeses while folding them together – let the fun begin!   A large dose of tequila was poured into the steaming cheese - fire in the hole! The mortar erupts in flames as the goo and the agave juice become one.  After a few tortillas covered with the cheese, it was time for dinner.   We all enjoyed our meal, the night air, and eating by the sea.  

Back at the villa, the reality that our Cabo week would be coming to an end in the morning dampened our spirits.  We enjoyed recounting the week in stories, just one more Margarita, and then prepared for our departure.   The shrimp boats shimmered out on the ocean and the sky was still bright from the moon.  We put our heads on the pillow and the sights and sounds of Los Cabos became our dreams.

 

 

Ok... maybe she did not wipe off all the ugly, but you have to admit I do look relaxed J

Thanks for following along, and we hope you have the opportunity to enjoy this magical place - Los Cabos, Mexico.

 

Monday - Downtown Shopping and SO MUCH MORE

Monday happened to be the day I usually dread on any vacation… Shopping Day!  However, there were two things on the Plan of the Day that peaked my interest - A visit to a local glass factory and a very special dinner.  We headed downtown armed with the knowledge that there would be two cruise ships in port, but all would be okay because I was fortified with the knowledge that there will be a great meal at the end of the day

Driving in Cabo is really not that bad.  The major roads are really nice in fact, while the roads in town would benefit from some TLC.   Once you are in town there are a bunch of “topes” (speed bumps), and they can sometimes be hard to spot, especially when the sun goes down.  Lucky for us (and the rent-a-car) Rum and Sugar knew where all topes were to and from the villa.   The ALTO (stop) signs appeared to me to be more of a suggestion than a rule.  As in many countries the biggest vehicle has the right way, and one must be somewhat aggressive behind the wheel.  The most treasured find in downtown Cabo San Lucas is a parking place.  Rum was the designated driver, and I happily sat in the back reading signs and looking for parking spots.   The signage and buildings along the road offer entertainment to all as we continued on our mission.

 While on the way to the glass factory, I saw my favorite sign for a business maybe ever.  The name of the business was “Husband Daycare”.  Wives could drop their husbands off and go shopping.  It was a bar, but upon closer examination, it turned out to be (using polite words) an Adult Entertainment establishment.  Our ladies decided we could stick with them and go shopping, and not being a big fan of that particular industry, I was more than happy to ride on.  But, you got to admit that someone had to be an entrepreneur with a vision when they came up with that idea.

Our first stop was the glass factory.   The factory included a store front, rooms of glass products, examples of windows and wall art, and the factory itself.  

 The workers were literally only feet from the patrons watching them do their craft. 

One can stand mesmerized by the process and craftsmanship involved while feeling the heat of the ovens.  The roof of the showroom was made from colored glass that the sun shone through diffracting the morning sun. 

The whole place provided me a sensory overload - clinks of glass could be heard, smells of burning silicon, the different textures of products one picked up, and of course the many colors of glass all made me stand in awe.

Departing the glass factory, it was a short ride downtown, followed by a long search for a parking place.  Albeit one was discovered and conveniently near a tequila tasting room.  Well you cannot leave Mexico without a bottle of Tequila.

I think the ladies were just trying to get us in a good place before the serious shopping began.   Following a wonderful tasting and with bottles procured, we marched on into the shopping district.   Choices, choices... so many choices

In actuality, it was a fairly pleasant day with lots to see and experience.   A late and very slow lunch finished our day downtown, but dinner lay ahead…  J

Our dinner destination was on the resort compound.  Named La Frida after the famous Mexican surrealistic artist, her influences in art, as well as all things in Mexican heritage including culinary art, can be experienced at this 5 Star restaurant.  We had three courses, skipping dessert for an evening coffee that tasted even better than show that was performed as part of the preparation.   The movie is a little long but what a treat at the end.

 

Here were my choices of the menu, and each course was enjoyed with a wine perfectly paired with the dish.  

The service… Amazing, The wine selection… Excellent, The Ambiance… Wonderful, and the food DAMN GOOD!  

The moon now on our side of the mountain guided us back to Villa Vaca.  Another very special day in Los Cabos.

 

Sunday - Lets Go the Beach!

We  awoke Sunday morning to a parade of cruise ships headed to Cabo San Lucas.  As with many cruise ship stops, the infrastructure of this small costal town has a hard time accommodating the herds of people the goliathon floating palaces deliver for the day.

Downtown was not an option with multiple ships in port, so our plan of the day was to head up the coast about an hour to a surfing beach.   Los Cerritos, by name, this beach offers waves, sand, beach bars, and live music.   However, we needed a power brunch to fortify us for our fun in the sun.

One of the many appendages of the resort has a Sunday brunch that is out of this world.   We headed down the hill from our hilltop villa to the beachside restaurant.  The dining room is circular with tables lining the walls with sweet treats, gourmet food stations, a bloody mary bar, and much more to tempt the hungry.  

For me, breakfast/brunch is the best meal of the day, and just by walking in I had reached a state of  nirvana seldom achieved before 11 am.  After 4 trips, or was it 5 trips, around the magic circle, we waddled around in our gluttony enjoying the grounds while taking in the beauty of the desert and the sounds and smells of the sea. 

The only downer was the resort has begun decorating for Christmas.   Way to early for me!

Back to the villa and loaded up for the beach.  While we were gone the magic happened again! 

When we walked in the house smelled like a high end spa and the rooms had been garnished with towel art and flowers.

We did not slow down to enjoy… It was beach time!

The major roads in Los Cabos are very well maintained and make traveling from place to place easy.   Once you get into town or off the main drag the condition degrades quickly.   Many roads are still un-surfaced making it extremely dusty.   It only rains about 20 days a year in the Baja, and we have not seen a drop to date.   The ride up the coast was beautiful.   I even got to take a short nap as the car whizzed up the highway.

Walking out onto the beach I was blown away by the view.   The beach was extremely wide, which was because it was low tide, but I think the pending Super Moon was adding a little pull to the water.

Guarding the beach at one end was a huge house that hung on the cliff.  The story was it was built by a hedge fund broker who took all the money and split to Mexico.   Only to be caught at a later date.   The house is now a  hotel, with one spectacular view.

The beach was a happening place with horses, children playing, beach music made us fell like we were on a California beach in 1961.  An umbrella, a chair, and a Margarita and the day flew by.  

 Albeit playing in the waves body surfing was a blast.   Decent swells hurled you to the shore with great velocity, but it was so fun.  

Catch that wave Janet!

We stopped on the way home and captured the sunset once again and behind us was the rising moon.   Back at the villa we fired off the grill and cooked fish for our dinner on the upper deck.   Another wonderful day in Cabo had finished.

Saturday–A Lazy Day and then a Flash

Yes, we saw a flash today, but no scrolling down to see if I got the picture. 

Saturday is market day and replenishment of a few basics (like honeybuns) was needed.  A small market near the villa offered some beautiful flowers, fresh vegies, herbs, granola, and yes Honeybuns!  

With our bounty safely packed, we headed back to the villa to plan out our day.   It was not long after breakfast sitting poolside that gravity of the day became too heavy to get our butts out of the chaise lounges.

Oh yes, there was that long walk to the pool to cool off and then having to climb the steps to make lunch, but all in all it was just a total day of chillin’.   Salica, if you are out there – Thank you for the recommendation to read "The Kappillan of Malta”  Great Read! 

The day consisted for the most part of playing in the pool, reading, cat naps, and then repeat, but not necessarily in the same order.

Since we hung around the villa all day we decided to head out for dinner.   However, before we left we  headed down to the cliff in hopes of catching the green flash.  With tripod set and all settings ready in the camera I waited.

Another  beautiful sunset and as I snapped the shot I saw…

A GREEN FLASH!  

Although not a great shot, but I did catch it just as the sun disappeared.   Janet and Sugar saw it also!   My goal was reached.   Sure wish it was a better picture and my finger had not so slow on the button, but I saw it clearly through my lens and it was amazing!  Note to self:  Listen to your Son - put the camera in Burst Mode and take 10 pictures -memory is cheap.

We headed into town for an amazing dinner at Esquina.   A fresh piece of Red Snapper on a bed of white beans with a wonderful Sauvignon Blanc brought a wonderful… relaxing… amazing day to an end.

Friday - Golf in Paradise

Everyone was moving a little slow this morning.  The night before had been along one.   You know there is always at least one when catching up with friends.   So the  beautiful pink skies of the morning sunrise seemed bright to some.   We made breakfast and took a dip in the pool to wash away the cobwebs.

The plan of the day was for Vic and Tom to go golfing and the ladies join us on our round to take in the beauty, and probably get a laugh or two.   The Quivira Golf Course is a Jack Nicklaus course that wraps around a mountain and parallels the Pacific ocean.  To say the least, it is a challenging 18 holes.  I have not played a round of golf since November 1999 and prepared myself for a very long day.   Upon arriving at the course we were informed that the ladies could not join us due to it was a very busy day.   So with a kiss and hug the ladies departed us for their own adventure.

My first drive off the tee, my ball sliced into the cactus underbrush on the far left side of the fairway.  A very inauspicious start to my day, and I was hoping it was not a precursor of what lay ahead.   However, I settled down and no longer tried to kill the ball, but keep it in play.   It would be another 13 holes before I lost another ball. 

All along the course there are comfort stations where the course staff are mixing cocktails, handing out beers, and grilling food for the golfers.  All included in your green fees, which are a little steep, but well worth the experience.  The time came for the hole I was dreading.   I knew it would be costly on our rich supply of golf balls.   Hundreds of feet above the ocean hanging on the cliff is a very small green.  

With my ball on the tee and a 3 wood, I hit my best drive of the day.  Where the ball landed could not be determined, and I knew it was lost to the sea.   As we approached the green I found the ball perfectly positioned for my second shot.  Hallelujah!   Now I had a short wedge shot downhill to the green, but the sea was the background.   I duffed the shot and the ball rolled forward about a foot.  Same shot otra vez -  The wedge shot flew true and when the ball hit the green it sat down and stayed.  

My day was complete no matter what else happened the rest of the round.   BTW – I did screw up the putt so I ended up with a six.  Mr Double Bogey – That is Me!

Along the way I snapped a bunch of pictures, saw two roadrunners, some amazing waves against the rocks.   The day ended with the loss of only three balls, a score of 112, and a whole lot of sun on face.

While the boys golfed, the girls hopped in the car and went to visit Amy’s brother at Carmella.  What a view!   Although the water was alittle rough and churned up, Janet got to snorkel.

The waves were crashing in, she still got to see some beautiful Angel Fish and puffer fish playing in the rocks. One of the treasures of the beach were beautiful pieces of sea glass.  As the afternoon came to an end and it was time to go pick up the golfers, we took one last look at the sea and got treated to a whale spout.

After another beautiful sunset at the golf bar with a tasty Margarita , but no green flash.

 Sugar’s brothers, Malcom and Jimmy, joined us for a beer can chicken dinner and more laughs.

Thursday–A Fish Tale & More

It is early Friday morning and the sky is pink with hardly a ripple on the Pacific ocean.   Fishing boats both large and small jockey for position in search of the ever illusive “Big One”.  Well yesterday we got to see one of those prizes.

After breakfast we took a quick tour of the property and all of its appendages.  There beautiful homes on the beach,  an adult only hotel that appears to be a wedding destination, and Monte Cristo where we are staying.   It is high on the hill looking down at the rest of the resort.   There is plenty to do with the resort offering everything from planned hikes to tequila tasting classes.   As you may have guessed I supported doing the later.   Registered for a 4:30 class  and it was off to the beach. 

We headed to Cabo San Lucas on the other side of the mountain.  It is a 10 minute drive, but finding parking can be an adventure.   This small town built around a marina is a busy place.   North of the marina is a beautiful beach with every activity known to man.   The sand is white and  the view of the famous “Arches” and Cruise Ship in the distance was awesome.  This downtown beach is a little to active for me with vendors constantly wanting to know if you wanted blankets, baskets, or bracelets as well as anything else you can imagine on the beach.   There was one vendor that truly stood out.  He was peddling fruit.   His stand was mobile in which he carried up and down the beach.   Honestly, I think he was the only one I saw folks buying from the entire time we were there.

Our stomachs told us it was time for lunch.   Heading into town we dropped our stuff by the car that was parked in a garage and cut through the mall.   The mall had a combination of stores only rivaled by Milan.   Every designer, big name jeweler, and trendy fashion was represented.   Popping out of the mall we were in the heart of the marina.   Los Cabos is know to be a fisherman’s paradise, and there were no shortage of men trying to take you out for the day and catch the big one.   We found a quiet cantina and proceed to quiet our noisy stomachs with a bucket of beers.   Lunch followed shortly after with everyone getting some kind of taco dish.   I cannot speak for the others, but mine was excellent!   Grilled Sea Bass, pico de gallo, and guacamole and a bowl of beans that were soooooooo good.

 

Janet did get to use some  EMT skills during lunch as a Canadian visitor appeared to be suffering from heat exhaustion after a hike.  (Told you Tequila Classes are a better option)  The poor lady was not getting better and we assisted her to a cab headed for the hospital.  Hopefully an IV solved her problems.

Stuffed we walked back out to the Marina.  A fisherman was cleaning the day’s catch and his sharp knife peeled off the colorful Dorado (Dolphin) outer layer.   He was carefully watched by a congregation of birds and  sea lion.  A crowd gather to watch this young man quickly clean the fish.   I walked down to snap a few shots from a closer distance when heard the gathered crowd moan.   Backing down into his slot was a large fishing boat, with a man who looked weary drinking a beer.  Popping out over the stern of the boat was a tail.   Yes that is a  tail that was probably 3 to 4 feet across.   It was a huge marlin.   The dock workers and crew scurried to unload the fish and bring it to the scales to be weighed and measured.   12 Feet 1 inch and weighing 394 pounds this fish was a big boy.   After formal picture taking many of the crowd posed with this monster from the sea, as did I.  (see picture of the day on the left side of the blog). 

We headed back over the mountain for a quick dip in the pool and off to tequila class.  The class was held down at the adult only facility and was informative, but more samples could have been offered IMHO.    As the tasting was over so was the sun getting ready to call it a day.   We walked down the beach to see if I could capture the green flash to no avail.  Albeit it was a pretty sunset.  

Back to the villa for a wonderful posole that Sugar made as Rum and I solved the problems of the world.   Bad news the world still has problems.