Vacation in Cabo
January 27, 2008
One week of sun, sea, Mexicans, Margaritas, Pina Coladas, headaches and much needed siesta time. The right way to start 2008. After a drought of 7 years, Brigitte and I eventually managed to get away on our first vacation since immigrating to the US. I honestly forgot what it felt like - and vow to do it a lot more often!
Had I been in South Africa, the venue would have been simple - Moremi. Here it becomes daunting as you first of all have no idea of what to expect, topped with a gazillion choices.
My first choice would have been some lost and lonely island somewhere in the Caribbean - but those lost and lonely places turn out to cost you anything from $1,000 per day. So - our $ircum$tance$ made the choice quite simple - Mexico. (And there you thought I choose Mexico to get to understand my son-in-law a bit better!)
Cabo is really just down the road from San Diego, flanked by the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. It is located in Baja, California - a province in Mexico.
The well known arch in the picture above is at Land’s End, where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez collide. Really spectacular at sunset.
Beaches are white and sandy, and definately the most spectacular I have ever seen. (I was told that the beeches in the Bahamas are even nicer.)
Although the food was not great -the restaurant settings were jaw-dropping romantic and spectacular. This picture was at the Da Mona Lisa restaurant where our table was right on the edge of a granite cliff.
Then there was “The Office” - a colorful and lively place with tables and chairs on the beach. It actually started out by being some guy’s office on the beach.
The very bright colors become easy to understand once you see the amazing deep blue tones of the ocean and the colorful sunsets.
On the back of every chair is a poncho - in case it gets cold - a common and cozy practice at the outdoor restaurants.
Our photographic skills could not capture the vibe - a real festive mood with very friendly mariachis spontaneously singinging at your table - or so I thought.
These guys came up to us and ask me if we would like a love songs. Of course! And there they started with some amour rendition, followed by our applause - and an uncomfortable silence.
Eventual the one guy lent forward and tactfully said: “We play for a tip, senor.” The smallest piece of money I had was a 100 Pesos note (about $10). Ouch. So much for a love song.
Of course we received a super blessing with our accommodation. Brigitte identified the hotel on the Internet and made the booking. was very insistent that we want a room with an ocean view.
When we checked in at the hotel and asked about the ocean view, the (pretty) girl at the front desk said “You can see the ocean if you stand up” - which made me very unhappy.
Eventually she understood that I was about to become quite unpleasant and then miraculously discovered one beach-front room. Beach-front as in you open the sliding door and you are right on the beach.
This was absolute bliss for the first three days. We woke up on Monday morning with a bull-dozer right next our room, clearing a piece of land.
So, I got onto the phone and firmly requested another beach-front room. Sorry, they do not have one but do have a complimentary upgrade to an executive suite, higher up on the hill, perfect ocean view (even when you lie down) with a large Jacuzzi (yes, with ocean view) on a private balcony.
So we moved. Funny thing is - while we were packing the first room, the bull-dozer left - never to return again.
The ocean in the background is the Pacific. Whales migrate in winter from up north, down to the warmer waters of Mexico. Everyday, without fail, we saw whales.
We did go out on a whale-watching boat trip and managed to get fairy close to a grey whale - but I have to admit that seeing it from our room was almost as good.
There is an island further north - I think it’s called Magdalena Island - where whale watching is apparently spectacular. Next time.
This picture shows the shabby neighborhood bordering the hotel, called Pedregal. Apparently the richest area in all of Mexico where celebrities abound. Might not be a bad idea to build a vacation home here.
Oh - I have to mention that they build houses with bricks and mortar!
I can now understand why so many of my peers work from Mexico. How bad could it be to have your office here for a month or two every month or two?
Mexico is upmarket third-world - but the infrastructure seems pretty good. The broadband Internet at the hotel was OK - and they have a Wal-Mart, Costco, Home Depot, etc.
Will we go back? Sure - and hopefully next time with someone to enjoy this with us.
Comments
5 Responses to “Vacation in Cabo”
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OH WOW! THAT DOES LOOK SO GREAT AND IS SO ENCOURAGING FOR US!
Would you say that this would be a great place for children?
Love
INX
Oh yes - GREAT for kids, but only if you don’t want them :-).
Where we were, swimming was prohibited due to large under swells. But – there are definitely beaches where kids seem to multiply like rabbits – very family friendly.
I did not show this in the pictures – but most of the hotels have large pools overlooking the beaches. The place for Pina Colada and Whale Watching while your kids are being entertained.
WOW! Looks amazing… would have been jealous if I did not just… uhm err… ok, I am jealous…
Not a bad entry either…
Awesome photos. Nice photographic composotions.
The next time maybe…but Iam starting to think a rich husband is becoming a must! So many things to do countries to see and FAMILY TO VISIT in farwaway places. It is breathtaking - another place on my “I would love to go” list.
Love to all of you.
Wanda