26JUN09 - Three in a week?

Good morning sunshine!!!

Does this look like aspirin to you?

So, after much enjoyment at our fine dining experience the night before, it seemed only logical to fire up some Bloody Mary's, Screwdrivers and adventure out. I have to wonder if anyone is actually able to expense or write their trip off, based on a day at "The Office". Today's adventure begins with a half mile walk in the sand to a favorite watering hole for tourists, the one and only "Office". ( http://www.theofficeonthebeach.com/ ). Fun place, nice hang out, great scenery and even those big rocks out there in the ocean. Like any place in Mexico, you choose your food carefully, drink from bottles (did you know beer comes in bottles?), use caution on drinks with ICE in them - or just let it go and deal with the pain later. We chose bottled beer and french fries, the breakfast of champions. At the condo (and the top end hotels) - the water is purified and generally not a problem for ice. I would still do bottled water for drinking.

The Office has a restaurant inside, a t-shirt/gift shop, and a really fun out on the beach under the umbrella dining (drinking) area. From time to time, the "mariachi singers" stop by. For as little as $5 American you can get them to stand by your table, play and sing traditional tunes (I assume - I couldn't understand them).

There is, of course one issue with this - it costs $10 to get rid of them.

Several hotels are around the Office (the Melia) for example. I thought it funny that people from the Riu (all-inclusive, drinks etc.) were at the Office buying food and drink - did I miss something?. Anyway, from here, you are a short walk to shops at the Marina, several street shops and a shopping mall with several stores and shops - including a huge liquor store (noticing a trend here?). We, on the other hand, elected to walk back down the beach, less than a mile (seemed like 3) to our condo for some quality beach time. Next post, a trip to Lands End - not the store.

22JUN09 Let the Fun Begin

Have you ever had one of those moments when you asked yourself "How did I get back to the hotel?" (or in this case condo?) If you want one of those moments, go to Cabo Wabo, meet the manager (an old business aquaintance of Kathy's) and join him in a sampling of their tequilla. I can verify this works - I've now experienced this twice. If you don't want this to occur - I recommend approaching this fun bar with EXTREME CAUTION.

Jorge is from South America and was running a restaurant in Cabo when he met Sammy Hagar. Sammy was impressed and the next thing you know, he's got a new restaurant and tequilla business to run. http://www.cabowabocantina.com/ The food is really good - I would not know this, but two of Kathy's groups loved the place, the Coconut Shrimp was popular. I, on the other hand, experienced what 8 or 9 tequilla shots and beer with dinner can do for someone...it's called waking up clothes on face down in bed. So the story about how tequilla makes your clothing fall off is apparently a fabrication.

Now - DO NOT GET THE WRONG IDEA. There are really good places to enjoy awesome meals and not get totally trashed. Nor is Cabo just a place to abuse your liver. One of the best restaurants I have enjoyed is "Pitahayas" at the Sheraton on the tourist corridor, maybe 15min from downtown. ( http://www.pitahayas.com/ ). It is absolutely stunning. Dining is gourmet, the view at sunset spectacular. Seating is outside either under the palapa or along the cliff looking out over the water.

The prices are high - but this is one of those one time events - so enjoy.

Signing off for now - more on Cabo and other places to see and things to do around the world. Trying to keep more posts and stuff - enjoy.

09JUN09 - Cabo

Can you believe this....I am finally posting again. Kathy has moved into Joey's room (her new office) and I now have my own space (almost). SO - last time, I promised you several items and I will start with Cabo.

Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo are on the bottom (southernmost) tip of Baja California. It's a 'fer piece from Indiana 5.5 hours flying - usually 8-10 hours enroute. AND IT IS WORTH EVERY SECOND OF THE JOURNEY. Our adventure took place the day after election, November 5th, 2008. Kathy's sister Trish had earned her Masters Degree (whoo hoo) and was celebrating and she and Jimi (hubby aka Big Daddy) invited us to join them in their 2 bedroom condo.

The condo is/was awesome. The particular unit is owned and sub leased by the same folks who brought the two houses for the BBB (Burkhart Beach Bash) a few years back ( http://www.vacationsofsplendor.com/ ). This is the link to both.

This is the view from our balcony overlooking Lands End (not the clothing store). From what you are looking at, Cabo San Lucas is to the right about a mile and San Jose Del Cabo is about 20 miles the other way. San Jose Del Cabo is the old fishing village that was the original draw here. Each year there are still huge fishing tournaments, kinda like the sports fishing Superbowl with prizes in the 10s of thousands. When I first visited Cabo, there still wasn't much there, but times are changing and new resorts are sprawling in the "old towns" direction, even up the coast north On the Bay of Campeche (other side from the Pacific).

Cabo San Lucas has been a tourist hot spot for 15 years and continues to grow. First Californians, Arizonans and now there are flights from all over. Beautiful resorts, nice marina, lots of activities, beaches - GREAT CLIMATE, really good restaurants and, did I mention, really fun bars and TEQUILA.

Villa la Estancia is located about a mile from Cabo San Lucas, probably 15 miles from the airport. It is one of three properties in a set of three within this gated community. Villa la Estancia is the upscale property and by far and away the best choice here. I have also stayed at the Hilton Los Cabos ( http://www.hiltonloscabos.com/ ) out on the tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo (also a very nice property).

I toss out two important thoughts for you. One, this is an adult destination. Yes you will see kids, but because of point two, I just don't see this as a kiddie kinda place - take them to DisneyWorld or something. Two - do not do this on the cheap. There are some low end hotels and after a 10 hour trip in - YOU WILL BE PISSED OFF AT YOURSELF if you do this - like for a whole week and 6 months after that.

Melia has a very good property in town (Cabo San Lucas) on the beach. For those spring breakers at heart, Riu offers a better than fair all inclusive (party on Garth). I cannot say enough good about the Villa la Estancia or the Hilton. There are a ton of great hotels from $150 out of season to $1200 in season per night. Hilton will be $225-500 depending on season and room type - suites $500+.

Villa la Estancia is a condo/time share and you will get the short pitch to join them for the breakfast, ya-da ya-da. You can take this or leave it - you get a 10% discount on the restaurant food if you take it. We did not, stopped at Costco and Sam's Club and stocked up. There was a full kitchen and even a grill on the deck. Did I mention a BAR in the room - sweet.

The Villa is within close walking distance to shops, fair distance to the "Office" (beach bar) and otherwise a short taxi ride to Cabo Wabo, etc. The beach area is very nice and roped off to avoid the vendors that are in a continual stream up and down the beach with "hey lady, good deal for you, best price" for anything including his Seester.

SO - this will have to do for now - Kathy needs me in the kitchen. More on Cabo, Cabo Wabo, Lands End and whatever else comes to mind.