Cabo January 14-21, 2012: Summary

Just home from Scotland and Ireland a mere two months earlier, I didn't have high hopes for Cabo.  I mean, how could a week long vacation to Mexico even compare to the three weeks of touring through the Isles and the scenery?  Negative Nelly (apparently me) had doubts.  However, Cabo turned out to be a blissful surprise.  The highlights:

One night Irish Jay was bragging about being in the National Guard and being trained to RUN into danger, and the next morning, Irish Jay was scurrying like a scared little bunny away from an opportunity to prove his manliness.  

We woke up around 5 am and walked the half an hour around the docks to our boat, a tiny little 23 foot skiff with a Captain who clearly needed this excursion to be a win.  We were all tucked rather sheepishly into the boat as we were motored over to the Policia who do a preliminary inspection of paperwork and ensure the tourists have paid for their fishing.  Not our lucky morning (which was evident when we saw the boat), we were turned away and back to the dock where we were to exchange boats for one that had the proper up to date safety protocols.  I'd been making comments about the throttle on the boat, how it seemed to have a gas issue, but I felt confident our Captain knew what he was doing.  I mean, maybe that's how things were done in Mexico!  About twenty feet from a dock there was a loud bang and I looked up in time to see Irish Jay rushing away from the area like he'd just been attacked by a pack of wild bees.

The boat motor apparently had an issue as flames were shooting out!!!  Jenn and Irish Jay rushed to the front of the boat while the Captain slipped past them and took the cover off the motor. He proceeded to dip the cover into the water and try to put out the flames.  Meanwhile, I'm in my spot, snapping photos and being encouraging, while Jenn and Jay were contemplating jumping off the boat but wondering how to save their previous electronics.  Other boaters were snapping photos but no one came to help.  Finally I decided it was maybe time to unhook the gas line since the red can of gas was sitting rather close to the flames which appeared to continuing upward and around the motor.  Jay was kind enough to hand us his knife to cut the cord which held the can on, but he was not about to come any closer.  I think I remember him saying repeatedly, "It's gonna blow!"  (Tough guy, right)   I unhooked the gas line as a boat finally came over with a fire extinguisher to help and the 15 year old kid on the boat put out the flames.  What did I learn?  Spend the extra dinero to go fishing on a good, big, well equipped and safe boat.  And leave the chickens on the shore.

Mango Deck Nachos, Tortilla Soup and Wings...yeah baby!

Cabo has some wonderful bars.  For you drinking peeps (and those who just want to havea fun time) I have three that you must take the time to visit if ever in Cabo.  One of which is the Mango Deck (http://www.mangodeckcabo.com/).  It has bright tables and umbrellas and is right on the beach.  There are two for one drinks ALL day long and the margaritas are actually GOOD, which I have found is RARE at the bars in Cabo (ask for the good tequilla).  The people watching is the best thing about the Mango Deck but if it's too busy, walk a step down the beach and hit The Office and Billygan's Island.  Of the two, Billygan's was my favorite.  There are lounging chairs with umbrellas that can occupy half your day as you watch the people, enjoy some great food, and some terrific strawberry margaritas.   Of course, it probably didn't help The Office that one of their white coat clad "doctors' asked us to leave after we paid and were waiting for a local vendor to finish making a custom bracelet.  And, of course, if you enjoy being punished you should slink over to Cabo Wabo Cantina because that's where everyone thinks is cool.  Myself, I don't like the taste of Cabo Wabo Tequilla and think their prices are inflated.  It is truly a tourist trap but where else can you go to experience Sammy Hagar's finest attempt at restauranteering?   (If you don't know who Sammy Hagar is, please stop reading and go play with your iPad.)  

View from our Booze Cruise

Let's talk briefly about the Booze Cruise.  Prior to Cabo when I heard someone talk about going on a Booze Cruise two words came to mind:  OLD and LAME.  Perhaps I've hit an all time low or I've just matured enough to admit that those old folks know their stuff.   The booze cruise is the best bang for your buck.  Get it for free by checking out a timeshare and you can't go wrong.  Our booze cruise had a great Tequilla Sunrise, a lot of beautiful views, and so much laughter you'd think we were on a comedy channel.  Seriously.  Give it a go.  Just don't hook up with the photographer (hmmmmm is there a story behind that? Sorry, what happens in Cabo didn't happen.)

BMW I spotted along the Marina...what fun I could have on that!!!

Cabo has some great views.  At practically any time of the day, the beaches around Cabo are wondrous.  The famed "Arch" is photographed over and over.  Cabo itself, well, not so much.  There were numerous trip hazards along the streets and garbage was everywhere once you got away from the main tourist drag, which was the waterfront.  Perhaps the best thing about Cabo is the possibilities.  You can do so much there...from lounging by the pool, to fishing, shopping, parasailing, ATV rides, hiking, and even exploring.  Cabo has something for everyone.

What did I learn from Cabo?  The sun, margaritas, and a lot of free time are all good things!  

Thanks to Jenn for planning the trip and for buying a timeshare.  Mexico just moved up to become one of my new favorite places!!!

Cabo January 14-21, 2012: Day 1-2

Landed in Cabo on Saturday, able to outrun the snow that is currently blessing home in Oregon.  I am with Jennifer who has, since Ireland, decided some vacations should be more relaxing...no helpful spreadsheet for Cabo?  What the hell!   We also have a third with us, my friend, Jason, who brings to the table comedic relief, extreme dorkiness, and acts as someone to beat up the Federalies.  I have known my two travel companions for over 15 years each, which is a blessing or a curse, I haven't yet decided.  I definately know which way I'm leaning.


Jason likes to be called anything but Jason.  He seems to favor the name Irish Jay, and even calls himself that and signs his name that way.  With all due respect, I like to point out that it is NOT his name.  (Note, we met this awesome chica named Patty who taught us that in Mexico when you want to tell someone to screw off you say, "with all due respect" first, hmm, that's coming in handy.)   I also like to laugh and make fun of him, and I pray that some day he does actually visit Ireland and tell someone that's his name so he can come home to the States and tell me all about how he got the shit beat out of him while in Ireland.  Irish Jay also has two bachelor degrees (which I like to point out don't mean shit in the scheme of things) and he's sensitive.  Like a girl, sensitive.  

Irish Jay's main theme thus far into the trip has been this crazy messed up idea to wrestle a shark.  Yeah, you read that right.  Irish Jay wants to wrestle a shark.  That alone isn't the worst thing in the world...what IS the worst thing is that Irish Jay keeps asking everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) if you can wrestle a shark here in Cabo.  Most people just look at him and shake their head and mumble something about a crazy gringo, but some actually humor him and tell Irish Jay he's an idiot.  It is those responses that I favor. On the water taxi from the Mango Deck to the dock Jennifer and I almost had the driver convinced that he should turn the boat around and head to sea with Irish Jay.  Of course, he probably thought us offering him $50 and telling him we'd slit Irish Jay's throat first was a bit scary.  So, he dropped us off without taking us up on our offer.  I think someone will eventually agree to help us...it's early yet and I'm not giving up.

We have gotten out of bed early both mornings due to the timeshare "pushing" that goes on here.  It's like crack.  Off the plane you are immediately bombarded by people who offer you free things if only you sit through their 75 minute presentation.  Clearly the Mexican clock runs a little slower than the North American one.  The presentation lasted maybe five hours and the high pressure sales pitch was entertaining.  Jennifer and Irish Jay got a free parasailing trip today, we ate breakfast free two days, we have a free booze cruise tomorrow and on Thursday we are going fishing.  The 75 minute sales tour is paying off.  Somehow, I still wonder if it's worth it to be in paradise and spend even that long doing something you really don't want to do.  But, I guess that's what life is all about, doing stuff you don't want to do.   Like calling someone Irish Jay when, with all due respect, his name is actually Jason.

Oh well,  I've got nothing to do and five more days to do it.  I should count myself lucky that when the snow is falling back home I've got my feet in the sand.  And, an additional bonus is I now know where I can get some weed, crack or chicks for $20.  Yep, Cabo is exactly what I expected and everything I didn't.