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Part 5 Cabo San Lucas, Finally?

We awoke on the morning of February 16, 2004 eagerly anticipating all the adventure that we could handle!! The sun was shinning, you could hear birds outside, I looked over at the alarm clock and it read 6:45 am. I was totally stunned. In the planning of this vacation, all we could talk about was how we were going to “sleep till noon, no kids to wake us up, it will be great!” Here we were up at 6:45 am. What else do you do when you wake up that early, but go in search of coffee. After locating some coffee, having a wonderfully scalding hot shower, we went outside to drink our coffee by the pool.

Now like all good Saskatchewan tourist, we had made sure that our skin was extra pale and near death looking, before we put on our swimsuits and head down to the beach!! The hotel we had picked was perfect as all we had to do was cross a road, go between two of the monster all-inclusive hotels and we were at the beach!!! Once we saw the surf, and smelt the smell of salt, seaweed and rotting fish, we were off and running to the waters edge!!!

We settled down on the beach and smiled at each other, and were all set to relax. After about 5 minutes, both of us with sly grins said at the same time, “Beer we need Beer”. I was sent on the quest to find beer. After about 10 minutes of walking around, I found a corner store, bought some beer and high tailed it back to the beach.

The next morning started out the same as the previous day. It was now February 17, and we practically ran back to the beach, with beer in hand. After playing in the surf for half an hour, we launched our selves onto the beach, cracked open a beer and sat in the ever warming sun. About 30 minutes later, this couple that were staying at the all-inclusive behind us, pulled up their deck chairs and started to talk to us. As we got to talking about our trip, (They thought we were absolutely crazy, they flew down, and would never dream of staying anywhere but an all inclusive), we soon realized that we were not in Cabo San Lucas. I’m sure the look of astonishment on our faces was priceless. Some further discussion had us realize that we were in San Jose Del Cabo, and that Cabo San Lucas was about half an hour south of us. After more chit chat, and a near fight between the other lady and Bajagypsy (I do not want to get into it, as it still makes my blood boil, I will just say however, that it was in regards to the beach/store vendors “pretending” to not speak English), it was time to go and check out what Cabo San Lucas had to offer.

We jumped into the car and headed south! Well, to our amazement, Cabo, was a huge city!!! We toured around, found a place and made arrangements for Todd to go diving the next day, and went and drank tequila at the Cabo Wabo. We got back to our hotel in San Jose Del Cabo, and decided that San Jose, was more to our liking, we could always drive into Cabo if we so wished.

I am sure you are not the first, and no doubt will not be the last to make that mistake!

I must say Part 5 was a little short, how come?

Y

Part Six, Diving in Cabo

We awoke early on the morning of February 18, Todd was very excited to go diving, as Saskatchewan is in the middle of Canada, and the only ocean diving he has done is when he made a trip out to British Columbia. The lakes around here do not have the best visibility, and the water is stupid cold, this would be a treat! The arrangements we had made yesterday, sounded great for him, we needed to be there by 8:00 am, he would go diving, and I would get to snorkel around where he was diving, all for what seemed a reasonable price. We jumped in the car, and headed for Cabo.

We were like giddy school aged children nattering away, about what we thought we might see, and what we hoped to see. We got to Cabo, found a parking spot, lugged Todd’s diving equipment to the store, and to our amazement, the owner was waiting outside, except he looked very wet.

“I thought I told you guys that we would be leaving at 8:00 am sharp”, he exclaimed. We confirmed that yes that was indeed the time that we had agreed upon. “Why then are you an hour late?” he asked us.

That was when we realized that we had forgotten to change our clocks to the correct time. All was not lost however, after the owner hummed and hawed; he decided that he would make special arrangements for Todd to go diving.

As they were making the arrangements, getting the Capitan lined up, another gentleman approached and asked when the next dive trip was. He was quite excited that we were leaving very soon and was eager to join us. I later found out that he left his girlfriend at the hotel, told her he was going to check out Cabo and would be back in an hour. I never found out if she waited around for him, but he was gone for at least 4 hours!!

Our Capitan did the typical tour for us, and it was wonderful. The water was that wonderful bluish green color that you only get in the warmer water areas. The sea life was amazing it seemed like every fish you encountered wanted to be your very best friend, and as soon as you entered the water they were all around you.

We got to go ashore to lover’s beach, I was quite dismayed at how much litter, and human waste was around the base of the rock lines, but other than that, it was a true adventure, and a great treat. By this time, I was beginning to notice that Todd looked like he was wearing lipstick, and didn’t seem like he was too much into the adventure aspect of this part of the trip, so we decided to head home. I later found out that the reason Todd’s lips had taken on a Revlon hue was that he received bad air on his dive. It was not a very reputable dive store I might add, the owner also never once asked for a PADI card, or other acceptable form of proof of completing a recognized course.

Once we got back to our hotel in San Jose we had a nap and then we went and hade a wonderful supper at a local restaurant. We found out later that the owner of that restaurant was another Canadian, from BC. We had a chat and then decided to retire for the night.

Part 7 Fishing in Baja!!

On February 19, we awoke super early, lazed around our pool having coffee and some breakfast. When we went to the beach ready for the day, the handy beach bag was packed, with all one would need for a relax at the beach: Sunscreen, hats, towels, sandwiches, water, beer, books, beer and of course more beer snorkelling equipment and money!!

We found our spot on the beach, made ourselves totally at home cracked open a beer and sat in the warming sun, watching people and the ocean. “It doesn’t get much better than this” Todd said to me. I had to agree, the pungent smell of salt, seaweed, dead fish and suntan oil was almost hypnotic. The warmth of the sun on our now darkening bodies was magical. The sound of the roaring crash of waves as they hit the beach was awe inspiring.

Several beers later, we were more than toasty warm, and decided to play in the ocean. Body surfing has always been fun for me, I love the feeling of absolute terror when your pretty sure you are going to get smashed into the bottom of the ocean floor, tumbled around like you are in an industrial dryer, and then spit up on shore!! The first few times was a blast, Todd and I, probably not quite as sober as when we first set up camp on the beach, would get washed up on shore, squeal with laughter and run back into the ocean to body surf back in again. Around the third or fourth time, I was washed ashore, I stood up and suddenly my chest area felt quite chilly. I looked down and yes, the top part of my bikini was wrapped around my neck like some sort of scarf. Now I have had two kids, after child birth not much embarrasses you, this however did. Much to my dismay around 200 tourists were sitting on the beach almost directly in front of me, starring at me. Some were laughing; some were trying to get their children to look away, and some where staring in absolute disbelief. I decided to try to muster the utmost in self respect, pulled my top down, tried very hard to do a nonchalant walk back to my towel, and crack another beer. I was quite sure that we wouldn’t have enough beer on the beach to make me comfortable in that situation.

After our supply of sandwiches and beer were diminished we decided to head into town to get some real food into us, and more beer. We packed up our garbage and belongs on off we went. When we parked our car, we were parked in front of a shop that was advertising fishing. We went in and talked to the gentlemen. We learned that his name was Ritter, he seemed very nice and very reputable, we made our arrangements to meet him at this location, and we would go fishing bright and early the next morning. That accomplished we wobbled our way to supper. We went back to our favourite restaurant and sat up on the roof top terrace. While up there, two Mexican men started talking to us. Before long we were old friends, buying beers, margarita’s and shots of tequila for each other. Now I was more than a little happy before we went for supper, so by this time I was Very happy as somewhere along the way of chatting and playing pool with our new friends, we had forgotten to order supper! We were sitting and finishing up yet another margarita when over the edge, I spotted the cutest dog I had ever seen. As in typical Baja fashion this dog probably had about 25 different breeds in it, but I could not resist. I was up and squealing like a little girl, and running down the stairs to pick up and love this dog. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I was talking to the gentleman who accosted people as they walked down the street to see if they would like to eat in such and such a restaurant. I found out that this dog’s name was Tri-Ped, and he lived on that corner. The owner of the restaurant feed him scraps and leftovers every night, and once a year took him to the vet to get his shots, de-wormed etc. I also found out that Tri-Ped’s girlfriend (a Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel mix) lived on the corner opposite him and was expecting babies!!! Well in my drunken stupor I scooped up Tri-Ped and proceeded to march him right up to the roof top terrace where he soon snuggled down on my lap and occasional gave me a kiss, while I had a few more drinks.

By the time midnight rolled around, I was more than ready to go home, we had to be up and at our location to meet Ritter our fishing guy at 6:00 am. Dog in one arm, and husband in the other off we went to our car. Once we got to the car, Todd told me it was time to say good bye to Tri-Ped, and to get in the car. That was when I informed him, I loved Tri-Ped, and I was taking him home to be my pet. After much arguing back and forth Todd gave up and told me and Tri-Ped to get in the car. I was overjoyed, me and my new best friend were going to have all sorts of adventures in Baja. This was going to be the best dog that anyone had ever had. I didn’t care that he was jumping with flea’s I would go to the market tomorrow and get flea powder, Todd would grow to love him it would be wonderful!!! We got to our hotel, and I promptly fell asleep, only to be rudely awoken at 5:00 in the morning by Tri-Ped letting me know that he really had to go outside. Still wobbly from the night before (actually it was only about 4 hours since we had stumbled into bed), I got up and let Tri-Ped outside, where he promptly did his business give me a look, and start running down the road. Where was my best friend going? What about all the adventures we were to have? I was secretly crushed inside, but was beginning to sober up, and realized that I probably wouldn’t be able to take Tri-Ped home, and even if I did, the poor boy would freeze to death by the time it got to our house in Saskatoon, where it was currently -30.

We managed to get up and meet Ritter at the appointed time. Got out to where all the panga’s were lined up, met our Capitan, helped push out the boat and were on our way. Now usually I’m very comfortable in a boat, but apparently drinking for over 12 hours and consuming quite a bit of tequila does not a good sailor make!!! When we finally made it to our destination and put our lines in the water, I was beginning to relax. The bone jarring, chilly trip out here was worth it I started to realize. The sun was warming me I was relaxing, I was about to ask Todd how he was doing when WHAM, my first fish struck. We had incredible luck that day. The Capitan couldn’t keep up with releasing fish, and my arms were getting tired. I asked Todd if he would real in my last fish and he told me no way, just as I was about to ask the Capitan, Todd told him not to, that I had to real it in. I must say I have never had so much fun fishing as I did on that particular day.

The ride home was somewhat of an adventure. I was dozing off in the sun when suddenly I felt the boat come to a stop. We were facing the beach and the Capitan seemed to be watching the waves. Suddenly he gunned it and we flew up onto the beach. I seriously think I might have peed my pants a little bit.

After the adventure of the day before and today, I was exhausted, and couldn’t wait to see what lay in store for us tomorrow. 

Just how many parts are there to this "little" story?

Y

Hey, where is the next installment!?

Maybe there isn't one.

Perhaps that's why you posted Part 6 and Part 7 together......

Oh well......better be off to bed.

Y

wow this is a great read. wish we had more threads like this...

I am enjoying it immensely.

I wonder who she is going to dedicate it to!?

Y

Part 8, A Prairie Boy Can Surf, Can’t He?

On the morning of February 21, we awoke realizing that it was time to start heading back north. We packed up our hotel room, thanked the wonderful man who owned it and promised we would be back soon. I made Todd go back to our restaurant so that I could say a good-bye to Tri-ped, in secret hopes that I still could kidnap him and bring him home. We were off to Todos Santos, Todd had heard that there was great surfing there, and he wanted to try surfing.

We pulled into Todos Santos, found a place that rented surf boards from a lady who lived in California half time and Todos Santos the other half. She recommend the hotel that was beside her house as being cheap, clean and with a kitchen. Off we went to secure a room but the first stop was for some food and beer for our stay.

Once we had put our groceries away in our absolute huge hotel room, made a few sandwiches and put some beer into a bag, we headed for the top secrete surf sport that we were told about. We found our way, made a little home on the beach, Todd put on his wetsuit, and got ready to go. He stood there watching the waves for a bit, and commented on how big the waves actually were. This was Todd’s first time surfing, we are about 1,000 miles away from the nearest ocean, so it really isn’t a national past time for people from Saskatchewan. I wasn’t very worried as I’m sure in a former life Todd was a dolphin, or seal or some aquatic mammal, as he is more comfortable in the water then out of the water.

After many hours surfing, and getting absolutely pounded by the waves, Todd had decided to call it a day. He was exhausted, but at the same time overjoyed, he had managed to get up and actually surf a few time.

We headed back to our hotel, where I made a pasta dish and some salad. As we sat around drinking a nice bottle of Baja wine, we decided to go tour around the town. As we were driving around we came across some motocross competitions. We paid our 5 pesos and went in to watch. It was amazing, there were hundreds of people all cheering on their favourite person. It was the perfect way to wind down a fantastic day.

We awoke the next morning with heavy hearts. We knew it was time to haul butt back up to Canada. We had many adventure, and still had many miles to cover to get home. As we packed up our car, and headed north, we were already planning our next trip, and working on the logistics of when it could be.

That was the last part of the story.

Thank you for all the kind words.