goodbye Todos Santos

Wen are heading back to Cabo after a very quiet and peaceful week in Todos Santos.  Yesterday we enjoyed a massage that was compliments of the owner of the house.  The French masseuse Dee Dee was very good a did a deep tissue massage that has left my shoulders sore.

The weather the last two days turned cool; maybe it hit 70 degrees but was very windy at the en of the day and felt cold at night.  The locals all had there winter coats on for dinner last evening and we wore jeans and long sleeve shirts.
Another taco stand that we ate at two shrimp tacos, two fish tacos and two beers with tip for less than $8.  The waiter ran across the street to a grocery store to get the beer.  It is Mexico!!!

Shore Fishing

Hurrah, I finally caught dinner for us right outside of the house in Todos Santos.  I think it is either a Sierra or a Pacific jack that probably weighs 3-4 lbs.  I will take it into town and hope the fish monger will filet it for me.

Had a great meal last night at Suki's a Thai restaurant whose owner/chef is Suki. Had Pad Thai; realy good.  We were joined after dinner by the cat who is owned by the restauranteers who made itself at home while we enjoyed a glass of wine.

On the down-side of vacation, only a few more days left. 

Todos Santos Beaches

Yesterday, we traveled to Rancho Pescedaro only to find them to be way less hospitable from last year.  We were invited to have lunch at the resort but could not have it poolside but more in the lobby of the resort. 

We decided to pass and ate at a roadside cantina instead.  My lovely wife had the breakfast of champions; a Pacifico Light, chips and salsa and hot cakes and bacon.   Me, the chicken mole which was great.

We have learned as we have traveled in the Todos Santos area that in order to get to any beach, you will need to travel down a dirt road that appears to be going nowhere and at certain times you are concerned that it might be dangerous.   We found a beautiful beach called Playa San Pedro Las Palmas at the end of such a road.  The beach is located about 3 miles south of Todos Santos and like all of the beaches they are not marked with signs.  There are no services on this beach so families bring in their food and beverages and enjoy the day.  We had to cross a small tide pool to get to the beach that is swimming friendly.

A number of horses we playing on the beach as well as eating grass along the tide pool.

If you travel to Todos Santos on a Sunday you should know that many of the restaurants and galleries are closed.   We did end the day with dinner at La Casita a newer establishment near the only traffic light as you come into Todos Santos.   They say the midnight in Todos Santos is 9pm, well on Sundays it appears to be early than that.

Los Cerritos Beach

Always one of our favorite places is Los Cerritos Beach.  It is a surf break about 10 miles south of Todos Santos; if you ever dreamed about being a surf this is a place where you might have spent a winter or two.  Since it was Saturday many of the surfers were Mexicans.   It is one of the few places where we swim as the waves although strong are safe.  It is a great place to have lunch and beers on the beach from the only restaurant.  Had my first burger of the trip and it was great.

At the top of the surf break is Los Cerritos Hacienda Hotel that really looks like a great place.

Dinner last night was at our favorite place in Todos Santos, Michaels at the Gallery.  It is a small (36 seat) restaurant that is run by an American (Michael Cope) who is an artist by day and on Friday and Saturday serves in the galleries atrium.  His kitchen is under a palapa in the atrium.  I told Michael that when I group up I want to be him.

Today we will visit another beach and try to buy fish from the fisherman at Los Lobos.

Onward to Todos Santos

We left Cabo yesterday to spend a week in Todos Santos at our exclusive villa on the beach: Villa De Olas.  It is secluded on Los Lobos Beach about 5 minutes from Todos Santos.  We found the Villa on VRBO and we think it is fabulous.  We have our own pool and all of the modern amenities but best of all it sits right on a stretch of the Pacific without a house on either side for at least a mile in each direction.

The house faces west and every night we will be treated to an outstanding susnset.

We spent of time in Todos Santos to walk around their annual Art festival; did buy an art today but will tomorrow.  We did however, enjoy tacos at two different tacos stands (tacos are around 120 pesos or 1 dollar).   Our last stop was to buy some fish from a vendor who was selling it our of coolers from her pick up truck.  We bought 1 lb of shrimp and 1 lb of a white fish that we did not know the variety all for less than $10.00.  Dinner was shrimp cocktail and sauteed fish with salsa and was great.  We will have the left over fish and shrimp for tacos this morning.

Boat watching from Medano Beach

Its always great to spend a day at the beach, today we went to Medano Beach.  On our way to the beach we walked around the marina an ended up at a little restaraunt whose partrons are generally the local Mexicans.  We stopped in El Guero for a beer and ended up meeting an American who recommended that we try the giant clam.  It was prepared sushi style with lime juice and hot sauce.  We then tried sushi style shrimp with habanero sauce, onions and cucumbers.  We also had four beers and chips and salsa all for $20.00.  Maybe the best meal in Cabo so far.

Modena is the beach in Cabo where it is crazy for spring break.  It was fairly quiet at this time with some of the bars having drinking contests etc.  We were amazed at the boats in the harbor.  Here are some pictures of some of my favorites.  The Altessa is a 68.9 meter sailing vessel owned by a guy from Montana.  We saw their helicopter land on the roof. Here is a photo and a link for more information.

http://www.charterworld.com/index.html?sub=yacht-charter&charter=attessa-iii-3394

The other boat is a 16 Ft Hobie Cat.

Golfing at Diamante

We played golf at Diamante; a Davis Love designed course North of Cabo right on the Pacific Ocean.  It has been called the Bandon Dunes of the Baja and they are right.  A fun but difficult course mainly due to huge undulating greens and 25 mph winds.  Shot even par on the front nine and then played the back nine in 42.  The back nine is predominately on the ocean.

The whales were within 50-60 yards of the shore.  Quite a nice distraction.

Valentines Day in Cabo

Some of our group went out deep sea fishing and did not catch anything but a sun burn and some great naps.  They did have fun with a sea lion when they were returning into the harbor. 

Of course, we did play some golf today as well as I am starting to feel the game coming back; shot 78 at Cabo Real.  Dinner tonight at Edith's for Valentines Day.

One week away

Next week Cabo Rick and crew will be back in the Baja.  We are all anxiously awaiting our first taste of Sushi from Nick San and seeing our friend Ismael again.