Monday, January 31, 2011

Another long walk

Today we went north, to Costa Baja Resort & Marina, probably the most upscale resort in the area. The golf course, with no apparent golfers, has a desert landscape, therefore nothing but sand-traps among the cactus. We took a shortcut on one of the cart paths:

The infinity pool blends with the Sea of Cortez at this angle.

Walking to the north

Today we walked north to Costa Baja Resort and Marina, probably the most upscale resort in La Paz. Golf course with abundant desert (i.e. sand-trap) landscaping. We took a shortcut along a cart path:

The infinity pool blended nicely with the Sea of Cortes:

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Slowing down a bit

Yesterday, Glenn and I did absolutely nothing except hang out at the condo, read, swim, rest, and relax. This morning we changed condos, new guests were arriving at #101, so we moved to #106. Here are a couple pictures showing the beautiful interior:

We walked south sort of along the road. Up ahead in Playa Corumel, a free government-sponsored facility.
Not operational in the winter, this place is hopping in the summer.
La Panga, at Palmira Marina, was our goal.
The view from our table:
On the way back we took the sidewalk along the upper road.
The lower road and the malecon below:
Watch out! When Glenn saw this, he said "Oh my."
Across the road, a very small shrine nestled in a sandstone crevice:



Saturday, January 29, 2011

Relaxing

Today we just hung around the condo. There was a glorious sunset, thanks to a bit of cloud cover.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Que le vaya bien

Go well on your way. This is the phrase most often spoken after you've bought something or leave someone's house after a visit. Justin left today, to return to California. Glenn and I drove him to the airport in Cabo San Jose.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

To Espiritu Santo and Los Islotes

Today we took a lancha (or panga) out of La Paz, along the west side of Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida to Los Islotes, not an island but a large rock formation and the home to a large sea lion colony.There were nine of us plus an English-speaking guide and the boat captain. These two couples were, amazingly, from Regina Saskatchewan. The couple in the middle live about two blocks from Glenn.
It was chilly, quite windy and the seas were as high as 3 feet. This made our ride quite bumpy and it took 1 1/4 hours to get to Los Islotes.
As we approached Los Islotes, we saw a feeding frenzy. A school of bonita were feasting and it looked like the water was boiling.

This very large male had just gotten out of the water and was loudly making his prescence known.
The brave people on the boat (not me, Justin, or one of the Regina guys; and the other Regina guy got in the water but couldn't let go of the boat ladder) went swimming with the sea lions - although everyone was cautioned to stay away from the big ones. To me, Glenn was even braver - no wet suit!
Glenn shot these with my underwater camera:


On our way back, the captain deftly took us through an arch with maybe 3 feet clearance on each side.
Lunch was in a cove on Isla Partida. Ceviche and totopos for those who like typical Mexican fare. Ham sandwiches who prefer something tamer.

This rock formation is known as The Mask. The native people used to put offerings in the mouth to insure good fishing.



A dead frigatebird floating in the water. That's a pufferfish in its mouth. (Sorry, Paula, I know you don't like it when I post pictures of dead things.) The pufferfish is generally believed to be the second-most poisonous vertebrate in the world, second only to the Golden Poison Frog.

We stopped at a cove called La Balandra, mostly to see the famous Mushroom Rock, but

just to the left of the rock, there was a photo shoot taking place. The model is at the far left.


As a finale to our day-long trip, we went looking for whale sharks. First you spot a large shadow in the water, then gently cruise alongside it. We found several. What amazing animals - they are slow-moving filter-feeding sharks, non-threatening to humans, the largest fish in the ocean. This small one was feeding near the surface, it's big mouth wide open. Two of our group jumped in and swam with them.

Heading back to shore.
We were all too exhausted to cook dinner, so we went to the Buffalo Grill. They cooked their meats and vegetables over a wood fire.

Another wonderful day in La Paz!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Touring La Paz

Breakfast at Rancho Viejo. Chilaquiles, of course.
A history lesson at the cultural center:

Street musician, part of a group of 6 who strolled the streets, accepting donations from pedestrians, tourists and shopkeepers.

The cathedral.


"Merienda" - Glenn found this word in one of my dictionaries - afternoon coffee and pastries. This shop made excellent "roles de canela" - cinnamon rolls.

At the end of the day, a lovely sunset.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A day in Cabo San Lucas

Today we drove to Cabo San Lucas. Justin went with some friends last year and knows his way around town. We took the "short" route on Hwy 1, about 100 miles through the mountains on a two-lane road. We stopped at a few roadside chapels or shrines. They seem to be everywhere - big or small, elaborate or simple.Most have a statue of the Virgin Mary, but we've also seen the Virgin of Guadalupe. Most have candles with a book of matches nearby. Many are lit.
The church in El Triunfo:
The area over the door of the church (the tympanum) is covered with flowers:

The village of San Antonio from a vista point:

To the right of the parking area is a shrine or chapel dedicated to San Judas Tadeo, the patron saint of difficult situations:

Messages to San Judas Tadeo written on the glass doors:

Inside, there were many letters and other written notes:

San Bartolo nestled in a green valley:

We think the actual Tropic of Cancer line runs through the big white sphere on the other side of the road. This is the most northerly latitude at which the sun will be directly overhead once each year - on the summer solstice.

The harbor of Cabo San Lucas:

Yikes! There are a lot of tourists and hucksters everywhere you turn. "Hey meester, you want to touch my leezard?" and a large iguana is shoved toward you. Touching and/or taking a picture will cost you a few pesos.

At the end of our day, we took a water taxi ride:


The famous arch as seen from the Sea of Cortes:

Divorced Beach on the Pacific Ocean side. Lover's Beach is on the other side, facing the Sea of Cortes.
Land's End:
La Paz means "Peace" - and that's just what it is compared to the hustle and bustle of Cabo.