RSSAnaheim
Nov 18
While we’re a little sad to have left San Jose del Cabo, the night-time view over Disneyland does go a little way towards making up for it!
ATV tour
Nov 13
To continue the adventure kicked off with the morning of high altitude zip lining, yesterday afternoon we braved the desert sands on an ATV tour. Sadly, while a bit of fun, it didn’t live up to the high expectations set in the morning.
Usually these kinds of events have everyone on little quad bikes. As there were three of us, we made use of what was essentially a petrol-driven four-wheel-drive golf cart. While it was great we could all fit into one “ATV”, as it was wider than all the other vehicles we were constantly trying to avoid being whipped by tree branches and cacti. The steering also had about thirty degrees of play, which made navigating the narrow, sandy tracks somewhat interesting.
As for the description as a “tour” – most of the time you’re winding around narrow tracks, so it’s not like you can really see anything. The “guide” doesn’t stop and point out anything that might be of interest, he simply leads the way along the trails.
Once out of the forests of cacti, we were able to take in some pretty spectacular scenery – mountains to desert to coast – and once out in the open and zooming along the beach it was a lot more fun not having to worry about if the steering would kick in to actually take us around the next corner. Overall, however, I think I would rather have gone back to Costa Azul!
Costa Azul canyon
Nov 12
An early start this morning (9am is early, right?), as we were off for some adventure! Adventure in this case is defined as some zip lining and rappelling, high over the Costa Azul canyon in the Mexican desert. How much adventure? The longest zip line was about 500 metres, and the rappel was 100 metres of sheer rock face!
Really, there isn’t much to say apart from “Wow!” This was just so much fun; a really great way to get the circulation going and start the day. If you’re ever over here this is a must-do activity.
There are several companies running these kinds of events. We went with “Costa Azul Canopy Extreme Tours”. Don’t let the word “extreme” cause too much panic, it’s really very safe – and heaps of fun. Check them out at http://www.canopycostaazul.com; we can’t recommend them highly enough. The guides were all great fun, and very careful.
Photos from the tour are at http://photos.stocksfamily.org/Travel/Mexico/Costa-Azul-canyon/. Note that for safety reasons they don’t let you carry anything with you; these pics were all taken by their photographer, all credit goes to them.
Parasailing
Nov 12
Just realised I left out some stuff from the update yesterday: While in Cabo San Lucas, we also took the opportunity to try parasailing. No adrenaline required, just a nice cruise 500 feet in the air. Great view, and very relaxing!
Fun times in Mexico
Nov 11
It’s been a while since we’ve updated – internet access here in San Jose del Cabo was initially looking a little patchy. Now we’ve discovered where we can hijack some open wifi networks, and we’re back online!
So, what’s been happening…
We arrived here on Sunday evening. It was all a bit of a shame with the timing, as we actually had to leave San Diego at about 8.30 so we had time to drive back up to LA. We went past Laura & Roger’s new place to say hi (and get rid of some luggage we didn’t want to bring with us – what are friends for?!) Fairly smooth sailing flight-wise, although we had some delays boarding due to passport info not being entered into the booking correctly.
We’d arranged a transfer from the airport with the resort, which was certainly the right thing to do. As soon as you leave inbound customs, you are set upon by tens of people trying to get you to buy transport to your hotel. Some of them get quite nasty with repeated refusals! We had no trouble finding our driver, who was lovely and whisked us off promptly to the resort.
Once here we really couldn’t be bothered heading out anywhere, so we just popped up the stairs to Sardina Cantina – very friendly staff and excellent food! Just what we needed! A couple of margaritas later we collapsed into bed.
Monday we figured we’d just laze around and get the lie of the land. Part of that was heading out to get some supplies for the week, so off we went down to Mega – and let me tell you, it’s huge! The locals were proudly describing it as “just like Walmart!” They sell pretty much everything, and only a ten minute walk from the resort door. Lucky, ’cause it’s so hot that ten minutes is about all you can do!
The only thing that was a downer was the orange-shirted scumbags that filled the place. These guys are all over you like a rash, trying to get you to attend timeshare presentations in exchange for gifts, discounts, etc. The resort staff warn you about them as soon as you arrive; they’ve been ripping people off for ages. Again, they can get quite nasty when repeatedly refused. It’s a shame they don’t do something to get rid of them, ’cause it really does spoil the vibe of your holiday.
Back from the shops, it was time to just chill out around the pool, and sample the wares of the swim-up bar. Best invention ever.
Now, it’s Tuesday afternoon (just gone 5pm), and we’ve just got back from spending a few hours down at Cabo San Lucas. Had lunch down on the waterfront, and then took a couple of jet-skis for a spin around the bay, and out to have a look at El Arco (the arch). I would have taken some pictures, but the sun was against me, and my hands were soaked in salt water from the high-speed, half-airborne trip out there, so I didn’t. I’ll scan a postcard instead.
What ruins the beach atmosphere pretty much everywhere around here – but especially in Cabo San Lucas – is having to keep saying “No, gracias” every three steps when someone trying to sell sunglasses / hats / tshirts / massage / tours / activities cuts you off and shoves their wares in your face. I know they’re only trying to make a living, but I’m trying to have a relaxing holiday!
Tomorrow, some more fun lined up with a bit of an adventure day – some ziplining over canyons in the morning, and a sunset ATV tour in the afternoon. Woohoo!
On the road (air?) again
Oct 16
Well, it’s been a while, but I’m heading off on another little trip. Sydney for a couple of days of meetings, and then off to Bangkok for some training. I’d almost forgotten how hard it is to leave Bren and Campbell at home.
Airline pain
Jan 20
Rants, Travel, Work No Comments
I had to kill a few hours in terminal 4 at LAX today, so I went to the lounge to chill out. As American Airlines do, they reminded me on the way in to keep an eye on the monitors as they don’t make boarding announcements in the lounge.
Two problems with this:
- The monitors are few and far between, so you have to keep walking from wherever you’ve managed to find a seat (not enough room there) so you can see what’s going on.
- Half the time they don’t update the screens anyway! I kept checking my connection, the status never changed to “boarding”, yet all of a sudden I had people paging me to get on the plane.
Which brings us to the best bit: It doesn’t matter if they make a boarding call or not, just wait until they go looking for you and stroll down then.
Amsterdam photos
Oct 01
I’ve been pretty slack on uploading photos over the last few months. Campbell’s gallery is way out of date. In an effort to start making up for it, I’ve uploaded some pics I took in Amsterdam over the weekend. Check them out at http://stocksfamily.smugmug.com/gallery/5172079_QXwER.
Life is tough
Mar 12
Sitting in the sun, by the pool in Southern California. Excuse me while I go for a swim. Life is tough.
Hello and goodbye London
Feb 18
Arrived in London last night, went to the hotel, and tried to sleep. Actually couldn’t get to sleep for a while, so watched some strange show about a middle aged married guy doing naughty things with naughty (but consenting) school girls. Those crazy Brits.
Anyway, caught up with Jen and Morris today, and had a great day. We did a wander from their place around all the inner London tourist spots. Brunch in the park. Fed the squirrels. Fun all around!
Now I’m in the BA lounge at Heathrow, not looking forward to the flight home. Can’t wait to get home. Just not looking forward to spending the next 21 hours on a plane.