CAPTIVATING LOS CABOS

The sapphire Sea of Cortez lapped the shore; desert shrub nodded lethargically under a halogen sun – and between, along the white sand beach, my gallant steed Bambino followed Lightening, my husband Rick’s charge, and four other horses with riders. This heavenly stretch of sheltered coast was once a hideaway for pirates bent on raiding Spanish galleons. Some of today’s community business owners and fishermen are descendants of the buccaneers who stayed behind in this slice of paradise. Los Cabos, at the tip of Baja California, is where the rich and famous come to play, and tour guides can’t wait to tell us ordinary folk just who lives in the mansions up on a hillcrest. Los Cabos has something for every taste and age with its three personalities rolled into one. San Jose del Cabo is a traditional Mexican town with a central plaza, adobe structures, and municipal market. Cabo San Lucas is focused on partying and fashionable good looks. Linking the two towns is the Los Cabos Corridor, a 29 km stretch of beaches, golf courses, and luxury resorts. Not succumbing to a bit of post-horseback riding stiffness the following morning, we set out for a zip line tour. Friends back home convinced us to try out this sport, and being that they were even a bit more senior than my 63 years, I was game. And as Rick and I took our place on a bench for an instruction session, I noted we were not the only grey power amongst the young’uns. After fitting us with a harness and helmet, our guide Pedro attached our harness with a trolley mechanism to the cable, and gravity took care of the rest. Flying along a total of 5 km of lines strung in sections across a river canyon was awesome. Though I must admit the most breathtaking segment, a 457m long- 91m high line, left me more than ready for the tequila sampling at the end of the tour. Enticed by a desert safari poster, Rick and I were soon seated in an open-air 4x4 vehicle with seven other gringos and our guide Leopolo. Bouncing upward over dirt roads through tropical desert terrain, we arrived at a small hacienda. On a nature walk we learned about the healing powers of plants and about the fauna in this habitat. Then came the treat of Dona Ramona and Don Chicho’s home-cooked Mexican fare; followed by (sigh) the hardship of yet another tequila tasting session. We next meandered through the old city of San Jose. The mission church that stands behind the city hall today dates back to 1880. Spreading out from a large central square art galleries and craft shops are mixed with lively markets where locals go about their daily business. Joining a group for a Zodiac boat cruise along the spectacular coastline was a good choice. Sea lions basked on rocky ledges and albatross soared above the craggy peaks. We careened past the sizeable natural granite window called “The Arch”, which from the Sea of Cortez we could see the Pacific Ocean on the other side. The roiling waves sending up massive sprays as they smashed against the rocks added to the thrill of the ride. For More information: www.visitmexico.com “New” - Air Canada Vacations now has Non-Stop Flights to Los Cabos from Vancouver with airfare from Kelowna at no extra cost.  Pkgs include airfare & all-inclusive accommodation. Tours can also be booked thru Air Canada Reps.  www.aircanadavacations.com

 

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