TRAVEL JOURNAL 2021 ESPERANZA RESORT, CABO San Lucas
(Elite Alliance Experieince)December 12th
OFF to Cabo and Esperanza. Depart Anchorage 7:00 a.m. Arrive Cabo San Lucas 9:45 p.m. Greeted at the airport by Ramirez and taken to the hotel. He pointed out all one might see en route and showed amazing patience with my poor Spanish! Checked into the resort and reception gave us pomegranate margaritas and sent us off in golf cart to 1903 Lecretia. There was a welcome platter of guacamole and chips and hibiscus juice. The kitchen was stocked. Wait did we order – butternut squash? Five huge specimens. Who made the mistake me or staff? Muy grande. Giant papayas? Yes.
December 13th
When I awoke was happily surprised by the view from our villa saw only dark last night. Javier, our butler came by around noon. We spent an hour plus going over our itinerary and adding some trips and adjusting the times of some excursions. Javier then took us on a golf cart tour of the resort – pools, spas and beautiful gardens with great views of the sea.
Ready for dinner? 5:00 early to Cocina Del Mar to watch the sunset. As we were seated at a table in the outside bar a whale breached in the distance. Beautiful, spouting whale. N.B. Carry binoculars even to fine dining. Our table on the terrace on a cliff was ready off to a fabulous meal. Fresh Ceviche, Seared Tuna and Crushed Potato.
December 14th
Up early to a pool just a baseball’s throw away. Had it all to myself for my water therapy. One fellow doing laps in an attached enormous pool below where I was.
Mid-day, we dashed off to Cabos to The Office so Frank could experience it and see the beach vendors. Food was surprisingly good. Great Caesar salads, huge Boa in the dining hall set me aback and eager vendor nearby.Walked the beach amongst the vendors for a while – hard to negotiate the deep sand so grabbed a taxi back to the villa for a bit before heading off to Flora Farms!
Flora Farms disappointed. I expected farm and restaurant and had imagined quaint. It is a massive commercial set up. Clothing stores, souvenirs, jewelry, coffee shops and mobs of people. Uugh. One bright spot cocktails with and without alcohol were yummy. Lavender Martini and Farmatini. Now love Hibiscus (deep burgundy red)
Lavender martini made me recall my failed attempt with fresh lavender while visiting Vanessa in Cloudcroft, New Mexico.
December 15th
Started day with more work on our schedule. Pool work at the (adult only) infinity pool before sunrise. Only one other person there and he was “working” at the swim up bar which was just opening. Angel set me up in a perfect spot by the jacuzzi with gorgeous views. It was my new sandpiper friend and me alone for hours.
10:00 a.m. off to amazing massage in a cabana by the sea. Mine was scheduled on the beach. Frank who had booked a traditional massage in the spa had location envy and joined me in the seaside cabana. Delia a great therapist with los manos buenos and the crashing waves equals bliss.
Fun moment after the golf cart trip back to spa and the post massage vegetables and juice I ran into the most brilliant emerald green lizard by the koi pond.
Dashed to change and return to Palapa to score a table for the fiesta by the sea and away from others. Bingo, secured the best table. Javier the waiter, a good friend of Javier the butler, was friendly and attentive.
Food and more food plated separately for me to avoid gluten cross contamination at the buffet. Shared many thanks with the chef for his extra effort to keep me safe. Mariachi band. We even danced once or twice though few others were but for toddlers with their parents! Some lovely crafts for sale at the fiesta – so picked up some gifts for friends. Fun and festive and FIREWORKS!
December 16th
Repeated another early visit to the pool and watched the sunrise with my sand piper and no other beings. Lingered, read, practiced Duolingo then WOW…”Gua Sha Facial” at noon. There I met Connie the esthetician one of the best I have ever had. Connie told me that she grew up in Tecate the ninth of nine children and had her start in esthetics at Rancho La Puerta with the support and encouragement of Deborah and Sara Livia. Connie spoke of how wonderful the relationship between the Ranch and the Tecate community is. She said that the mountain is magical… but also remarked that after 15 years in Cabo how cold Tecate seems!
Dashed back to the Villa and readied for Ventanas Sea Grille, Art walk in Cabos San Jose. While dining saw horses on the beach, beautiful sunset, fire pits and families with wee ones and their nannies.
December 17th
Dressed for the pool I arrived before sunrise and it was stunning. Once again I had it all to myself -at this hour sandpiper had not yet arrived. Waves were crashing with mother nature’s morning colors and the still soft lit gardens and pool of Esperanza were breathtaking. Heaven. Sadly, I had to leave to dress for the outing to Todos Santos. Todos Santos not what we expected. Went through some stalls of mostly commercial Mexican souvenirs. Then found our way to Jill Logan’s Art Gallery – Galleria Logan (next to Hotel California). I like the print “Walk to the Beach” especially the colors. Frank not as enamored as in search of an original piece.
Jill was there and we chatted about her journey to Todos and her work. She shared the locations of other art galleries and offered suggestions on places to lunch. Wandered the streets and popped into a few shops. Captured a great picture of dogs in a car and chihuahua in army camp puff vest! Dog sleeping on a ledge and cat in a gallery.
December 18th
To the spa – hit repeat…another seaside couples massage in the cabana with Delia and Lupita. Amazing once again.
Off to lunch at the Waldorf Resort. Jesus the Waldorf ambassador took us to see Elite Alliance Residences. Views of ocean were amazing.
Back to Esperanza. Fellow at gate waved us through. Stopped at my pool… on way back. Frank and I checked out location of other villas. Nos encanta esta casa 1903.
December 19th – Breakfast Off to the airport.
–Paula H., December 2021