let the adventure begin!

my 25 lb backpack for the next 4 months

My husband and I are currently sitting in the SFO Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Lounge waiting to board our flight. Today is the first day of our adventure. I think I will celebrate by sipping on some champagne. This trip has been 4 years in the making. We were originally supposed to do this trip 2 years ago when we moved back to the States. However, due to the recession we decided against it; always a regret.

VA Lounge at SFO 

Two years later and plenty of time saving miles, points, and money we're finally off on our dream backpacking trip to South East Asia. We're fortunate enough to have had enough air miles to fly back to England in Upper Class to visit friends and family first. A HUGE thanks to my grandma who encouraged us to go on this adventure by volunteering to watch our son, Mr. Butters, while we are away. Although, I already miss him dearly, I know he is in good hands.

It's time to relax, explore, and just see what life has to bring. It was a blessing in disguise that we didn't go on our trip the first time around. We've made great friends in San Diego, rescued a wonderful "dog-son", and have made even more friends that we now get to visit while we are backpacking. I am so excited and so happy that this trip is finally about to happen. The adventure is just beginning........ stay tuned! For now, cheers !

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Vamanos Cabo!!! Well, before we head out on our 4 month backpacking trip through South East Asia, we decided to get some R&R in Cabo. I actually have been to Mexico a few times, but I have to say I remembered it quite differently. Everyone warns you of the horrors of Mexico, but Cabo was not like that at all. I thought I would need to be on the look out all the time. However, Cabo was SUPER touristy! I knew I was safe when I saw groups of little old adorable tourist women wandering around in their hats and dresses, enjoying some sun. I thought Cabo was all "spring breakers", but there was actually quite a fun mix. Due to the touristy ways, it was NOT cheap at all. It actually was similar prices to downtown San Diego, which was a bit surprising. We were hoping for dollar drinks and tacos, which didn't happen. We ended up finding a street taco stand that sold tacos for $2 to $3, so that was what we ended up eating at most of the time as everything else was out of our, what we thought, a "Mexican budget".

Jayda just "reading"

pesos!

Other than that, Cabo was great. I felt safe the entire time I was there, walking the streets of the city, the Marina, and the beach. I mean, yeah we saw prostitution, drug deals, and other shenanigans like that, but that was happening all the time in the streets at night and the day light. As long as you didn't take part, it was fine. I know that sounds absurd, but it was just every day life there. It was comical, especially the "pharmacias" on every corner. Selling drugs, antibiotics, pills, anything under the sun that in the U.S.A we need prescriptions for. Also, the prices were up for debate and you could haggle. If you didn't see what you wanted/needed, they would say, "want pot? Want to fly to the moon? Need cocaine?".... it was out of control! So, if you do go to Cabo, be prepared to be hassled a bit, but it was not too bad. You just say no, buy your sunscreen and leave. I thought it was pretty hilarious.

just a typical advert in Mexico !

We stayed at a lovely hotel called La Bahia, which is a small boutique hotel only a 5 minute walk to Medano Beach. When you get to Medano Beach, to the left was all the crazy beach bars and typical "Cabo Madness". However, if you walked to the right a few minutes, there was a quiet sandy beach in front of empty private beach houses. This is where we decided to set up camp each day. We could hear the music from the bars, but we weren't being hassled by the Time Share people, walking beach vendors, or the drunkards. It was super relaxing! The ocean water was warm, clean, and the beach was super relaxing and absolutely beautiful. The weather was perfect and I actually swam in the sea because the water was so clear!

the entrance to Medano Beach

One day, there were three cruise ships docked in the bay and it was so fun seeing all the people getting off the boat, wandering around, and doing their scheduled activities. One highlight for me were the pelicans teaming up to catch some fish. They chased some fish towards the beach so that they got stuck in the sand and were easy pickings. One LARGE, gorgeous, blue fish (seriously probably three feet long) almost jumped onto the sand, but miraculously got away. That was very entertaining. Not only was I people watching, I was watching nature at work!

just relaxing on Playa Medano

I thoroughly enjoyed Cabo. I woke up, got a juice or coffee from the hotel, went to the store and grabbed some water and chips. Got to the beach, slept all day in the sun, swam in the sea, and read a book on the sand. On the way back to the hotel, grabbed some tacos and (of course) a few Coronas, then sat in the hot tub until bed time. I went to bed, then woke up and repeated the process. It was great, relaxing and just what I needed. I would recommend Cabo to anyone, but be warned that there is not a lot to see and is pretty expensive. It is great for a few days of relaxing, but that probably is just me. I had fun and enjoyed my time there. Not sure if I would go back, but then again, there are not many places I would pay to go back to again. There are so many beautiful places in this world, why not go see something new you haven't been before? Again, probably just me! All in all, my husband and I definitely enjoyed our trip. It is a beautiful place to have fun in the sea, sunshine and definitely just relax.

the Harbor