All good things come to an end… house boy returns

Time to go home and re-take up my house boy position at Casa Corcoran Leach....looking forward to seeing the girls and having Thanksgiving with the family.

Spend my last night at the Tropicana in San Jose del Cabo with the Jenkins and Hamiltons who were spending the night there before going up to Todos Santos....tempted to go with them, but know that would not be a good idea!

San Jose del Cabo is a great place for shopping and relaxing after arriving and before leaving Mexico.

Old Man's - skunked

One of my rituals on leaving Mexico is to stop at the Old Man's surf break just after Cabo on the way to my other ritual which is to stay at the Tropicana in san Jose del Cabo. The wave at Old Man's is easy and loooong - making you feel like an expert. I have never been there without there being waves - albeit small...but this time there were none. Only one person out there looking like a new born baby while trying to learn how to paddle on a surf board. The only advantage is that the Hotel there is a pleasure to stay and have a drink at, which I did while contemplating what it might have been!

Enjoy a video of what it is usually like....

Found myself with Yoga and Dharma – well tried..

There is a little hall in the centre of Todos Santos called l’Arca, and all sorts of meetings/events are put on there. The two that I like to go to are Yoga with Mari Mar (1 ½ hours three times a week) and Dharma, Buddist meditation, every Sunday led by Robert Hall (http://www.eldharma.com) most Sundays. I clearly have a lot to learn in both activities – but it is a real wonder at how some people can wrap their legs around themselves and balance on their heads!

Furniture and Pancake Breakfast

One of the first people I met in Todos Santos a few years ago is Barbara who owns the local brick making factory and furniture shop - La Cañada del Diablo. Great place to visit..and this year they had a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday at which I was able to catch up with “old friends” and buy unique furniture from the Barbara and Linda collection.

Something to eat and drink for all....

From the little Tako places to the more swanky Santa Fee there are places for you to eat and drink that meet your mood!

Here are some of my favorites:

Snacks/breakfast
- Café D’Licia - near our house
- Seret Garden - next D'Elicio
- Barajas Tacos - a must vist Tako stand - GREAT pork scratchings!
- Esquina - fresh OJ - perfect breakfast stop
- Local hot dog stands – lots!

Dinner/drinks
- Santa Fee – special nights out
- Hotel California - always something going on
- Landi’s - great local Mexican food, a little more up market
- Il Gardina - best outdoor Italian food, esp. pizza
- Buena Vida - wood fire cooked pizza
- La Cañada del Diablo – Steak night Thursdays
- Posada La Posa - European food, and nice bar views
Drinks
- Todos Santos Inn - relaxed "in" bar
- Art and Beer - a must after visits to Cerritos Beach or arriving/leaving Todos Santos
- Hotelito - home of surf man Mario
- Cerritos Beach club - perfect for the days spend relaxing on Cerritos beach






Posada La Posa

Fancy places to stay...

Hacienda Cerritos - next three pictures




There is no shortage of fancy places in the area to stay if one wants to get away from the house. A brand new place right next to Cerritos Beach called Hacienda Cerritos (http://www.haciendacerritos.com/about.htm) which is run by Norm and owned by Roger ….$300+/night, with bring your own food and drink! The new Ranco Pescadero and Hacienda Pescadero (http://www.ranchopescadero.com) right next to the Pedrito Break, which was hosting a 200+ person wedding from San Francisco. Finally there is Serendipidy (http://www.serendipityventures.com) run by Harry and Sharon which is close to us - more modest, but a great place to stay. Sounds like it is very busy and touristy – but all are difficult to find – a surprise when you see them and they don’t get in the way of the quieter more simple life we love there.

Ranco Pescadero next five photos





Serendipity - next two pictures

Surfs Up - San Pedrito

Having had a surf lesson yesterday with Mario I was ready for anything....well I thought I was, even if it was the morning after a boozy dinner at Kim and Donna. At 8.00am this morning Jack and I set off for the San Pedrito break. When we got there the surf was good, but there were a lot of people for me to get in the way of!. We had a fun couple of hours - but I have to say I was not as good as I was on the bigger learning board yesterday with Mario pushing me a that critical moment!

Casa Blanca - Our house in Todos Santos

More or less everything is in working order, and it has been very easy to stay at our house in Las Tunas. Here's hoping some of the rest of the family are brave enough to stay a few weeks!

Rancho Pescadero

Linda Hamiltonhad helped furnish the new Rancho Pescadero, and so after taking some surfing lessons with Mario I went to meet Jack at Rancho Pescadero - just a few minutes up the road closer to Todos Santos. Quite a fancy place in the middle of no where, who had managed to host a 200 person wedding this Saturday for a couple from San Francisco. No shortage of places for visitors to stay if no room at Casa Blanca (our white house).