The Traveling Native // Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Spontaneity has been an influencing factor this year. Spontaneity in the form of surrendering to the possibilities of being open, spontaneity in the form of extending beyond what is comfortable and spontaneity in the form of living in trust versus fear. Cultivating from a place of spontaneity allows for flow, movement and expansion in ways that aren't as accessible to us when we act from planning. Spontaneity allows you to surpass limitations and move into experiencing with a stance of curiosity and wonder.
About a week ago, I ended up booking a trip to Mexico. Booked on a Wednesday and on a plane by that Friday, this was the first time I have ever just spontaneously booked a flight just because timing and opportunities were aligned to foster travel. All I knew was that I wanted to get away and be somewhere different. With points accrued from my credit cards, this trip was pretty much taken care of and we were able to travel and stay at The Bahia Hotel in Cabo San Lucas; all with the benefits of being spontaneous, while enjoying the benefits of being responsible and financially savvy. We left the gloomy LA weather to arrive 2 hours later to a warm, bright and sunny Mexico. We set ourselves up with a private driver with the hotel, which was a nice luxury to experience knowing that it can be a bit overwhelming to maneuver through the crowds of people trying to sell you timeshares, taxi rides and miscellaneous tourist-related activities .
The Bahia Hotel is a beautiful boutique with bohemian, modern and beach influences in their decor. We absolutely loved staying here and had a hammock right outside our room. I find pleasure in details like that, especially as a Virgo. Also, everything is available on-site and they are always cleaning throughout the day, so you know this place is well taken care of. Maybe a minute or two walk to the beach, The Bahia Hotel is central to everything and has everything from a coffee shop that literally had the best cinnamon roll I have ever tasted (it had lemon zest in it) to fine dining accommodations at Bar Esquina that had a live 3-man band singing the classics. They also, hands down, had the best Caesar Salad that was platted beautiful with a circular crouton crust that dreams are made of. The Bahia Hotel has it all if you are looking for a one-stop shop hotel that is friendly, accommodating and clean. It is also a left, right, left walk from Tacos Gardenias, which was recommended to us by the staff at The Bahia, which has the BEST taco set up I have ever experienced.
Our first day upon arrival was spent exploring the city.
I loved seeing the blue and white spotted fish in the harbor that would swim alongside the rocks. I loved the warm sun hugging my shoulders and being able to just feel the sun in general (LA has had a nice winter with most of the weather being grey and rainy). We spent sunset watching the water and admiring the clouds forming over us. It was a sight to see at minimum.
Our second day was our designated beach day. Journaling, reading, swimming and eating was the agenda. Just an easy day and exactly what we needed and were looking for.
One of my most memorable moments of the trip was taking a boat out to the rocks and being able to see the sea lions, lover's beach and the rock that marks the convergence of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. We had a boat all to ourselves (approximately $25/person RT through SUR Beach House) and listened to rap and pop music being blasted from our Sea Captain Daniel. It was glorious.
The Office is a place I highly recommend to eat at. Breakfast, lunch and dinner - they have everything you need and it was our go-to restaurant that was right on the beach. Be sure to try out their Pina Colada in a Pineapple...best drink I had on this trip.
And just like that, our last day was spent waking up early in the morning and enjoying our last walk on the beach. It was quiet and a much different energy than the days prior. We watched life as it happened in Cabo San Lucas; men raking the beach to pick up debris, the women and men dressed in all white from head to toe setting up their products to sell to tourists, and watching the boats, paddleboarders, and marine life take space on the teal-green ocean before us. This is what I remember and what I consider the heart and soul of Cabo San Lucas. Yes, it is a town for spring-breakers, but it is so much more, you just have to be quiet and allow yourself to see that these fine details are the elements that make this place what it is.
Spontaneity is special to me. I felt like I always had it, but refrained from listening to it the way that would allow me to experience things like this trip. Our lives can be filled with order, structure and boundaries. They are there to support us to go through the day with ease. Spontaneity is the energy that lives inside us; that child that is curious, playful and full of wonder. It too supports us, but in a much different way. Spontaneity allows us to experience growth, trust, and excitement; all the elements that create life to be experienced in a way that we only allow ourselves to feel when "on vacation". But what if that feeling wasn't designated for vacation time? What if that source of life emerged in our daily lives? Now that would be a life worth celebrating in.
Cabo San Lucas, March 2017
Hotel // Bahia Hotel and SUR Beach House