Kemp Kuties: Tuesday, August 31st

Pre-excursion snack @ Cafe Promenade

(consisted of pizza, cookies, ham & cheese croissant, and milk)

We arrived in Cabo San Lucas! A balmy 97 degrees with 100% humidity. We took tenders to the dock, and upon existing the "secure port of entry" we were bombarded with swarms of locals selling boat tours, souvenirs, tequila, and even the opportunity to get your picture taken with a real live baby lion cub or baby tiger. What? We stopped in the shade of the local "Senor Frogs" eating/drinking spot, and Mary-Gail and Becca climbed on these life preserver swings. If ever I come across two random life preservers, I will make my little girls their own swing.

The swings at "Senor Froggs"

Mary-Gail & Becca could have swung all day; the heat completely wiped-out Becca

Mary-Gail said to us not 20 minutes after leaving the air conditioned boat, "I'm all sweaty. Ew."

Lovey & I booked our "Glass-bottom boat tour" (along with our two other excursions) through Royal Caribbean. I told Lovey that with our precious daughters in tow, I didn't want to mess haggling for a deal with the locals. I'm glad we went through Royal Caribbean, especially since since the girls were "3 & under" they were free. I made sure that the gal @ the Excursion's desk knew that Becca & Mary-Gail were 3 & 3/4 yrs old, but she didn't care about the "3/4" part. Finally - Lovey & I got a price-break.

We boarded the 60-ft semi-submersible boat and headed into the Sea Cortez to view the underwater creatures up close. Then, we climbed back up top and skirted over to Land's End and saw Lover's Beach, the Sea Lion colony, and the famous Los Arcos Arch. Rebecca & Mary-Gail's faces shined with amazement. Such a wonder this Earth and all the creations. And discovering life again through the eyes of my little girls is pure enjoyment.

Lovey, Becca, & Mary-Gail intently waiting the fishes...

...and here they are!

This orange fish was so striking, I wish I would have looked up it's name on the "fish finder chart"

Don't you think the fish by Mary-Gail's cheek looks like a teeny, tiny dolphin?

There's fish everywhere!

Mary-Gail

The boat captain took us around the Sea of Cortez, where the water was crystal clear and the ocean floor was smooth and sandy. And then we entered the Pacific Ocean where the water was deep, deep blue, the rock formations were covered by sea urchins, and puffer fish (my favorite) were everywhere! Interesting that in just a few feet the underwater surroundings changed so much.

The 1st mate was throwing flour tortilla pieces over the boat to keep the fish close. No one seemed to mind, especially the fish.

Loving the smile on Lovey's face!

We climbed back uptop and boated to Land's End.

This is beautiful picture, but a terrible angle b/c even though I took the picture of the Los Arcos Arch, you can't see through the arch - another rock formation is directly behind it

Pelican Rock
What does this rock profile look like? A witches face perhaps?

Honeymoon cove: 2 people go in...3 come out

Here's the famous arch (backside).
It looked like it was the location for the movie "Count of Monte Cristo"

Sea Lion Colony. They were bark, bark, barking!

Kemp Kuties
Land's End & Los Arcos Arch in the distance

From the front view, this is the "Finger of Neptune;" from the back view, it is the Baja Peninsula
Lover's beach is in the background

We took the advice from our boat captain and walked to the "locals" beach near an old, run down, out of operation tuna factory, instead of taking a water taxi to the tourist/resort beach. The boat captain said the sand was softer and there weren't rocks or steep drop-offs. I'm glad we did; it was nice swimming with the two moms who were there with their little ones, and the beach was virtually empty.

Mary-Gail didn't want to get in the water, so Becca joined her on the beach.
Seriously, the most thoughtful little girls

The Western side of Cabo, near the old tun factory, stands this ginormous sign, "No se vende," which means "not for sale." The industry in Cabo San Lucas used to be fishing and tuna canning, but celebrities and millionaires discovered this paradise and began building their mansions on the hillsides. The government stepped in and fenced off the hill to prevent anymore building. It's reported that the old tuna factory, which is just feet from the spot where we were swimming) is now the hotspot to try and buy. But, "NO SE VENDE."

And these cuties are also "No se vende" = Not for sale

Lovey & I wanted some good, good mexican food, so our boat captain suggested his favorite location, Mariscos Mazatlan. Our taxi into town was initially $7.00, but when we arrived at the restaurant, the driver said it was $10.00 - don't get me started. The fresh salsa and real, just-cut tortilla chips made up the difference. Oh, it was delicious. Lovey & I shared the shrimp combo for 400 pesos.

Lunch @ Mariscos Mazatlan

Mexican Coke is soooo good!

YUmm!

Shrimp combo: grilled prawns, coconut shrimp, shrimp wrapped in bacon - now that's what I'm talkin' about! Nearly a "When Harry Met Sally" moment

The menu; the bill (593 Pesos!)

Mary-Gail & Becca got up and salsa'd w/the waiter. There was a mariachi band at the table next to us, and the young boy at that table was dancing. The girls joined in and clapped for themselves

We took a taxi back to the dock (confirmed the $7.00 price 2 times before climbing in!), boarded the tender ship and headed back to the big boat. The girls hadn't taken a nap since Saturday (!!!) and so I insisted that we all take a siesta for a few hours, to which there were no objections. What a day!