Hendrik's Mexican Fiesta Part 3

If you missed the first two parts of our get-a-way for Hendrik's birthday go HERE and HERE

Sunday September 13th was our last full day before traveling back home and was also Hendrik's birthday.  We had a fantastic breakfast complete with custom omelets and fruit before heading into town on the 10:30 shuttle to catch our snorkel boat.  I'll tell you one thing....Cabo at 11 am is DEAD!!!  We strolled around the entire marina to find our snorkel trip had been canceled due to heavy rains early that morning and we missed the call made to our room to notify us.  We were bummed but understood and decided to figure out what to do next.  On our walk back around the marina Hendrik stopped to talk with some fishing guides. He struck a deal with one and for $200 we could both go sea fishing for 5 hours.  I got a good look at the boat and wasn't too enthused but it was  Hendrik's birthday and he had brought up fishing a couple times on the trip so I sucked it up and said...yep sure if thats what you want to do I'm game!

We set off right at noon and once we were by the Arch and in the Pacific Ocean the deep thunderous waves were sloshing our little boat all over the place.  I threw up within the next 45 minutes and did so over the course of the...what turned into a 6 hour fishing expedition.  I wanted to ask to turn back so many times but kept powering through because I really didn't want to impose on Hendrik's good time and have him leave empty handed.  At 4 we headed back towards shore to tuna fish.  We had been trolling approximately 10 miles off the shore for marlin but had no luck.  We weren't in the tuna spot for long before Hendrik had a hit on his line.  

He fought the fish for a few minutes but then had it in the boat.  As soon as he cast his line and strung it out again he immediately caught a Jack.  I was thankful...now maybe we can head in.  5 o'clock was approaching quickly and that meant our time was up.  Our captain had different plans and didn't want to head back quiet yet.  So many other fishing boats were having luck with tuna that we had just had so we tried for another hour to catch a few more but were unsuccessful.

We headed back in and once we were back in the Sea of Cortez the waters were calmer.  While the water was calm Hendrik captained the boat while the driver filet the tuna for us to take for dinner.

Like we had seen the day prior a sea lion saw us coming in and followed us for a while for snacks. We had already gotten rid of the scrap of the tuna but we had lots of minos left and were trying to feed them to him.  He was so cute!

Our captain recommended a fantastic restaurant that was up the docks a bit to cook our tuna so we headed out.  We were essentially Solomon's Landing only customer and our waiter gave us great suggestions on how they could prepare the fish for us.  

We chose a sashimi appetizer that was a bit spicy and super tasty.  

For our dinner we couldn't decide on just one recipe for the rest of the tuna so we told the waiter to have the cook prepare it in all 4 ways and OMG....let me tell you that this was the best tasting fish I've ever eaten.  Not only was the sauces and other ingredients so tasty and buttery but the fish itself was just so different.  We were actually eating a fish that was caught an hour ago and you could definitely taste it.  

caught and now eating his own birthday dinner

We left with super fat bellies but were so happy with the results. Not only was it the freshest and tastiest meal we had so far in Mexico it had also been the next to cheapest.  (our tacos the day before totaled about $15)  I dream of that fish today!!

After dinner we had to wait a bit for the shuttle to take us back to the hotel so we walked around the mall a bit and grabbed an ice cream.  After returning to the hotel we hit the hot tub and then stayed up late watching movies.

Monday morning we slept in, took our time packing, checking out, and had an early lunch at the hotel before heading to the airport.  We had a long afternoon of traveling and got home at 1 am ready for Tuesday!

happy and sunburnt suntanned travelers

This Mexican get-a-way for Hendrik's birthday was the best idea for us this year.  We had such a good time and really it was just what we both needed.  We have been so busy with work and normal life lately that we really wanted to relax.  The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar was a fantastic resort.  It was so beautiful and every one was very accommodating.  I said before but also for note...we will definitely travel during the low season again it was so private.

Until next time....

Hendrik's Mexican Fiesta Part 2

Check out Part 1 HERE!

Saturday September 12th we got suckered into a timeshare presentation near our resort and that took up most of our morning.  Afterwards we decided to take a shuttle into town to explore a bit as the next day we had a snorkel trip planned.  

When we got to town I had gotten water taxi tickets to see the famous Arch but before we headed off in the boat Hendrik wanted to find a lunch spot.  A local information clerk told us of a local spot a bit off the normal strip so we had our map and headed off to find Los Claros!  OMG the fish tacos were amazing.  They came plain then you went to a buffet style fixings bar to add your sauces and garnishes.

I had the smoked marlin taco and a smoked marlin quesadilla.  They were both the best authentic tacos I've ever eaten and they were the first EVER fish tacos I had eaten.  So YUMMY!!

Hendrik chose a variety of 4 different tacos and he really like all of them.

On our way back to the marina we saw a fish pedicure spot and knew we just had to try it.  Hendrik was a bit skeptical at first but I convinced him and then we talked with the girl running the shop that day and were both sold.  We each did a 10 minute pedicure.  I've seen this type of pedicure in Thailand and in other parts of Asia but had never tried it. I'm glad we ran into it.  It was such a fun and new experience to try together.  Our feet felt so soft for the remainder of the weekend and we could really tell the difference.

After the pedicures it showered a bit so we snuck into a restaurant at the marina and had chips and salsa to wait out the rain.  Once it quit we found our water taxi driver and headed to see The Arch.  On our way out of the marina several fishing boats were coming in and the sea lions would swim up on the back of the inboard motor boats to get a little snack. It was so cute watching them.

the water was so clear and saw some awesome fish.  I wanted to hop out and snorkel right there but we didn't have any gear with us.

in front of Lover's Beach

the famous Arch rock formation 

It just thought this was a funny picture and pretty much sums us both up LOL

After our tour of the bay and the Arch we grabbed a shuttle back to the resort to spend the rest of the day hanging by the pool and relaxing.

That night for dinner we decided on the sushi bar at the hotel.  It was awesome sushi...very fresh and we watched the chef prepare all our rolls right in front of us.

After dinner we took a sunset stroll around the resort property and I got these pretty pictures of the sky.  After our walk we headed to the hot tub near our room then ordered room service dessert!  It was a perfect day of exploring, trying new things, and spending great time with each other!

Look for my next and last post on our Mexican get-a-way!

Hendrik's Mexican Fiesta Part 1

Every time we have a special occasion I really try to make my gifts meaningful and personalized.  Hendrik is super hard to buy for not only because he buys everything for himself but he's not real big on surprises so when his birthday started to get close this year the pressure was on.  I knew I wanted to do a little weekend get-a-way for a night or two for just us to really relax and get some good quality time away from work and the regular routine.  I was thinking Dallas or maybe Shreveport so I asked Elizabeth for help. She suggested I check out Hotwire and thats just what I did.  I immediately saw all the great deals and I got hearts in my eyes...the possibilities for a reasonably priced weekend just skyrocketed and my city get-a-way to Dallas quickly turned into a 3 night surprise birthday weekend in Cabo!  

I had planned on using clues to slowly tell Hendrik about the surprise but a friend suggested that I tell him before hand so he would be more prepared seeing he had a few big jobs going on.  I told him Sunday morning and he was excited to leave Friday and come home Monday September 14th.  

We got up and headed to the airport Friday morning (9/11/15) around 4 am for our flight that left at 7.  We parked and made it through security just in time without having to wait too long.  We connected in San Diego and arrived in Cabo at 1:30.  We checked into the beautiful Sheraton resort, changed, and got to exploring and catching the rays. 

entrance to the hotel that peaked through and showed us the ocean

garden view room

the one pool closest to our room that we took advantage of at night

the second pool that was closest to our room that was empty the entire time 

the view from our pool

roof top view

Excited to be here and start the weekend celebrating Hendrik turning 28!

Birthday boy ready to explore

drink menu....so many choices

the other end of our hotel's property

checking it all out

The waves were so big all around our resort and everywhere that we never got in the ocean the entire trip.  This is the "rainy" season so things that are going on in the Pacific ocean will effect the coastline up to 150 miles out.

drinks before dinner

We ate at one of the 7 restaurants on the property and it was a steakhouse.  The food everywhere was amazing!

catch of the day fish ceviche

Hendrik had the NY strip

I had the salmon with Mexican rice

Our first day in Mexico was so awesome and we were so excited to be off with each other for a long weekend of relaxing and exploring a new place!  To top the trip off since it was low season and "rainy" season Cabo was pretty much empty.  We got great deals had awesome privacy and really got to enjoy the town and our time without fighting the summer crowds.

 Stay tuned for the next few days of our trip!