Monday, May 30, 2016

Weekend at the Hyatt Ziva, San Jose del Cabo

Not one for resorts, I was skeptical of our planned getaway to the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. As someone who's idea of "relaxed" is being exhausted after my energy has been drained from being outside all day, I was honestly worried that I would get bored. I couldn't have been more wrong!

Although the resort was certainly missing a night-life scene (you won't find any dance clubs or trendy bars here), it was overflowing with details to entice you to unwind and de-stress. There were multiple pools (and one with a swim-up bar), ample amounts of comfy deck furniture on shaded balcony areas, a tequila bar tucked away under a waterfall and staircase, massage parlors, and quiet areas on the beach to stare out at the ocean while a cabana boy continuously refills your drink. It also helped that hotel facilities were gorgeous and I seriously wanted to buy everything in the hotel room for our own house!

Because it was all-inclusive, we never had to pay for anything once we were on the hotel property. Aside from our first night, where I received an under-cooked fish (yuck!), most of the food was pretty good. For drinks, the wait-staff defaulted to cheap alcohol, but if requested, they would pour top shelf booze at not extra charge! Winning!

Even though I don't think I'll be making a habit out of resort stays, I definitely understand why some people do. Everything was simply so easy!

We arrive!

The open-air lobby

Loving this simple desert-inspired room!

First thing's first...let's eat cheese and get some Tecate in these champagne glasses. 

 View from the room. Note the swim-up bar on the far side of the pool. 

These elevator mirrors were just begging for a dance party every time we left the room.

More views around the hotel.

The pool at night.

 
I had hoped to swim or snorkel in the ocean while we were here, but the violent shore-break and strong rip currents left something to be desired.  

One second you're on dry land....

 The next minute, you're in ocean up to your waist.

I ♥ the swash zone.

Doing some beach reconnaissance work

Remember that swim-up bar I mentioned? It was awesome!

Tequila--it's not just for margaritas or shots. Here we are getting schooled on sipping tequila.

Some of the best food we had at the hotel came from this pool-side taco cart.
 
Most of the people at the resort were laying out in the harsh sun all day. I'm not sure how they didn't combust into flames from the intense heat and blazing sun rays. Craig and I could be found under an umbrella guessing the length of everyone's stay based on the saturation of their sunburn. 

Craig in the infinity pool.

 Palms

Post-dinner beaching

Fireside chatting 

Our day out in San Jose del Cabo. I was really looking forward to getting out of the resort and seeing the actual city and its people, but I have to admit, it left something to be desired. Although it was quaint and adorned with colorful buildings, they were mostly filled with art studios and tourist shops that I wasn't interested in seeing. I have to admit that we didn't do much planning ahead for our day out so maybe we missed a section of town that better represented the city. Adding to our disappointment may have been the insanely hot day that caused us to be swimming in our own sweat and out of water by the time we walked to the city center. 

The Mission of San Jose del Cabo

To break up the beach-sitting and pool-swimming we tried out the facility's basketball and tennis courts. We only played both sports for about 2 hours before rushing back to the pool activities. Have I mentioned how hot it was in Cabo?






Sunday, May 1, 2016

Cycling Mt. Constitution, Orca Island

Craig and I finally checked off riding our bikes to the top of Mt. Constitution, Orcas Island. It was a beautiful ride with a nice mid-point stop with lots of restaurants and cafes to fuel up before the big climb. Once we reached the summit, the views that greeted us lived up to their reputation. The scene was an expansive sea of blue dotted with heavily vegetated green islands and backed by a ridge of white mountain peaks on the horizon.  As usual, the San Juan Islands did not disappoint and I look forward to a return trip!

Nesting birds at the ferry terminal

Wood carving outside of the Historical Museum.

View from the top of Mt. Constitution. Mt. Baker is the white peak in the background.

We made it!

Tide going out on the ride back to the ferry.

Departing Orcas Island for Seattle on the ferry.

Sunset on Mt. Baker from the ferry.