29/12

Los Cabos. We sail into the bay having picked up a fellow traveller - Norwegian Jewel, just over half again our size but with more than double the number of passengers. Both ships have to anchor as Cabo San Lucas is a small port unable to berth cruise ships. Tendering in is effortless so we're soon in the marina, and walking towards our chosen car-hire solution - Alamo. Sadly when we arrive were told it's been a busy day. Indeed, that's why we booked months ago, I reply. Yes, sir, but it's been busy today, we don't have your car. Interesting, what about our plans? Standing firm, we suddenly get told a car will be along very soon, which turns out to be an exaggeration but nevertheless one arrives eventually. It's then a dash to get to the ranch to meet our guide, but here they are clearly expecting us, and horses are a-plenty.

We embark on our trusty steeds through the Mexican tundra of sand, evil thorn bushes and huge cacti, occasionally playing chicken with swarms of 4x4 quad bikes, which you might be forgiven for thinking might be the modern equivalent of a horse, until you see where the quads stop but horses continue. Some of the cacti are 600 years old and 20 foot high. Our lovely Latvian guide, Sibila then takes us across the national park towards the Pacific where we gallop alongside the ocean - it's a divine experience.

Interesting notes are gleaned on the Mexican Highway Code. Traffic lights appear advisory for the first seeconds after they have changed, so it's a taste of how the UK is heading. Sometimes you have priority when on a roundabout - but not always - however there's no markings to say when. And they don't put up any form of distance notification, or for that matter even keep maps up to date as we found a lovely toll road that didn't exist which cut down our drive-time considerably. We had a funny experience when the toll-booth man was genuinely surprised when we didn't want change from $2 for the $1.95 toll. He clearly didn't attend the London School of Cabbies - "sorry guv I ain't got no change for a tenner."

We drove on to San Jose del Cabo to see the lovely old town with colourful buildings and church, had a taco and a wander before returning along the coast-road to Cabo San Lucas and the harbour. Walking back to the tender landing, the cigar-sellers were openly offering weed and cocaine to us too.

Aperitifs were taken on our balcony tonight, before heading down to dinner, our choice of pudding does not disappoint today - Grand Marnier Volcano cake is very possibly the best thing ever. This evening the turn was an American comedian who received mixed comments.

 

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