Shoes, Tanzanites and the "Atrapa-Novios"

Yes, yes! You will find all kind of beautiful places to shop, here is a list of them:

LUXURY AVENUE, by the Marina of Cabo San Lucas.
Private Covered Parking in Puerto Paraiso Mall, all day long only $20 pesos

• Carolina Herrera
• Ferragamo
• Maliparmi
• Ultrafemme
• Chopard
• Swarovsky
• Fendi, etc.

Puerto Paraiso Mall, by the Marina of Cabo San Lucas.

• Swimming Suits Shops
• Boutiques such as Keneth Cole, La Coste, Nike, etc.
• Diamonds International and its famous Tanzanites
• Local Handcraft Shops
• Sunglasses
• And much more..

Art District, Historic Downtown of San José
All kind of Galleries, get your local piece of art! Remember, every Thursday afternoon is the Art Walk, so not only you get to see the galleries, they even offer wine and you will listen to music on the street, it is really quite a delight thing to do.

Plaza El Pescador, San José in front of Hotel Cabo Azul

• Bikes store
• Surf Clothes
• Book Store
• etc...

Streets, everywhere
Jewelry, silver, clothes, souvenirs, tequila, wine shops, cigars, etc.

You must know more than me about the perfect souvenir, I guess classics are tequila, key chain, refrigerator magnets and shot glasses. But you can also get a little bit more "out of the box" and try:
Mezcal - It is a destilled beverage from Maguey, just as the Tequila, but with a different production process, mainly I can tell you Tequila is industrialized while Mezcal is down to earth, it is artisanal and that is what you taste in it. This is really IN everywhere in the world, it is the most organic and the most traditional thing. Instead of using lime as with Tequila, this one is great with orange, mmmm!!! So try some, get advices from conoceurs, and prove me wrong, but YOU WILL NOT GET HANGOVER!!
Zarape - Blanket made with 100% wool. Perfect way to cover yourself with Mexican colors and designs.
Mexican EcoBag - This is the bags that my grandma use to bring to "mercado" (markets) every morning. It is 100% ecologic, you can bring them to supermarket and they really can hold more weight than any horrible plastic bag. I love them, and actually use them to do my groceries and to bring my lunch to work. There are many designs, colors, sizes and the best thing is that they do not represent any extra weight to your luggage.

Eco-Mexican-Bag

What about bargaining? Well I always ask if you would go and bargain to Walmart cashiers? You would not right? I understand some people find it funny, even they compete within each others to see who gets the best price. I would totally bargain if it is something made in China, just because the massive production. But honestly if it is a hand craft, try to pay the price, if is an art, support it, it would be a shame that all those artisans would stop their tradition because it is not business anymore. Just a personal opinion, I also get that, now they increase the price because they just "know" you will bargain, but I would just ask to pay for the right price, they are valuable things and you will be supporting families that do this for living, you will help to keep being a heritage one generation to the next one.

If you want to dig into Mezcal information, I really liked this blog with the explanation about differences between Mezcal and Agave, check it out: Tequila vs Mezcal

And for the most exciting shopping, well there is also amazing properties, visit CaboforLife.com for more information.

And, finally in my title I used the word "Atrapa-Novios" (Boyfriend - Trapper) because I find this a very particular, fun little Mexican Toy that artisans do with dry palm leaves, and basically it consists on someone asking another someone to run the finger inside it, and when they pull to take the finger out, it is stocked! So you trap him/her.

ATRAPA-NOVIOS
PhotoStream by Andrea Rios

#ShopingCabo #CaboRealEstate #CaboforLife

Spring Break Cabo

S.P.R.I.N.G 

S as Sun

P as Party

R as Rocking

I as Irresistible

N as Night

G as Get me some aspirins for the headache, please!

So if you are coming to Cabo for these amazing time, be prepare, get ready to some party!! Here is the TOP 5 of activities for you, all the spring breakers =) Keep in mind I am actually ordering them in order of showing in. So the perfect day will be starting at Mango Deck with its margaritas, games, shows, and music all day long. After that you can get back to your hotel, and get ready for Rock and Roll! Go downtown and enjoy the night life of #Cabo.

1. Mango Deck - Open every day from 7am until 11pm. Contests start about 11am.

2. Nowhere Bar - Locals love this place, good for drinks, dancing and good music.

3. Mandala - Excellent party every night!

4. Pink Kitty - See and check if you like it, they are all in the same block.

5. Squid Roe - Well, this would be your last stop at night. I would say you will not find me there, most probably hahaha! But if you are looking for someone that likes to party until 5 in the morning this will be the place to find them.

Normal croud in Mango Deck

Also, there is a little bar next to Mandala, it is called Saloon Saloon, I like it because of two things; first because they serve a little basket of peanuts on the tables and second, because the bartender gives a very good show on the bar, with fire and all!! Just need to order a set of shots. Peanuts, I know, mmm!!!

Remember in Mexico, you are considered "old" enough to drink at 18 years old, hence, all those young people taking advantage of the 3 years difference about legally drinking.

Bloody Mary @ Flora Farm

I am not quite sure if teenagers are looking in the website about places to go while their spring break in Cabo, must of them, probably are coming with friends that have been here and already know what to do. So if you are reading this and may be concerned about your kids coming to party, let me just tell you... it is not the environment, it is not what they offer to them or what they can or can not drink. It is what they have learned and how much you have been clear about their value as human beings and how emotions or problems could never be covered with addictions, they will only grow bigger. It is about teaching that little human that they are of high value, that they do not need to demonstrate how "cool" they are to anybody. It is about letting them know that it is o.k. to say no and also, it is "cool" to be unique.

I'd like to say I was a teenager not long ago, well... define long, any way, I remember my folks gave me limits and even prohibited things, but at the end, if I wanted I could have broken every rule they gave me... instead I chose wisely thanks to the good foundations they gave me as a child.

On the other hand if you, are in Cabo during this season and like to go and have different kind of fun than the "wet t-shirts contests" of Cabo, well, here is what I would recommend:

1. Morning jog on the beach

2. Fishing tour

3. Golfing

4. Fine Dining

5. Walk by the Marina

Pescado Zarandeado - You have got to try it!!!
MARISCOS MAZATLÁN

And at last, little bit of Rock and Roll at Cabo Wabo won't hurt anyone. 

So there, a little point of view from a local lady, sometimes feeling melancholic about those times when I could go on and on all night long with my friends from one place to the other jumping and dancing... but also feeling proud of myself being a girl that even if I some few, few times had more alcohol than what my body was able to resist, I always treated myself with respect, and demanded the other ones to do as well. I had a terrific time and never regretted anything.

Be wise, love yourself, live the moment and #VisitCabo #LoveCabo #CaboforLife 

Whales Watching

My dearest readers, this time I want to share with you the experience I had with a 40 tons animal with its calf in their most calm and caring moment.

During the winter, the gray whale comes all the way from Bering Strait to many spots of Baja California Sur, one of them is "Bahia de Magdalena" where they actually reproduce and give birth here as well.  You can choose between Lopez Mateos or San Carlos.

I went with friends and their kids, we all are locals in Cabo and for the most majority it was our first time to do this amazing trip, but fortunately one friend have done this before and acted as the perfect guide and food adviser. We took the road in the afternoon, the idea is to get from Cabo to Ciudad Constitución, and the best advice is to drive only at day time. Roads are very narrow and you may find some cattle animals on motion... be extremely careful.

Distance from Cabo San Lucas to Ciudad Constitución is 248 miles, and that will take you approximately 4.5 hours driving. So, starting point is Cabo San Lucas, which will take about 1 hour to get to Todos Santos. Then another hour to get to La Paz, which is the capital of Baja California Sur. Keep going up and you will find a region called, "El Valle" (The Valey), Las Pocitas, Santa Rita and your destination, Ciudad Constitución. It is all a great sightseeing as it is a valley, full of many agricultural towns, you will actually see local vendors on the road, I highly recommend to stop and buy all things you see, strawberries, oranges, figs, dates, asparagus, etc. There are some amazing plantations of sunflowers, cotton, chickpeas and wheat. There are missions, old time mine towns and various eco-touristic activities to do all along the Baja, but this time we are just focusing on the Whale Watching amazing tour.

Visit Baja Sur

Try to stay the night at Ciudad Constitución, we found "Hotel Cuatro Misiones" very clean, good service, little hotel, only $600 pesos per night. The idea is to wake up early in the morning and get to the bay (Lopez Mateos in my case), take the boat and see the whales as soon as possible, it is better early in the morning when they are in a better mood and not many boats are bothering their babies. You can get lucky enough to touch them, it all depends on their mood. But being just 6 feet away from them it is something else! So enjoy the bay, there are many birds as well, if you are a bird person, I am telling you may want to stay there all morning. Locals are very organized there, they have enough boats, big enough for big groups, and you will pay according to the people going in your boat. I have this phone number if you want to get quotations: 613 13 70336, it is directly with the boats union. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and keep your camera ready for amazing pictures. Tour normally takes 2 hours.

El Faro at Lopez Mateos

After that tour, you are free to go! You can either go farther to the north, or go back, stay in La Paz, or Todos Santos. We, decided to stay one night in La Paz, as it happened to be the weekend of the Carnaval. So you imagine, all the "Malecón" (Side walk, bordering the ocean) full of people, fair, games, food, vendors... and of course music! It was fun and we had a very good time. Carnaval in La Paz is in February. We ate at a very nice restaurant, "NIM".

Carnaval at La Paz

So I hope this gives you a better idea on what to do when planing to go and see the whales, it is really something your soul will enjoy, feeling so close to that amazing creature, just reminds you the fact that we are all, that all is us... that we are all part of an infinite universe and we shall as well, let our magnificence and peace manifests with all our environment.

#LoveWhales #LoveCabo #LiveCabo #CaboforLife

  

Soleado

"Let's focus on the present", that has been the message from the wisest people in the world, he hear it, we read it everywhere. What if your present is bringing you the beautiful breeze from the ocean, the sound of waves caressing the beach and the infinite blue of the sea reflecting in your eyes. We, humans are pulled toward the the water as if by some invisible force, and even more if the water feature also involves sunlight and fantastic weather.

Soleado Beach and Resort is the newest creation of Portus Group, and offers all the amazing privileges of a Beach Front property. It is a Resort, it is a sanctuary, a place for you and your loved ones to relax, to be in touch with your soul. It only takes a moment of full awareness to remember that happy and enlighten being within yourself.

We provide the amenities; yoga, wellness center, art gallery, just to mention a few. Nature provides in its splendor too; the beach to jog every morning, the waves to surf or the incredible scenario to paint, take a picture or make memories for a lifetime.

This is Soleado, and take advantage of the opportunity now that it is under construction. Let me know if you want to receive any further information. 

Starting price is $475,000, and this is the video took during the Surf Tournament 2014, right in front of the Soleado Location.

Video Soleado

Vanessa Castillo

vanessa@portusmexico.com

Healing Souls

One of the most beautiful experiences I have ever lived in Cabo was being able to participate in the great program that Modu Seye and the team of Moduvated got up few days after Odile Hurricane impacted Cabo in September 2014.

Modu Seye is such an inspiration of consistency and braveness and the story about how he pursued his dreams makes you think that you should too, do whatever it takes to be there. He has become one of the most important personalities in Cabo, training and really making a difference in people's life.

Everyone loves him, admires him, and his charming personality works as a magnet to many of the ones that know him. This actually worked perfect for times of need in Cabo, Modu and the Moduvated team reached the people with resources and good hearts that were able to help rebuild and rebound communities bringing back smiles and hope to their hearts.

In three weeks Moduvated team was able to raise $67,262 USD, served 15 communities and fed over 3,500 families, and I was privileged to be part of that amazing team... I can just say that it was exactly what my soul needed, after seeing my beautiful Cabo in so much need and devastation, giving myself, my spirit and energy to this kind of actions felt like manna from heaven.

Watch the video or follow Modu at: MODUVATED VIDEO

I met incredible people after this experience and now I train with Modu at the bootcamp. It is a real boost for having amazing days, to eat healthy and to be stronger and fitter, to have respect for your body... Bootcamp starts at 6am in Palmilla beach, and when you get there you can see the stars, your eyes use their full capability to run in the dark... and then, you witness the beginning of a new day, The Sunrise. We run, we jump, we do burpees, squats, etc. basically we get MODUVATED!!

Us at boot camp

Modu and its indomitable spirit keeps changing the world, his world one step at a time, or well maybe some times too fast!!  He is working now with kids and has amazing projects going on, if you are interested take a look and contact the Moduvated team, you can be sure whatever you want to donate to these good causes they do, really do get to the people that need it the most, I have witnessed it with my own eyes.

Love your body, respect your body.

Love Cabo, live Cabo. #CaboforLife

"Dia de Muertos" Day of the Death in Mexico

I know that when my loved ones make an "altar" for me, it will be one full of flowers, my favorite ones, the Sunflower, but also the traditional ones, the Cempazuchitl Flower. On the "Dia de Los Muertos" they will make an Altar with my picture, my favorite things, they sure will bring cats, in any form or representation, there will be chocolate, pinole, atole de grano and strawberry with cream. Maybe some fruit like guanavanas, juaquiniquiles, changungas and and of course my favorite drink, Mezcal. They will also play music!! Luis Miguel, some Bosanova, Jenni and the Mexicats and Vanessa Paradis. Hope I have opportunity to be a writer, so in the altar there will be one of my books and maybe a little treasure that belonged to me. 

That is what we do in "Dia de Muertos" we remember and honor the dead ones, the ones we admired, we loved and have passed away. It takes place on November the first and the second. Families all over Mexico make an Altar at their homes, their offices, even in public spaces... and it is a tradition to do all together, family and friends reunited, sometimes with humor and always with joy. Also they bring flowers and "Ofrendas" to the cementery, a place that during this night, instead of being a dark and lonely place, turns into a sanctuary full of candles, people and magic.

The best and richest representation of this tradition takes place in the state of Michoacán. All over the state you will see all the altars, all the colors and smells. One of the main cities of Michoacán is Patzcuaro. And in Patzcuaro there is the famous lake called "Lago de Pátzcuaro" that has an island called Janitzio. People get together all around the lake, the island and the town and all night you will be surrounded by the lights of the candles, by the energy and feeling of the people, the living and not living ones, you are in that place and moment that the spirits are called and invited to visit their last home. Is in my personal experience one of the most fantastic moments of my life.

Dia de Muertos at Patzcuaro

Go ahead and make an Altar if you wish to honor and remember someone cherished in this day, these are the ten elements you need to have a good altar or ofrenda:
1. Candles - Represent religion
2. Picture of the person - So everyone knows who is the altar for.
3. Flowers, use Cempazuchitl, and if you do not find it at your home, just any yellow, orange flower will do.
4. Salt - Symbol of purification.
5. Incience - Symbol of purification and a way to attract the spirits.
6. Paper (Papel de China) - Thin paper colorful and decorated.
7. Sugar or Chocolate Sculls (Calaveras) - Like a joke to the death.
8. Sweet Bread (Pan de Muerto) - Traditional delicious bread made with flour, eggs, sugar, butter, orange peels anise and yeast.
9. Food and Drinks - The ones your honored person used to like or love.
10. Other - Any object that will evoke the likes, the life and the essence of the honored one.

There has been always a wonder, a mystery about the after-life. No matter which side of the world, or religion we have. The Egyptians made massive tombs to their kings, made boats to help the deceased ones passed to the other life, there is one thing that is sure, after 5000 thousand years we are still talking about Egypt about Tutankhamen and all of their gods.

At the end of our lives, we may or may not have a future life, a continuation of our souls... some say we end right there, some others believe in reincarnation, maybe we will live in our happy place forever!! But all that is just nothing to be sure of, meanwhile let's live our only reality.  

It is in our closed ones that we continue to live, in their hearts and memories, it is how we make people around us feel that survives. It is the good we did to this world that will make us immortals.

Cempazuchitl flower

If you live in Cabo, remember there is a great altar exposition and contest at Puerto Paraiso Mall. Sunday November 2nd from 6 to 10pm. Don't miss it!!! Link Altar de Muertos Puerto Paraiso

Be, live, love. #CaboforLife

10 Things to do when visiting Cabo

Yes, you should really consider coming to Cabo ASAP!! The town is getting renovated and many places have offered the lucky ones that are here some really cool opportunities!

Here is the list of things I would recommend to do if you visit Cabo any day soon:

1. Get the best activities reservation, at super discounts. My favorite place is Cabo Adventures, and yes they are open!
2. Enjoy a 50% discount at Arts & Sushi Restaurant by the Marina. They offer this discount during the month of October, and you should try the Tuna Tostada, mmmm!! Deliciosas! Or go to Ladies Night at Capitan Tony's by the Marina as well... they have amazing life music at night.

3. Get a super discount on Golf such as Questro Golf Courses!! Just bring a donation such as clothes, food or money to support the people affected by Odile Hurricane.
4. Go to the Beach and enjoy the view, the people, the music and some margaritas. Of course, the biggest tradition is Mango Deck and they also have discounts and happy hours!
5. Have the best Pescado Zarandeado, ceviche, or any kind of seafood at Mariscos Mazatlán, a restaurant full of life, locals and great service.
6. Have a delicious dessert at Señor Sweets!!! I always order the Lemon Pie Gelato or the Special Cinnamon Roll with chocolate and cream cheese... they are to die for!! well I sometimes order both of them jaja!! And they have discounts during October too!

John Travolta at Señor Sweets

7. Come and enjoy the ambiance at the marina for the RICHIEST FISHING TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD!! The World's famous, Bisbee's Black and Blue Tournament. So much activity and excitement at the marina for 4 consecutive days!! From October 21st - 25th 2014
8. Do shopping!! Prices are as low as they could ever be!
9. Get involved in one charity or organization, you will sure feel useful and could make a difference in someone's life! My suggestions are:
Amigos de Los Niños, For the last 22 years they have been helping the Children of Cabo with their health, the most important thing!
ModuVated Getting to the poorest families of Cabo, giving food and water. Many projects are coming, mostly focusing on the Children, giving them an inspiration to be better every day.
Feeding the FireFighters Feeding every Saturday all the Heroes of Cabo
Humane Society - Shelter Yes furry friends also need your help, take doggies for a walk or pet the kitties.
10. And of course, get advantage of all the free things Cabo will offer you, such as the beach, sunsets, sunrises, smiles from all the people and the best weather ever!

Grab a beer and toast for Cabo, because it is just getting better and better, newer and stronger than ever!

#CaboStrong
#CaboforLife