From Mexico

Friday 31st July – By the grace of God we are back on the ship tonight!! Arrived in the bay at Cabo San Lucas and anchored about 7.30am this morning. For those who are into history, Cabo San Lucas is located on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula and has a population of approximately 41,000. It is apparently one of the world’s best fishing areas. After breakfast we were amongst the first in line for the tender and arrived on shore just after 8.30am. The city looks really impressive from the ship but not quite so when you actually get there, although it is a lot bigger than we had expected. We rented a van and eight of us took off for Todos Santos about 1hr 15 minutes from the city – it was a very interesting drive and we had a lovely time wandering around the small town and were about the only other people there apart from the locals. The local church bell rang while there and played hymns, among then Ave Maria. We went inside to have a look. After leaving we went a little way down the road to a small family restaurant (if you could call it that) for a meal – it was a typical Mexican meal and was yummy – the whole family was involved in cooking it for us – they had never heard of New Zealand! Next we headed for San Jose – we were fast running out of time – and stopped at a small beach where Mike had a swim – actually he ran into and out of the water and we were off. Unfortunately we got lost coming into the city and caught up in traffic with just ten minutes till the last tender left! We had visions of us flying to the next port, however grabbed a local off the street, put him in the car and he directed us to where we needed to be. The girls ran to the tender while Mason and Mike delivered the car back to the rental car agency. Phew!!! I tell you, some of us were panicking!! We have been lucky, in that Giovanna (Mike’s wife) speaks Italian, French and Spanish. They are a lovely couple and we have become good friends with them (they live in Melbourne). She was very useful today and also in Tahiti. Needed a few drinks when we got back (in our cabin) then had something to eat at the buffet. Mason has gone to bed and is asleep as I write this. A day at sea tomorrow then Acapulco on Sunday.