LOS DORADOS HOOKS YOU UP TO ADVENTURES IN CABO SAN LUCAS

Robert Arellano

When you stroll along Cabo’s marina boardwalk that snakes around the beautiful bay in this stunning area of Baja California, Mexi (Baja boasts the world’s longest peninsula), you’ll be accosted but oodles of people selling wares, including tour excursions. I was lucky to meet Roberto Arellano who reps for the tour company, Los Dorados; you’ll see his booth near the mountain. An affable non-pushy fellow whose English is perfect, Roberto took care of my needs to explore the Sea of Cortes.  

First off, he put me on a great little boat that took me on a tour that passed beaches and coastline all the way to Cabo’s famous Los Arcos. The waves were rough as we neared this impressive structure that juts out of the Sea of Cortez.

Impressive granite structures towering over a beach and the birds

The exuberant captain kept pointing out beaches, blurting   their names, including Lovers Beach that windowed into Divorce Beach on the Pacific Ocean, it’s called Divorce Beach, because the waves are impossible to swim in (like a bad marriage you’re drowning in), but also you can go pass through a stone entry from one beach to the other. First comes love, then comes divorce.

The "Window" that gives a glimpse into the Pacific

We also passed by many sand stone rock structures that has Rock, their own names due to their shapes: Pelican Rock, The Witch (La Bruja) the Finger, King Kong’s Hand, and finally Land’s End where two real pelicans perch. 

They seem to announce the very spot where the sea of Cortez merges with the Pacific.

Just before rounding the bend to get to Land's End, we came to a colony of sea lions.What a thrill!

Approaching the Arch

The famous Arch

The Arch is beautiful at every time  of day.

The water taxi was a glass bottom boat; we could see fish swimming at certain spots. It was really fun, and our eyes were kept busy looking up and then down to take it all in.

Roberto also set me on a sunset excursion on the double-decker Cabo Escape cruiser. It took us far out, and with whales in our midst, music at our ears, food galore and drinks to enjoy.

 The climax came in an inspirational finale: the sun sinking over the crest of the sea.

                                                 The sun is gone; the sky is gorgeous

 My snorkeling excursion on Oceanos cruiser was fantastic. We headed out for beautiful Chilenos Bay and dove in. This vessel carried very good snorkeling equipment.

                     I also went whale watching on a tour that Robert set up for me.

I recommend you take the tour to the Arch soon after you arrive, and if you like ti and the service Roberto provided, ask him for more. He also generously gives discounts. He wants to make every wish come true for you. And he succeeds.

Contrary to popular belief, Los Cabos is the playground for the wealthy and not-so wealthy alike. Its breathless beauty does not discriminate.

Contact Roberto at 52 -1 (624) 122 7391. He’s on What’sApp
His email is robertcrpy200@gmail.com

ELEGANT SAILING ON THE ECO CAT CATAMARAN IN CABO SAN LUCAS

 ELEGANT SAILING ON THE ECO CAT CATAMARAN IN CABO SAN LUCAS

In the marina of Cabo San Lucas, you have the chance to ride on the stunning Eco Cat catamaran. It’s the 9^th largest sailing catamaran in the world. Its journey started in the French West Indies, when it was purchased by sailing enthusiast Robert Popp 18 years ago.

“I sailed it from St Martens to the Panama Canal and then to Southern California.  I finally ended up here in Cabo San Lucas.”

Robert knows his boats for sure. He started sailing at the age of 18, even raced, and placed, dreaming about owning his own sailing catamaran. Now it has happened, and he shares his passion for sailing by offering excursions on his eco-friendly vessel. It can hold 120 passenger. Not a clunker by any means, it measures 100’ x 50’, and it is ever so quiet. The boat is gorgeously sleek and sails smoothly. It makes its own drinking water from the sea; and for moving, it uses bio-diesel fuel and wind power. The ecological sailing catamaran beautifully brings Eco-Catters (my term) out into the open Sea of Cortes for whale watching, sunset gazing, snorkeling and more.

We sailed out about 9 miles to Santa Maria Beach for snorkeling. The boat has a cute series of steps that end in a small boards leveling with the water, so it’s real easy to get into the sea, and start your snorkeling. I welcomed this small jut-out level to the water, as I did not wish to jump in or navigate metal steps that most boats come with. Once in, I saw amberjacks, pompano and parrot fish, bur the life jacket rode too high up on me, and I left a flipper in the sea; it came off me.  Getting back onto the boat was a breeze. The ladder was not steep, and its steps were close to one another. 

 Then came a fabulous Mexican meal that filled me to the gills. Drinks are free and served right to you. Now this is the life!

The food is freshly prepared at Robert’s Eco Cat restaurant, and then taken to the catamaran just a few steps away from his restaurant.

 I also went whale watching the same day. I couldn't get enough of this boat. 

Once again, it was a thrilling ride. 

Spotting the whales, watching then come up and then breach was remarkable.  They’re Humpbacks, and that day many were to be seen. Thanks to Cutberto, our captain/guide, I learned more about these giants.  Females can weigh up to 42 tons and and are 16 metres long; the males weigh 40 tons and average 14 metres in length. They come all the way from Alaska to mate, stay three months, and then make their way back to Alaska, but they must wait until their young ones weigh 3 tons to make the long journey.

I recommend you take your glorious sailing experience on the Eco Cat.

For all information, visit www.caboecotours.com

CAPTAIN TONY’S BAR & GRILL

Dazzling Drinks, Amazing Meals and Exciting Ambiance

If you want to enjoy eating the best seafood variety in Cabo San Lucas, check out Captain Tony’s.  Situated right on the bustling boardwalk at the marina on the Sea of Cortez, this gourmet giant is a landmark whose marina view offers its own visual feast. 

The menu definitely captures the sea. There are seven sea food choices, five chef specials and eight Mexican cuisine picks. There are pizzas, dozens of savoury appetizers, salads and tasty tuna surprises. In fact, here the guys will even cook the fish you hook. BBQ ribs, popcorn shrimp deep fried in beer batter, sashimi and ceviche is only a small part in the line-up of fresh fish platters. Of course, in this menu, you’ll also find lasagna and spaghetti.

Manager,Alejandro Alvarez and me

The manager, Alejandro Alvarez casually pointed out there are 60 drinks – 12 of which are unique Captain Tony concoctions, such as one with dark rum, strawberry, Kalhua, amaretto and strawberry ice cream.

 I went for the pina colada with chocolate, just to be “normal” But then I tried Horny Gorilla (rum, vodka, vanilla ice cream and pineapple) On my second visit, I ordered a mojito. Divinely refreshing! Captains Tony’s special: dark rum, strawberry, Kahlua, amaretto and strawberry ice cream.

Grupo Serenata

More entertainment with Tatito, the clown

                                             Fantastic portions with superb taste

Captain Tony's incredible hamburger - the biggest and the best

My Mexican combination platter offered grilled flank steak (arrachera) cheese chile relleno, chicken enchilada, fried beans and rice. It was exciting in every way. Each different part was a splendid taste adventure.

                              Appetizers were meals in themselves: Here is a sampling

Captain Tony's mushroom appetizer - 10 in all

Another Mexican appetizer

sauces served with tortillas

               I returned a second time to try Curricanes, a Captain Tony’s original.

Curricanes

This appetizer was beautifully presented. Spicy crab and avocado wrapped in fresh tuna slices – 10 in all – were spiced with serranito, cilantro and oranges sauces. This number was a royal winner.  I loved it.

Just when I thought nothing could surpass the quality and tenderness of this delectable creation, I was greeted with sea bass and tender tiny shrimps wrapped like a present in tin foil.

 It was broiled and it benefited from the butter, lime and garlic it was soaked in.  It was heavenly Sliver thin peppers and carrots colored up this sensational dish.

Dessert offered a variety of chocolate and sundry delights.



 I was so satiated, I waddled out of Captain Tony’s like a sea lion.

Do not miss this restaurant! It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

 Email: captaintonys@piscesgroupcabo.com

Call (624) 143-6797

Visit the website: www.piscesgroupscabo.com

“MOZART: THE DAWN OF REVOLUTION CONCERT “ LED BY THE BRILLIANT ALEXIS KOSSENKO

Alexis Kossenko

Location: Bourgie Hall, Montreal, January 12, 2 p.m.

Arion Baroque brought passion to the podium with conductor and flautist, Alexis

Kossenko 

What an exciting concert – not just because of the magnificent musicians’ performance of a well-knitted program, but because, conductor, Alexis Kossenko understood each work and made it his own  sinew and soul. Wafting hands, bending knees, tilting his head with eyes so expressive with each phrase performed, the French conductor showed how compositions by Gossec, Mozart, Devienne and Haydn are meant to be interpreted.

Mr. Kossenko’s virtuoso flute playing was flabbergasting – as heard in his stunningly sensitive performance of Devienne’s “Concerto no. 7 in E Minor”. At one point, it seemed like he was playing two notes simultaneously as he blew into his flute beautifully matched with superfast finger dexterity  This opening Allegro was played with robust attack by the orchestra, yet not a note went wayward. The timing between flute and orchestra was impeccable.

My favorite work was a new surprise for me and others. A perfect composition, François Joseph Gossec’s “Symphony no. 2 in E-flat Major” is so stirring in contrast with subtlety in the opening Largo, and drama in the final Allegro without overkill, this work reveals why this Mannheim school-influenced composer was a darling among the French aristocratic, and why he was considered the father of the symphony in France. The saintly sonority and godly balance between string and winds flowing into the five uninterrupted movements makes its own epiphany: there is perfection on earth and you can hear it.

And then there was Mozart – specifically heard here in “Symphony Concerto in E-flat major”. The blend of flute, oboe, bassoon and horn was a shew-in for Arion’s Co-artistic, director Matthieu Lussier to arrange. The story on this piece is it was lost but then came to light in contemporary times, but the composer of it remained a mystery. The work though impeccably performed was not a stand-out composition. Mr. Lussier is a brilliant bassoonist and he polished of lightning-speed passages with panache. I must signal the stunning tone and playing of the oboist whose name was not featured in the program notes, and it should have been.

Finally, Haydn’s “Symphony No. 85”, “La Reine”. Dashingly dotted by rhythms both turbulent and tender with rapid scales that embody the traditional French overture also featured the popular French song, “le gentile et jeune Lisette”.  Romance, Minuet and Vivace form a collage of exciting movements where drama, anxiety and sweetness fall perfectly into sequential variation. Perfection!

Contact www.arionbaroque.com to get tickets to Arion’s next concerts in February. Bach is the biggie on the program. Call 514-355-1825.

Pompeii’s Vitality and Tragedy Unearthed in Atmospheric Exhibit

at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, May 2016

Vesuvius leaves its lasting legacy

 On August 25^th, 79 A.D. Mount Vesuvius erupted, (Pliny the Younger states two different  dates), the thriving port city of one of Italy’s most prosperous of Roman towns suffered an irreversible catastrophe, and along with this cultural mecca, Herculean and Stabiae.

The exhibit sets the tone immediately. Before entering the first of nine rooms, a black and white still in a projected image of the summit has its moving element; spewing smoke appears. A far more dramatic display of events reiterates this scene on a large scale that clocks in the four eruptions over a 24-hour period – the last of which is the final Tsunami-like covering of the entire town. This film, with some sound effects, mesmerizes viewers; and most would only recall this as the story of Pompeii, had not the other eight rooms brought to life the exuberant daily life and artistic zenith of the town and its inhabitants.  

How clever that the exhibit builds up the bustling, dynamic reality that resonated within Pompeii’s walls! Its houses, shops, outdoor theatres, markets and more are brought to life; there are even background sounds that vividly enhance the visual aspects in the 220 artifacts that viewers can appreciate as they travel back in time.

Historical information is outlined regarding Roman rule and Pompeii’s subsequent uprising against the colonizing yoke that failed. An earthquake in 62 A.D. did nothing to shake the spirited people of Pompeii; it took 17 years to rebuild most of their beloved town. Little did they suspect nor surmise what would soon ensue.

One of the most telling examples of the people was the amazing amount of bakeries – 40 in all – that sprung up everywhere. Some houses even sold bread from the open door. Paintings depict this aspect of food, but ominously displayed near portable kilns, stoves, cooking utensils and more is a half-round loaf of carbonized bread.

Weights in iron and brass, oil lamps, coins dating from 41 to 70 A.D. are on display. Gold, silver and brass constitute their material. Carpenter tools fascinate as do the plumbing outlet faucets and more. Aged with patina, I thought these were remarkably telling of the city’s sophistication in taking care of hygiene and water.

I saw vintage raw axe heads, rusted nails and strange vertical measuring instruments. Amidst the major statues in marble found in various indoor gardens, tables and ornaments in glass, I beheld a dozen pieces of gold jewelry that dazzled in design, brightness and colour.

The four distinct stages of painting, including the masonry technique and trempe d’oeil, a plethora of wall panels and paintings and many scenes in relief along with tiny lares – gods in bronze housed on a shelf as protectors. Details in their art astound; they are priceless pieces of antiquity.

Tessserae – mosaic pieces that are assembled in figurative art, even a strigil, gladiator armour used in battle and more converge to show the diverse activities that travel the gamut from art to fighting – even dice games.

I was not persuaded that each piece was the original – especially in the perfectly smooth totally intact marble pieces, along with the frescoes that were obviously repaired; they were in too good condition to accept as untouched by restorers – all which should have been clarified in writing on the relevant plaque – along with the dates and provenance of many items were lacking. The audio guide surely explained more about each piece, but gallery exhibits usually provide vital written information to the viewer.

Finally, the second last room showed a film and several figures cast in positions of their last breath was unforgettably moving. Thanks to Giuseppe Fiorelli who carefully retrieved many of the dead, pulverized in ash and pumice, 1000 bodies of the 20,000 once very alive inhabitants have been recovered. He was able to get them out using a specific technique, employing casting, the human tragedy lives before our eyes. Overall, this exhibit is appealing, yet I would have liked more explanations of the making of a fresco and the repairing of so many pieces in the lab overseen by Professor Stefano Vanacore, director of the restoration.

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