BajaNomad

Disneyland To Cabo 4

Bajahowodd - 6-4-2013 at 02:42 PM

We had breakfast at the little restaurant at El Morro. Think I mentioned that it's included with the price of the room. We weren't in much of a hurry because we had so little additional driving to do.

The highway is now all fourlane between La Paz and Cabo, with the exception of driving through Todos Santos; much of it limited access highway. It does appear that they have begun work on a road to bypass Todos. There's a stretch South of Pescadero with a posted limit of 110kph. The only other place I recall encountering such a high posted limit not on a toll road is a section of the Ruta de Vino between Ensenada and Tecate.

Anyway, perhaps someone local can let me know, but as we drove through Todos, it appeared that the Cafe Santa Fe was no more. I might have just missed it. That Italian Restaurant was something we discovered some 20 years ago.

As we approached Cabo, the amount of new development on the Pacific side is quite evident. And although we had very spare traffic in the drive down from Todos, as we got to the area near Soriana, it seemed like rush hour on the 405.

We were headed the Hacienda Del Mar for a week's stay.

Yep. It's a time share. I'm guilty.

Long story about how I came to buy that particular one.

We first hit Cabo in 1983. In 1989, I discovered an ad in the LA Times with special rate packages to the Hotel Twin Dolphin. That hotel, right next to Santa Maria Bay, was owned and developed by David Halliburton ( yes, that guy). It was, at the time, the elite destination and getaway for the Hollywood and corporate types. It didn't even have a sign in front. You had to know where you were going.

Since it first opened, Halliburton closed it for the summer months. But inasmuch as this was just the beginning of Cabo's development, Halliburton found he was losing quality staff to competitors that provided year-round employment. So, here it was, summer of 1989, and the Twin Dolphin was open for the first time in July, August and September.

Upon arrival, we were informed that some existing guest decided to not check out, and that there was only one room available. They guy at the desk gave the impression that even though we had paid for two rooms, it would be fine for both couples to share a room with one bed.

After heated protest, they decided to allow one of we couples to stay in David Halliburton's personal suite. I mean this had all kinds of stuff in it, including an extensive library. And Oxygen tanks- not the kind for Scuba.

Since the trip was my idea, I called an audible and chose the regular room, relegating our friends to stay in Halliburton's room. I dunno. Just felt a little creepy to me.

During our stay, we cruised into town ( oh, how different it was then) and got accosted by a time share hustler, with a deal that paid for our car rental. We ended up at a presentation at a quaint little oceanfront restaurant names Cilantro's. The development was not yet built. It was to be called Pueblo Bonito. They just had a temporary mock-up a room.

Nearby was The Cascadas, and nothing else. Ground floor opportunity to get a presidential suite right out front. Who could resist?

The plan was to build in three phases. The developers had one prior development in Mazatlan. I imagine they were overwhelmed with the demand, inasmuch as one year later, the entire Pueblo Bonito was open for business!

The property now is called Pueblos Bonito Los Cabos.

You may be wondering what this has to do with Hacienda Del Mar, no?

I shall explain nest time.

David K - 6-5-2013 at 06:58 PM

Thanks!

woody with a view - 6-5-2013 at 07:01 PM

what time is "nest time?":?:

Bajahowodd - 6-6-2013 at 04:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
what time is "nest time?":?:


Ain't that how they say it down there?:lol::P