Unnamed Cove to Escondido, Dec. 24
It was Christmas Eve and we had decided to treat ourselves to a night in a lovely hotel on the Malecón, in Loreto. During our previous time in Escondido, we made reservations at La Mission, and for a car rental a car to drive in to Loredo. As check-in wasn’t until 3:00 pm, we planned to use the morning for some provisioning. The car was supposed to be waiting for us at 11:00 am.
We got up early, said good-bye to “Mushroom” cove and had a quick sail back to Escondido. As soon as we arrived, Chris wanted to check on the rental car and pay for a couple of night’s anchorage. Alice went to the office to check and on the way was informed by one of the yachties (slang for yachters) that there had been a rental agency looking for a person who had rented a car for the 23rd, so she wasn’t surprised when she found out in the office that there was no reservation for the 24th. Was there a miscommunication? Did we remember wrong? Old age? Oh well, the receptionist was very nice and a reservation was made for that day with Alamo, and the car would arrive at 10:00. All was well.
We drove into Loreto to the grocery store. It was just like the US on Christmas Eve. Parking was a nightmare and the grocery stores were jammed. We were unable to get ice at the Tienda in Escondido before leaving, and didn’t think ice would last well on the way back to the boat, so we limited our shopping to non-refrigerated foods.
We returned to Escondido, loaded the food in the boat, moved the boat out to the mooring area and anchored it. We packed for the night, grabbed our electronics, changed into city clothes, and rowed the dinghy ashore, trying not to get salt water on our clothes. We were off to a night of the luxuries of a hotel room, good food and internet access, and don’t forget, hot, really hot, showers.
Walking into La Mission, We were reminded of the hotels we had visited with our families in Europe in the early 1960’s. There was an air of formality, gracious service everywhere, and great attentiveness. La Mission was offering a special dinner for the evening, and we had to make a non-refundable reservation if we wanted to eat at the hotel. We decided to make it easy and have dinner there, thankfully. We found out the next morning, very few restaurants were open over Christmas (as it should be).
We had chosen a mountain facing room since we look at the sea every day, and to use the $50 savings towards full-body, deep-tissue massages at the hotel the next day. The room was lovely with a big King bed, and a large shower with HOT water! The spacious balcony had a large palm tree in front slightly to the right and below was a large round palapa with a partially assembled whale skeleton laying in the yard. Chris really wanted to go below and examine the bones, but it was not to be at this point.
We decided to go down to the pool and bar and see if it was warm enough to swim. Sadly the water was too cold, but we asked them to turn on the heat in the Jacuzzi. While the Jacuzzi heated we had a drink at the bar. Chris discovered there was a brewery in Loreto called El Zopilote Brewing Co. He had their stout called El Bandido Black and pronounced it delicious. They also make an IPA called Rattlesnake. Next time, Chris will give the IPA a try. Alice unable drink beer, had a Margarita. The drinks were served with a delicious spicy/sweet nut mix. We found out the mix was custom made for La Mission from a spice shop called El Gavilan across the street from El Pescador where we shopped for groceries. The mix included tamarind nuts which Alice really liked. We hoped to pick up some of the mix next time we went shopping.
Alice did some computer work while Chris took a long hot shower and snoozed.
We got up early, said good-bye to “Mushroom” cove and had a quick sail back to Escondido. As soon as we arrived, Chris wanted to check on the rental car and pay for a couple of night’s anchorage. Alice went to the office to check and on the way was informed by one of the yachties (slang for yachters) that there had been a rental agency looking for a person who had rented a car for the 23rd, so she wasn’t surprised when she found out in the office that there was no reservation for the 24th. Was there a miscommunication? Did we remember wrong? Old age? Oh well, the receptionist was very nice and a reservation was made for that day with Alamo, and the car would arrive at 10:00. All was well.
We drove into Loreto to the grocery store. It was just like the US on Christmas Eve. Parking was a nightmare and the grocery stores were jammed. We were unable to get ice at the Tienda in Escondido before leaving, and didn’t think ice would last well on the way back to the boat, so we limited our shopping to non-refrigerated foods.
We returned to Escondido, loaded the food in the boat, moved the boat out to the mooring area and anchored it. We packed for the night, grabbed our electronics, changed into city clothes, and rowed the dinghy ashore, trying not to get salt water on our clothes. We were off to a night of the luxuries of a hotel room, good food and internet access, and don’t forget, hot, really hot, showers.
Walking into La Mission, We were reminded of the hotels we had visited with our families in Europe in the early 1960’s. There was an air of formality, gracious service everywhere, and great attentiveness. La Mission was offering a special dinner for the evening, and we had to make a non-refundable reservation if we wanted to eat at the hotel. We decided to make it easy and have dinner there, thankfully. We found out the next morning, very few restaurants were open over Christmas (as it should be).
We had chosen a mountain facing room since we look at the sea every day, and to use the $50 savings towards full-body, deep-tissue massages at the hotel the next day. The room was lovely with a big King bed, and a large shower with HOT water! The spacious balcony had a large palm tree in front slightly to the right and below was a large round palapa with a partially assembled whale skeleton laying in the yard. Chris really wanted to go below and examine the bones, but it was not to be at this point.
We decided to go down to the pool and bar and see if it was warm enough to swim. Sadly the water was too cold, but we asked them to turn on the heat in the Jacuzzi. While the Jacuzzi heated we had a drink at the bar. Chris discovered there was a brewery in Loreto called El Zopilote Brewing Co. He had their stout called El Bandido Black and pronounced it delicious. They also make an IPA called Rattlesnake. Next time, Chris will give the IPA a try. Alice unable drink beer, had a Margarita. The drinks were served with a delicious spicy/sweet nut mix. We found out the mix was custom made for La Mission from a spice shop called El Gavilan across the street from El Pescador where we shopped for groceries. The mix included tamarind nuts which Alice really liked. We hoped to pick up some of the mix next time we went shopping.
Alice did some computer work while Chris took a long hot shower and snoozed.
Dinner was a special 4 course meal including appetizer, soup, entrée and dessert, along with a glass of Champagne. The first such meal we had in a long time. The food was fabulous and we extended our compliments to the chef.
We retired to our room, after dinner and luxuriated in a large king-size bed with actual sheets! We had a restful night of deep sleep Chris got up only twice to check the anchor; we rose the next morning relaxed and ready for our Christmas presents!
We retired to our room, after dinner and luxuriated in a large king-size bed with actual sheets! We had a restful night of deep sleep Chris got up only twice to check the anchor; we rose the next morning relaxed and ready for our Christmas presents!