Sometimes the world feels so small, but then you go somewhere that makes you feel like you have reached the end of the earth. In this case, we are at the very tip of Baja, looking at La Isla de Mujeres, and in the water is the kyack that I had just finished paddling. The beach was perfect, with only a few people around. We at lunch overlooking the sea, and spent the afternoon playing in the sand and water.
I forgot how much I love this part of Mexico. It's so different than what most people picture when they think of Mexico - instead of tropics, the landscape is a combination of desert and shore. Cactuses and palm trees fill the skyline, and in the late afternoon, you can see big pelicans swooping down to catch their dinner in the fish-rich Sea of Cortez.
We are in a very non-touristy part of this area, La Paz. Even though it is the capital, it is much lesser known and different than Cabo San Lucas, which is beautiful on the outskirts, but going out in town feels like you've landed in a Girls Gone Wild segment. Most of the people in the town here are locals, and there is a genuine pride in the local cuisine and heritage. It's very refreshing.
Our hotel, Hotel Perla, has been here since the 1940's. My brother Jonn stayed here several times when he was on an Outward Bound semester a few years ago. It is old-style, very simple and traditional, with a smiling staff and a breezy, laid-back style.
I can see why travelers fell in love with this part of the world years ago, and why surfers and travellers still feel the lure of the place. It's not just the beauty of the area, it is the feeling that you get when you put your toes in the sand, and take a sip of an ice-cold Pacifico. It's a little taste of heaven.
