Category: travel at 50

Traveling for fun was something others did until now. I have points and plan to use them to experience the world

Bucket List: Cabo in January

I just spent 2 nights at Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with B (the man I love).

Before I start, I am so grateful to the universe for the hotel upgrade.  We stayed in a 1600 sq ft suite with an infinity-edge hot tub.  Hint – positive affirmations work!

B and I only had two nights in Cabo, so as soon as we finished our welcome margaritas, we wandered down to the beach where we ordered tacos and more drinks in a complimentary cabana.

As we let paradise soothe our stressed-out souls, we saw a big splash in the ocean about 200 yards out. As we ooh’d and awe’d, our waiter explained that whales migrate to Cabo from December 15th to March 15th.

We watched the water until the sun set while we ate scallops and jicama tacos at Cocina Del Mar.

The next day, we paused for a moment to visit the koi pond before B did cardio and I did yoga. Opening my heart chakra in paradise was absolute heaven.

Next, we changed into our bathing suits and swam up to the bar. We drank margaritas until our shoulders were pink, our drinks were empty and our fingers were prune-y.

After a quick shower, we caught a cab to El Farallon, where we sampled freshly caught sea bass, red snapper, amberjack and tuna. We were so close to the ocean that we could feel the spray from the crashing waves. Our waiter lit a space heater and handed us blankets to keep warm while we finished our coffee and watched fireworks. B teased me saying that he ordered them special for my birthday.

Just when I thought the night couldn’t get any better, B took me dancing at Cabo Wabo where Toby Keith surprised the patrons by joining the Cabo Wabo band on stage. The crowd was pounding chicken fingers and blue frozen drinks while we shook our booties to “Sweet Home Alabama.”

We ended the evening with a soak in the hot tub and logged it as “the perfect romantic weekend” and a great addition to our bucket lists.

Mutton Bust’in at Denver Broncos v Chargers

What???

Twas the last game of the season …

Denver had nothing to lose and didn’t seem to try very hard. The game featured eight turnovers and a stadium wave that lasted ten minutes.

Then, something I never dreamed exhisted happened during the halftime show.

A five year old wearing a helmet climbed on the back of a 50 lb sheep who took off like a rocket sending the child flying helmet first into the grass. And then another child climbed on a sheep and it happened again. And again.

No child or animal or cheerleader was injured. Phew! I laughed uncomfortably. It was too cute for words, but seemed horrifically out of place in this world where we seem to bubble wrap our children.

Wasn’t on my bucket list, but I checked the box anyway.

MOCA – Los Angeles

I try to visit Modern Art Museums when traveling. MOCA did not disappoint.

Manny Farber’s “One Day at a Time – Termite Art” exhibit was intense. It’s called termite art because the subject matter conveys the artists journey through ordinary objects displaying deep attention to details while eating its own boundaries.

I had a hard time with the violence woven into his paintings. That said, art is about evoking emotion.

“Honeymoon Killers” even by name is cringe worthy. Bliss and terror are juxtaposed in a single canvas. Once seen, you can’t unsee.

Cirque Eloize – Hotel

3 days before Christmas I had the good fortune to experience Cirque Eloise – Hotel with three of my favorite people.

There were a lot of small children in the crowd, which for an artsy production could have gone very wrong. Instead it was magical. The performance was fun, high energy and showcased acrobatics, dance, comedy and song in a way that made me yearn for the 1920’s. The little girl behind me giggled non-stop at the antics of Bell-men & women. Her little high pitched voice warmed my heart when she cried out, “Daddy, look, look, they are so silly.”

Highly recommend spending a moment with this fun circus troupe.

BUCKET LIST: Holiday Carolers at Lamb’s club in New York City

Some days are perfect.

A benefit of being an empty nester is that you can sneak out of town for a quick weekend trip.

Saturday morning Holiday Carolers brunch at Lamb’s club was worth the four hour flight and two time zone changes. The crowd ranged from toddlers to couples in their 80s. The Ladies Who Lunch crowd was out in force and eating monster size burgers and fries. (Who says NY women in their fifties don’t eat?)

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s Eggs Benedict (Maple Braised Bacon, Cabot Cheddar Biscuit, with Béarnaise on the side) was so much better than the classic English Muffin and Canadian Bacon.  The bacon was a 1/2 inch thick and as tender as brisket.

The restaurant’s throwback vibe reminded me of Bar Hemingway at the Paris Ritz. The carolers strolled amoung the tables taking requests. The foursome did a lovely rendition of, “Good King Wenceslas” for our table.

#Classy