Today we went speed sailing in Cabo San Lucas. We were on a boat that won the America’s Cup for New Zealand. It is a small, narrow boat that was all function and no comfort. It didn’t have chairs, seat, areas to lounge or even a bathroom! It was hard core. The entire time the guests (us) were put to work. We literally have to be the crew of the boat. They of course had a crew, but 8 additional people were needed to “grind”. Grinding is a continuous turning of a lever to hoist the sails. It is hard work! The levers move so quickly and you are so concentrated, it is exhausting! The boat rolls for the side to side so often you lose your sense of balance and placement. You know how you see those racing boats on TV, and they are at like a 45 degree angle to the water? Yea, like that! From side to side. By the time you would get your footing as you were on the top side, staring down directly into the deep blue ocean, some commands would be shouted out, everyone would do their piece and then you would be at the bottom of the 45 degree angle, looking at a number of people staring down at you with terror in their eyes! While the bottom was a less stressful place to be, you were only inches from the water and felt that at any minute you would be jerking off the boat and into the water. And if you were lucky, you would be met by some of the whales that were out there instead of something else!
The crew of the boat was from all over the world, all of them avid America’s Cup followers and hopeful contenders. Real racers! And this excursion was no joke; our boat was racing another boat thwe whowl time. Really racing them. The crew worked so hard it was amazing to think that this was their job and they enjoyed it! I was exhausted watching them as they hauled rope, yelled commands and did all sorts of pother things that I don’t remember the name of!!!
Finally after what seemed like forever, they stop the racing (we won 2 out of 2 thank you very, much!) and start passing out the beer – Pacifico of course! Finally, a beer for St Pat’s day! And what a day it was – high 80-s, not a cloud in the sky, hot, hot sunshine and a great ocean breeze! You couldn’t ask for a better day in the office! I managed to get a little burned on my back, but it is all part of the gig! J
Before the sailing expedition I went out and explored Cabo a bit. It is so not what O expected. It is very much like a desert – not a lot of vegetation at all and very dry and barren. It reminded me of the interior of Aruba. The building industry seems to be in full swing with new construction on every hill top. Oh yea, and it was very hilly. Mountainous almost. Large mounds of sand and dirt with cactus and well, rocks really. And then there is “Lands End” which is the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula. The island juts out into the sea as large rock mountains with sheer cliff faces of white sand stone. There is a stunning white sand beach set in a cove with crystal almost green waters lapping its shores. I have no idea how one would get there but it was breathtaking. As your eyes continue down the mountains the sea cuts through them creating individual islands springing forth from the sea like the tops of icebergs. Towering rocks rising straight into the sky, each one smaller than the one before. Eventually the last one poke out the water, like the tip of a small child’s birthday hat, darker in color then the others, not having been pounded into white washed submission yet. You would barely notice it against the splendor of the larger formations, if you didn’t know it was there. This is lands end. The end of the west coast. Pretty cool.
I write this as I am waiting to go where few civilians have gone before – the CREW BAR!!!!! To those of you unfamiliar with the cruise industry – this is the hidden secret of all secrets, the place where the crew get to let their hair down, get drunk (on rumored 1.25 beers, which beats the 6 beers up top), be themselves, and presumably, all hook up together. We are shooting it for the show tonight of all nights bcs they are having their St Pats Party and the drinks are free! (Again reference the aforementioned 6 beers up top) This is big news. Since I took this position I have been angling to get to the crew bar and come hell or high water, it is so against the rules for a civilian to see what goes on under the main decks that I have been told repeatedly that I would never get in. Well HA! Tonight is my night! I am guessing by my level of anticipation and excitement that it will be a letdown. Much like every first date I have ever had. And many second and third and 3 year days, but I digress. This is the stuff legends are written about, fables are born of and memories are created by. Ahhhh the crew bar. Bring it!
And tomorrow, after my night of revelation amoungst the crew, I go ziplining in Mazatlan. The course is supposed to be amazing and really I can’t wait to see my camera men trying to film while zipping across the Mexican rainforests at 60 miles an hour and some hundreds of feet above the trees! Should be an interesting day! I will report back tomorrow night! Happy St Pats!
I promise to get some pics posted soon!!
The crew of the boat was from all over the world, all of them avid America’s Cup followers and hopeful contenders. Real racers! And this excursion was no joke; our boat was racing another boat thwe whowl time. Really racing them. The crew worked so hard it was amazing to think that this was their job and they enjoyed it! I was exhausted watching them as they hauled rope, yelled commands and did all sorts of pother things that I don’t remember the name of!!!
Finally after what seemed like forever, they stop the racing (we won 2 out of 2 thank you very, much!) and start passing out the beer – Pacifico of course! Finally, a beer for St Pat’s day! And what a day it was – high 80-s, not a cloud in the sky, hot, hot sunshine and a great ocean breeze! You couldn’t ask for a better day in the office! I managed to get a little burned on my back, but it is all part of the gig! J
Before the sailing expedition I went out and explored Cabo a bit. It is so not what O expected. It is very much like a desert – not a lot of vegetation at all and very dry and barren. It reminded me of the interior of Aruba. The building industry seems to be in full swing with new construction on every hill top. Oh yea, and it was very hilly. Mountainous almost. Large mounds of sand and dirt with cactus and well, rocks really. And then there is “Lands End” which is the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula. The island juts out into the sea as large rock mountains with sheer cliff faces of white sand stone. There is a stunning white sand beach set in a cove with crystal almost green waters lapping its shores. I have no idea how one would get there but it was breathtaking. As your eyes continue down the mountains the sea cuts through them creating individual islands springing forth from the sea like the tops of icebergs. Towering rocks rising straight into the sky, each one smaller than the one before. Eventually the last one poke out the water, like the tip of a small child’s birthday hat, darker in color then the others, not having been pounded into white washed submission yet. You would barely notice it against the splendor of the larger formations, if you didn’t know it was there. This is lands end. The end of the west coast. Pretty cool.
I write this as I am waiting to go where few civilians have gone before – the CREW BAR!!!!! To those of you unfamiliar with the cruise industry – this is the hidden secret of all secrets, the place where the crew get to let their hair down, get drunk (on rumored 1.25 beers, which beats the 6 beers up top), be themselves, and presumably, all hook up together. We are shooting it for the show tonight of all nights bcs they are having their St Pats Party and the drinks are free! (Again reference the aforementioned 6 beers up top) This is big news. Since I took this position I have been angling to get to the crew bar and come hell or high water, it is so against the rules for a civilian to see what goes on under the main decks that I have been told repeatedly that I would never get in. Well HA! Tonight is my night! I am guessing by my level of anticipation and excitement that it will be a letdown. Much like every first date I have ever had. And many second and third and 3 year days, but I digress. This is the stuff legends are written about, fables are born of and memories are created by. Ahhhh the crew bar. Bring it!
And tomorrow, after my night of revelation amoungst the crew, I go ziplining in Mazatlan. The course is supposed to be amazing and really I can’t wait to see my camera men trying to film while zipping across the Mexican rainforests at 60 miles an hour and some hundreds of feet above the trees! Should be an interesting day! I will report back tomorrow night! Happy St Pats!
I promise to get some pics posted soon!!
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