So it was with some trepidation my travel companion and I agreed to this off-the-beaten path trek th

That realization sank in while on a land excursion in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, one of two stops we made while cruising for seven days on the super-luxurious eagles hotel california mp3 Carnival Splendor a ship that accommodates eagles hotel california mp3 3,000+ people and is one of the largest eagles hotel california mp3 in its fleet.
The vessel departs Long Beach, California and makes a seven-day return voyage to Puerto Vallarta with two stops in Cabo San Lucas. It previously also visited Mazatlan but security concerns cut out that port of call.
One of the highlights of our Carnival cruise of the Mexican Riviera was taking an excursion from Puerto Vallarta to the picturesque beach of Pizota. Our group of 20 had the sun-kissed beach to ourselves to frolic upon prior to a mouthwatering lunch of chicken and beef, all the fixings and a generous amount of complementary eagles hotel california mp3 drinks on the tour run by Carnival-recommended Vallarta Adventures. eagles hotel california mp3 Photos by Kerry Diotte
Put on by Carnival-recommended Vallarta Adventures, and hosted by the amiable Armando Rosas, this was not your typical snorkel and beach trip. There were horses involved, a narrow jungle trail and a thundering waterfall.
Minor problem: I m not what you d call a horse person. The equine ungulates and I have never really hit it off, especially after one of their four-legged kin rudely bucked me off while I was at my uncle s farm when I was four years old. I landed hard on the ground and smashed my head on a discarded bathroom sink.
So it was with some trepidation my travel companion and I agreed to this off-the-beaten path trek that began with an exhilarating boat ride for 20 or so of us aboard a sleek Zodiac, powered by twin 200-horsepower outboard engines.
eagles hotel california mp3 The half-hour eagles hotel california mp3 rocket ride down the lush coast brought us to the tiny seaside village of Quimixto, occupied by a couple of hundred families, about twice as many crowing roosters and the odd tame and untamed iguana.
But the safety-conscious tour operator had given us helmets and a quick lesson on how to handle eagles hotel california mp3 these low-key steeds, so I soon found myself relaxing eagles hotel california mp3 slightly as we made our trek along the hilly, narrow, sometimes rocky path.
When the Carnivor Splendor anchors in Cabo San Lucas take a simple day trip to Lover's Beach. It's a very short and inexpensive water taxi ride. You'll see some amazing rock formations and enjoy a large, golden sand beach.
Once at the waterfall, riders were invited to plunge into the cool waters and warned to be careful to dive out a ways to avoid any jutting rocks. Everyone who indulged came away happy and healthy, refreshed for the return trip back in the saddle.
After parting ways with our hoofed friends, it was on to La Bola for some snorkelling, then a stop on the picturesque beach of Pizota. We had the sun-kissed beach to ourselves eagles hotel california mp3 to frolic upon, prior to a mouth-watering lunch of chicken and beef, all the fix-ins, and a generous amount eagles hotel california mp3 of complimentary drinks.
Back on the ship, my traveling companion and I laughed about bouncing through the thick jungle on our four-footed friends. We savoured the wild adventure while perusing the mouth-watering menu of The Pinnacle Steakhouse restaurant.
That is a value-added feature on the Splendor that you must try out if only for one special night. For $30 a person you get to experience world-class appetizers and entrees including filet mignon, escargots, eagles hotel california mp3 beef carpaccio, lobster bisque, eagles hotel california mp3 Maine lobster tail and 18-ounce spice-rubbed ribeye steaks.
That s not to say there isn t a whole lot of fine food selection elsewhere on the Splendor. There are restaurants galore. As well, if you want a different kind of experience (and more lap-of-luxury treatment) there s free, 24-hour room service.
There s also no end to the other ways to indulge yourself on board whether it s at the friendly casino, poolside, in one of scores of bars, at the main theatre or inside the luxurious eagles hotel california mp3 spa that could compete with similar facilities in the poshest of hotels.
DRINK UP: Unlike a hotel, you are not officially allowed to bring booze on-board your cruise, although passengers eagles hotel california mp3 celebrating eagles hotel california mp3 a birthday or anniversary may bring a special bottle of wine or champagne. With taxes and an automatic 15 per cent tip, beer, wine and fancier drinks will run you between about $5.50 and $7.50. You pay for them on what s called a Sail and Sign card and you can call up your running total on your in-cabin TV.
MORE TO DRINK?: You ll seldom have to beg for bar service while lounging poolside on deck. Waiters are extremely attentive eagles hotel california mp3 to the point where they can be overly so. Another beer, sir? they ll say, when you ve had about three sips from the one you just ordered. When you DO order a beer they ll often do a bit of an up-sell: Would you like a bucket of beer? Well, better too attentive than inattentive, I suppose.
PUTTIN ON THE RITZ: On our January sail from Long Beach, California there were two so-called Elegant Nights. Bring a formal-type gown and a dark business suit for those dining nights or you might feel a bit out of place.
FEEL LIKE A ROCK STAR: Like most cruise lines, the Carnival Splendor was crawling with official photographers looking to take your photos. It costs nothing to be photographed. eagles hotel california mp3 After you re photographed, you simply go to an area of the ship to check out your particular pics. If you like em, buy them, if you don t, no harm, no foul.
ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS: Like many regular communities, the Splendor has a daily newspaper appropriately named The Fun Times . It s slipped under your door each day and tells you everything from who s entertaining on deck or in a bar that day, to who s appearing at the comedy club, to what kind of deals on jewellery you can expect that day at the on-board shops.
CABO ESCAPE: One of my favourite things to do when the cruise ship anchors at Cabo San Lucas is to hop on a tender (boat that transports cruise ship passengers to shore) and make my way to Lover s Beach. It s a gorgeous beach where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. It features a nearby sea lion colony and a breathtaking, much photographed eagles hotel california mp3 arch known as El Arco. You can take a water taxi there from the main Cabo harbour. It costs a mere US$8-$10 return and you arrange a time for your water taxi to pick you up. In my view, it s the neatest thing to do in the daytime in Cabo.
BEST DESSERT EVER?: The regular menu in the Splendor s main dining rooms gives you a good selection of entrees. Three or four staple eagles hotel california mp3 entrees were offered every day of the cruise while three or four others changed. I was a sucker eagles hotel california mp3 for the grilled Atlantic salmon when we dined at the Black Pearl restaurant on-board. I was positively addicted to the chocolate melting cake that amiable waiter Eddy would serve me (every night I was there) with a bowl of vanilla ice cream. This is why I m now dieting and working eagles hotel california mp3 out every day at my health club!
PUT A PLUG IN IT: You and I wouldn t dream of having a loud conversation outside someone s cabin at all hours of the night, right? Well, sadly, some people will. If they re up at 5 a.m. then everyone else should be. Bring earplugs for your trip just in case. I keep earplugs in my travel eagles hotel california mp3 shaving kit for use at a hotel or on a cruise.
HOTEL PICK: It s best to come in a day before a cruise just in case your flight is delayed. We did just that and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Long Beach. eagles hotel california mp3 It s an affordable and handy hotel on Lakewood Boulevard and even offers free shuttle service to guests who want to check out a nearby mall or have a restaurant meal.
PRO TOUR: I have taken several tours with Vallarta Adventures and find them extremely professional, friendly and always eagles hotel california mp3 concerned foremost with the safety of participants. They re recommended by Carnival and you can sign up for excursions with the company while you re on board. Here s the link to the excursion I took: www.vallarta-adventures.com/tours/sea-safari