Wisetrips Travel Blog

Today, I listened to the "Spring Concert" at Bellarmine College Prep, where my son, a freshman, plays the trumpet. The music program was extensive, but it was sad since  Frank and Diane Wyant left Bellarmine. I enjoyed the whole program, but especially liked  "El Arco de Los Cabos" by Ed Huckeby. Music Program Director: Diane Wyant Assistant: Ryan Stohs Symphonic Band …

After surfing at Pleasure Point alone, I set up two-hour, two-person private lessons with the Surf School of Santa Cruz.  I had to re-schedule a few times (due to high surf) but finally settled on Sunday, April 22. We arrived a bit early (the lesson was scheduled for 10:00am), arriving around 9:20am (before the shop was open). The owner was there soon, and we picked our wetsuits. I had a 3mm Billabong, while Alex had a 4/3m…

When I was offered to attend the Sharks vs Ducks Stanley Cup Playoffs (Game 3) for free, I jumped at the chance. I was uncertain as I had never seen an NHL playoff game live. I arrived early - around 18:30 - and found some nearby paid parking for $15 under the I-880 bridge. I walked to the SAP Center (there were some periods of heavy rain). I quickly got inside and tried to find some food to eat. I did not like …

After surfing in Sayulita,  Mexico, Alex and I decided to try surfing in Santa Cruz. I found a well-regarded surf sport called Pleasure Point in Capitola and a nearby shop to rent gear - RipCurl (on 41st Avenue). The rental prices are high - $25/board and $20/wetsuit. We rented two NSP 60 fishes and a wetsuit for Alex (I had my own) and walked downhill to the Cliff Beach surf spot. The surf looked relati…

In the late afternoon, we took a short taxi ride to Vallarta Adventures, where we boarded boat #4 for the one-hour sail to Las Caletas for the Rhythms of the Night - Savia dinner and show. We saw a few people dressed in attractive costumes when we arrived onshore in Las Caletas. Drums were being beaten, calling us to dinner (I presume). We were guided to our table for three,…

When we finally found a working ATM (not especially easy in Mexico), we took out some extra money for jet skiing. Here is a GoPro Hero 4 Silver video I recorded of our jet skiing in Nuevo Vallarta, off the beach of Villa del Palmar Flamingos hotel: The cost on the beach at Villa La Estancia was 1100 pesos for 30 minutes (or USD 60 per 30 minutes). The last time Alex jet skied at Lake Tahoe, he really enjoyed it. W…

Inna was looking forward to swimming with dolphins in the wild, and she scheduled a half-day session with Mexican Ecotours for Tuesday, April 2. We departed our hotel at 7:50 am for the Puerto Vallarta Marina, where Ecotours is located. When we arrived there, we checked in and were given snorkeling gear. In addition, we were also shown videos about dolphins and whales in the area. At around 9:00am, we boarded the…

In the morning, we decided to skip breakfast and head for the famous surf town of Sayulita . It is renowned as hippie heaven, with lots of surf and yoga shops (at least that's what we were told). Alex and I had plans to surf on the beach (though the surf forecast promised small waves). The taxi ride from our Villa La Estancia Beach Resort and Spa in Nayarit took about 40 minutes for 300 pesos (about USD 17).…

After eating breakfast at the nearby El Patron Mexican restaurant in  Villa del Parmar Flamingos , we boarded our taxi for the short ride to  Vallarta Adventures  in Nuevo Vallarta (a 15-minute taxi ride). After checking in at the Vallarta Adventures lobby, we purchased the additional flyboard activity for Alex  ($39 extra) and waited for our turn to board boat #6 for  Las Caletas Beach Hideaway . The boat first travel…