I have been to Cancun a handful of times, always all-inclusive for a more restful vacation. In this post I was visiting the other side of Mexico, Cabo. Off for a work incentive trip that we earned by reaching our sales goal the year before. Everything was arranged by the company and I just had to show up.
With my regular passport, travelling to an international destination, I made sure to arrive the recommended 3 hours early, to ensure I check in and got on my flight in time.
This gave me plenty of time to explore Vancouver’s terminal and take in some of the seasonal decor. At the time of this trip it was early spring and they were dedicated to cherry blossoms. There were installations featuring seating adorned in pink petals. Although dressed for comfort and a long direct flight ahead I looked like an eyesore amongst them with my yoga pants and sweatshirt.
Our flight was at 8:50am, I was there by 5:50am, and as the day grew on I grew hungry and went looking for food. Not wanting the regular Starbucks, Subway, or Tim Hortons option. I went for Salmon n’ Bannock and their Canadian fare instead. However, given how much I spent for a small salmon and cream cheese sandwich made using bannock in place of regular bread; and a side of bison pepperoni, I was taken back and put off. But ate it nonetheless and went back for a bottle of water. This was $16.95 for a sandwich the size of the palm of my hand and $25 total with the meat on the side and the bottle of water. Stadium concert pricing now seems affordable.
Fast forward, it was time to board our WestJet flight and we learned that we were seated at the very last row of the plane. We could have chosen where we were seated, but our company would not be the ones to pay for it. They did cover check-in luggage, but only two of us actually checked in their luggage, so the $50 used there could have technically be diverted to seat assignments instead.
It was suppose to be 5 of us right across on both the right and left side. However two of us were missing and didn’t attend the trip, so we were able to sprawl out. Although that little luxury did little to make this any less than the worse plane ride I have ever had.
There was an empty row behind us, sectioned off for the flight attendants and used as storage. Meaning we heard their chatter and felt every movement when they had to retrieve anything from behind or above us.
And this was nothing compared to all the jerking, jostling, and shaking from passengers passing to and from the washroom stalls behind us. The aisles were narrow and they had nothing to hold on to but our head rests. This was continuous and relentless when there was a line. This only effected the two of us seated on the aisle, myself included. In hindsight I should not have spared the window passenger and moved myself into the centre seat to avoid any additional ruckus.
And when I finally and actually fell asleep I was rudely and abruptly awoken by the stewardess pushing her cart. No apologies, just the feeling that we were truly in the worst seats on the plane and the deep thought of if this is something I would want to experience again, and if the fee would be worth it?
Little did we know, we would get the exact same seats on the flight back. However my Director took pity on me and I was able to grab his window seat then. Whereas he felt the pain of the aisle. I was able to curl up to the window and fall asleep to the view, counting clouds as we passed them.
But I digress. We made it to Cabo safely, disembarking on the tarmac and having to grab a shuttle to the main airport terminal.
There, the airport boarder security and screening was like nothing I have ever seen. It was chaos as bodies filtered into one centralized area, and had to be herded like cows; except there were no staff to do the people wrangling. Shoulder to shoulder you just followed the person in front of you until you we made it between stanchions. I have never seen so many people in one room, it was a dense ocean of bodies.
Travelling through the stanchions, it had us weaving the entirety of the open room, snaking around over and over again. Whereas the actual immigration process was quick. Although just when I thought we were done, we walked the hall, turned the corner and were now in another snaking line for customs. Luckily this one was quicker.
Thankfully work pre-booked us the ride to our resort. Because as soon as we were legally given access to Mexico, we were swarmed by employees representing all different sorts of car companies and ride programs, all wanting to know which hotel we were staying at. We got suckered into speaking with a couple who acted like they were the ones we ought to see, only to confirm that we were at a nice resort, then directed us to the transportation company we actually booked with.
With built up patience we now waited at the end of the lot, across from the airport entrance for our ride. A black SUV took us to our hotel resort Pueblo Bonito Blanco. On the drive we were able to take in the Mexico landscape of desserts, mountains, and my favourite multiple armed cacti. Shame, we didn’t get a chance to stop and take some photos.
We eventually got to Pueblo Bonito Blanco, one of 3 sister hotels. Given the access and view, this was probably the best out of the three.
Full review of our resort and its restaurants, in the next post.
