There is something special about Cabo San Lucas that never fails to touch my heart, mind, and soul.    The minute I walk off the plane with my family, the warmth of the land and its people envelope me.

The taxi is already waiting to drive us into town.  The airport is about forty minutes from the town of Cabo San Lucas, where we will be staying at Club Cascadas De Baja Resort.   As my family and I walk into the lobby of the resort, we are greeted with “Buenos Dias” accompanied by big smiles.  After dropping off our luggage in the room, I decide to take a tour of the resort.    I make my way through the stone pathways lined with sand and adorned with giant palm trees.  I pass a tennis court, a basketball half court, two swimming pools, two hot tubs (some of the villas have private hot tubs in the balcony), beauty salon and spa, a sushi swim up bar at the pool, and end up right on the beach.    Children are making sandcastles.  A few daring people are parasailing.  Bright para-sails color the otherwise clear blue sky.  After the dare devils come back to earth, they lounge under the palapas or sprawl on the sand.  I took one look around and I knew that as usual, this was going to be a joyous and relaxing holiday.  It was 86º - 95º F everyday, with a strong cool breeze in the early mornings and late evenings.   If you want to drift away from the office for a few days to relax, bond with your loved ones, and experience a slow-paced pampered life, consider Cabo.  Cabo has been dubbed the Marlin Fishing Capital of the World.  You can charter a boat and sail the deep blue waters to do sport fishing, scuba dive, para-sail, and catch a glimpse of “Los Arcos:” The natural arch rock formation in the ocean.      For lunch and dinner, there is a choice of many upscale American chain restaurants, but I like to steer to authentic Mexican cuisine when in Mexico.  At the marina or around town, you will find several Mexican restaurants where you can enjoy fish tacos, grilled fish, or steaming fajitas.  The freshly made tortillas seem to melt in your mouth.    My husband and I take long walks on the beach every morning.  Our destination is “The Office:” a popular spot famous for its breakfast and Happy Hour.  It has seating right on the beach, with a canopy of beach umbrellas to keep off the sun.    The shrimp omelet is to die for, and you can wash it down with a fresh fruit smoothie or Mexican coffee while you wiggle your toes in the cool sand beneath your feet.

You cannot leave Cabo until you’ve had a bite of the famous “Tres Leches Cake.”  We go from store to store asking for this cake, but most places only make it for special occasions.    I think: “I am in Cabo celebrating my 17th wedding anniversary with my husband.  Isn’t that special enough?”    Finally, Restaurant Senor Greenberg’s, located on the marina, prepares it especially for us while we wait.  The cake is worth every minute of the thirty minute wait.

Each night, we stroll on the beach for over an hour.  Unlike the bustling day time, the nights are shrouded in a calm stillness and darkness. Cascaded by moonlight, I practiced my yoga routine and meditation right on the sand under the blanket of heavenly stars.     The thundering sound of the waves hitting the beach, the cool breeze blowing my hair, and the clear skies reach deep within my soul, giving me the feeling of absolute bliss and wholeness as a person in this wonderful world.    On the night of our anniversary, my husband and I decide to hit the town for some night-life.  We dance to the latest hard rock music at “Cabo Wabo”, watch a fun show at “The Giggling Marlin” nightclub, and stop for some cold drinks at “Squid Roe,” followed by more dancing.  These are the three most popular nightclubs in town and are geared towards tourists who come simply to have fun and relax.    As our weeklong-stay in Cabo comes to an end, I realize what it is about Cabo that makes it so special to me.    It is the people of Mexico who provide warm hospitality.  It is also the fresh foods that awaken my taste-buds, the myriad of outdoor activities that beckon, and most importantly, the lack of the television, telephone, and emails in my villa.

Once I set foot in Cabo, my cell phone stops working, and so do I.    For me, it is a time to refresh, renew, spend time with myself in contemplation, review and adjust my goals, and thoroughly enjoy spending time with my most precious gift: My Family.    What about you?  Do you take time to get away from the grind and recharge?  If you’re looking for a beautiful environment for a getaway, why not head south to Cabo?

*********************************************************** Neeti Dewan is the author of “The Executive Yogi,” a transformational book coming in 2006 that helps people create balance between their work and personal life, while continuing to focus on excellence at work.  She is a Board Certified Public Accountant and has worked for Fortune 500 companies in this capacity. Currently she serves as Director of Tax for Aramark in the Los Angeles area, a $10 Billon dollar business. Additionally, she was part of the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Tax Consulting practice and CEO of her own consulting business which provided finance and accounting services. She is the recipient of the Small Business Administration “Small Business CPA Advocate of the Year Award.”  She is a Co-Chair for the Los Angeles Launch of Board Room Bound, a nonprofit organization that helps companies find pre-qualified women and minority candidates for corporate board service. She also serves on the Alumni Advisory Board of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP. She has served on the Board of National Association of Women Business Owners and was Co-Chair of its Networking Chapter in the Los Angeles area. Neeti has also served as Business Mentor for Valley Economic Development Center. Neeti is an accomplished public speaker and has presented at Hughes Electronics, British Petroleum, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Institute of Professionals in Tax, local churches, California State Board of Equalization, Tax Executives Institute, and Economic Planning Board. Neeti is a graduate of California State University, Northridge (“CSUN”) with a degree in Bachelor of Arts, Economics. She served on the Board of the Student Union at CSUN. Neeti provides training for corporations in the Art and Science of Work-Life Balance.  She can be contacted at Neeti@TheExecutiveYogi.com

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