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Villa Resort gave us Americans a special show and tribute complete with fireworks, fire dancing and national anthem. Too cute. Love this place and will be sad to leave Loreto tomorrow. I will be very happy to step foot in San Diego and breath that first breath of fresh ocean air. The best part of traveling is coming home.

It has been hot and humid for days. It's great weather for snorkeling which we took up with Wild Loreto tours yesterday on a catamaran with an open bar. We got to and from our destination packed on benches in a tented bed of an old German war truck. A vehicle that can handle dusty dirt roads, boulders and bushes. There is one main paved road linking a string of small villages together from the town of Loreto (approx. population: 12,0000). At around 2pm the village goes on siesta, for good reason, the midday heat wipes the energy and appetite out of you. Life is back in swing by 4pm when the onset of the evening softens the harsh sun.

The heat broke today with a light cast of clouds over the Sea of Cortez and a soft warm breeze (pictured). There are no jet skis, pollution or cruise ships violating the view or hurting it's inhabitants because Mexico has deemed it a natural wildlife preserve. Only a few sail boats, kayaks, and prehistoric birds cruising the sky looking for a fish to snatch from an unsuspecting pelican. Life is not rushed here. And, with the exception of beer-brand sponsored mini markets in each village as the means of any commerce, it's free of commercialism. No Starbucks, no Wal-mart, no Burger King. With so little of what we have access to every single day, people are content, peaceful and happy. Go figure.

Living room (full kitchen behind me)

View of the Sea of Cortez (there are little stingrays in the shallow sea water eeek)

Villa Resort Loreto is brand new and still under construction.

Our ginormous balcony.