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My mind is full of mystical wonder every time I jump off the boat and sink my toes into the soft wet sands of Medano Beach, landing upon the foamy remnants of timeless treasures where pirates once plundered. Los Cabos was the perfect hiding spot for pirates preying upon the vast riches aboard the English ships.
I remember to pinch myself to make sure that I'm still awake. My sight is quickly fixated upon the shimmering crimson glint from the lingering sunrise that hangs like a rainbow gently over the mountaintop above the Pacific in splintering streaks.
The magnificence of an early morning visit to Medano Beach exudes a distinctly surreal authenticity, almost as if the extraordinary fantasy and beauty of the event itself nourishes realism that is cool and refreshing.
I sit in the sand and let my mind quickly drift into another land. I watch as boats float, sail, and motor from the marina into the deeper serene waters in front of El Medano. The proximity between Medano Beach and the marina works in symmetry, as an arch, connecting the two areas with an aquatic bridge.
In the distance, cruise ships sit at bay, waiting impatiently for their shuttle boat preparations to finish and the opportunity to embark upon Los Cabos. Aboard, hundreds of vacationing patrons aim their fingers toward Medano Beach the way Christopher Columbus' distant ancestors may have done upon discovering the lost continent of Atlantis.
Wave runners skimmer upon the surface of the water like reincarnated sea animals from another dimension, agile modern machines that seem to invite exploration from a different perspective--a catapult ride to Land's End. They splash gentle currents swiftly past my position as a subliminal sign of encouragement, so I proceed to embark upon an expedition, shifting once more from sand to sea.
In seconds I'm launched faster than a cannonball toward the arch, launched on a march that Poseidon himself would have appreciated. Minutes later the towering mountain within my sight grows larger and I approach the rocks, instinctively making the spontaneous decision to turn around and race back toward shore.
I thank the young man, who kindly helped me land my wave runner effortlessly onto shore. Climbing aboard another glass bottom water taxi, I head toward the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula, and the sandy hidden wonderland of Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach). Here, the waves break upon the sands of Land's End from opposite directions, connecting the Pacific with the Sea of Cortés.
After admiring the sweet serenity and diverse beauty of Lover's Beach for a few hours, I begin to miss all of the amenities and services and finally decide it's time to get back to Medano Beach. El Medano is lined with resorts, restaurants and bars, all of which provide everything you would expect from an exotic and luxurious resort destination.
Kayaks line the shores, alongside equipment and pervasive advertisements for numerous other water sports and interesting activities, including parasailing, snorkeling, fishing expeditions, banana boat rides, waterskiing, and volleyball. Friendly vendors comb Medano Beach with products of all persuasions, and tempt me to purchase a very affordable new pair of sunglasses.
At lunchtime, the tantalizing aroma of crispy quesadillas and grilled seafood fills the air around the restaurant row. From Mango Deck to Billygan's Island and Baja Cantina Beach Grill, there are countless options to satisfy the appetite. Having already experienced the perennial party atmosphere at the first two, I head to Baja Cantina, perched on the patio above El Medano. The upper level of the restaurant provides a great view, but I decide to eat on the beach itself, with my feet in the sand, ideally set for people watching and observing the crazy contests, which occur every afternoon on Medano Beach. I enjoy the music, the delicious Mexican fare, and the vicious frozen margaritas. After lunch, it's time for a nice siesta in the warm sand.
Come late afternoon, I leave El Medano only to return again soon. Very soon, in fact, as when the night falls new experiences are to be lived on this enchanting beach. At the ME by Meliá Resort, the Passion Nightclub awaits the hedonistic and pretty crowd, with DJs propelling the party until the wee hours. Just a few hours later Medano Beach wakes to a brand new day and the activity begins all over again.
By Matthew B. Dexter
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