The Trekking Pawns' Diary

Now that we’re back from our cruise, I can confidently say one of my favorite packing decisions had nothing to do with shoes or outfits — it was hair sticks . I absolutely loved having different hair pins for different events, and they worked way better than I expected. Casual days, elegant dinners, even late-night dancing — my hair was handled. (I'll write more about the actual cruise soon. Hehe) I’m officially converted. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  🐱 Cute, Fun & Gift-Worthy: Cat-Themed Hair Sticks First off, I’m already thinking ahead to gifts. These cat-themed hair sticks are adorable, practical, and perfect for friends who love cute accessories but still want something functional. They’re lightweight, travel-friendly, and feel like one of those small but thoughtful gifts that actually gets used. ⭐ The MVP: The Frenc...

GYG: Los Cabos Arch & Lover’s Beach Tour + Snorkeling Tour We’re deep into planning our snorkeling time in Cabo San Lucas, and one of the big decisions is: book a tour or go at it ourselves . After comparing both and reading reviews, one tour in particular stands out — the Los Cabos Arch & Lover’s Beach Tour + Snorkeling Tour on GetYourGuide also available on Expedia . (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  Here’s how we’re weighing our options. ✅ Why a Tour Looks Really Good The tour includes a boat ride around the iconic Arch of Cabo San Lucas and a stop at the famous Lover’s Beach, so you get scenery plus snorkeling-time without having to swim out to the spots yourself.  According to reviews, the guide is experienced and the gear + safety are handled: from the listing: “snorkel equipment, life jacket …”  Th...

Amazon: Snorkeling Gear for Adults We’ve got one of our port days in Cabo San Lucas that’s perfect for some water time — and it’s got us thinking: Should we buy our own snorkeling gear and pack it for the cruise… or just let someone else handle the logistics and join a snorkeling tour? Also — will the November weather even let us snorkel comfortably? Let’s dig into it. Found some good info on  12 Things to KNOW Before Snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico  (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  🎒 Own Gear vs. Tour Gear: Pros & Cons ✅ Bringing Our Own Gear Pros: We know the fit + comfort of our masks/fins — no rental surprises. If we snorkel more than once or in different spots, it could pay off long-term. We’re the type of travelers who like to do things ourselves , so owning gear is tempting. Cons: Packing s...

  Los Cabos Land's End Experience By Gray Line Los Cabos One thing we love about cruise days: you can step off the ship and be in a whole new world — sun on your face, ocean air, and the freedom to explore at your own pace. Cabo San Lucas is perfect for that vibe. From the cruise port, you’re steps (or a fun little boat ride ) away from some of the most iconic beaches in Baja. Whether you're in the mood for a chill swim, a sandy stroll, fresh ceviche, or postcard-worthy photos, here are the top beaches in Cabo that you can easily visit on foot or with a short water taxi ride. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🏖️ Medano Beach Walking distance: ~20–30 minutes from the cruise port (or a short water taxi ride...

  Because exploring on foot is half the fun! Now that we’ve talked food, let’s map out what a perfect 6-hour walking day in Cabo San Lucas could look like when stepping right off the cruise port. We love wandering, people-watching, snacking, seeing everyday life, and finding those little unplanned gems — so this itinerary is all about immersion, not rushing. Starting Point: Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port ✅ Stop 1: Marina Promenade Stroll (1 hour) Begin your day right along Cabo’s famous marina. It’s lively, colorful, and full of local boats, vendors, fishermen unloading their morning catch, and pelicans hoping for scraps. 🐟🦅 What to do: Photo op with the Marina archway sign Watch local fishermen + sea lions near the docks Grab a quick coffee + pastry (or fresh juice!) from a local stand Peek inside little craft stalls along the walkway 🚶‍♀️ Walking pace: Slow, exploring, taking it all in ✅ Stop 2: Downtown Cabo & Local Markets (1.5 hours) Head toward Plaza Amel...

If you've been following us for a while, you already know — food is one of the greatest joys of traveling (at least for me!). I love exploring a destination one plate at a time, and everything in between is just a scenic walk to the next meal. 😌 Since this will be our first time in Cabo San Lucas , I started daydreaming and researching what deliciousness awaits us beyond the gorgeous beaches and famous sea arches. Sure, I’ve had tacos al pastor, Baja fish tacos, and ceviche before… but let’s be honest — I’ve probably had the American version more often than not. It’s time for the real deal . And yes, I fully intend to eat tacos every day if possible. #VacationGoals 🌮✨ But in my little food deep-dive, came across a few things jumped out at me that I’ve never tried on Cabo-adventures.com and now MUST find: (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Th...

Sorry it’s been a little quiet over here — life decided to throw some curveballs and blessings at the same time. New job, new routine, new schedule… and whew 😅 adjusting has been a journey . With less free time, I am suddenly understanding why some people just pay travel planners and show up. Imagine the luxury of simply arriving with zero research stress! …Although, let’s be real — I don’t know if I could actually do that. I like knowing what I’m walking into. Maybe one day I'll try an all-inclusive resort experience, but for now cruises feel like the perfect balance: semi-all-inclusive, lots to do, food ready and waiting, and no scrambling to book hotels or hunt for restaurants. Plus, with the NCL app and the nightly daily cruise newsletter , I still get that little thrill of planning and circling activities like a kid picking summer camp electives. 😂 That said… I do still need to plan our time in port — and it looks like we get long days at each stop — close to 10 full ...

Let me take you back to our first trip to Puerto Vallarta , because somehow I never wrote about it here — only posted snippets to our Instagram. It was a memorable arrival, full of little surprises, some sweaty confusion, and a whole lot of charm. We landed in late January , a great time to visit weather-wise. The immigration line ? Surprisingly smooth. I’ve seen horror stories on social media, but our experience as U.S. citizens was relatively easy. There were two options: Wait in line to speak with an actual immigration officer, or Use the automated kiosks — self-scan your passport, smile for a quick photo, and get a receipt with a QR code you need to scan and complete your immigration paperwork before leaving Mexico . Right at the top it said: “KEEP – DO NOT THROW AWAY.” You bet I tucked that away in a safe spot. Outside the airport, things were… chaotic. A lot of energy, heat, and noise. It was hot — much hotter than I expected for winter — and people were crowding aro...

I just realized… I never actually told you about our first trip to Puerto Vallarta (PV) here on the blog! I’ve posted bits and pieces over on Instagram, but it’s about time I gave this magical destination a proper shout-out. We traveled in late January into early February , and honestly? It was the perfect time to go. The weather was warm (okay, hot as soon as we stepped off the plane), but still manageable — especially compared to the scorching summer heat we've heard about. I can’t even imagine walking around town during those humid summer months. Winter in Puerto Vallarta, though? Just right. 🌞 Flying into Paradise We flew in from the West Coast and had quite a few options. While some of the more budget-friendly flights had long overnight layovers in Jalisco or Mexico City , we chose to spend a little extra and go for the direct flight . No regrets. It made our travel day so much smoother — less hassle, more time soaking up that sweet Mexican sunshine. Our flight itself...

  Because sometimes the best journeys are the ones found between pages. Okay travelers, we’re taking a brief detour from planes, trains, and cruise ships… and heading into the world of stories—specifically, the ones found in libraries. I love libraries. Like, really love them. There’s something magical about stepping into a new city’s public library—it’s like getting a quiet, cozy peek into the soul of the place. Whenever we can, we make time for a library stop on our adventures. The one in Nice was modern and calm, London ’s felt full of old whispers and literary charm, and Boston ? Absolute classic vibes. But even when we’re not traveling, we love checking out our local library to see what’s on display and what the latest eye-catching covers are. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  And yes, I’ll admit it... I absolutely judge...

Exciting news, fellow adventurers — The Trekking Pawns are back at it and planning our next ocean escape! This time, we’re heading south for some serious sun and surf on a 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise , round-trip from beautiful San Diego . Our ports of call? The vibrant and beachy Cabo San Lucas and the tropical charm of Puerto Vallarta — two destinations we can’t wait to explore. We cashed in our CruiseNext deposits and scored a smoking deal — talk about a win! For this sailing, we treated ourselves to one night of fancy dining (because, why not?) and added an internet package just in case we need to peek at work emails. But truth be told, we’re hoping to unplug, soak up some November sunshine, and fully embrace that off-the-grid cruise life. One big reason we picked this cruise? On a past trip to Puerto Vallarta , we noticed a cruise ship docked in port for the day — and it sparked something. We realized how much more of Mexico's Pacific coast we wanted to see. Our last...

After a week of tropical ports, unexpected downpours, and non-stop exploring, our final day on the cruise didn’t go quite as planned. One of us came down with a classic case of post-port blues—or more specifically, a stomach bug that hit hard after walking around the less-than-hygienic streets of Costa Maya . 🤒 Sick on a Ship… But Still Dancing? Let’s just say… it wasn’t pretty. The combo of diarrhea, shivers, and likely a fever made us super cautious. We’d heard that medical visits on cruise ships can be expensive —with some claiming motion sickness pills cost $20 a pop—so we decided to wait it out. As long as no food was involved, everything felt okay. But the moment even a little was eaten? Bathroom. Now. Despite feeling rough, we made the best of it: Stayed hydrated (thank you, water and ginger tea!). Skipped heavy meals and stuck to comforting foods—shout out to the congee/porridge station with ginger that absolutely saved the day. Still managed to enjoy the Bro...