The Other Half

I'm still adjusting from a whirlwind 4-day, 3-night trip to Cabo.

It was unlike any vacation I've ever taken, from the Gulfstream Jet, to the One & Only Palmilla resort and private yacht, this was one to remember.

And I've got the pictures and videotape to prove it.

This trip was courtesy of my wife. Actually, she and five other Outback partners were tops in California last year, earning the five star trip from the man behind all 63 restaurants in California.

They all got to bring their spouses. No rules, just right, baby.

I've had a lot of great vacations in my life, from my 1st trip to the Grand Canyon when I was 8 yrs old, to my family's annual pilgrimage to Disneyland during the Christmas holiday. (There's nothing like fake snow on Main Street)

I've never measured a vacation by the amount of money I spent, or this time, didn't spend, but instead by the memories and there were plenty.

For those of you who haven't been to Palmilla in Cabo de San Jose, let me set the stage for you.

You walk to the pool to find what appears to be a queen sized futon. An employee approaches and places his hand over his heart (a resort tradition that means "my pleasure) and asks if you'd like a bottle of water or anything else to drink. He brings a towel and fan to deal with the 95 degree heat and 100% humidity.

Later, he returns with ice goggles and suggests a massage.

In the room, our butler (complimentary) makes sure the bed is turned down, with flowers in the shape of the resort insignia at the foot of the comforter. Cocktail snacks arrive everyday at the same time, with a note asking if we needed him to refresh the fruit. Yes, refresh the fruit.

I didn't look at the bill, even though I wasn't paying, because I didn't want to know. This was a fantasy of sorts, one that I didn't want to spoil.

Our host treated us to a lavish dinner at three phenomenal restaurants every night during the trip. He popped for golf and drinks, refusing to let anyone else pickup the tab.

This was his way of thanking my wife and her business partners for their extremely hard work in 2006 and I was along for the ride.

I expressed my gratitude at every turn, to which he simply smiled and said, "No, thank you."

This might be how the other half lives, but he's in a class by himself.

Thanks Tom.