And Cheers to All Mothers!!!
Feliz Marzo Rocky Point! It is SPRING BREAK season, and I look forward to all the vacationers and revelers rolling into town. It truly is a blessing for all of our service industry companies in town like restaurants, hotels, condo and home rentals, cleaning crews, boating and fishing companies etc. This allows even more people to see our cool town and all it has to offer. Almost always, all I hear is what a wonderful time people have had in Rocky Point and that they are already planning their next trip down to the beach! I really look forward to the Shave The Whale party boat tour coming up in mid-February (hasn’t happened as of this writing). Special shout out to Shayna Sargent for planning the outing. It should be a blast again with the whole crew!
Blessings to all the MOTHERS out there and the wonderful job that you do. This past month I lost my own mother, Arlene Marie. She was not only my mom, but she was my confidante and best friend. She taught me the joy of traveling and experiencing new places, countries and adventures. She taught me about loyalty and love and how important family is to each of us. My mom always had an extended friend group that became family. Like her, I too learned this…. our “family” doesn’t just have to be blood. I have so many amazing friends I have made along the way, especially here in Rocky Point that have become my FAMILY! THANK YOU to each and every one of you! My mom taught me how to enjoy life and not take things too seriously….basically to have FUN! She was highly educated with many degrees and I aspired to the same goals and thankfully graduated with a few degrees as well, most recently from the University of California, Irvine. She showed me the value of hard work and how anything is achievable if you plan and strive for it. I can feel her presence with me along with our Lord. Thank you, Mom, for being an amazing inspiration in my life! I will always have “You Are My Sunshine” playing in my ears. My condolences to anyone who has lost a parent, sibling or loved one……..it is so hard to process but I wish us all that we find peace in the memories and look forward to being together once again in the future. Tears and sadness will one day turn to joy and laughter!
In late January, one of my best friends Tomas and I took a long trip to Sydney’s Bondi Beach in Australia. What an amazing time we had and all of the new friends we made from around the world either working or visiting Australia! I thought it would be cool to compare Rocky Point to Bondi Beach in various categories. Soooooo here we go……….
Beaches– The Bondi Beach(es) were very beautiful with half-moon bays around the Pacific Ocean. The water was pretty clear with turquoise hues around the wading areas. The sand was soft and there were lifeguards on duty at the beaches. There were loads of people at the beach for the holiday week (Australia Day….similar to the 4th of July in America) but it was not overly crowded. There seemed to be plenty of surfers as far as the eye could see. Rocky Point beaches have amazing tidal pools from the large changes in tides daily and really clear waters. Our water is definitely warmer for sure and I was there in their SUMMER! We also have an amazing array of seashells and sea glass for all those beach hunters. Result……….. TIE!!! I really think both beaches had amazing qualities and would have to give it an Even Steven.
Beach Amenities– Oh my gosh, in Bondi Beach, there were NONE. You had to walk off the beach to one of the many options on the strand for restaurants, bars, cafes, quickie marts etc. In Rocky Point, we are blessed. We have cocktail wagons coming, ice cream, massage gals with tables, mangoes, burritos, tacos, Mexican trinkets of any kind, toys, beach games, jewelry….. you name it and all while you are sitting in your chair! Easy winner……ROCKY POINT!!!!
Sunset Cruises– We rented a luxury yacht from the marina in Sydney with some friends we met in Australia, and it was just amazing. We cruised around Sydney Harbour for three house cranking tunes (DJ Marco’s in the house 😊) while going under the Sydney Harbour bridge, cruising past the Sydney Opera House and other amazing sites. Warning though, do not swim in the harbour…..it is shark infested! Overall, this was definitely the highlight of my whole trip….amazing! I have been out on several sunset cruises in Rocky Point which have been super fun. The boats were cool, and I met many new friends while on the boat. Suggestion for someone……… I rented another luxury yacht in Positano, Italy last summer and cruised the Almalfi Coast in one of the most amazing yachts. They are private yacht rentals that, to my knowledge, we do not have that available yet. I think this would be very attractive and a hit to bring to Rocky Point…..heck with all the luxury condos and money pouring into town, I would think this would be a good attraction! I would definitely be a first sign up! Result……. The monumental views around Sydney Harbour, the sleekness of the yachts, etc……WINNER- BONDI BEACH
Restaurants/Food– Although I am a far cry to be labeled a foodie, I would say I enjoy a nice dinner from time to time and enjoy the atmosphere. We did go to a few excellent restaurants in Bondi…especially for sushi. Every restaurant’s food seemed to be so authentic and made with really fresh ingredients. The options seemed to be endless! We did end up with a pretty sloppy burger at one beach bar but overall, it was very good. Moreover, many restaurants you cannot sit at the bar….you get a drink and then walk it to your table and order food separately at a table. Bondi’s missing the boat on this one! Rocky Point’s food options are great as well. From seafood to Italian, there are many options for awesome food AND Mexican food is one of the most popular in the world……….everyone loves a taco! Result……… TIE…… I think the food is awesome in both places and we have our Mexican cuisine, BUT Bondi Beach had SO many more healthy options for amazing food. I am not sure what we add to our food in North America, but it seemed that EVERY gal was in incredible shape walking around Bondi. Just like yacht cruises, I think more healthier options at restaurants would be great for Rocky Point.
Night Life– Well well well, unlike the food category where I am not really a foodie, I know my NIGHT LIFE!!! Bondi Beach had many options to choose from, but few had dancing, if you wanted a drink at the bar you needed to order, get it and scram! There were no bar stools at most bars….. I have traveled around the world, and it was really a first for me! We did find a few that allowed you to hang out at the bar with a barstool but one would not let us eat there….drinks only…..we had to go get a table to eat. I spoke up to my friends………we are outta here! Rocky Point’s night life ROCKS!!!! There are so many bars, night clubs, lounges, pounding out the best dance beats, amazing bands galore, vibrant beach bars, swim up bars……….you name it, we GOT IT!!!
Winner…… EASY PEASY….ROCKY POINT!
Weather-Wow, we were there almost 2 weeks, and it was their summertime. It made it to a high of 75°F one day. Many days were gray, overcast and just not sunny or beach worthy days. Although Rocky Point has a few months….sorry mid-July to mid-September that may be a little HOT for this guy, the rest of the year is totally FABULOUS. We rarely have clouds; it is dry most of the year and the weather is moderate as well for most of the year. Winner- ROCKY POINT!!!
Friendliness– I always said, go to a bar in America and you leave with 10 new friends. Go to a bar in Rocky Point and you leave with 20 new friends! Go to a bar in Australia…….well they really do not interact much with you unless they are serving you. We were lucky to meet some great new friends, but we are blessed in North America…. People in general talk to each other even walking down the street…..hello, how are you? We talk to people in the grocery store, at the gym, no matter where we are, we are meeting strangers and talking. I have known North Americans are different this way from my travels to Europe…especially Eastern Europe where the norm is no eye contact and don’t talk to anyone on the street. Mexicans and Americans in Rocky Point are so much friendlier than so much of the world. WINNER—– no brainer…..ROCKY POINT!
Overall winner…………ROCKY POINT!!!!
As the New York Times best-selling author, Mel Robbins said, “You have been assigned this mountain so that you can show others it can be moved.” Don’t let anything stand in front of your goals and live the very best happiest life you are destined to…….after all, you only have one to live!!!
ADIOS AMIGOS
GOD BLESS
Marco
