REFERENCES
REFERENCES
Jim I want to thank our wonderful guests for all of the kind words they have to say about our crew, and "Tesoro Del Mar". We really do appreciate it. We realize the importance your vacation means to you and your family. We will always do our best to make sure that your vacation will be a memorable experience, one that you will remember for a lifetime. For those of you who are serious about chartering with us, and would like to contact any of the following people directly for more information, just e-mail me and I'll send you their e-mail address. They are always our best form of advertising. We have noticed a common thread that runs through all of our trips, and that is our guests are really great people. We all have had a terrific time together, and it has made our trips a joy to be on.
WHAT OUR GUESTS HAVE TO SAY
"...Over the next 4 days we laughed a lot, relaxed more than we have in the past 25 years, snorkeled w/ sea lions, hiked to Indian caves, did some kayaking, and were taught to knee board (well, most of us) by the "ever spry Jimmy"...he even had the kids doing 360* turns after the first day. Alan reveled in the excitement of sailing the boat, and we all gained a huge appreciation for a sailing lifestyle. Most evenings Jimmy put in our Jimmy Buffet CD's while we enjoyed Jim's famous Margarita recipe. How Estrella could create gourmet meals, (and I never saw any of the parts or pieces), never appear to be hectic or harried, help Jimmy as needed w/ the sailing and smile so genuinely all the time...WOW!!! what an awesome lady!!! We ate like royalty...and I cant even use the word I used on board the boat to describe Estrella's desserts...just take the trip and you'll find the word yourself. Most evenings Jimmy and Estrella would retire after dinner to their cabin and leave us to the privacy of our own family. The last night they did make an exception when Jimmy decided to stay up top and regale us w/ stories of all the old time sailors of he and Estrella's past. Geez!! what a time we had!!!... I laughed so hard my eyes teared up and I did that so long my sides started to ache...quite a nite and one that will no doubt keep us smiling for years to come!! I was totally at ease from the minute I stepped on the boat...Jimmy exudes total confidence in what he does. Obviously I get the fact that he knows the boat, I could have watched him work the boat for hours...he is truly a man in HIS element, and that is a thing to behold.We did so many different things....simply put, a whole lot of living was done in 4 short days. All new, all exciting, all enjoyable, all fun, all relaxing, ALL TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! THERE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN A BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF OUR LIFE TOGETHER!!!!!
Thank you all so much for helping to make this such a fantastic experience. Our family dynamic changes rapidly now as the kids get older and head their own directions. There might not be that many more opportunities for us to be together as we were on Tesero del Mar. This time spent w/ them will always be "freeze-framed" in my heart and mind...something that time can never take away. Words can not express our sincere joy to have had this time w/ them......enabled by you..."
With a very full heart (and belly, thank you Estrella),
Robin B.
(Riverside, Calif)
"...Words cannot do a Baja Seafaris vacation justice. It was the vacation of a lifetime! Our only regret was that we only chartered a 5 day trip, and we should have done the 7 day... next time!! Over the years we have been to Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa/Zihua, Cabo, Mazatlan, and many baja locations... This trip beats them all !!!If you want a vacation where you "get out there", this is it. Snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking, kneeboarding, Jimmy's "baja death tube" etc, you make the call of what and when. The waters North of La Paz are a spectacular turquoise color featuring 50+ ft visibility with abundant marine life/coral reefs. The Islands of Espiritu Santo and Partida have many gorgeous, secluded coves beckoning you to explore and play in... the view from the airplane of these baja jewels is stunning. I have countless hours in and on the ocean, and this area ranks up there with the best in my book. Of course, then there is the Baja itself... remote, rugged, saguaros, spectacular, an Ansel Adams dream, like a trip to another planet.
Of course, what made the experience extra special was Jimmy and Estrella. Jimmy has 18 years experience in the local waters... he knows the vessel intimately, he knows every reef and cove, he knows the weather and marine conditions... you are in the best of hands with him at the helm. He will tailor the voyage to your desires. Estrella made the charter a joy by attending to our every need... and she sure can cook! She made sure we could totally relax between our abundant activities. And Jimmy makes great margaritas too! We left feeling we had made two new close friends, we think of them often. There is no question we will go back again!"
Jeff
(San Diego, CA)
"...A HIGHLY recommended vacation!!! We were a family of two adults/two kids (8 and 10). Jimmy and Estrella were incredibly gracious hosts catering to our every whim and need, while keeping our safety foremost in their minds at all times. And they made it look so EASY! Estrella is a master in the galley, producing wonderful meals that exactly matched our family's tastes and dietary restrictions. They sent us a detailed food questionnaire way in advance and Connie planned the meals around our answers. In our case, she had to contend with allergy restrictions that daunt most experienced chefs, and she came through like a champ!! We all looked forward to each meal and the evening pitcher of margaritas ("virgin" for the kids.)The Sea of Cortez scenery is breathtaking in its contrasts: the oranges and browns of the cliff side desert against the brilliant aquamarine of the water. Jimmy will take you to gorgeous, remote coves where you can kayak, snorkel, tube, ski, or kneeboard, to your hearts content. There is one special destination where you can snorkel with the playful and curious sea lions. Estrella and Jimmy are great fun. Within a day they felt more like family than "tour guides." They welcomed us into their home and immediately endeared themselves to all of us with their warmth and humor. Our 8-year old followed Jimmy around like a puppy watching everything he did from anchoring and steering to cleaning out a water intake filter. Sign up for a trip soon -- you'll never forget it and it is worth every penny!!"
Julie and Ejner
(Belmont, CA)
"...THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU As you know, we recently completed a whale-watching, snorkeling, sight-seeing, beach-combing and loafing trip with Baja Seafaris. I couldn't wait to tell you how great the experience was. First, the crew performed flawlessly. Everything they did was designed to first guarantee our safety and comfort and then to satisfy our every request. The food was superb. I have never received better service or accommodation of my requests."
Charles R.
Arizona
"...Our time with you is now tucked away in our treasured memory locker for daydreaming about by the fire this winter. Besides the awesome scenery, gorgeous turquoise waters, and balmy weather that is Baja, on Tesero del Mar we were treated to some of the best meals we've ever eaten, beautifully presented, along with wonderful conversation. It was such a pleasure getting to know you both and you both made us feel so comfortable and at home with your warm hospitality. We really appreciated all the sailing and anchoring tips and your knowledge of the area. Tesero del Mar is not only beautiful but very comfortable aboard and great under sail. A nice hot shower after an afternoon of snorkeling was also very welcome. The time sure did fly by, but I know it really was eight days because I kept a little journal of all the things we did and saw and all the scrumptious meals so we could revisit it all when the pictures are developed! We were sorry we had made reservations at the hotel for the last day instead of another aboard Tesero del Mar, since it's such a short walk into town from the marina and we enjoyed watching all the activity in the marina while sitting in the cockpit....next time we'll know better. We also enjoyed the tour of Marco Polo. Even as confirmed sailors, we were very impressed! Thank you again for taking such good care of us and we are looking forward to another adventure with you soon..."
Ann W.
Columbia, CA
"... Thank you for a wonderful vacation! You have a marvelous captain/firstmate team and we appreciate your warm hospitality. We've come away with lots of unforgettable sights and many new wrinkles about sailing. Most especially we want to thank Jimmy for all his help and hospitality..."
Ann H
Arizona
"...Missing you all in many ways...how you created a space where the edges of life seemed a little bit softer and waking up was more of an adventure. I tried to carry these pieces with me on my first day back, scared to lose the clarity you gain in being so far from home...with such loving people. I am back to the grind for now, but better for having met you! Thanks for a great experience..."
Amanda S
New York
Dear Jim,
Words cannot express how wonderful our trip was for my family and I. The scenery was beautiful and different from anything we have ever seen, and we enjoyed exploring in and out of the water. But I think our fondest memories will be of the people on the boat. The crew could not have been nicer to us. We were spoiled rotten. We enjoyed many pleasant conversations, especially after a couple of margaritas. We have been back for two days now and it all seems like a dream.
Linda P.
Dallas, Texas
Dear Jim,
Thank you for all your help and care in making my program so successful. You have no idea how relieved I was not to have to worry about crew, cook, Captain, etc. You have a very caring, kind, professional business and crew, and Sharon and I both wish you all the success. You are more than welcome to use us as a reference at any time.
Lela S.
Calgary, Canada
"...It was with some trepidation that we decided on a sailing trip in Baja, after all, our family of five had not done anything like this before and with 3 teenagers all looking for that instant reward that a click of a television button can bring, I wondered how this would suit them. Realizing that this would be one of the last family vacations we would spend together, with one daughter already in college and the other about to enter her senior year in high school, I wanted this to be special.I had nothing to fear, this was the vacation of a lifetime. From the moment that we arrived in La Paz, a quaint town with gracious people, I knew that I had not made a mistake. We took a taxi from the airport and went to our hotel where the accommodations were perfect. We spent the next couple of days exploring the town, enjoying our walks along the waterfront, the great food and wonderful people. We eagerly anticipated our time on "Tesero del Mar".
The weather could not have been better the day we embarked, a light breeze and clear skies, the sea a turquoise blue. My son, with the guidance of Jimmy, took the helm as we motored out of the harbor and out to sea on our adventure. And what an adventure. The next few days were filled with new experiences. Kayaking into secluded coves, exploring the wealth of sea life in crystal clear waters. We snorkeled for hours, discovering something new at every turn. Our swim with the sea lions was quite an experience, I don't know who was more inquisitive, quite something to see these large forms so graceful in the water.
I believe that we had sent Jim information letting him know that we were night owls. At days end, after a wonderful meal, great conversation, and watching glorious sunsets, we all collapsed into bed, eagerly anticipating the next day and what that would bring. It was with sadness that we motored back into port. Our four days on "Tesero del Mar" over, but what wonderful memories. Our hosts could not have been more hospitable, their obvious love for the area very understandable. We hope to do this again some day, this time for longer. Thank you for a wonderful time..."
Bridget M
Maryland
"...Our family, the first Portuguese to visit Baja Seafaris, had an unforgettable time. We spent 3 unique days on our lives cruising the area around Espiritu Santo island. Desert beaches, fantastic snorkel and the unique experience of those wonderful sea lions. The crew is spectacular as are those delicious meals. And Jim has always the best Margarita in all Mexico. If you have kids they will love this unique experience. We highly recommend a Baja Seafaris charter. So what are you waiting for ? Join us and other people in this fabulous trip!..."
Jose Ramada
Portugal
"...Best of luck on your trip, and for good sailing weather. When we went to La Paz in July it was pretty calm, so we had to motor. I had been to Isla Partida before, so that's why we chose to go, as my girlfriend had not seen it before.The food turned out to be a real highlight! We expected the food to be pretty basic, knowing how Mexico lacks in modern supply systems, but we were pleasantly surprised.
We liked the boat, but as you would expect, sailboat living quarters are tighter than a powerboat. However, the boat was very well maintained and overall very comfortable. The area is pretty barren so expect a lot of rocks, dirt and cactus for land scenery. Since this is the desert I knew this going in, so I wasn't disappointed as we just wanted an escape from the corporate world. We went for four days and it has been a wonderful memory for us. I hope you enjoy it was well...
Dale O.
California
"...You won't meet finer or friendlier people anywhere in the world! They are very outgoing and laid-back, super-responsible and fun loving, all at the same time. The food was wonderful!The accommodations aboard are very clean, comfortable, and spacious for a boat this size. We really felt at home. The boat itself is a beauty....the tender loving care and craftsmanship put into the restoration of this boat tells you about all you need to know, and what kind of sailing vacation will be provided for you. Baja is a wonderful place to dive and snorkel and beachcomb, and Jimmy knows all the best spots to do that. Baja is a magical place....Relax and enjoy!..."
Debbie B.
California
"...We had a great time on our vacation. All we had to do was get ourselves to La Paz, and everything else was taken care of for 6 days.... The sailing was great. We had the opportunity to do as much or as little sailing as we wanted. Jimmy was incredibly knowledgeable about boats, sailing and local conditions. He was gracious and enthusiastic about sharing his experiences. We ate really well, every day. We did not expect such complete meals nor the variety. The food form really helps guide the menu planning. We found "Tesero del Mar" to be a really comfortable boat. Well laid out, with all the amenities but not overdone. The quiet was relaxing and the ocean great fun. Sailing, swimming, kayaking, hiking, snorkeling....such choices every day. We loved watching the sun go down and the moon come up. We highly recommend a sail on "Tesero del Mar" for fun and rejuvenation..."
Joy G.
California
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