I couldn't resist this shot at the terminal at LAX. I always wondered where Cessnas came from...

At the other end of the journey to Casa del Mar: the view from the room. This was a 2-bedroom condo, complete with kitchen and all the household amenities. But most important was the VIEW!

This surreal vista, which greeted us each morning, was shot from the balcony.

A view in the other direction, overlooking the main pool.

Still giddy after the initial unpacking and changing out of travel togs, the first order of business was to head down to the bar at the main pool and have a celebratory drink. I celebrated with a traditional margarita.

Dana, having been burned by stomach distress on previous trips, chose to start slowly and celebrate with a 7-Up instead.

One of the amazing characteristics of Casa del Mar is that is just doesn't look real. I took this picture from my chair at the pool bar -- absolutely breathtaking.

The turquoise of the Sea of Cortez looks retouched -- I promise there was no Photoshopping going on here!

One of the two Swim-up Bars which were the main drumbeat of my countdown to this trip.

The "Quiet Area" set aside just below the main pool.

Dana on the path down to the Beach Club which is one of Casa del Mar's crowning glories.

Since the beach at Casa del Mar has rather hazardous surf and is unsuitable for swimming, the Beach Club instead sports a "pool on the beach," complete with its own swim-up bar. It was at this pool where we spent most of our time.

Unapologetically decadent.

Dana took many pictures, and this one is one of my favorites. Not only is it compositionally gorgeous, but it also accurately encapsulates how I spent most of this trip. (Except for the fact that I'm shown drinking water instead of Corona.)

I started "The Da Vinci Code" at LAX while waiting for the flight, and finished it the morning of the third day. In all, I plowed through three novels on this trip.

I feel like that little Travelocity garden gnome.

Bliss.

All that could be heard were the low murmur of conversation, the occasional whine of a blender and the recurrent crash of the waves.

Here's how it looked from my perspective.

Picture-postcard.

(I am trying hard to avoid the use of the word "idyllic," since it's such the obvious choice, and once I start using it it may take over.)

Dana staying cool.

I am SUCH a lucky, lucky man...my god, this woman is my wife!

And of course, can we forget the Swim-up Bar?

Only at our own peril can this bit-o'-bliss be ignored.

No, the Swim-up Bar must be embraced as the true and faithful friend it is.

(That is Osvaldo on the right, a bartender with whom we have made friends over the course of our visits.)

Right now, sitting here in this chair in Cerritos as I type this caption, I am intensely jealous of the guy I see in this picture.

Of course, the beach is well-populated with vendors, eager to sell you anything you need (and most likely things you don't.)

I found it supremely ironic that at the same time the two vendors seen above were encamped, a few yards away a couple of vultures were feeding on a large fish carcass that had washed ashore.

"Birds of a feather..."?

Ultralights would occasionally fly overhead, and would land on the beach to give rides if you waved them down.

After the harrowing parasailing experience on our honeymoon in 2001, Dana agreed that we were best served staying on the ground.

The evening we arrived we went to the resort next door, Las Ventanas, for a several-days-early anniversary dinner. This was the view from our table.

In truth, the overall feel of Las Ventanas is way too buttoned-down and artificial to suit us, but it does make an outstanding dinner destination. And the service was literally the best I have ever had, bar none.

Happy Dana...

Happy Michael...

Happy couple.

(AWWWW...)

I thought the image of this guy taking artful photos next to the infinity pool, his reflection rising out of the water, was hilarious. Papparazzi for the fishes.

Departure day, dressed again for travel, checked out of the room, awaiting our airport ride...where else to wait but by the pool?

We traded off taking pictures of each other.

Our best trip ever...until the next one, because we're already figuring out ways to improve on this experience. We will return!