Cabo, go there once you'll be there twice.

Or 3 times.  

We weren't planning on a trip this year, but I won tickets to a concert.  So, why not? The view from the front door of our condo, at Terra Sol.   The marina behind us.  

From inside our room, we could see the larger of the pools and the ocean. 

I neglected to get a photo of the Palapa and swim-up pool bar, so I stole this from google. There are built in stools in the pool in that shady spot you can order food/drinks. Currently there is a plywood barrier up on the beach because of the hurricanes. We talked to one of the servers, he said it is to stop the
sand from piling up in the palapa restaurant during intense waves. 

As we walked down the beach, you could see the hurricane damage. 

If memory serves, that used to be an infinity pool. 

It felt like ruins.  All of the resorts seemed to be functioning as normal.  Terra Sol was quiet, but it typically has been when we've stayed.

Plants looked happy from the extra rain.

Earl the lizard lives next to the big pool, we saw him and his partner Martha. Or maybe this is Martha?

Coconuts!

I have no idea what this tree is, but I really like it.  

Delonix regia, royal poinciana blooming it's heart out, shading a bus stop.  

And before you knew it, the week was over.  I'm happy to be back home.  Still hot here, but there is a small possibility of rain on Tuesday.  I've got a lot of weeds to deal with, I ignored them while I was pulling Bermuda grass. Plus leaves are piling up. 

I was greeted by Aloe fosteri in full bloom.  I can see the blooms through the front window, when I come down the stairs in the morning. A small thing, but thrilling.

Aloe 'Fairy Pink' (what a ditzy name) but it's really pretty - I'd like a few more. 

Aloe bussei, still in the pot. 

Even though I'm a summer kind of person, the light at this time of the year is something else. *Both Aloe africana's are in bloom as well - you can see the big one to the right.

The slope is filling in nicely.  I've DEFINITELY over planted.  Again.

A few barespots at the end, the ground cover plants haven't filled in yet. 

I know Banksia appreciation month is September, but I have a couple more to share. 

Banksia dryandroides, a smaller 2'x2' serrated tangle of leaves. 2 of 3 have survived (the departed was in full sun).

Closer, the new growth kills me.

Banksia ornata, also in the slope.  Both purchased from Waltzing Matilija.

Closer, again with this adorable new foliage. 

afternoon sun shots

The Aloe hercules doesn't exactly fit in photos anymore.  My husband recently asked how tall is that tree going to get?

Someday... I'll have enough of these acorn banksia cones to actually be able to cut a bunch for inside.  I can't seem to bring myself to do it.  *I have repeated this view, sorry - I like to keep track of the "orangey-ness". I'd say they are a 9 out of 10 on the orangey-ness scale now. 

There are 2 smaller versions in the slope playing catch-up, now that they get more sun.

December is when I usually get serious about frost cover.  This year may be different with El Nino. Typically that means warmer and wetter than normal for us, so maybe I'll switch to being obsessed about rainfall or flooding?  

Are you doing anything different this year to prep for weather, or sticking with prior winter readiness.