Every year, I eagerly await the turtle season that takes place between August and late November. During this time turtles come to our Capella beach to lay their eggs. The coast along the Baja California peninsula is home to five of the seven species of the world’s sea turtles. These are the Hawksbill (Tortuga Carey), Loggerhead (Tortuga Caguama, Amarilla o Cabezona), Leatherback (Tortuga Laúd), Green Turtle (also Black Turtle, Tortuga Prieta, Negra o Verde) and most common of all the species of sea turtle, Olive Ridley (Tortuga Golfina). All of them are endangered and four are ecologically extinct.

I have actually been lucky enough to help with the release of the baby turtles into the ocean, which is one of my favorite experiences. Last November Grupo Tortugero counted up to two releases per week. Unfortunately, turtle releases are much more rare than they used to be. Poaching, incidental captures in fishermen nets, collection of eggs and meat for consumption, coastal development and ocean pollution are some of the most threatening factors to turtles extinction.

Several organizations, like Grupo Tortugero or ProPeninsula, and beachfront resorts are taking measures and a precaution to address the main threats to turtle’s survival. You can often see organization members and hotel staff on the beaches leading short educational seminars for the public, who then participate in the release of the baby turtles.

Releasing baby turtles into the ocean is one of the magical life moments. During a recent release, we gathered at the hotel’s beach with guests and staff to watch the turtles hatch. Next, we drew a line in the sand and stood behind it, each with a baby turtle in hand. When the word was given, we placed the turtles on the sand and cheered for them to reach the ocean. This was truly an amazing experience for everyone who participated.

The fact that Baja California Sur has on average 350 sunny days per year made me fall in love with this beautiful place. I’ve always dreamed of living in an eternal summer, at the beach, where I could surf anytime or just enjoy evenings in a hammock, rocking some delicious fresh cocktails.

It’s fall in Cabo San Lucas and the temperature bar still doesn’t fall below 90 F. On a Friday afternoon, when I was finishing work, I stopped by Don Manuel’s lounge bar at the resort, to chill out a bit and relax with the sound of the waves. As the afternoon was slowly turning to the evening, Osvaldo suggested I should try Pacific Sunset Frost, a Capella Pedregal signature non-alcoholic cocktail with fresh berries, orange juice and coconut milk. It’s delicious, you should try it!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. of  “Piña Colada” mix without alcohol
• 1 oz. Strawberry Puree
• 1/2 oz. Orange Juice
• 8 pc. Blueberries

Warm greetings from Cabo San Lucas!

With temperatures rising up to 90 degrees in Cabo San Lucas this summer, we love fresh and light lunches by our Executive Chef Marco Bustamante. Even more so, as we love all the fresh veggies and daily fresh catch from the Pacific ocean and the Sea of Cortez. Try out our recipe for a Seafood Salad – and don’t worry – if you don’t have all the ingredients, just mix and add your favorites! You will be pleasantly surprised with the result!

Ingredients
3 ea. Scallops (blanched for 2 minutes in boiling water)
6 ea. Shrimp (cleaned and blanched for 4 minutes in boiling water)
4 oz. Seabass (cut into ½ in cubes and soaked in lime juice for 1 hour)
3 oz. Octopus (blanched in boiling water 1 hour for every two pounds)
3 oz. Calamari (Grilled whole and but into rings)
1 ea. Lemon Zest
2 ea. Orange Segments
10 ea. Cherry Tomatoes (Cut in half)
8 oz. Cleaned Baby Mixed Green Lettuce
4 oz. Chipotle Vinaigrette (see instructions below)
3 oz. Oven Dried Tomato (see instructions below)

Method:
Place all shellfish in a bowl with lemon zest, cherry tomatoes, and orange segments and toss with 2 oz. of the vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper.
Toss the lettuce in a bowl with 1 oz. of the vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper.
Place shellfish in the bowl first and top with salad. Place a spoon of the chopped oven dried tomatoes next to the salad. Finish by drizzling each salad with a spoon full of the remaining vinaigrette.

Chipotle Vinaigrette
¼ Cup Lime Juice
½ Cup Olive Oil
1 oz. Chopped Dried Chipotle
¼ bunch Cilantro (Rough Chopped)

Method:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and finish with Salt and Pepper.

Oven Dried Tomatoes
8 ea. Roma Tomatoes
Olive Oil
Garlic
Thyme
Salt and Pepper

Method:
Cut Roma tomatoes in half and remove the seeds with a spoon.
Brush baking pan with olive oil and sprinkle with Thyme, Garlic slices and salt and pepper.
Lay tomato half on baking pan.
Brush each tomato half with olive oil, thyme, garlic and season with salt and pepper.
Place to dry in a 200 degree oven for 1 ½ hours.
Remove from oven and chop roughly.
Save in the fridge until ready for use.

Buen provecho!

In the photograph: Julien Farel with Aidee Naranjo, Julien’s right hand at Julien Farel Salon at Capella Pedregal.
Article published by Elite Traveler. See the Elite Traveler’s selection on Los Cabos’ Most Elite Spas.

ET: What were some of your goals, and what challenges did you face, in launching your second salon?
Julien Farel: Our goals were to expand our group’s reach by partnering with one of the world’s top luxury hotel brands, as well as to manage our salon consistently with that of our Madison Avenue location, providing incomparable service. The challenges are, and were, making the Julien Farel brand a known brand in the local luxury market, which is extremely strong in Cabo San Lucas. Also, to adjust our service for the vacationing guest for whom time is not a factor; to create a longer, even more luxurious client experience as opposed to Manhattan which is more of a “luxury beauty with efficiency” philosophy!

ET: What’s different about the Julien Farel salon at Capella Pedregal, compared to your namesake salon back in New York?
Julien Farel: The difference is that at Capella Pedregal you can be at the beach working on your tan until five minutes prior to your hair or nail appointment! And you can order a margarita! Our Cabo San Lucas Salon Manager, Stephanie Mille, had been working in our New York City location for eight years prior to Cabo San Lucas, so our New York clients love to see a familiar face. Some of Stephanie’s clients have even traveled to Julien Farel at Capella for their haircuts in an exotic destination, as well as to have an unparalleled experience at Capella.

ET: Can you tell us about some of your celebrity clients? Have any of them paid a visit to the new salon in Cabo?
Julien Farel: Ivanka Trump, Rafael Nadal, Lauren Bush, Salma Hayek, Lea Michele, Cindy McCain and Rachel Hunter. We prefer to respect our clients’ privacy, but indeed many have visited Capella.

ET: How involved were you in the process of opening the new space in Cabo?
Julien Farel: I went for a pre-opening site inspection in late 2008 where my wife and I were trekking through mud with hardhats on! My wife, Suelyn Farel, our Director of Business Development, oversaw the pre-opening process, salon set up, interior design and created and implements our marketing strategy. I hired the salon staff, as well as trained them in New York. We go approximately every 10 to 12 weeks and plan to continue to do so. It is crucial that we are a continued presence in our namesake business.

ET: Had you vacationed in Cabo before you decided to expand your business there?
Julien Farel: No, but I had heard quite a lot about it from many of our clients who love Cabo, its surrounding areas and the guaranteed weather.

ET: Why Cabo, and why Capella Pedregal specifically, for your first salon outside of New York?
Julien Farel: We were interested in Cabo firstly because of Capella, this incredibly powerful and luxurious hotel group. Secondly, there are virtually no luxury hair offerings in Cabo San Lucas and my wife and I thought, “let’s go in and fill the void in this market!”

If you are wondering what to do this Easter, come to Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas for a spring vacation or a last minute holiday escape for the weekend.

Our chefs have prepared an exquisite Easter Brunch menu. And not only will we celebrate this Easter in a Traditional Mexican way, we will celebrate it at Cabo’s best inside resort restaurant Don Manuel’s, as voted by readers of Cabo Social magazine, we will enjoy the holiday under the Cabo San Lucas sun, and we will enjoy the festivities with selected Easter decoration; delicious Easter eggs and Easter baskets, bunnies hand made out of bread, and so much more.

Traditional Mexican Easter brunch to be served at Don Manuel’s restaurant on April 24, 2011:

SALADS
Jicama Slaw with Celery Seeds and Mustard Dressing
Baby Hearts of Romaine, Crisp Bacon, Olives and Garlic Croutons
Grilled Vegetables with Ensenada Olive Oil and thyme
Spinach Salad with Red Onion, Goat Cheese and Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
Display of Whole and Sliced Local Fruit
Bacon, Roasted Red Pepper and Caramelized Onion Quiche

∞

MEETS AND CHEESES
Smoked Salmon and Local Yellow Tail with Traditional Garnishes
Charcuterie Selection with Mustards
Assortment of Cheeses from the Baja
Applewood Smoked Bacon and Veal Sausage

∞

BAKERY
Basket of Fresh Pastries with Homemade Marmalades
Display of Artisanal Breads with Local Olive Oil and Butters

∞

SEAFOOD DISPLAY
Assortment of Ceviches
Display of Crab Legs, Oysters, Clams, Lobster and Poached Salmon
Beef Baracoa with Smoked Chiles Sauce
Chipotle Scented Seafood Stew

∞

EGG STATION
Organic Egg Omelets or Eggs “You’re Style” Action Station
Red or Green Chilequiles with Fresh Cream and Farmers Cheese
Huevos Rancheros

∞

CARVING
Whole Roasted Prime Rib with Roasted Potatoes and Natural Jus and Horseradish
Roasted Turkey with Chorizo Stuffing and Sage
Mint Crusted Leg of Lamb with Mixed Baby Vegetables

∞

DESSERTS
Vanilla Crème Brûlée
Mini Milk Chocolate Brownies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Assortment of Macaroons
Traditional Flan
Raspberry Chocolate Tart
“Capirotada” Mexican Bread Pudding
Mini Mixed Fruit Trifle
Mini Orange Tartlets

$60.00 USD
$40.00 USD Children
Prices are quoted in USD dollars and are subject to 11% Federal Tax and 15% Service Charge

For reservations please send us an email to: fernando.flores@capellahotels.com or call us at: +52.624.163.4300