TFD Leisure (ENG)

N O. 01 | W IN T E R 2014 | T H E - F R O N T D O O R . C O M

TRAVELLING MATTERS

THE FRONT DOOR BY LA REVISTA, EL MUNDO DEL BUEN GUSTO

Reality Transforming Experiences

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PUERTO VALL ARTA: A BE ACH TOWN GOING FURTHER THAN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS

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Leisure

by: Santiago Oria Probert

The Pleasure of Sailing Touring the world on a boat translates to exploring hidden places and participating in unique activities. It means eating and playing, discovering oneself based on the different situations that everyday life offers. It is a lifestyle that thanks to the numerous companies that offer yachts, sailing boats or catamarans, is at your fingertips.

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THE PLEASURE OF SAILING

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Modern travelers may well be considered experience hunters, bons vivants in search

AND IF THIS LIFE AND THIS WORLD GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE, THERE IS NO BIGGER OPTION THAN THE SEA, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF ITS GREAT SIZE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF ITS BEAUTY AND DREAMY ATTRIBUTE.

of moments and situations that meet their standards of comfort, adventure and novelty. For many, this hobby has become a lifestyle surrounded by luxury, transformation and adventure.

And if this life and this world give us the opportunity to explore things, there is no bigger option than the sea, not only because of its great size, but also because of its beauty, dreamy attributes and the plethora of activities it allows you to embark on; starting by sailing it, listening to it and observing it to where the eye sees no more.

In order to enjoy it to the fullest, with elegance, freedom and a touch of luxury that always enlivens any trip, there is nothing better than a yacht or a sailboat; those who sail regularly liken this hobby to an addiction.

One of the advantages of living in today’s world, is that sailing surrounded by friends and family, or in total privacy and being able to make decisions at any moment, does not require owning a boat or even knowing how to sail it, as companies that rent these —of all sizes, manned or unmanned, equipped to be at sea from one afternoon to many days— are increasingly numerous and willing to offer their guests personalized experiences. Below we will present some of the privileges of vacationing in such a fashion.

Visiting places that can only be reached by water. Strange and abandoned places that remain pristine, with wild fauna and flora waiting to capture your senses and subject them to extraordinary sensations. A clear example dwells near Puerto Vallarta*, south of Boca de Tomatlán, where places like Yelapa present themselves like a perfect space, a paradise to which one can only get by boat, a privilege for a few. the-frontdoor.com 31

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SOME SEARCH FOR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BACKDROPS, THE MOST REMOTE ISLANDS AND THE MOST EXCLUSIVE DESTINATIONS; OTHERS WANT ROMANCE AND SOLITUDE. THE SAILING EXPERIENCE IS NEVER-ENDING. Keeping an itinerary that befits any whim. Eating whenever one wants to eat, swimming whenever one wants to swim, drinking whatever one wants to drink and sleeping when one’s body demands it. Additionally, depending on whether you like a place a lot or a little, you decide if you stay or leave. Flexibility is part of daily life and perhaps one of the most alluring things about being onboard.

To do what one enjoys most. Amenities vary from boat to boat and the client chooses these, including the “toys,” that range from personal submarines to control-remote boats. Having Internet, surround sound equipment or high definition televisions are, for example, some of the luxuries available but that many prefer to steer clear from in order to “disconnect” from the urban world.

Trying unique activities. Depending on the characteristics of

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the place and the type of trip you are embarking on, the proximity to water allows you to scuba dive in spectacular reserves, which fortunately abound in Mexico. Cabo Pulmo— located between La Paz and Los Cabos* —one of the few reefs still alive in North America and extremely important ecologic reserve in Mexico, deserves a special mention. For those who have an aversion to depths, snorkeling is also unique and highly recommended. Other interesting water activities involve kayaks, surfboards, skis, and wakeboards, among many more options for all tastes.

There are, precisely for all tastes, options in the vast ocean as there are people who prefer going on adventures with their family, looking for quiet places to spend quality time, swimming and finding activities suitable for children and the elderly alike; a few others make luxury and lifestyle the center of their vacation; others pursue activities and the places to perform them; there are those who search for the most beautiful backdrops, the most remote islands and the most exclusive destinations; or even those who want romance and solitude. The sailing experience is never-ending.

THE PLEASURE OF SAILING

SAIL OR ENGINE?

For beginners in the sailing field, deciding to buy or rent a boat may seem to be the most complicated issue, but many have faced a blank later on, when they have to choose if their vessel will be powered by an engine or the wind. But there is no reason to worry, even the most experienced struggle with this question and constantly change their minds about it. Here are a few points that will help make up your mind.

The main difference is the use of fuel, a feature that is directly reflected in one’s finances, as expenses for a yacht with an engine are much higher than for a sailboat. On the other hand, the constant or sporadic use of fuel limits the distance that can be covered, since a yacht is faster but needs constant refueling to continue moving forward. The sailboat, however, allows for endless hours at sea, traveling hundreds of nautical miles without looking back and with the peace of mind that, if the boat is not becalmed and the wind allows it, your return is guaranteed.

Knowing that there is this dependence on the wind makes for patient sailors, calm and in no hurry to get to one place from another, men who enjoy

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the journey more than the getting there. Thus, if a person simply wishes to get from one place to another, to settle in total serenity and enjoy the continuous rocking of the sea, a yacht is the best option.

Thinking about the ease with which both sailing versions are operated, beyond the size of the crew, a motor yacht is considerably easier and requires fewer people trained in navigation. On a sailboat, everybody has to work on the sails, masts, ropes, sheets and halyards. To top it off, it is essential to have some knowledge of meteorology.

Lastly, onboard comfort and stability. A trip on a sailboat is silent and pleasant like very few moments in life. However, you can forget about trays with snacks on them or glasses over tables while sailing with heel (leaning over). A yacht, on the other hand, allows for greater stability, better control and perhaps more safety and calmness for the men, women and children aboard. Though obviously catamarans are also available. But that is another story.

What we can guarantee is that regardless of the type of boat you select, the feeling of pleasure, luxury, exclusiveness and, above all, freedom you will experiences while sailing, is unique and unparalleled. Worthy of kings and The Front Door experience. *Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos are merely two among many destinations where The Front Door has properties. For more information, go to the-frontdoor.com.

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