A Short Respite

I went to my favorite hideaway, Carmel, again for a well-deserved rest after an exhausting 3-and-a -half-month work! Driving down, Norman and I first made a little detour to Santa Cruz to have lunch at Hoffman's Bistro which we saw accidentally on TV's Reality Show, Restaurant: Impossible, a few months back, and I was determined to see the place next time I went down Monterey Peninsula, I thought. I couldn't believe when I actually got there. Food was delicious and service was great! Later, we had a nice walk downtown while enjoying our chocolate chip cookies we bought from Pacific Cookie Company and on to the Boardwalk which was close for winter but it was just relaxing walking.

Then we moved on to our hotel of choice, TRADEWINDS CARMEL - a must-see and must- stay luxury hotel! After an afternoon nap, we drove to Cafe Fina at Monterey Fisherman's Wharf for one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. Roxanne, our waitress, was simply incredible! She knows her product and loves her work. She impressed us so much we gave her a tip that was simply incredible, too! She deserved it.

We headed back to Tradewinds. This place really soothes the soul. It's a Zen experience being here. And I totally forgot it was there where I first saw on a small piece of art paper those words, Sleep peacefully, which has become a gentle reminder for me every now and then.

And in the morning, breakfast in bed - can't get any better than that! Norman wrote a little wish or prayer on a bamboo papyrus to offer at Buddha's Fountain. It was his turn to write this time.

We did our usual relaxing walk on the beach - we can't miss that! And, of course, our cruising downtown and the scenic Ocean View Road of the beautiful homes in this quaint little town of Carmel before heading back home...

A short respite, indeed! And with lunch at the GIANT ARTICHOKE RESTAURANT which has also become one of our regular stops to or from Monterey, and another shopping galore at Gilroy, it was well worth it!

Well-deserved, well-deserved. Amen.