It's stunning, to be sure, but the best is yet to come. The real beauty of Costa de Oro, translation, “Gold Coast”, lay inside the resort towns and seaports that shine like the rarest gems. It is from their generous hospitality and heart-felt warmth, that this region owes much of its rising popularity.

Although, the Mexican Riviera is the fourth most popular cruise destination in the world, during the past two decades, it has steadily gained a reputation as a Caribbean alternative, especially since it has a year round climate, which is convenient for the cruise line industry. When it's hot, it's hot, and when it's not, it's raining.

Carnival, Crystal, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Holland American have Mexican Riviera cruises and the flexibility they offer can't be beat. Los Angeles is the place where most Mexican Riviera cruises begin. But, an occasional departure from San Diego or San Francisco isn't usual, either. Carnival and Royal Caribbean have popular three-night cruises leaving San Diego or Los Angeles, to Ensenada. If you choose their four-night excursion, they include a stop to Catalina. Since these itineraries are rather short, they're perfect for weekend get-aways, honeymoons or family re-unions. But, a seven-day cruise is the usual standard, which can be extended to 14-days, if you choose. Besides, you don't want to miss those rare gems I spoke of earlier.

You'll find “old world” charm and cobblestone streets in Puerto Vallarta. If surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling are what you crave, you'll find Mazatlan, the largest port of Mexico's pacific coast, is the place. Famous for deep-sea fishing, you might try Ensenada. But, if you're really want a thrill, try Acapulco's main attraction. At Quebrada, throughout the day and early evening, young men perform breathtaking dives from a steep cliff into a small cove of water below. Onlookers gasp, and are held in suspense by this feat, until the diver surfaces, only to climb back up the cliff and do it again.

But, I saved the best for last. At the tip of Baja California a discovery awaits against a backdrop of sea, desert and mountains. Welcome to Cabo San Lucas! The most popular of the resort towns, and a frequent celebrity hang-out. During the day you'll find a variety of water sports, parasailing, legendary marlin fishing and championship golf. Hunting for bargains, should prove quite easy here, too.

But, when the sun goes down in Cabo San Lucas, everything changes, so prepare yourself. This is party paradise, so put on your dancing shoes. You don't need a reason or occasion to join in the fun. But, what you do need is a location. Here you'll find them. There are plenty of nightclubs just waiting to quench your thirst for nightlife, until the wee hours arrive. And when you've had enough, and slowly, as daylight breaks and the waiter comes to your table for the last time, and smiles, you'll know what to order.

When the plant is ripe its core, or pina is dug up and hauled to the distillery. Here they are cut in half and roasted. roasting turns the pinas starches into sugar. From here the plants are shredded and pressed to extract the juices. The juices are then transferred to vats and yeast is added to start fermentation.

The juices are fermented for up to two days and are then distilled twice. The first distillation produces a lower grade alcohol commonly used to make mezcal. The second fermentation produces a better grade alcohol that is blended before being bottled. For the record, tequila and mezcal are not the same thing. Mezcal is made from that first distillation and tequila is made by distilling mezcal into a better grade alcohol.

From here tequila is aged until it fits one of five categories: blanco, oro, reposado, anejo and maduro. Blanco is unaged, clear tequila. Oro is tequila blanco with caramel coloring to simulate the look and flavor of aged tequila. Reposado is aged in oak barrels for 2-12 months. Anejo is aged in oak for 1-3 years. Maduro, or extra aged, is a new category of tequila aged more than 3 years in oak. Aging tequila mellows out its flavor and adds a nice oakiness.

Not all tequila is made to be downed as shots any more than a fine scotch would be. According to some sources, for example, only tourists use the lime and salt method of drinking tequila. As is the case with other quality spirits, tequila has a couple different dedicated drinking glasses. One is a tall, slender shot glass called a cabalito. The other is the small, snifter shaped riedel.

Even though the cabalito is the traditional way to drink tequila, there are no hard and fast rules. However, any liquor is best appreciated on its own merits, especially when its a quality spirit. Try tequila neat, at room temperature without the lime and salt. Take the time to enjoy the aroma and the complexity of flavor. As hard as this may be to believe, quality tequila can be on par with the finest brandies or scotches. And as such, it should be enjoyed and savoured in the same way.

In New Mexico, in the southern and central region you will find a town called Truth or Consequences. “Truth or Consequences, New Mexico” is the title of a film starring and directed by Kiefer Sutherland. It’s something of a tragedy, that movie.

Truth or Consequences was once called Hot Springs, named for the natural hot springs found in the area. The name was changed in the middle part of the last century for what was then a popular radio game show.

Just outside of Truth or Consequences you will find Elephant Butte Lake, at one time one of the greatest and most treasured of lakes in the American southwest, and hopefully it will be again soon. It’s just too bad the foolish politicians and bureacrats of that state drained that particular lake for Texas and Mexico. There are plenty of other lakes, where the governor’s rich friends play, that could have been drained. Oh well, hopefully, in a few years Elephant Butte will be back to its onetime splendor.

About thirty miles outside of the Truth or Consequences area the world’s first commercial space station, owned by the Virgin Corporation is being constructed. In less then a decade, healthy individuals with a decent-sized pocket book will be able to soar up past the clouds and see a view of an earth only possible in science fiction movies of the decades past.

The official state capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe, a rather liberal city, rich in art, culture, history and sophistication.

However, “the city” of New Mexico, one referred to by Bugs Bunny, who should have taken a left turn here, is Albuquerque. Known as “Buque” or “Burque” (pronounced Boo-keh with emphasis on the second syllable) to the locals, this city provides the youth with the city environment the so crave—the clubs, the night life, and the crime that has made Albuquerque a favorite site for the popular television show “Cops.”

Financially speaking, New Mexico is not a wealthy state. Some would joke that the economy is based on three things: tourism, drugs, and law enforcement to fight the drugs. Sure, this state is in the heart of the American drug pipeline. Some of the people here, are willing to accept that marijuana, called “mota” by many is, for better or for worse, a part of the culture. Like the rest of the nation, there is a flow of cocaine here, and unfortunately, like the rest of the states, that evil methamphetamine is prevalent here.

But, don’t get the wrong impression. This is universal of the U.S., and much of the world today.

The people of New Mexico, Love to party, and in that beautiful and proud Hispanic culture you find a people who look for cause to celebrate. New Mexicans celebrate two Independence Days. The Fourth of July and Cinco de Mayo. Fireworks, beer, Tequiza, Corona, Tequila, and the occasional “mota” to remind the people what life, America, and freedom are all about.

Many pioneers of various kinds of lived in this state. If you want learn about Billy the Kid this is the state to travel. If you want to learn about the history of science fiction, one of its greatest pioneers, Dr. Jack Williamson, a man who several decades ago coined the terms “genetic engineering” and “terraforming” amongst others calls this state home.

In the eastern part of the state resides a museum called the Black Water Draw, where one can gaze upon the remains of the Clovis Man, some of the oldest human remains ever found.

The countryside of New Mexico can take your breath away. Vast desert covers the southern and central parts of the state, including the ever beautiful white sands. But, travel north into Taos, or Chamas country and you will see beautiful snow-capped mountains.

New Mexico is more than a state on the map. It is a culture all its own where traditional Caucasian culture exists with an even older Hispanic culture, and nestled amongst them here and there, a small population of once great peoples, that we today call Native Americans. Here, in New Mexico the old live with the young, the conservatives and the liberals, perhaps begrudgingly, call the same places home. For some people here, the war, whichever one it might be, is still going on, and for others the 1960’s never died.

New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. You will never find another place like it on Earth.