Comments and Rating

I love getting comments on my blog. Thank you Selma.

I was also just awarded a 7.5 rating by Blogger for my blog (apparently based on writing style and relevance). That was cool. If you look at the very bottom of the page you will see Blogger's rating and also the opportunity for you, as a reader of my blog, to provide your rating (anonymously of course). To rate my blog OR to give comments (other than a personal email) you must have a g-mail account. That is a very simple thing to get - just fill in the blanks - and you don't have to actually use the account if you don't want to.

A g-mail account is a very good thing to have, particularly when traveling. I am now using my g-mail account for sending and receiving email and am changing over completely to g-mail because my xplornet account is not working to send email from Mexico.

Now - my comment on your comment Selma - this week we have Canadian TV so are quite appalled at the level of violence we see on the news. After the 3 shooting murders this week in
Vancouver, the armed home invasion with shots fired all over the neighborhood and the woman in Victoria who was pushed under a bus to her death in Victoria; the news here in Baja of a motor home that was stolen seems trivial. Of course the Monty Python experience the owners had of dealing with the various police forces to try to report the theft has kept all the Gringos here in stitches - although it really is not funny but tragic. The Gringos in Baja are quite connected via a few different newsgroups and noticeboards so we know where when and what the problems are.

Here is the story - as reported by the owner of the rv in our Baja Pony Express:

I would like to inform the community of a vehicle theft Sunday night from our locked boat storage lot in Santa Maria. It is a 1988 Born Free fully restored after being damaged in Hurricane John. The thieves broke a gate down, then broke the driver side window, cut away a full RV cover, deactivated the alarm and drove away without neighbors being aware.

In the morning we discovered it at about 8am and drove immediately to the police station in Los Barriles. Not to our surprise there was nobody there so we started driving around and found a patrol truck and we reported the loss to the officers. We gave them a complete description including pictures and registration. About 2 hours later the Minstrel Publico called up and we met him at the storage lot, which he inspected. We saw definite strange footprints, but he did not seem interested in them. He told us that we would have to fill out a report on Monday because nobody was on duty now to help us. We called our insurance carrier and within two hours an agent of the insurer was on site taking our data and requesting that we file a report with the police. We told him that they told us to come in on Monday at which point he said to report it to the Federal Police.

We then drove to San Jose to report the loss the the Federal Police and they said that they needed the Ministerial Publico to first file a report. We told him that they would not do a report until tomorrow and he said that we would have to come back tomorrow after we filed the report to the Ministerial Publico. So all this while our RV is travailing at about 50 mph somewhere while we deal with police organizations unable to work together.

Update on stolen RV - (Tuesday)

I wanted to update all on the ongoing story of the stolen RV in Santa Maria. We have now filled out the paperwork with the local Ministral Publico but the top guy was not there so we were not able to pick up the report until today, Tuesday, to take it to the Federal Police.
A friend suggested that we call the California Highway Patrol in that the RV would make a perfect drug running vehicle. So trying to the right thing, Barbara called the California Highway Patrol to make a stolen vehicle report. The CHP told her that she would have to come into the office to fill out the report. She replied that we were over 1000 miles away and that would be impossible. The CHP said that they then could not help her. Barbara said that she could fax the Mexican stolen Vehicle report to them but they said that they did not like the Mexican report. The CHP suggested that Barbara call the San Diego border patrol and gave her the number. So no report was taken with the CHP

Barbara then called the San Diego Border Patrol office and told then the story about the theft and that possibly a vehicle loaded with drugs was on it way to the border. She asked them to at least look for and detain a vehicle that had been reported stolen. They said they didn't usually do that and anyway they would have to have a US police report. The Border Patrol officer told Barbara that she would have to make a report with the CHP. Barbara explained that she was in Cabo San Lucas and that the CHP demanded that the report be in person. The San Diego Border Patrol then asked Barbara to come into the office to make a report. Barbara then said that she was in Cabo San Lucas and the San Diego Border Patrol officer asked where Cabo was. Once again no report was made and when Barbara asked the agent if they were not concerned that a truck load of drugs was on its way to the border in our stolen vehicle, there was only silence.

So I guess the moral of the story is that government agencies are trained to follow procedure even if that procedure will create harm and that this attitude has no international borders.

Salud, pesetas y amour y el tiempo para gustarlos!

Health, money, and love and the time to enjoy them! We do, we are, and we wish the same for all! Cheers!

We are in Los Barriles enjoying the beautiful home of our friends Paul and Renata. They have gone car camping with their two fairly large dogs. We are caring for their beautiful home, swimming pool, hot tub, tropical garden, and two cats. I think we got the better deal. They should have negotiated for the use of our motor home - they were packed to the roof and on the roof when they happily took off for their camping holiday in Baja. We are here for two weeks till Mike Kate and the kids arrive, then we are off to Ellen and Chris's beautiful beach house for another two weeks.

Speaking of cats - Heidi the indoor cat likes to be accompanied to her room to have her food - she will meow and meow until one of us goes with her - I don't know - maybe its scarey? She then likes to be patted and to have the burrs taken out very gently while she eats (she is fluffy so easily catches nasty burrs particularly in her tail). Following her meal she likes to go outside for a bit and then to come in and sleep on the back of the sofa. She repeats this at will. Squeaker - the outside cat, also likes to be accompanied while she eats - she likes you to dip your fingers in her bowl and stir her food around - I don't know - releasing the tantalizing aroma?. Neither cat like fish or shrimp. They are quite entertaining.

Not quite as entertaining as the kite boarders that we can see from the dining room table and very well from the roof patio. The whales are back and have been providing entertainment for those on the beach (aparently its mating season) we don't spend much time gazing at the sea at this house. Its been so windy that its just not that pleasant to be outside in the wind. There is a lovely deck at the other side of the house, a little more sheltered, and also where the pool is where we can enjoy the sun and the warmth. We have been here since Feb. 9th and have had only one day with light winds, all other days the wind has been howling.

We have two quads to use as well so as anticipated we have spent a fair bit of time looking at houses for sale, of which there are a huge number. The prices have come down although they are still very high, particularly for beach front. We have found a house tho - wow its just wonderful - we are both enamored. It requires us to first sell our house before we can buy it. We would then mostly live here full time, leaving only in the very hot months. Sounds good to me.

Charlie is camping at North Beach and is giving his free slide show this evening. We commissioned him to take a picture of this house and of Ellen and Chris's as a gift to them for letting us stay in their homes. I hope they like them. He does a wonderful job. (See his website on the sidebar)

We are so releived to be down here in the safety of Baja rather than at home what with the woman who was pushed in front of a bus and killed in Victoria and the three separate drive by shootings resulting in two women killed and a man seriously wounded in Vancouver. All these in the past week! Whew - Canada is not a safe place.

Tecolote Flyboy – an Amazing Man in His Flying Machine

We had a glorious week at Playa Tecolote – we could paddle and swim every day, had a great climb up one of the mountains, the water was beautiful, silky and warm (Lorne didn’t think it was very warm although he did get in the water, well, sort of) and the hospitality and entertainment were great!

Just after we arrived we were invited next door for happy hour with four Vancouver Islanders (from Nanaimo) and another neighbour – Charlie – brought out his paramotor and flew off.

We watched him soar around over the beach and up to fly with the frigate birds on top of one of the mountain tops. He had a movie camera attached to his helmet so he could take movies while he was flying. He then joined us for a drink and a chat. He is a very interesting man and very nice too. He has a truck canopy and a toy box about the same size that holds his huge bank of solar panels, bike, kite, licensed dune buggy, long board, and who know what other toys he has in there. Charlie surfs, board sails and kite boards as well, but the paramotor glider or motorized parasail is his latest passion. He sure knows how to play. He is obviously very fit and healthy. Saturday night he presented a slide show, complete with enchanting music, of his flights all over Baja – absolutely breathtaking. He has a full size projector and screen that he attaches to his toy box. Many people brought their chairs over to view.

You too can see his arial photos and have a look at this amazing man and his flying machine. Please check out his fantastic website!

http://www.charleschandlerphotography.com/index.html

The weekend was a Mexican holiday so beginning Friday night the Fiesta started! There were many people at the beach, all playing their own music at top volume. The one family near us was very fond of a style of Mexican music with the tuba being a dominant instrument along with a big bass drum. We fell asleep to this…… Saturday many more families arrived and by Sunday the beach was packed. We thought Monday was a holiday as well but apparently not, shortly after sunset Sunday night the vehicles all started leaving and suddenly all was still and quiet. Nothing but RVs on the beach under the full moon.

February 9
On the way to Los Barriles we stopped in at the Piano Museum in El Triunfo. At one time there was a very active silver mine as well as a gold mine here. Locals told us that the mine is starting up again. It is an interesting little town; all cobble stone streets and many old wooden houses. The museum is normally open from Wednesday to Saturday and there is a concert every morning by a very well known classical pianist who looks sort of like Liberace. I have no idea why it was open today as the hours are clearly posted Wednesday to Saturday, unfortunately there was no concert for us.

Ciudad Constitution

The Scampi Diablo, the Margaritas and the freshly squeezed Orange Juice at Patricia’s (Manfred’s) in Ciudad Constitution are absolutely fabulous! The camaron are sautéed in butter, sour cream, garlic, cheddar cheese and finished with a bit of Monterey Jack. (in Spanish queso cheddar and queso Monterey Jack) Very yum! We had a delightful visit with Patricia, her 12 year old daughter Aime, and her assistant (whose name I have unfortunately forgotten)... They all speak excellent English. So consequently I used the opportunity to practice my Spanish while they used the opportunity to practice their English.

Patricia learned English in school in La Paz. When she was 18 she went to Massachusetts for 8 months as an exchange student. Her English is incredibly good. Upon returning from the US Patricia went to college to become an English teacher, fell in love, got married and taught English in Constitution. Now, since she has been operating the RV park for the past 3 years, she and her husband are both able to be at home with the girls and to meet people from all over the world, predominately the US and Canada. Her family all now have many opportunities to speak English. Patricia has immersed her girls in English since they were babies as she believes learning another language is very important to having a greater world view and she wants her girls to have every opportunity in the world to be and to achieve whatever goals they want. Patricia would like her girls to become exchange students or to go to school somewhere else in the world in the future. Such insight and vision! How I wish my mother had had this kind of vision! How I wish I had been truly able to live this kind of vision as a mother!!

We talked about Pearson College of the Pacific in Metchosin for Aime and her sister. Her parents will explore this school for her – if she goes we promised to be Godparents for her in Canada. Very exciting. For such a young girl (12 years) she is very self assured, confident and clear in her goals for her future. She wants very much to learn English – she loves the language and already speaks very well so writing it will be her next challenge. She also wants to learn French. She is the second highest in her class at school. Soon to be the first she says – although the first in her class is her good friend so she is happy for her!

Constitution, a city of 660,000 people has had a university for the past 10 years. It is in the high desert, very hot, and is an agricultural area. Each year we pass through we see greater economic development and generally more prosperity. We have always felt very welcome here; the people on the street and in the stores are always very friendly and helpful and interested in talking. This is very nice for us as curious gringos we be.

They are very busy tearing up Main Street Constitution right now and replacing the traffic lights, none of which are working at the moment (nor for the past several years either). There is lots of big equipment and lots of men with shovels and wheelbarrows too. Once out of town we passed men cutting the grass by the side of the road with machetes – such a disparity is not uncommon in Baja. The men were all wearing safety vests (which they never did the first year we were down). Off to La Paz and Tecolote Beach.

Eight (8) Beach Days at Requeson

We spent a lovely time at this very picturesque beach; it’s a spit of white sand that at low tide joins an island to the peninsula. This is the first time we have stayed at this beach as always before it was full of rigs. This time there were only about 10 rigs on the beach, all of which were spending the winter here. Most had done so for many years so there were some strong friendships and much socializing, very nice people.

Our first day was perfect for paddling so as soon as we could get the yaks off the roof we were in the water, since the forecast was for gale force winds for the next few days. We actually had 5 days of brisk winds so we cycled and hiked around the area and the last two days were absolutely glorious for paddling.

The island is very interesting, it’s covered with rusty red volcanic boulders, all of fairly consistent size – about 1- 2 feet in diameter. There were a few paths between these rocks that we followed along which lead to several middens of shells fairly high up from a very rocky shoreline. There were also several fairly large piles of rock and a few circles of rock which perhaps at one time formed a shelter. I think these were formed by the ancient ones.

We also had a nice hike across the highway from the beach, you have to go under the barbed wire fence and there is a very well marked trail through the rusty red boulders and abundant cactus. It’s a very easy hike into the canyon and up the arroyo. And of course there are times when you come across pools of fresh water; today was not one of them. By the time we found the trail through the fence we had used up much of our hiking time so we didn’t get more than about 45 minutes in before it was time to turn back.

Our last two days we had spectacular paddling, the water just couldn’t have been flatter and the visibility in the water was amazing. We saw yellowtail zipping by and came across an area that was rich with large angel fish. Since today dawned with freshening winds we decided to pull out and move on south to Loreto.

Just before we pulled out we met an old guy named Bill Bunyan who stopped by to admire our motor home. He has been coming down Baja for the past 20 years and says this is his last year, he won’t be back. He will go to mainland Mexico instead. He says he doesn’t like being ripped off and this is what’s going on in Baja now. He has been staying at a free beach called Juncalito (south of Loreto) for years and suddenly they want you to have a park permit (this area is a park) and people are coming around to collect $20 per day. These people wear no identification and refuse to provide any. Nor do they provide any receipts. There was much dissent amongst the campers as for the most part they were regulars for the past many years and this is the first they have had to pay. So, they refused to pay. There are absolutely no services on this beach so $20 a night is a bit steep. It is also doubtful that the collectors have any authority to collect. A policeman arrived on several Mondays (his day off) demanding that they pay up; he also refused to provide his badge number or his name, the campers again refused to pay or to leave. When the original collector arrived with a gun ordering them to leave the others finally left, except for Bill, although in his own time he finally left and is now heading north. According to Bill this same man also worked at a hotel in Loreto and it was determined that his gun was merely a toy. He was consequently fired from the hotel for keeping this toy gun behind his desk. The other campers have since joined ranks at either Rattlesnake or Ligui (also in the park) and their plan is to again refuse to pay and to all leave together at the same time when asked to pay…. Bill has just decided to leave Baja altogether. Personally I think these folks have had it good for a very long time and if they now have to pay, well times are achanging.

We were just inspected at the checkpoint just north of Loreto, the very first time going south – they were inspecting everyone. This time they did not look in the fridge but it was the most extensive search we have had. He noticed Lorne’s pill case that was inadvertently left on the table – we thought for a moment this would warrant a full scale search…. Fortunately he was satisfied that they were mostly vitamins. He did want to purchase one of Lorne’s tools however and he did ask if we had any drugs or guns before he left. I think he was quite amazed at how many things we have crammed into this space – frankly so are we.

Just as we pulled in to Rivera Del Mar Trailer Park in Loreto up walks Janet and Jim from Victoria! Well that was a pleasant surprise! So we have spent a few lovely hours chatting and catching up on all the latest Baja stories. Think we will spend another night here and just catch up on internet, whats the rush? Who knows, perhaps I will figure out how to post pictures again..... Since I have been unable to spend any time on the blog other than to cut and paste from word I just haven't got my pictures on properly yet..... Manana

Bahia de Los Angeles

http://picasaweb.google.ca/data/feed/base/user/camasmtn/albumid/5295452716920607393?alt=rss&kind=photo&hl=en_US




This really is a beautiful spot, some say the most beautiful of the whole of Baja, others say in the world. It has an outstanding approach to it. The bay just unfolds before you as you come over the desert and then you drive down into this ever expanding vista of turquoise blue water with numerous islands of various hues, heights and shapes. It does fairly take your breath away. Once down into the bay you are literally surrounded by mountains (well high hills) many of the islands are also very high. As the light changes constantly, so do the colors on the hills. It truly is amazing.

This is Lorne's favourite spot on the Baja. Today, shortly after a group of seals announced their presence we watched a very large pod of dolphins come into the bay, very close to shore. Apparently juvenile whale sharks arrive here in November and people come from all over the world to swim with them. Whale sharks are the second biggest animal on earth. This makes them very big indeed, some as long as 60 feet the biggest seen by the people we were talking to was only 30 feet. There is all manner of sea life here.

Once again we spend some time looking at places for sale. We found a few to look at that are beach front on leased land, which makes the price more affordable for us although fairly speculative. There is one that I like, quite small but I think has a lot of potential (work). Plus it comes with two boats, two kayaks, and a fairly new quad. For another 20 thou we cqn have the custom built rail that Zips over these desert roads at 60 mph. Now, if only we could figure out a way to fly in here easily so family and friends can visit..... nothing short of chartering a plane, which is entirely possible. There are a number of gringos here who are pilots and there is a runway nearby.

This is a fairly remote area as far as remote areas go in Baja, that we would consider living in. It is about a 10 hour drive south of the Mexican border (depending on who's driving, wouldn't be us in the motor home). It is a fair sized Mexican town with several small grocery stores, an internet and movie rental store, three mechanics, two Pemex stations, a hotel and two small but nice looking motels. There are several restaurants and rv parks on the water in town that have gone belly up. Maybe they open in the summer or maybe no one is staying there at the moment. There is lots of mining history here but no active mining now.

This has long been a major sports fishing destination for fishing fiends, particularly in the summer. There is plenty of bass, barracuda, triggerfish, yellowtail, sierra, grouper, ladyfish, cabrilla, and rooster fish. The temperatures in the summer can get up to 120 degrees, with the water at a cool 90 degrees. There is just no getting cool.

The fruit and vegetables look pretty sad in the stores, although if you know when the delivery date is for the stores you can get some better choices I understand. We see no gardens, water is a problem, although there is a spring where the water comes from, and it is delivered to everyone for a price; or you can fill up your water barrels yourself for a much cheaper price. The town got electricity just last year but there are lots of generators and solar panels around, particularly on the gringos homes which are outside the village where electricity has yet to come.

January 23, 2009
After 6 days of kayaking, cycling and meeting people we are on our way to San Lucas Cove if we make it that far. The road has some excellent spots and some not so good (terrible) spots. A quick stop there and then on to Conception Bay. We will try Playa Requison as we haven't been there before. Whenever we have driven by its been packed with people, this year there have been very few tourists all the way down so far, so perhaps there will be few at this beach as well. It may not be good for kayaking, in which case we will go a few km north to El Coyote again for about a week.

I will post pictures if we ever get any time with an internet connection that works......

Ahh Mexico at Last!! January 14, 2009

It was an uneventful crossing at Tecate, took us 10 minutes tops to walk across the border, get a stamp on our visa and walk back across. We parked at the little market/shoe store on the right hand side just before the border. No charge if we were under half an hour. We found some Ovaltine in the store for Paul and Renata, our friends we are house sitting for in Los Barriles..

We crossed right over without being stopped by the border guards who were armed to the teeth with shiny chrome plated M16s. No worries. It was a spectacular day, perfect temperature and very few people on the highway. There was very little sign in this area of the fires that happened last year. We did pass a group of black jumpsuited police with motor cycles, which they leaped on and tore off in the opposite direction as we drove by.

We stopped in Ensenada to go to the fish market. Picked up a couple of kiilos of medio camarones. Yum. We decided to stay at Esterro Beach resort, just south of Ensenada for the night. Its a beautiful resort with an rv park, we were only able to get wi fi in their office so we caught up a little bit and didn't leave till around 11:30. We planned on just driving to El Pabillon, not a long drive, about 3 hours for us.

We spent a peaceful night on the beach at El Pabellon. There were only two other campers there, such a shame, it is a lovely place and the lady who runs it is so very nice and does a wonderful Job maintaining the place. In the morning we waited for hours for the fishermen to come in with some crab and fish (pesca) for us but unfortunately had to leave before they returned. it was such a peaceful calm day on the water I guess they were staying out longer. We could see them with binoculars and kept thinking they were coming in so hung around till finally it was 11:00 and we wanted to get going.

The road past el Pabillon is very narrow – there is a white line though that lets you know that beyond the white line lies a steep bank that would result in a tip or a roll(s) if one was to cross it. Where there is no white line the steep bank has taken over.... half way to El Rosario and there is a wonderful stretch of a few miles with wide shoulders and shoulders for the shoulders! Heaven. Past the checkpoint and we are back into this extremely narrow stuff with white lines with bites of it all the way down the steep hill into El Rosario. I think it took us less than an hour to get to El Rosario from El Pabillon, good time.

Its a very hot day today. With this weather we really don't need to go any further south.

Unfortunately I couldn't get my camera working in time when we came upon a truck trailer laying on its side taking up the entire oncoming lane! The truck was getting hooked up to a real truck - tow truck, the first of these we have seen on the Baja. It was a very twisty part of the road. They had carefully marked the accident with a single small triangle on the edge of the road for the oncoming cars – well, better than the traditional pile of stones.

They have been dong some work, on this road and there are parts that are really quite nice,

We stopped for the night and a walk at Santa Ines by 3:00. In the morning Lorne found a nail in one of the rear tires so off we went back to Catavina in search of a llantera. This is a very small pueblo – 100 people, the usual gong show happened, we didn't see a llantera sign so stopped to ask at the store – he pointed back down the road and said the man selling gasoline could fix it. We drove back to him and he said no, he had to sell gasoline (plastic gallons of it off his cart – there was certainly no line up) and pointed back down the way we came saying there was a mechanic there who could fix it. Back we went and found his shop, however, no such luck, he was in Ensenada till the afternoon so Lorne changed the tire in his lot, His 12 year old son came to chat with us and to offer his advice so we brushed up on some Spanish.

Our goal today is Bahia de Los Angeles, about 170 km, a 3 hour drive, maybe. We plan on staying a few days, doing some kayaking and will look at a few casas on the beach for sale. This is Lorne's favourite spot and is rapidly becoming mine.