BajaNomad

Baja 709-4: Day 5 (PM): Londo, Ligui, Loreto

David K - 7-29-2009 at 09:07 AM

This is continued from DAY 5 AM here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=40382

South of Bahia Concepcion, over the hills and into a great valley the highway goes...
DAY 5 Wed. PM 7-22-09


At Km. 30 is a small store and a road on the north side of it that heads 1/2 mile west to the ruins of the Jesuit visita (sub-mission) of San Juan Bautista Londo. The high wall of the mission visita is seen from the highway. We drive to the rancho to find the best place to park and were told to go back to the arroyo just below the ranch. A young man walked over to guide us to the site.



We park here between the ranch and the Londo ruin/ graveyard.











I wonder if the sea shells helped or hurt the mission cement mix? More on Londo plus older photos at http://vivabaja.com/missions3

South of Loreto, the highway climbs high and offers a grand view:







We turn off Hwy. 1 at Ligui and head east, past the school towards the beach. In about a half mile there is a branch road to the right, which goes 1 mile to the village and beach at Ensenada Blanca. Just beyond the fork to Ensenada Blanca, the road to Playa Ligui passes the site of the Jesuit mission of San Juan Bautista de Ligui y Malibat.

The Ligui mission site was totally washed away by the hurricane in 2001 from a widening arroyo. I took some photos of the foundation pieces in the arroyo back then. Today, nothing remains of the original mission, but just next to the site, a cross and an area is outlined as a new memorial to the 1705 mission. See http://vivabaja.com/missions1 for the older photos of Ligui.









Elizabeth holds a copy from my Baja Mission web site of older Ligui photos to compare.



This rocks in the arroyo might be from the mission?



The mission was between where my truck is and the trees, when the arroyo was less wide.



The beach at Playa Ligui

We then went to Ensenada Blanca to a gaurded gate that prevented driving to the beach as we did years ago. The gaurd pointed to a small opening in the fence, used by the village fishermen to access the beach and launch their boats. The project at Ensenada Blanca is for condos for the rich and famous, and it also included the old Danzante Resort, we were told.



Ensenada Blanca

We then drove into Puerto Escondido and saw lots of construction activity going on... we couldn't get near the bay or the old warf, however...

Then into Juncalito where I used to go out fishing with my parents when it was a small shark fisherman's village headed by Ramon Villalejo... that was back in the 1970's!



Interesting mobile





Nice mango tree!



Must be in the tropics to grow coconuts!

To Loreto!



We get a room at the Coco Cabañas http://www.CocoCabanas.com in this beautful coconut tree and pool courtyard... price was 1184 pesos (US $89).



Rooms all have kitchens... but the pool was nice... they claimed the only 'cooled' pool in Baja!

Phil C, Russ, Elizabeth and I went to dinner at ISLAS and it was terrific! Dinner for 2 was only 350 pesos and it was great. I wish I took photos, but totally forgot as we were having a good time! I recommend the fish with marinera (sp?)sauce.

After dinner, we walked to the Thrifty Ice ceam shop and then to the mission, before going back to Phil's where our truck was parked.



Above the door: (English): Head and Mother of the Missions of Lower and Upper California... Or, where California began, for the Spanish padres and their chain of missions.



Phil C and an El Camino Real bell, from Alta California. Thanks Phil for showing us a good time in Loreto!

For Day 6 (Loreto to San Javier and back to Bahia Concepcion) go here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=40423




[Edited on 8-1-2009 by David K]

Bob H - 7-29-2009 at 10:01 AM

You guys had a great time on this one.... Happy Anniversary!
Bob H

pwrslider - 7-29-2009 at 11:56 AM

David..

Love this trip report!!!! We are crossing the border Friday AM...and will be on the look out for your truck as you travel north. I"ll be in a Blue Yukon XL with a white luggage rack on top....if we meet...I'll buy the beer!!
Steve

Cypress - 7-29-2009 at 12:56 PM

David K. Thanks. Keep 'em coming. Waiting for more pictures etc. of your adventure towards the Pacific side and back to Hwy. 1.:)

David K - 7-29-2009 at 06:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pwrslider
David..

Love this trip report!!!! We are crossing the border Friday AM...and will be on the look out for your truck as you travel north. I"ll be in a Blue Yukon XL with a white luggage rack on top....if we meet...I'll buy the beer!!
Steve


The 8 days in Baja started on the 18th and ended on the 25th... We have been home since Saturday night (it is Wednesday now), so you won't see us in Baja until the next trip! I still have Day 6,7,8 reports and photos to post, and they are the best or as good as the ones already up!

We will toast you with beer when we meet, where-ever that may be! Thank you amigo!

Ken Bondy - 7-29-2009 at 07:03 PM

David, these are simply GREAT. Wonderful trip report, photos, descriptions. Saludos amigo, ++Ken++

David K - 7-29-2009 at 07:04 PM

GPS of MISION San Juan Bautista de LIGUI site... is about 100' different from my previous one, as posted on the missions web pages... This taken under the tree next to where the mission was.

WGS84: N25º44'21.4" W111º15'51.8" or
N25º44.357' W111º15.863' or
NAD27 Mexico: N25º44.338' W111º15.829'

BAJACAT - 7-29-2009 at 07:14 PM

David great ropert like always, I can belive is almost 5 years since i was in the Mulege area.David do you have pictures of the new rd to San Javier

Udo - 7-29-2009 at 07:55 PM

You are my hero cartographer, David!

When Jana and I head to parts of Baja we concentrate on adventure, having a great time, and making life a little better for the local Mexicans.

When David and Elizabeth go down, they become historians, photojournalists, and cartographers to the betterment of the Nomad membership.

David and Liz get my vote for Nomads of the year (even with 5 months left)

BajaWarrior - 7-29-2009 at 08:43 PM

Best damn trip report ever David, it's like being there with all the photos you've provided. Man, we have to get further south, just beautiful...

What was the water temp in Mulege/Loreto?

David K - 7-29-2009 at 08:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJACAT
David great ropert like always, I can belive is almost 5 years since i was in the Mulege area.David do you have pictures of the new rd to San Javier


Yes, it is a beauiful road and paved almost halfway to San Javier! Photos in the next part, DAY 6!

[Edited on 7-30-2009 by David K]

David K - 7-29-2009 at 08:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Best damn trip report ever David, it's like being there with all the photos you've provided. Man, we have to get further south, just beautiful...

What was the water temp in Mulege/Loreto?


Thanks Chuck... thank a lot for that... Yes, once your Bahia Santa Maria project is complete... take a trip south... maybe paved to Gonzaga then, so a short cut!?

sd - 7-29-2009 at 08:51 PM

David,

It has been over 2 years since I did my last road trip, and your pictures sure have me planning another soon.

Danzante was an incredible place to stay, and I am sorry to hear about the development. The small inn had wonderful views everywhere you looked, with the sea, hills, cacti, and shadows depending where the sun was.

Thanks for always documenting your trips so well.

Scot

David K - 7-29-2009 at 08:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by udowinkler
You are my hero cartographer, David!

When Jana and I head to parts of Baja we concentrate on adventure, having a great time, and making life a little better for the local Mexicans.

When David and Elizabeth go down, they become historians, photojournalists, and cartographers to the betterment of the Nomad membership.

David and Liz get my vote for Nomads of the year (even with 5 months left)


Way too nice Udo... way... But, muchas gracias mi amigo!

I am hoping to convince Baja Angel to write her version of the trip for the ladies' point of view!

She did enjoy Playa Frambes, Bahia Concepcion (again), Loreto and San Borja, a lot... wants to go back to those places and spend more time... I think I can take those kinds of demands!:lol:

For Day 6 (Loreto to San Javier and back to Bahia Concepcion) go here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=40423

[Edited on 10-14-2009 by David K]