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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6321
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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MY RECENT TRIP TO BAHIA ASUNCION...(NEW PHOTOS ADDED)
After my recent illness of well over a year, my doctors finally gave me the go-ahead to travel by
vehicle for more than two hours...so Jana and I decided to take the plunge and head to our beach house in Bahia Asunción. Our current renter, Ross
(the kayak fisherman), was going to the US for three weeks and he offered the house to us while he was gone.
On our first day we managed to make it to Jardines hotel in San Quintin. What a serene and park-like atmosphere the hotel has. Birds chirping
everywhere, and at a specific time, all the bird noise just shuts off all at once! The plants and flowers on the gardens of the hotel are also
incredible.
Early the next morning we headed for Bahia Asunción, and once we got past El Rosario, anxiety started in on me...I was going to be away from a doctor
for a couple of weeks and to get to my doctor was going to take most of a day. But by the time we got to Guerrero Negro and stopped at Mario's Palapa
Restaurant for some margaritas, ceviche and guacamole, my anxieties waned.
We made it to Bahia Asunción later in the day, and after unpacking, we headed to Shari and Juan's place. With beers in hand, we drove to Bladdy's
palapa on the beach for dinner and more beers. Two days later, it rained pretty good in BA.
That evening we sat on the front porch to admire the sunset and the stars and milky way working their way from east to west. I had forgotten how
bright the stars and galaxies are in BA.
We went on several off-road trips, and the first one was to San Roque to check out the newly built church and a great drive down the beach. Other
trips included Punta Prieta, San Hipólito, and La Bocana to spend some time with our friends Blanca and Les.
On the one trip to Punta Prieta, Jana wanted to go shell hunting on a pristine beach which turned out to be made of some sand and the rest was
decomposed shells which composed an extremely soft base for the tires. The FJ got really stuck in the stuff and I needed to drop the air pressure from
18PSI down to about 9PSI. Plus I REALLY needed the use of the 4X4 differential and A-Track locks. I had to do the slow
rock-on-top-of-the-deep-sand-thing about 30 times as the tide was now two feet away from lapping at my tires. It took me about ½ hour to get out of
it. My winch would have helped a lot, but I had no dead-man.
But no experience to our place in BA is complete without some gourmet foods for dinners and breakfasts. Dinners included lamb, roasted chicken, fresh
fish, rib-eye steaks, kicked up seafood macaroni and cheese (thanks to Shari for supplying the lobster and crab). Breakfasts included eggs Benedict,
shrimp and eggs, steak and eggs, blueberry pancakes, waffles. We also served a variety of dips to go with some chips.
One of the most incredible experiences of the trip was the viewing of the blooming cacti as well as the fruiting prickly pears. It was incredibly
lucky for us to be able to experience this spectacle of nature. If we would have been there three more weeks, we would have seen the pithayas in full
fruit mode also.
The trip home was also unremarkable, and made it to the border in a day-and-a-half. However, one of my surprise pleasures was when we stayed at
Jardines on the return trip; I had the pleasure of meeting Nick Gula, of Pedregal, San Quintin. He came by to visit with the owner of Jardines and
recognized the FJ Cruiser, and could no give up the opportunity to say hello to a fellow Nomad. What a super guy! The hot churros could not have come
soon enough at the border crossing.
Shrimp and eggs
Eggs Benedict
Shari enjoying ceviche
Lamb chops on the BBQ
Shari showing off her lamb chops served with fresh asparagus
Blanca, Jana and myself at the seaside restaurant in La Bocana.
A friendly osprey
The FJ on a beach
And they say it never rains in BA
This wind chime (thanks to Shari) says it all!
Fresh local sea bass, white asparagus, hollandaise sauce, kicked up rice pilaf
The local car wash helper
Jana enjoys another eggs Benedict breakfast on the front porch
The FJ on the beach @ San Roque
Here is a little competition for Russ in Punta Chivato with his magnificent sunrises:
This says it all
Checker shoes at the front door of our beach house
Yes, we do have a Pemex in BA
And we'll close with a picnic under the Bahia Asunción arch (also in front of the house.)
Our daily ritual of watching sunsets from the front porch.
The model panga builder, Luis
The lighthouse near Punta Prieta
Russ posts sunrises, At this time of year I can only post sunsets
Blanca, Les, Jana and myself
Shari enjoying a glass of fine wine
Our local correcamino pays a visit again (I think the parrot food has been helping because of his frequent visits.)
PS>>>I DON"T KNOW WHAT'S UP WITH THE SMALL PHOTOS!
[Edited on 10-2-2015 by Udo]
[Edited on 10-2-2015 by Udo]
[Edited on 10-7-2015 by Udo]
[Edited on 10-7-2015 by Udo]
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15937
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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we had the joy of the loose shell experience one time north of Bocanita. pucker factor was off the charts with the water right there! "the tides going
out, RIGHT?"
we'll see ya next time!
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Meany
Nomad
Posts: 453
Registered: 2-14-2009
Location: santa paula,calif
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Great stories and Pictures. Thanks
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13033
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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I gotta say I thought we may never see you again here Udo and was pretty darn happy we were able to share food and fun together again....so what if I
have to join Eaters Anonymous after you leave eh! As always your lamb was orgasmic! Eggs benny...perfectly delightful, seafood mac & cheese was
scrumptious and chicken yummy!
Here you are enjoying your ocean front view.
And in the kitchen with your beautiful sous-chef/wife cooking for all of us.
teaching Tomas of Loncheria Mari fame how to make the perfect margarita
and here are some of the Asuncion locals sporting smiles from a fantastic meal and beverages and comradery.
It was wonderful to have you two lovebirds back in town! I am proud of you both for overcoming your serious health setbacks.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6321
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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That's an epic photo of Jana and myself in B&W, Shari.
I also noticed who were not wearing shoes or flip flops!!!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Wow, excellent report. Glad you are so much better.
I've never cooked lamb. What is the sauce you put on them. It kind of looks like it's made with avocados.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64478
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Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Perfect Udo, perfect!
I am so happy you ar feeling well again and up to do some serious off roading. A-TRAC makes it more secure if nobody is around to help with a pull!
Lamb is my favorite, and I hope to try your way of serving it someday!
Keep on healing up amigo...  
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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Udo, one of the most touching pieces I've read on Nomads. I hope your teeth didn't get sunburned from grinning so hard! You are truly an
inspiration. Happy trails,
bb
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6321
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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What I have done with the lamb (for several years now...so I never mess with success,) is to rub it down with a spice combination from a company in
South Africa called NOMU, and simply enough it is called LAMB RUB. Afterward I slather the chops with a green pesto and let it sit overnight in a
plastic bag. Large lamb chops are very hard to come by, and therefore I buy a lamb rack and cut off every other rib bone from the rack, and then slice
off 4 chops from the now modified rack. Each slice should come out about 2+" thick. Cook it on a very hot charcoal grille at less that two minutes per
side (the bone side doesn't count, so your total cook time is less than 6 minutes). Be sure to use a watch or you'll overcook the lamb!
I have tried buying lamb chops from several different meat purveyors, and so far no one has been able to beat COSTCO'S lamb flavor.
Quote: Originally posted by TMW  | Wow, excellent report. Glad you are so much better.
I've never cooked lamb. What is the sauce you put on them. It kind of looks like it's made with avocados. |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6321
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Thanks DK!
All the walking and off-roading we did really helped my stamina after we got back. I really noticed the difference this week!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Great to see you healthy. Great report. And without any dissing of Asuncion, I did want to mention your description of Jardines. We stay there every
time we pass though, and always think that we should stay for another night.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Udo,
You are looking spry and like the time at your place was "good medicine".
Glad you are feeling better...and getting back on the road.
Needless to say, your cuisine looks fantastic....thanks for the lamb tip (Costco has great meat....better than any butcher most often).
Don't believe everything you think....
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2103
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Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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Glad you`re getting your good health back. And glad you were strong enough to rescue your FJ (looks just like mine)!!
"When you catch a fish, you open the door of happiness."
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6321
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Helluva halibut in your avatar...that monster could only come from Alaska.
| Quote: Originally posted by BornFisher | | Glad you`re getting your good health back. And glad you were strong enough to rescue your FJ (looks just like mine)!! |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Udo, thanks for for the report. Sheri was giving us up dates while you were there. Your report is even better, easy to tell it comes from your heart.
I'm glad you are on the comeback trail.
One of my favorite meals In baja is, bagels, cream cheese, red onion, lobster, topped with a poached egg, we call bagels benedict. The hollandaze is
too much for us.
Have you checked or Sprouts for there lamb? We are able to get double cuts from ours, Costco is probably a better price.
We're glad you made the trip.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6924
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Good to hear you're travelling baja again. Modern medicine is amazing.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3455
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Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Whoa, Udo, you're the man. Living high, my friend. Glad to see you out and about. Nice words and photos. Pura vida.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Wonderful to see you all enjoying yourselves. No better medicine than good friends, good food, and a trip to Baja.
Thanks for sharing!
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6321
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Thanks for the kind words by you, SF and H and Lee. You guys are tops in my book!
Bagels, cream cheese, red onions, lobster and a poached egg. That sounds decadent! I'll have to try it in the US first and see how that comes
out...with or without hollandaise.
I have tried the double lamb chops from SPROUTS. They were really expensive.
I don't mind the expensive if it is what I am looking for (God knows that I have traveled many miles to get just what I want). But their chops just
did not deliver the flavor, which was my thing.I have tried about 12 different purveyors of lamb that service to restaurants, but COSTCO'S lamb
delivered the flavor. Once I move to Baja, I may have to go to a different spice combination which I have yet to determine. Mexico lamb is
considerably different in flavor. It is probably determined by their feeding.Which is why most restaurants in Mexico that serve lamb serve it barbacoa
style.
| Quote: Originally posted by MMc | Udo, thanks for for the report. Sheri was giving us up dates while you were there. Your report is even better, easy to tell it comes from your heart.
I'm glad you are on the comeback trail.
One of my favorite meals In baja is, bagels, cream cheese, red onion, lobster, topped with a poached egg, we call bagels benedict. The hollandaze is
too much for us.
Have you checked or Sprouts for there lamb? We are able to get double cuts from ours, Costco is probably a better price.
We're glad you made the trip. |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Thanks! I'll go to Costco for the lamb.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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