Hey Nomads, I’m headed to BOLA at the end of the month with my 10 and 12 year old daughter and son. This will be their first trip there. I’ve been
there quite few times and it is one of my favorite places, but I need to look at the trip from a different perspective – their eyes. I’m trying to
avoid hearing the much dreaded “I’m bored, there’s nothing to do.” Here’s what I have in mind so far:
1) We are camping at Bety and Antonio’s place, so we will visit the sea turtle rehab/research center there.
2) Go to the school and deliver the supplies we collected.
3) Go to the museum in town.
4) Hire a panga to see the whale sharks.
5) Drive out past La Gringa to explore a bit. I like to launch my kayak from there and paddle out by Smith Island to fish for dinner.
6) Let them paddle the kayaks out in front of the camp – mindful of the wind conditions.
7) Drive out to see the cave paintings outside of town. I think I’ll skip the rough ride to the mission at San Borja.
8) Walk down the beach to the lighthouse.
9) Snorkel
10) Explore tide pools
11) Just relax and read.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Joe O.Debra - 9-4-2007 at 02:58 PM
Sounds like you have it covered Joe!
Except, no need for a panga to see Whale Sharks........you have a kayak they hang out at La Gringa.........Just go, many times you can just swim up to
them......they are as curious as you are.
Also, You do realize that Antonio no longer is the caretaker of the turtles? (about 2 1/2yrs. since he retired) The guy that "takes care of them"
is IMHO, not doing what can be done to get kids interested in conservation........last spring, he kind of chased us off (my son has been helping take
care of those turtles for about 6yrs. suddenly he was turned away...........(sad) After years of scrubing those tanks, and the turtles, he was
really bummed when he couldn't see "HIS" turtles.
Trust me, your kids won't be bored! Never a dull moment in Bahia.........have full!Yakfishing - 9-5-2007 at 09:51 AM
Hi Debra,
Thanks for the feedback.
Yes, I'm aware that Antonio has retired and not working on the research/rehab project. I've heard nothing but complaints with people wanting to work
with the new crew. I recall a sign posted there that said it was $20 (not sure if it was dollars or pesos) to volunteer to work…
I think we will need to hire a panga for the whale sharks. There are 4 of us, including my girlfriend and I only have 2 kayaks – a single and a
tandem. I might get left behind!
Joe O.Ken Bondy - 9-5-2007 at 10:05 AM
Joe
Hermit crab races used to occupy my kids (including your ages) for hours. All four of them (2 girls 2 boys) kind of grew up in Baja. They ALWAYS
found something to do, no matter where we were.
++Ken++Bob and Susan - 9-5-2007 at 10:07 AM
bring some "board games" for the eveningPaulina - 9-5-2007 at 10:22 AM
Joe,
It sounds like you have great ideas. It might be a good idea to not do them all at once, but spread them out as much as you can. One exciting 'field
trip' a day makes each outing more memorable.
Drive them out to Las Flores to see the jail complete with bars on the window, and check out the cemetary there.
Watch the tides because at La Gringa you and the kids can "ride the tide" as it comes in, flowing into the back bay part of it. Grab a floaty and go
to the extreme eastern end of La Gringa where the water flows into the estuary. You can ride the tide into the estuary for quite a ways, climb out,
cross over the ridge of gravel and start all over again. Watch out where you park your vehicle though.
There are also millions of tiny seashells to collect at La Gringa. Shells with holes in them can be strung to make bracelets or necklaces. We'd take
the shells back to camp for stringing and gluing onto plain wooded picture frames. This used to keep my kids busy for hours.
Take a tide pool identification book along. My kids used to go tide pool hunting at low tide, bringing back specimens in a bucket to look up in the
book, checking them off as they find them, then take them back to where they found them. It can be fun to see how many different animals they can
spot. We've learned that octopus don't do well with this activity.
Ken's Hermit crab races sound like a lot of fun, even for the grown ups!
Have a great trip!
P<*)))><Ken Bondy - 9-5-2007 at 10:30 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina
Ken's Hermit crab races sound like a lot of fun, even for the grown ups!
P<*)))><
Paulina you are soooo perceptive! Nothing like watching the hermit crabs race after a few Pacificos
++Ken++elizabeth - 9-5-2007 at 10:40 AM
I don't think you're supposed to give pacificos to hermit crabs, not good for their digestion or something...Paulina - 9-5-2007 at 11:09 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by elizabeth
I don't think you're supposed to give pacificos to hermit crabs, not good for their digestion or something...
Ja Ja Ja!
P<*)))><Diver - 9-5-2007 at 11:18 AM
What, no ATV's, motorcycles or jet skis ?? :bigrin:
You seem to have it covered and your kids are old enough to tend themselves some of the time. We like the portable DVD player for times when they need
to unwind and you need some peace and quiet.
We also try to pre-think a list of camp chores for each kid.
Makes our life easier (if they do them) and gives them some new responsibility each time.
.
.Paulina - 9-5-2007 at 11:36 AM
Diver,
Your mention of the portable DVD is a good one, however in my humble opinion, kids now a days seemed to be tuned into everything electronic, turn off
the world and turn on the game system, dvd, etc. Every family has their own rules as far as electronics go.
Our rule is once we're on dirt anything with a battery is turned off. There's too much going on out the window to have their faces planted in their
laps.
The same for hanging around camp during the daylight hours.
What worked for our family was having a "drive in movie" at night. After dinner and after chores we would set up a milk crate with the t.v./vcr set up
on top (aging myself) The t.v. would be plugged into the generator which was far enough away as to not interfere. (way before solar) We'd plug the
micro into the generator and make pop corn, pull up lounge chairs, climb into sleeping bags and enjoy a family drive in movie. Sometimes the grownups
would have their time around the fire while the kids wound down in front of the t.v. before bed.
Now our daughter has a portable DVD. We do pretty much the same thing. During the day there's too much to be missed by watching movies. I tell her
that smart children never get bored as their brains always find something for them to do.
As for chores, mine used to argue that the other got the easier job, so I'd drop the chores into a bucket, luck of the draw I called it.
All in all, I think all of our kids benefit from experiencing baja, the more baja without batteries the better.
P<*)))><
[Edited on 5-9-2007 by Paulina]Skipjack Joe - 9-5-2007 at 02:32 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina
Your mention of the portable DVD is a good one, however in my humble opinion, kids now a days seemed to be tuned into everything electronic, turn off
the world and turn on the game system, dvd, etc.
Totally agree with this.
Your ace in the hole is the water itself. You'll have to drag them out for a quick bite and back they go again. This goes on for hours. Just bring
along strong sunscreen and don't compromise when they tell you they don't need it.
Go into town every other evening for dinner and later stop at the docks to watch the locals fish at night.
"Baja without Batteries"
Yakfishing - 9-5-2007 at 03:10 PM
...great title for a book.
Electronics will only be used intermittently during the long drive down and back. Reading, talking to the “old folks” and looking out the window will
fill the balance of the travel time. One of my favorite things to do while driving the long stretches is crossword puzzles. My girlfriend reads the
clue to me and gives any additional info - # of letters, second letter is a D, etc. It keeps my mind stimulated and that helps me stay alert. Plus
with Lori working the pencil, I can keep both hands on the wheel!!
Nighttime at the camp is all about the fire, marshmallows, s’mores…..Paulina - 9-5-2007 at 04:06 PM
"With Lori working the pencil, I can keep both hands on the wheel!!" Lucky Lori! This is a family board afterall! ja Ja Ja
I've found that 'Books on tape' also help to pass the highway time. You'd be amazed at the titles you can find that will entertain both kids and grown
ups of all ages. We seem to make so many stops to 'check the tire pressure' that the drive is broken up so well as to make the time pass very quickly.
When my son was younger the drive to Bahia from Ensenada seemed to take forever cause he always had to go potty. When I found out that he was really
stuffing his pockets by collecting rocks behind the bushes instead of taking care of business, the drive got a lot shorter. I decorated a urinal for
him to use and we were in Bahia in no time. Your kids are older and you won't have that problem. Carry baby wipes.
Enjoy your time, evenings around your campfire sound delicious! It would be fun to run into you sometime down there, our kids being of the same age.
P<*)))><Yakfishing - 9-5-2007 at 04:16 PM
Paulina,
Thanks for the laugh! People at work are giving me funny looks...
We arrive on the 21st and leave on the 28th.
When will you be there?
Joe O.Paulina - 9-5-2007 at 04:21 PM
Unfortunately we won't be there at that time. The B1k is questionable, but for sure we will be there for the New Year's celebration.
P<*)))><Bajagypsy - 9-6-2007 at 07:44 AM
The one thing to bring is benadryl (sp?), we have brought our4 kids down twice now, and have used it every time!! Another good thing to bring is
gravol or something like it.
Our kids have a blast, no electronics, lots of books, some homework, a pail and shovel, and even our 15 year old is happy. Snorkle fins, are
something that ours enjoy as well.
gravol or something like it.
Yakfishing - 9-6-2007 at 04:24 PM
BajaGypsy,
I had to look up what you Canuks call gravol...
I was thinking there's plenty of gravel in Baja, why do I need to bring more??
For all you Americanos, it's Dramamine. And yes, that's a good suggestion, as my son is prone to carsickness.
Joe O.lovebahia22 - 9-10-2007 at 06:12 PM
its good there are other people out there that love tony and bettys too, its not giving enough credit. its perfect! i grew up there (well on
vacations) every year since i was 4 its amazing. even if the turtles are no longer part of their place.BajaBruno - 9-10-2007 at 07:27 PM
I'm not sure if the Gypsy meant Benadryl "Spray," but I go nowhere without that stuff. Mosquito hits you, give it a quick squirt before you scratch
and then tie your hands together for about 30 seconds--the itch is gone. Great stuff.
Couple of ideas
bajaguy - 9-10-2007 at 08:02 PM
Make the kids responsible for planning at least one meal.....from concept to shopping to cooking to clean up. You will be surprised what the meal will
be, and maybe it will be edible.
Also bring lightsticks and some small cord.......keeps kids busy for hours.
buy each of them a small fanny pack and fill with flashlight, whistle, small first aid kit, handy wipes....whatever....the rules are that they have to
wear it at all times out of the water.
And no going off alone....always use the buddy system.Yakfishing - 9-14-2007 at 10:51 AM
Thanks for all the great suggestions.
One week and counting!
Joe O.marv sherrill - 9-14-2007 at 02:49 PM
Mr Yak - one more idea - if you don't already have them, pick up a couple of cheap spinning rods and some scampis - kids that age will cast for hours
from the shore and actually catch fish - (don't eat the pufferfish) ...lovebahia22 - 9-17-2007 at 12:50 PM
other things that might help...inflatable raft with a clear bottom
guide books to look up things found in tidepools
a deck of cards
o and one amazing thing handlamps at target ten bucks lcd light, its amazing kids love it
