marek - 12-1-2007 at 04:30 PM
Hola Nomads,
Just rolled in from a week in Baja. We headed down to Asuncion and then over to San Basilio, and then back up through the rain!
We spent our first night in Catavina at the little pink place on the left as you head into town. Rooms were clean and the food was good. We, of
course, stopped for Tamales y burritos in Jesus y Maria.
Spent the next night on a beach north of Asuncion. Stopped in and saw Shari, but the weather looked like it was a changing so we headed south for
warmer climates. Nice dinner in Mulege at Doney's and then off to San Basilio for a few days. San Basilio is still awesome, but it is now fenced
off and looks like the days are numbered for camping out there.
We got rained on in San Basilio and the clouds looked ominous, so we boogied out of the wash and started north. Another great meal at Doney's and
back on the highway we ran in the rain all the way to El Rosario.
We treated ourselves to a great room at the Baja Cactus and a mediocre meal at Mama's. Breakfast at Baja's Best and then back on the road. Lunch at
El Trailero in Ensenada was another treat.
All in all, a great trip, but some points to mention.
We were a one car trip.
We took the toll road..........in the day time.
We tried not to drive at night (a couple of short sections).
We saw lots of car accidents
Great burritos and Tamales at Carmelitas.
San Basilio is as beautiful as ever, but is now fenced off.
Mama's seems to have gotten more expensive.
Baja Cactus gets a thumbs up!
Baja's Best has great food, but bring your own fly swatter.
The only time we got robbed was in Santa Rosalia when we waited for the hot dog guy by the church and he never showed. 
We had NO problems............other than the lack of hot dogs.
Amigos, the times are a changing down in Baja. Like many of you, we've been going for over 20 years and the feeling seems different now. I don't
know if it is all the fences, or stories of crime, or constant worrying I found myself doing this trip when I haven't in the past, but it just "feels"
different. It seems as though everywhere we went, people were talking about the changes and the safety/security issues. Even the Customs agent at
the border asked us if we were worried about security on this trip. He said he's been going down for years and was wondering if it is still smart.
I'll try and post up some pictures later.
Fred - 12-2-2007 at 10:04 AM
Great report. I still have no problems in going to Baja. And I travel alone. But being in a VW Westfalia I look like I don't have much. And I
don't.
Heh Fred
Marie-Rose - 12-2-2007 at 10:32 AM
Go take a look at the "Go Westy" site on the internet... you might have more than you think
TMW - 12-2-2007 at 10:40 AM
Great report. Baja is changing some for the better and some for the worse. When violent crime is reported on US TV and newspapers I think it causes
people to reconsider going to Baja. The US housing problem has it's affect on Baja and other Mexican locations. There was an article in todays paper
about americans losing money on a housing development at Rocky Point and questioning whether a Mexican bank trust is any good. My own selfish interest
thinks it's better if less people go to Baja. I also believe that hurts the people of Baja, less tourist dollars spent, and that's not good.
Your feelings may have been affected more by the weather and perhaps the car accidents.
Fred - 12-2-2007 at 11:17 AM
Marie-Rose..................I have been to that site. Not lately, but I am always looking for a stove part or two. Next thing for mine is to get it
painted in Baja this spring.
David K - 12-2-2007 at 11:23 AM
Thanks Marek... looking forward to the photos!