BajaNomad - 'Things' to bring from home

'Things' to bring from home

JRabbit - 1-16-2008 at 12:55 PM

Are there certain things that are harder to find South of the border and should be brought from home? I'm talking non-perishables and supplies... We are driving down in 3 weeks from Vancouver, Canada and plan on staying for around 4 months.

Forgive my ignorance and endless questions this is my first time down South!!

Many thanks for you suggestions!

losfrailes - 1-16-2008 at 01:09 PM

Everything you could possibly use is available here, depending on where you intend to stay. Larger cities have more than adequate stores to choose from.

Just don't do too much worrying about what to bring. Bring money!

JRabbit - 1-16-2008 at 01:11 PM

I am a natural worrier and classic over-packer so this should be interesting!!

rhintransit - 1-16-2008 at 01:37 PM

I kinda disagree with losfrailes...some stuff is available some places. depends on where you are, what you want. if there is something you can't live without, bring it. if you see something locally you think you might want, buy it. it may not be available later. could you be more specific?

Packoderm - 1-16-2008 at 01:37 PM

First off, it would help to know if you're camping or staying in resorts. And there it is unlikely to be unable to find true necessities in Baja.

There is no such thing as bringing too many Little Debbie snacks. Those coffee cakes have warded off deep, early morning hunger more than once. I'd bring a big can of coffee and a percolator as well.

A propane lantern, plenty of mantles, and an extra glass thingy is great to have. Humberto in Bahia Asuncion/San Roque needs one, and I'm sure that he will take whomever out for fishing if one is brought out for him.

If you're going to camp, a small solar panel and car jumper/inverter/tire pump is great along with an AM radio that gets really good reception. I used that heck out of mine last trip.

It's good to take several trips to Taco Bell and dip liberally into the plastic forks.

Next time, I'm going to smuggle in some real butter or find it in Ensenada or somewhere.

Soft drinks such as Diet Coke are a whole lot cheaper in the States than Baja if you buy by the case.

Don't over pack - it makes things uncomfortable.

JRabbit - 1-16-2008 at 03:04 PM

We will be camping and staying in hotels... mostly camping though as this is a surf adventure.

I heard that olive oil is hard to come by down there so that is on our pre-trip Costco list.

dean miller - 1-16-2008 at 03:39 PM

We rean out of RV type T/P ---could not find it any where in Baja. A camper sold us a roll, which was used sparingly...So RV TP.
sdm

CaboRon - 1-16-2008 at 04:15 PM

Coleman's Mustard

and

Dark Bittersweet Italian Chocolate

-CaboRon

villadelfin - 1-16-2008 at 04:33 PM

If your toothpaste is not either crest or colgate and you are going to La Paz or beyond, stock up

bajadock - 1-16-2008 at 04:48 PM

Solid red wine values. OOPS, apologies, that's illegal to bring across border. I meant the 12 x .75 liter bottles of oive oil that were in the cardboard case labeled "cabernet" purchased from Trader Joe's. :smug:

[Edited on 1-17-2008 by bajadock]

bajajudy - 1-16-2008 at 04:52 PM

We have all drifted into the perishables!
Snacks, unless you like really HOT nuts, chips etc
Sharp cheddar cheese unless you like yellow tire patch,

capt. mike - 1-17-2008 at 06:48 AM

but Dock - ??
you are in punta banda right? isn't that close to Guad valle?
if i were there i'd just go buy cases there.
i hate it that i can't take cases home with me.
so much for the nafta thing................ :fire:

we were going to go on a cruise next october for the Int'l comanche society convention out of Galveston TX. Never cruised before so began to prep etc, venue was carribean - montego, grand cayman and cozmel - places we've done before so hey good times - ..........
not!! the line, Carnival, says YOU CAN'T BRING BOOZE ON BOARD!!!!!!
what???????????? :fire:

if they think i am not going to have an open bar in my $1600 balcony cabin they are nutz!!! And i am not going to be held hostage by high bar drink prices.
so bottom line is we are not going! screw Carnival. if that's how all cruises are guess i'll never do one. Besides, we have flown ourselves to the carribean - we'll do it that way. :biggrin:

CaboRon - 1-17-2008 at 07:43 AM

Captain Mike,
I have sailed on Carnival half a dozen times and you are allowed to bring a couple of bottles of wine or champagne per person on board.... you must consume it in your stateroom or balcony....or you can pay a corkage fee in the dining room just like in a restaurant.

Most people I know also smuggle in a bottle of their preferred liquor...

And don't forget water..which they charge you an arm and a leg for ..if you are driving to your port of embarcation I usually bring a rolling suitcase that I bring on board (not check) with my wine , champagne, and water.
That way nothing gets broken.

Did I just hijak this thread or did you ? :lol:

CaboRon

shari - 1-17-2008 at 07:54 AM

EAR PLUGS...good ones are impossible to find and necessary in lots of places and maple syrup of course! A good tire compressor is a must and bring photos of canada to show the mexicans, they love pictures and it's a good thing to do to break the ice with them and share something.

David K - 1-17-2008 at 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
but Dock - ??
you are in punta banda right? isn't that close to Guad valle?
if i were there i'd just go buy cases there.
i hate it that i can't take cases home with me...

Mike, you are a 'Zonie'... The ban on alcohol over 1 litre pp is for Californians... or it used to be!?? Maybe check on that.

CaboRon - 1-17-2008 at 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Mike, you are a 'Zonie'... The ban on alcohol over 1 litre pp is for Californians... or it used to be!?? Maybe check on that.

It is still true for Californians..... and for Canadians who change planes in the United States...

CaboRon

ElFaro - 1-17-2008 at 08:55 AM

I'm thinking of tossing the stuff below into the back of my pickup truck the next time I head down into Baja.
You know...just to be extra prepared.

50 gal Parts washer
Brake Rotor resurfacing machine
Drill press
Lathe
20 ton bearing press
Alternator stator rewinding machine
Radiator dip tank
Chain Fall - 15 ton
40kW Diesel Portable generator/welder/small village power station
Portable engine diagnostics center
:lol:

bajadock - 1-17-2008 at 09:28 AM

Poor JRabbit, tough crowd to be sure. Every one is a comedian and some of them are pretty humorous here.

Wine values for me are $12 on the very high end, so I "import" a couple of cases from Trader Joe every time I'm in SD. V de G vino values begin at $12 and move up quickly, IMHO.

Thanks BajaJudy for reminding me to import cheese on my next trip north.

rhintransit - 1-17-2008 at 09:48 AM

things I like...small solar battery charger and appropriate size rechargeable batteries for whatever you have that need batteries I also found great solar lanterns, not the puny round Coleman types but flat screens and thin rectangular design, the ones I have have weather and regular radios, too, though I've never used those features. propane or duel fuel lanterns and/stoves if needed. the coleman fuel can be found but pricey.
hummingbird feeder if you are going to be in one spot for awhile
vhf radio, at least a handheld
if you are here in cold months, some sort of heat source is nice. I love my Mr Heater.
good earplugs, yes!
favorite tea bags or such...most stuff here resembles floor sweepings. oops, I'm into comsumables. but, but, also second and third the suggestion for dark chocolate. food for pets if they require special diet or kitties like something other than Whiskers.
Home Defense bug spray by the gallon. available in most larger cities here but easy to toss in the camper and cheaper in the states/Canada. good insect repellant. also your favorite brand of sunscreen.
good paperbacks for reading and getting you going in the swapping
for only four months you can get most anything you want/forget in some form, in some quality, at some price.
que mas?

wilderone - 1-17-2008 at 09:53 AM

If you enter at Tacate and drive Mex. 3, you will pass many wineries and be able to stock up. Prices at LA Cetto start at $3.75 for decent table wines. LA Cetto also has a superb olive oil, although why olive oil is high on your list of "must haves" for a camping trip, I don't know.
On a 4-month trip, you must adjust to what is available in Baja. By doing so, you will not be without. Bring small gift items for children or others as it expands your travel experience. There are old posts on this forum on that subject.

EL FARO !

djh - 1-17-2008 at 10:05 AM

It is quite obvious that you will have lots of extra / empty space with that whimpy packing list, so....

Would you please pick up a few desalination plants for me??

Maybe one for my place in Loreto, and one for our "neighbors" down tha road at Loreto Bay Co....

And.... maybe some madium sized enviro-safe storage for all that salt... Perhaps the 1,000 cubic mile volume ones....

Thanks amigo!
djh

Quote:

Originally posted by ElFaro
I'm thinking of tossing the stuff below into the back of my pickup truck the next time I head down into Baja.
You know...just to be extra prepared.

50 gal Parts washer
Brake Rotor resurfacing machine
Drill press
Lathe
20 ton bearing press
Alternator stator rewinding machine
Radiator dip tank
Chain Fall - 15 ton
40kW Diesel Portable generator/welder/small village power station
Portable engine diagnostics center
:lol:

I can't live in Mexico without

Loretana - 1-17-2008 at 10:21 AM

The olive oil you already mentioned, EVOO from Costco,

A nice big wedge of Reggiano Parmesan,

At least 5 pounds of DeCecco Angel Hair pasta,

a decent teabag for every day I am here

and lots of pencils and Skittles to give the local children who are always underfoot checking out all my stuff!!

Don't forget your English-Spanish Dictionary, either. :dudette:

vandenberg - 1-17-2008 at 10:32 AM

Make sure to bring the wife.
That way you don't have to worry about any of that stuff. :biggrin:

vandenberg - 1-17-2008 at 10:42 AM

Quote:

..........
not!! the line, Carnival, says YOU CAN'T BRING BOOZE ON BOARD!!!!!!
what???????????? :fire:

Mike, Mike.
In all your travels, you should have figured out that you never comply with these rules. We were on a Norwegian cruise to Alaska a few years ago, also with strict " no booze " rules. Ignored them and had close to a case of scotch and vodka in our suitcases. No problem boarding and when on display in the cabin, never heard a word of protest.
Better quality booze and beats the hell out of their watered down drinks at $6.00 a pop. :biggrin:

JRabbit - 1-17-2008 at 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Make sure to bring the wife.
That way you don't have to worry about any of that stuff. :biggrin:

Well seeing that this is the female counterpart posting I guess the onus is on me!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and the interesting replies!

Fred - 1-17-2008 at 04:14 PM

That LA Cetto winery also has good t-kill-ya at a low price. Taste it first along with all the other liquid things they have. A good campground next door, in case you have a few too many.

BajaGuera - 1-18-2008 at 10:02 AM

Just returned from Carnival cruise yesterday. Since I planned on having good wine at dinner via some gift certificates I brought two box wines for the room (they really weren't that bad) also Coca Colas, water and Star$$$ Double shots. I got a picture of sunrise over Abreojos I will post later.

mulegemichael - 1-18-2008 at 05:18 PM

good pastas; fettucine, linguine, etc...dried cheeses, red wine is a must...lots of books if you're a reader...good linens, GOOD coffee! in a vacuum bag,GOOD chocolate, GOOD paper towels, napkins, and TP, all of which there are none of down here.....butter, GAWD, i would love some butter..but i digress...nonperishables, si...batteries of all varieties, and a few light sources; lanterns, flashlights, headlights, strobelites, etc...