BajaNomad

My Tijuana Walking Tour was Fantastic!

no1special - 1-21-2008 at 12:23 AM

I would HIGHLY recommend taking a walking tour from Ultimatebaja (ultimatebaja.com). Our tour guide Fernando was great. With the recent problems in Tijuana, I felt that it would be better to take a tour with someone that knew Tijuana well. I hired Fernando of Ultimatebaja (ultimatebaja.com) to give me and a friend a walking tour of Tijuana. Our tour started at 10am and ended around 5:30pm. I visited Tijuana last September for the first time with my husband and son, and I felt uncomfortable because I was not familiar with Tijuana and was afraid that we would venture into areas that may have been considered dangerous. During my walking tour of Tijuana, I felt at ease with Fernando. I really liked that we toured areas of Tijuana that were visited by the locals and not the tourist. I could really get a sense of the culture by visiting these areas.

The tour included lunch at the Cafe La Especial. We had the Mexican Combo. All I can say is that this was the BEST Mexican food that I have ever experienced in my life. I will definitely visit this restaurant the next time I visit Tijuana.

I also enjoyed our stop at the L.A. Cetto Winery. We were given a tour of the wine bottling operation and cellar. We also had an opportunity to participate in a wine tasting which involved 4 different wines. We really enjoyed the wine tasting and were a little disappointed that we were limited to buying just one bottle of wine. After our visit to the winery, we stopped by a bakery that was known for their sweet bread. I LOVED the bake goods from this bakery. I wished that I bought more bake goods from this bakery before leaving Tijuana. The next time I visit Tijuana, I will definitely make a visit to this bakery.

Please feel free to email me if you should have specific questions about my walking tour. Below is a link of photos that were taken during the tour.

http://www.islandigitalcreations.com/tijuana/

David K - 1-21-2008 at 07:23 AM

Thanks for sharing the photos... Fernando is good people!

bbbait - 1-21-2008 at 07:31 AM

We too used Fernado for a tour and he was wonderful! He is also very flexible as our's was more of an evening event. Upon crossing the border we met up with him and he led us to a nice mid level motel, (where he negotiated the price for us!) After allowing us to settle in he returned to pick us up in his vehicle and showed us around to the vaious highlites. We had a great dinner and then to the Caliente race track, an old local landmark. All in all, he is a great host, excellent company and we always felt very safe and secure!

fdt - 1-21-2008 at 09:48 AM

Thanks for the fabulous review, it was great to have you here and thanks for allowing me the pleasure to show you some of the great things this city has to offer it's visitors.
Muchas Gracias,
Fernando
:D

Woooosh - 1-21-2008 at 03:34 PM

This has been a paid commercial message from ultimatebaja.com... ;)

shari - 1-21-2008 at 05:32 PM

Way to go Ferna...I'm always happy to hear about good guides from satisfied clients...well done compaņero...keep up the good work...your's is a unique service that deserves applause:bounce:

Natalie Ann - 1-21-2008 at 09:27 PM

no1special - Sounds like you had a really fun tour.... and yes, Fernando is an excellent guide.
So I'm curious.... exactly what were the crunchy looking insects, and how did they taste? Did you take some home to share with friends?

And Fernando - are these creatures actually a part of the mexican diet?

nena

fdt - 1-21-2008 at 10:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
This has been a paid commercial message from ultimatebaja.com... ;)

Oh yes, next paid commercial will be on half time of the superbowl ;)

fdt - 1-21-2008 at 10:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Natalie Ann

So I'm curious.... exactly what were the crunchy looking insects, and how did they taste? Did you take some home to share with friends?

And Fernando - are these creatures actually a part of the mexican diet?

nena

It was grasshopers, salted and with chile.
Not necesarily a part of the diet as you wold need to eat hundreds to get full but yes, they can be served as apetizers or even on a freshly made corn tortilla and adding some lemon juice... MMM Delicioso. :yes:

[Edited on 1-22-2008 by fdt]

no1special - 1-21-2008 at 10:35 PM

My friend in the photo could not finish the grasshopper, she was just too afraid to eat it. So, instead of wasting it, I took it from her and ate it. It was crunchy and it had a taste that I have never experienced before. If I had a word to explain the taste, I would say that it was "earthy". I think that you would have to acquire a taste for these grasshoppers. It was indeed a good experience. :D

Natalie Ann - 1-21-2008 at 10:42 PM

Interesting.... I may have to try grasshoppers.
hmmmmmmmmmm....:rolleyes::no:;D

Thank you, Fernando and no1special, for your responses.

nena

tjBill - 1-22-2008 at 02:07 AM

Thanks for the grasshopper info.; I will buy some Saturday.

fdt - 1-22-2008 at 07:15 AM

TjBill;
If your'e looking for those tatsy treats, they can be found at Mercado el Popo wich is on Calle Segunda between Constitucion and Niņos Heroes.

DianaT - 1-22-2008 at 09:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fdt
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
This has been a paid commercial message from ultimatebaja.com... ;)

Oh yes, next paid commercial will be on half time of the superbowl ;)


I hear you hired Janet Jackson to do your commercial????:lol:

Diane

fdt - 1-22-2008 at 10:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter

I hear you hired Janet Jackson to do your commercial????:lol:

Diane

How did you find out? And she's going to wear the same silver sun that she purchased on Avenida Revolucion :lol:

tjBill - 1-22-2008 at 02:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fdt

If your'e looking for those tatsy treats, they can be found at Mercado el Popo wich is on Calle Segunda between Constitucion and Niņos Heroes.


Thanks fdt, I'm heading to Mercado el Popo this Saturday for some grasshoppers.

obafla - 1-22-2008 at 07:25 PM

Wow, I'm always rushing past TJ. Great idea. Anyone know of a similar service in Ensenada?

fdt - 1-22-2008 at 09:59 PM

As a matter of fact I do ;D
http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-before-las-vegas-t...

obafla - 1-23-2008 at 08:50 AM

Thank you for response and article, fdt. I have some visitors who may be interested in this type of tour for both TJ and Ensenada. I also need the same history lesson.

bajaguy - 1-23-2008 at 09:02 AM

When in Ensenada, visit the Baja Country Club!!!!

bajadock - 1-23-2008 at 09:52 AM

Just sent fdt's website and LA times article links to my March 5 visitors and my April 1 visitors. I'm looking forward to TJ tour and Ensenada tour. And I have yet to meet Fernando! FUN.

fdt - 1-23-2008 at 10:45 AM

Let me know. :yes:

bajaboolie - 2-4-2008 at 06:38 PM

Great report. It would be great to have a walking tour of TJ...I never knew they were available. I've only ever been to Revolucion. That market looked beautiful!