My buddy, who I have been travelling to Baja with for many years, Carlos Fiesta (aka Chuck Chambers), has published a new book on his adventure around
the entire Baja Peninsula in a 19' Fijian Panga equipped with a small, 40hp Yamaha outboard by himself. Now, you might say, "oh, no big deal"...but
Carlos had never owned a boat, had no "true" ocean experience (we did take it on a practice run around the Palos Verdes Peninsula before the trip from
San Pedro to Redondo Beach) with operating a boat (although he has spent a lot of time surfing!) and thought an adventure like this would be fun at
age 50 to do in a used Panga.
A Pilot, Aircraft Owner, Real Estate Broker and a "Zest for a Baja Adventure" at any time, Carlos wrote this not only as an account of his adventure,
but also his 30+ years of Baja travel history intertwined as well. If you love Baja as much as Carlos does, this book is for you! I'm only putting
this on the Nomads Forum as there are many of you who know Carlos or have been to his website, BajaExpo.com
"Adventures in Baja Mexico! is an incredible new book by Carlos Fiesta that has been 5 years in the making. The book chronicles over 30 years of
adventures in Baja Mexico, written in conjunction with the complete story of his 2,200 mile solo circumnavigation from Los Angeles around the Baja
Peninsula and up into the Colorado River in a 19' Panga.
A summary version of the circumnavigation (32 pages) was available on-line and enjoyed by thousands since 2002. The Internet summary has been removed
now that the manuscript version is available.
The published edition of the Adventures in Baja Mexico! (212 pages - Fiesta Publications) will be available in bookstores and on-line sites by the end
of 2008. For those who want to experience this one of a kind book prior to publication, the first 100 copies of the manuscript version will be
available starting in October 15th 2008.
The manuscript version of Adventures in Baja Mexico! will offer the same contents as the upcoming published edition, but will be sold in 8 1/2" by 11"
manuscript form, complete with high quality cover. Each copy will be numbered, personally dedicated on the inside jacket and signed by Carlos Fiesta.
The manuscript will be sold and numbered on a first come - first served basis.
This offering is a unique opportunity and the perfect book for people who love Baja, adventures or the great outdoors. It is also a great gift for
someone who loves Baja or adventure stories. Once the book version of Adventures in Baja Mexico! is available for purchase the manusript version will
be discontinued.
One of the reasons the manuscript version is being released before the book version is printed is so Carlos can obtain reader comments, some of which
will be included in the jacket of the completed book.
To receive your personalized, signed and numbered manuscript copy of Adventures in Baja Mexico! send $20 (dollars, pesos, or checks accepted!) to
Mexico Expo Travel, 75 Malaga Cove Plaza, Suite #3, Palos Verdes Estates, California, 90274. For any questions please feel free to contact Carlos at
carlosfiesta@hotmail.com. "
FYI...I was having "Mango Margaritas" with Carlos last night and a he sold his third copy to another Baja Adventurer (Neil) and Neil came by the Bar
(Riveria Grill/Redondo Beach) and it was a great excuse to have another round!
Comments Carlos would like to see about the manuscript version of his book:
"Only $20? I'll take a dozen copies of your new book" ~ Jerry Seinfeld
"Carlos, you are awesome! I want to be you" ~ Jimmy Buffett
"And I thought I was funny. Carlos, your book is hilarious!" ~ Jay Leno
"Anyone can write a book. Try combing this hair every morning. Carlos...you're fired!" ~ Donald Trump
"Hey Carlos....Vote for me and I'll buy your stupid book!" ~ Barack Obama
"Wow, I hear the book is HOT. Too bad I can't read" ~ Paris Hilton
"Carlos, you are obviously trying to escape reality" ~ Dr. Phil
"After reading your book I bought Pangas for all of my friends" ~ Oprah
Now, the really funny part, is it costs Carlos $30.00 to get the thing printed due to the color photos. He doesn't care about the cost difference
though for now...he's only in it for the fun!
If you have done Baja, you will enjoy Carlos' perspective and some of his great storeis as well!!!
Juan del Rio
Panga with a Boob Job, Tummy Tuck and some Lipo...
Juan del Rio - 10-24-2008 at 03:03 PM
We all love the old girl so much, that for her 15th Birthday, we gave her a new Honda 50 hp, GPS, New seat with a built-in Cooler and a real Steering
wheel (not Plastic like the old one). This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago in San Juanico where she now lives a very cool life in the slow lane.
Carlos towed it down after she had the plastic surgery.
[Edited on 10-24-2008 by Juan del Rio]
tripledigitken - 10-24-2008 at 03:22 PM
Juan,
Thanks for the heads up. This is the first I've heard of the book. I can't wait to read it.
KenSunman - 10-24-2008 at 03:26 PM
I'm sold. Sounds like a fun read for sure. Please bump this again when the book is available.David K - 10-24-2008 at 07:15 PM
Great News!
I was wondering why Chuck was so quiet the past few years!!??
Here is Carlos Fiesta talking with Tim Walker (TimsBaja.com) at my Viva Baja #4 party in 2003... In the background is 'BajaXplorer' who appeared with
Coco in 'Dust2Glory' as the one legged gringo.
...and at One of the Mexico Expo's
Juan del Rio - 10-24-2008 at 07:42 PM
Here's a crew... (Left to Right):
David K/”Super Nomad”, Dick Van Bree/Outstanding Baja Website(s) Host, Carlos Fiesta, Doug Means/Baja Nomad's, “One and Only” and Juan del Rio.
Lotta Baja goin' on!
fishbuck - 10-24-2008 at 09:36 PM
I was fasinated by the story. I think I read somewhere that Carlos never got in a boat again after his trip. I think I understand why.bajalera - 10-25-2008 at 12:45 PM
I don't know what a "manuscript copy" is. Could you perhaps post a sample page on the Internet so we can see what it looks like?David K - 10-25-2008 at 10:49 PM
[Edited on 10-26-2008 by David K]capt. mike - 10-26-2008 at 05:15 AM
thx Juan for the heads up. i'll email him this week. i was thrilled to welcome Carlos when he made the river banks at mulege nov 2001 after i arrived.
i told him to look for me at the bar and there he was! we pounded a few.
great guy with no shortage of baja lore to share.
next i hope is the movie??
The Carlos Rule...
Juan del Rio - 10-26-2008 at 07:53 AM
...wasn't it, "No drinking within 15 feet of the Aircraft"??? I'm glad that you were in compliance with that rule after you landed with us in Cadeje!
I know you're in the book for sure!
bajalera - 10-26-2008 at 05:53 PM
Thanks for the info, DK.
I've never heard of "manuscript copy," but the description sounds like it must be the computer-keyboarded "typewritten" text that's sent to a printer.marv sherrill - 10-26-2008 at 06:14 PM
Juan - I have been waiting for the book for years!!!! Very cool - I'll ck your web site to order one!! thanks - MarvDavid K - 10-26-2008 at 06:24 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Juan del Rio
Here's a crew... (Left to Right):
David K/”Super Nomad”, Dick Van Bree/Outstanding Baja Website(s) Host, Carlos Fiesta, Doug Means/Baja Nomad's, “One and Only” and Juan del Rio.
Lotta Baja goin' on!
Nice photo from Feb. 12, 2006... Mexico Ted's 'Mexico Expo' ...#1 (I think)! Didn't Baja Angel take that one, Juan?capt. mike - 10-27-2008 at 05:35 PM
Juan here's another pilot's rule Carlos agrees with...
8 hours bottle to throttle..... land, and then....
8 minutes throttle to bottle!!Ken Bondy - 10-27-2008 at 05:54 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
8 minutes throttle to bottle!!
mike I could usually make it in about 8 seconds.
++Ken++capt. mike - 10-28-2008 at 07:11 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
8 minutes throttle to bottle!!
mike I could usually make it in about 8 seconds.
++Ken++
right you are Ken.........and who among us has not popped one on short final? hmmm?
well - i meant to hand to your co pilot to hold for you until you could get the plane stopped and engine (s) shut down...bbbait - 10-28-2008 at 02:56 PM
I just ordered mine and sent in "cash", so you guys can go get a 12pk!bbbait - 11-21-2008 at 07:54 PM
Oh man, this book is good! I'm about half way thru it and enjoying every minute of his trip and experiences!bajasammy - 1-8-2009 at 02:38 PM
I just finished the book and it's a great read! Carlos really knows how to have a good time, regardless of the situation.
He does a great job weaving in stories of past exploits when dropping anchor at a destination - very entertaining!
Highly Recommended!David K - 1-8-2009 at 04:38 PM
Juan, how can we get Carlos onto Nomad... ?
Carlos Fiesta
Juan del Rio - 1-8-2009 at 10:16 PM
Carlos tried to log on and do a report about his trip to Guadalupe Island last week with National Geographic Video/Channel. It was amazing! I told him
that the Baja Nomads group would love to hear/see the experience and he agreed...but for some reason, could not lock on to the board to share the
experience. He called me and I walked him through the process of logging on, but it didn't work. He gave up and hasn't tried again.
The story is great, as I do not know of anyone on the board who has lived on the Island with the local folks. The photos he took were great stories as
well…and I hope he is able to post some for all of us in the future!
Vaka Vita
Juan del Rio - 1-8-2009 at 10:32 PM
Today, as we are putting the old girl away for the season in San Juanico. We still fish with this boat that Carlos took from San Pedro, down the Baja
Peninsula, then up to the Colorado River (by himself). Same boat, new Honda motors.
It's "Baja Proven" for sure! (Panga was built in Fiji and shipped to California where it now resides in San Juanico, Baja Sur...after doing both West
and East Coasts of the Baja).
David K - 1-9-2009 at 08:48 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Juan del Rio
Carlos tried to log on and do a report about his trip to Guadalupe Island last week with National Geographic Video/Channel. It was amazing! I told him
that the Baja Nomads group would love to hear/see the experience and he agreed...but for some reason, could not lock on to the board to share the
experience. He called me and I walked him through the process of logging on, but it didn't work. He gave up and hasn't tried again.
The story is great, as I do not know of anyone on the board who has lived on the Island with the local folks. The photos he took were great stories as
well…and I hope he is able to post some for all of us in the future!
To have Carlos here posting, I'm sure Doug (Baja Nomad) will help...BajaNomad - 1-9-2009 at 01:44 PM
Since he's used a Hotmail e-mail account for each username, it's likely that any automated password email from the board has ended up in his email
account`s spam folder. If he`d like to contact me via either of his two Hotmail email addresses, I'd be happy to email him back a non-automated
email, with a manually reset password so that he can login to the site here.
-
Doug
[Edited on 1-9-2009 by BajaNomad]Bajahowodd - 1-9-2009 at 01:48 PM
Could be security software. I have a suite by Computer Associates that's provided by my ISP Roadrunner. I found that I have to disble my firewall in
order to log on. Once logged on, I can re-enable the firewall, and posts work fine.capt. mike - 1-9-2009 at 02:02 PM
wow Juan - 2 50 horse motors is a lot of oooomph for that 19' panga, no?
just curious why you guys put 2 on instead of one between 50 and 100?
glad to see it is still cutting thru the waves.
can't wait for the book.Sunman - 3-5-2009 at 12:46 AM
I finally got around to reading his book too...two corona's up...very entertaining!
