BajaNomad

The bus ride north.....

djh - 4-7-2010 at 03:30 PM

Had a great trip from San Diego to Loreto (3/27 & 28), helping amigo Matt tow his vintage Airstream (to La Ventana).

After a great week in Loreto, I took the Aquilla bus from Loreto to Tijuana 4/3. Left 12:30 pm, arrived TJ the following morning about 7 am.

WHAT was I thinking....? 18 and 1/2 hours.... the bus was freezing cold, AC running and about 45 degrees in Baja (norte).... And Yes, they DO run all night.... 90% of the Hwy 1 night traffic is trucks and busses.

In addition to all the town bus stops, we had 5 military stops. For 4 of those stops, EVERYone was ordered off the bus. ALL luggage was pulled out of the bus and inspected with the owner standing by. Bus interior checked, all personal items checked. Those stops were about 1/2 hour each, and it was cold in norte...

Yaknow.... just not even close to comfortable ~ for me or the rest of the bus riders.

I know there is a drug war being waged, and no complaints, but I felt like the majority of the military energy exerted on my trip N. could have been better utilized.

I don't think I'll be taking the bus again anytime soon.

It WAS an adventure.... and now I think I'm good with that for the next 10 years....

Oh yeah, and the 7.2 earthquake in San Diego....? That was another adventure! Finished a great afternoon sail on the bay, and was just putting things away when the quakin and shakin began....! You should have seen the folks in the local businesses come running out.... cell phones a blazin'.

Kinda nice to be back home in quiet little Idaho.

djh

TMW - 4-8-2010 at 09:38 AM

I wonder why they inspect the luggage from the bus passenger more than the car/truck people. In all the years I've been going to Baja I've never had my luggage inspected just looking thru the vehicle.

DianaT - 4-8-2010 at 09:52 AM

Sorry you had not so good of an experience. We have really enjoyed our bus trips all over the mainland of Mexico and a couple in Baja.

We did learn, the hard way, many years ago that the fancy buses are freezing cold. One summer we traveled from the mainland to Mexicali and it was about 110 in Mexicali, and freezing on the bus. We always carry blankets.

It has been a few years, but even on the mainland, the buses were always inspected more as were the riders. We also learned that at lunch stops, no matter how long the driver says he will be there, one must keep a close eye on the driver---not fun running through a parking lot waving down the bus.

But on the bus, we have met many interesting people and had great experiences. We even enjoyed some of the old second class buses, and chicken buses with holes in the floor. Lots of good memories and would still travel that way for many reasons.

But, not everyone enjoys traveling that way. It is good that you shared the experience so others will know what to expect.

Heather - 4-8-2010 at 11:01 AM

My step-son rode the bus up from Cabo last summer and I think had quite a few stops, too. He reported on one, in the middle of the night, when all were fast asleep, and awoken by the soldiers. The passengers all went outside and the soldiers went inside for a few minutes. When they made the next pit stop, some money that he had left in his backpack, on the bus, was missing! It turns out he wasn't the only one that this happened to. They told the driver, but don't think it went any further than there. So, if you do ride, watch your wallets!

TMW - 4-8-2010 at 05:13 PM

Several years ago around 1987 a friend and I rode dirt bikes from Catavina to Santa Roslillita and out to hwy 1 to meet my son. After loading the bikes on the trailer and heading out toward hwy 1 was a military check point. The Lt. indicated he did not speak english and wanted to look thru the cab over camper. While looking around he reached over the reefer into a cabinet and in a plastic tray was my wallet. He picked it up and when I saw it I said it was mine and he said OK then looked rather sheepish as I found out he did understand english. He didn't find anything and let us go.

Udo - 4-8-2010 at 05:21 PM

:O
Quote:
Originally posted by TW
he reached over the reefer...


[Edited on 4-9-2010 by udowinkler]

jodiego - 4-8-2010 at 08:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by udowinkler
:O

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
he reached over the reefer...


[Edited on 4-9-2010 by udowinkler]


I'm guessing he means the refrigerator :cool:

Bus ride experiences:

Pompano - 4-9-2010 at 05:18 AM

Good report, djh. The army checkpoints these days do seem to be concentrating more on buses. Maybe with good reason?

Bus rides in Mexico are always eventful. Here's more of the same.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=34840#pid3644...

shari - 4-9-2010 at 07:42 AM

ONce riding the bus north at the old GN checkpoint...they were checking the luggage but didnt make us get off the bus if we didnt want to or didnt have luggage below...they found something and hauled a nun off the bus!!! Guess she had a couple habits!

djh - 4-9-2010 at 07:42 AM

Yup.... Pomp, I did re-read your bus story post before I headed north, and it reminded me to use all the bus stop banos ;D

I did take my heavy jacket, and changed from my shorts into some Levi 501s and a sweatshirt before we left.... and I was traveling fairly light and wished I'd brought along a blanket and pillow..... Sitting up front, I doubt I'd have slept anyway, but I would have been warmer and more comfortable.

There were quite a few folks who did the whole trip ~ stops, checkpoints, etc., together, and there was a bit of comraderie by the time we reached Tijuana. I'm pretty sure I was the only SSL / native English speaker on the bus, but several of my fellow passengers were quite thoughtful, making sure I knew how long the stops were, when the bus was leaving, and even apologizing for the military checkpoints.... I just smiled and said, "Gracias, no problemo."

BTW: I did learn that I could reserve a seat and obtain a confirmation # for my trip at: http://www.autotransportesaguila.com/

So.... I had a confirmation number and seat reservation when I went to the LTO bus terminal... All I had to do was pay my 1400 pesos (including tax) and get on board. THAT was quite convenient. IF you want to reserve a seat, it only seemed to work for about two weeks in advance.

Happy travels.
djh

Martyman - 4-9-2010 at 09:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
ONce riding the bus north at the old GN checkpoint...they were checking the luggage but didnt make us get off the bus if we didnt want to or didnt have luggage below...they found something and hauled a nun off the bus!!! Guess she had a couple habits!

LOL hehe that's a good one. Coupla habits.
One of my many bus stories;
The bus leaving south out of Ensenada was 3 hours late. Everybody got on and were all asleep within 10 minutes (except for us uptight gringos). Then we drove out of the station to a llantera to get all the tires changed!!!