Quick trip to Baja

Christmas morning we left for a few days to relax in Baja. Not wanting to drive too far, and remembering a post about a new motel near Guadalupe Valley we made that our destination. Heading south from the Border we were aware of a recent post regarding some questionable police stops so we were especially watchful. Sure enough we saw plenty of police; all of those that took notice of us nodded and provided us with a polite smile. Traffic was light and we really enjoyed the lush countryside driving south, obviously recent rainfall has been beneficial. Our directions to the motel told us that we would find it on the left side of the highway just as we encountered the four lane, divided road. Sure enough, about km 92 we spotted it - clean and appealing to us.


Plaza Fatima Hotel sign, vineyards across the highway


Rooms are spacious, comfortable, and clean with no frills, $45 which we were happy with and didn't try to bargain.


Next morning it was off to Ensenada but first having a great breakfast a mile or so south of the hotel at Mustafa's - food is plentiful, delicious and the waitresses were delightful.


The rest of the day was occupied by relaxing, strolling a few shops in the tourist area and having a very nice dinner.

It has been probably more than thirty years since we took in the sights of La Bufadora so we decided to make the short drive the following morning. We were impressed with the cleanliness of all the small shops and food stands but then seeing the "blow hole" once again was amazing -why have we stayed away so long???

La Bufadora in action


Barb and I on the bluff a few yards south of the little tourist area -


Super clean bathrooms at La Bufadora come with a 5 peso price tag with your choice of an appropriate bundle of toilet paper.




And, of course, especially for David K - yummie clams, a close up


Later that day we just couldn't resist lunch at one of our favorite spots, a little south of the Ensenada - I've already use the word yummie, to this would have to be, ummmm - yummie too.


Back to Ensenada we strolled along the Malacon by the bay and had fun people watching especially seeing the new bikes, skates, cars, outfits, and smiling faces of parents and children.

Future racer?


Could this be a new roller derby star?


Traffic on our return was as light as on the way south. The highway is in very nice shape, 1 or 2 miles of construction mid-way, and one military checkpoint at about the same place as usual.

Oh yes, we did count the stop signs and lights on our way north as we approached Tecate - 15 of them! We got in line along the border fence at about the top of the hill about 12:15 - and 45 minutes later back in the USA.

John and Barbara M

[Edited on 12-29-2011 by John M]

Nice guys finish last

oops - 5 pesos

Sweet trip report. John, I would be interested to know what La Bufadora was like 30 years ago?

YES!!!!

John M

oh, really??

La Bufadora 35 years earlier

Bob H asked about photos from 30 years earlier - as that is when I had guessed we last visited La Bufadora.

My wife successfully located two photos of our first and we think only previous visit to La Bufadora. I was a little off on my initial guess-timate as to how long ago - our daughter and son who are in the photo we believe to be about 7 and 5 years old respectively - they are now 42 and 40!

How time flies - we likely had a very inexpensive camera of some sort and only spared a couple of photos here, such imagination we must have had back then.

Our daughter in the red outfit - she is with pigtails and son is in the blond haired boy wearing the white t-shirt directly in front of her.



Water is still water, and it looks about the same intensity now as then.



John and Barbara

John M.
Hard to believe you were young once!
When are you going to bring your neighbor to LC for a Baja Book Fix?

Bernie,
You are right about Mustafa's Restaurant, but who cares about the food?