BajaNomad - Carnival and Disney suspend tours to La Bufadora (Ensenada)

Carnival and Disney suspend tours to La Bufadora (Ensenada)

Woooosh - 3-5-2012 at 12:11 AM

Too many tourists felt ripped-off by the local businessmen and the businesses selling counterfeit goods as genuine. It's hard to build tourism when the locals are working against you. So now they can sell nothing to no one. Pretty soon cruise lines will just pass by Mexico ports of call and let the passengers wave to shore- or they will build their own shore excursion "villages" as they do elsewhere. Too bad for La Bufadora, but no one to blame but themselves.

http://sintesistv.info/v2/noticias/ensenada/14240-2-lineas-n...

"Two cruise lines will suspend tours to La Bufadora in Ensenada after complaints by the visitors that they felt cheated by some businessmen.

The representative of the Secretary of Tourism in Ensenada, José Ángel León, said that the members of the Cruise Line Committee conducted an analysis where the Carnival Cruise Lines produced comments ranging from what was not liked to where people felt the were cheated in their visit to the port.

"The results of the analysis demonstrate that the cruise line tourists felt cheated and defrauded by the businessmen in the port, it should further be mentioned there are commercial streets were the sellers offer visitors imitation products saying they are real, " said the representative.

León Zumarán said that tourists of the Disney and Carnival lines made more than 100 comments regarding fraudulent sales in the La Bufadora tourist destination."

lizard lips - 3-5-2012 at 12:39 AM

Time to clean house. (if it ever happens) This has been going on for more than 40 years. I have not been to the Buff for a long time because I can't stand the hawking! This will be a wake up call for them.

DENNIS - 3-5-2012 at 06:06 AM

Quote:

If any place in the world can sleep through a wake up call, Ensenada is it.
We'll see.

DENNIS - 3-5-2012 at 08:33 AM

Just took this out of Wanderglobe's BCN thread above to illustrate the problem area:

J.P. - 3-5-2012 at 08:36 AM

If they ever clean it up I will belive it when I see it. I would hate to spend money on a cruise and that Eyesore be the Highlite of of the Cruise. :no:

DENNIS - 3-5-2012 at 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P.
If they ever clean it up I will belive it when I see it. I would hate to spend money on a cruise and that Eyesore be the Highlite of of the Cruise. :no:

I just heard the other day they pay around 40 bucks for the bus ride out here. 40 bucks...each.
WOW.....adding insult to injury, for sure.

Maybe I'll start mooning them from my deck when they drive by. Give them something to write home about. :lol:

J.P. - 3-5-2012 at 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P.
If they ever clean it up I will belive it when I see it. I would hate to spend money on a cruise and that Eyesore be the Highlite of of the Cruise. :no:

That would probaly work, It may not be a total loss they can stop and ride those half starved Horses in Punta Banda. :lol:

[Edited on 3-5-2012 by J.P.]

wessongroup - 3-5-2012 at 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lizard lips
This has been going on for more than 40 years.

Yep ... the reason i always came to Baja ... shopping ... :lol:

greengoes - 3-5-2012 at 09:02 AM

Went there a couple of times, the tenacity of the vendors reminded me of Jehovah’s Witnesses but instead of pamphlets it was s they were pushing. A lot of the stuff being sold was made in China. The fraud complaints are a bit much to me though. I attributed them to thier preconceived notions that they are targets to be plucked, just a bit paranoid. The vendors will manipulate the exchange rate a bit in their favor, but what the heck, are a few centavos going to break them? These people are trying to feed thier family and maybe, just maybe, improve thier lives.

As it is, many store fronts have been shuttered and a lot of people have lost a source of income. I don't recall any tourists disappearing on a trip to the Blowhole, as has happened in Aruba.

greengoes - 3-5-2012 at 09:09 AM

PS:

To avoid further confusion possibly they could attach these stickers on locally made goods:

DENNIS - 3-5-2012 at 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by greengoes
PS:

To avoid further confusion possibly they could attach these stickers on locally made goods:

Ohhhh...that's not the correct spelling for CHINA. :lol:

Disappearing Tourists

bajaguy - 3-5-2012 at 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by greengoes
......... I don't recall any tourists disappearing on a trip to the Blowhole, as has happened in Aruba.

Actually, a busload of tourists did disappear a couple of weeks ago, however they were found several days later along the La Bufadora road in a pothole............

greengoes - 3-5-2012 at 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by greengoes
......... I don't recall any tourists disappearing on a trip to the Blowhole, as has happened in Aruba.

Actually, a busload of tourists did disappear a couple of weeks ago, however they were found several days later along the La Bufadora road in a pothole............

I hope they stocked up on churros before landing in the pothole.

angels4 - 3-5-2012 at 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by greengoes
......... I don't recall any tourists disappearing on a trip to the Blowhole, as has happened in Aruba.

Actually, a busload of tourists did disappear a couple of weeks ago, however they were found several days later along the La Bufadora road in a pothole............

Good, so I'll leave a note when I take of on my cruise in April. "If unable to locate me, please check pot holes near La Bufadora" :lol:

[Edited on 3-5-2012 by angels4]

Bob H - 3-5-2012 at 10:29 AM

This is one of my favorite signs in La Bufadora! And, this was a few years ago.

AND, another one... why the American Flag promoting Cuban Cigars????

[Edited on 3-5-2012 by Bob H]

DENNIS - 3-5-2012 at 12:03 PM

Ohhh yeah....you can also buy Percodan and other mind numbing painkillers out there at a pharmacy....right across the counter too. No scrip necessary.
Authentic, real thing Percodan....just ask them. [in the states, they call Percodan "junior junk." Very addictive]

Woooosh - 3-5-2012 at 12:27 PM

Bob H- That photo is now one of my favorites too! You just can't make that stuff up, thanks for posting it.

LaPazGringo - 3-5-2012 at 02:02 PM

I think the shame should be totally on the cruise lines. we've all been on the 3-4 day cruises out of LA that go to Ensenada and sell the "Beach Party Tour" to Carlos 'n Charlies in Rosarito Beach. What an absolute joke. One time we made friends with three older women and their daughters who excitedly told us they couldn't wait to go to on the "Beach Party Tour" and then we told them about the beach being covered in winos, broken tequila bottles, syringes, cripped horses and dog poop and they got a refund and warned their friends about it.

These cruise lines know full well what they're selling. It's shameful. How many families have paid hard-earned money to waste a day of their cruise to go to La Bufadora and be totally disappointed?

angels4 - 3-5-2012 at 02:17 PM

Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? :mad:

Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off :rolleyes:

. Someone suggested the Wine Tour... But, at this point the more I read the more discouraged I get. Nice way for me to spend my birthday. But, I'll still make the best of it and eat to my heart's content :yes:

Woooosh - 3-5-2012 at 02:49 PM

If Baja is serious about the expansion of tourism, La Buffadora is the place to start- not give up. The cruise lines have thrown down the gauntlet- let's see how well Mexico responds to their concerns.

We took friends visiting from the mainland there a few months ago. The hawkers were a PIA, but they still enjoyed the trip out there are were glad they went. The difference is these were Mexican tourists who just filter-out the bad stuff and not let it ruin their experience. An American/Canadian cruise ship passenger shelling out $40 for the excursion has a different level of expectation imho.

[Edited on 3-5-2012 by Woooosh]

mtgoat666 - 3-5-2012 at 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Just took this out of Wanderglobe's BCN thread above to illustrate the problem area:

the open trench in middle of the street is a nice touch, authentic mexican experience! :lol:

DENNIS - 3-5-2012 at 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
the open trench in middle of the street is a nice touch, authentic mexican experience! :lol:

I think it's a mass grave.

Udo - 3-5-2012 at 03:48 PM

I think they are trying to aerate the sewer :?:

surfer jim - 3-5-2012 at 04:53 PM

....open air bathroom for drunks maybe....

Bajahowodd - 3-5-2012 at 05:16 PM

Geez. As someone who has often made the drive out to La Buf for the afternoon, just to enjoy the crazy environment, I really have to consider that this whole thing may really be about a business dispute between the cruise lines and the tour operator over money. Face it. Cruise passengers arriving at Ensenada don't exactly have a plethora of shore excursions to choose from.

The experience of walking down to the blowhole from the parking lot would seem to me to be a fun experience for most of the tourists. Sure, many merchants are somewhat aggressive, but, to me, that's part of the fun.

I'm betting that this is a shakedown of a local tour operator by the big cruise lines. Guess we'll see.

[Edited on 3-6-2012 by Bajahowodd]

Turnip truck tourists.

Dave - 3-5-2012 at 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Too many tourists felt ripped-off by the local businessmen and the businesses selling counterfeit goods as genuine.

There's obviously a serious disconnect when tourists pay considerably less for name brand merchandise yet expect it not to be counterfeit.

Do they think it's stolen, instead?

DENNIS - 3-5-2012 at 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
Do they think it's stolen, instead?

Could be. There is, however, a story on the street that they make Churros out of lint.

mcfez - 3-5-2012 at 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Too many tourists felt ripped-off by the local businessmen and the businesses selling counterfeit goods as genuine. It's hard to build tourism when the locals are working against you. So now they can sell nothing to no one. Pretty soon cruise lines will just pass by Mexico ports of call and let the passengers wave to shore- or they will build their own shore excursion "villages" as they do elsewhere. Too bad for La Bufadora, but no one to blame but themselves.

http://sintesistv.info/v2/noticias/ensenada/14240-2-lineas-n...

"Two cruise lines will suspend tours to La Bufadora in Ensenada after complaints by the visitors that they felt cheated by some businessmen......................more

T

Selling counterfeit goods as genuine......is a very common sight if one should go to New York City as we did. It's all over the place. Same goes for San Francisco......it's a joke. I suspect there is way more to this story that meets the eye.....for NY and SF has not experienced any cruise cancellations due to the merchants cheating the tourist.

Example here of NY
http://dottie1.hubpages.com/hub/Top-Selling-Counterfeit-Prod...

[Edited on 3-6-2012 by mcfez]

Caveat Tourista

MrBillM - 3-5-2012 at 06:23 PM

Do the Cruise Lines warn the Tourists that the importation limit on Counterfeit items is (1) of each type every 30 days ?

An important rule to know.

mcfez - 3-5-2012 at 06:31 PM

They do.....however ....on the ships we have been on....say something about fakes within the ports of call. Who reads all those table top pamphlets anyhow...your on vacation!

Woooosh - 3-5-2012 at 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Do the Cruise Lines warn the Tourists that the importation limit on Counterfeit items is (1) of each type every 30 days ?

An important rule to know.

Seriously? I did not know that. So you can buy a fake Rolex or Versace bag once a month? Really? That's OK?
:?:

DENNIS - 3-5-2012 at 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
So you can buy a fake Rolex ? That's OK?
:?:

I bought a Rolex at the Bufadora Mall. We call it a RolMex. I mean....it was only twenty bucks and it's still tickin' after ten years.
I'm thinking of selling it, so let me know if you think you can afford a classy time piece. :cool:

After hardcore 4 Wheeling in the Baja, my Wife chooses the Bufadora each time!

Ken Cooke - 3-5-2012 at 07:30 PM

Whenever my Wife and I visit the Ensenada area, she **LOVES** to visit La Bufadora!

This region is gorgeous! :yes:

All to ourselves (in late November '11) before the first Tourist Bus arrived.

Postcards for all of her Amigas (and family in Colombia!)..in fact, the best postcards can be found here at La Bufadora.

La Bufadora is still on our "Must Visit" list of Baja attractions.

J.P. - 3-5-2012 at 07:36 PM

I would join the Cruise lines and think they would get more support if they bargined for a better road leading to the Blow Hole :yes:

Bob H - 3-5-2012 at 07:37 PM

We like going out there too, but you MUST get there before the buses arrive, for sure. Go early and enjoy watching them setup and hardly any people around. Pleanty of seating for that early Margarita too!
As soon as the very first bus arrives, it's time to go.

Woooosh - 3-5-2012 at 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
So you can buy a fake Rolex ? That's OK?
:?:

I had a buddy ask me to buy a "RolMex" submariner for him a few years ago. He's in a jazz band and wanted to show off for the ladies. I got hit for $120 in TJ though. Other than the sweep of the second hand and the weight- it is very hard to tell it from a real one. He loved it. But I though importing counterfeit goods was illegal?

Good advice!

Ken Cooke - 3-5-2012 at 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
We like going out there too, but you MUST get there before the buses arrive, for sure. Go early and enjoy watching them setup and hardly any people around. Pleanty of seating for that early Margarita too!
As soon as the very first bus arrives, it's time to go.

Parking is no problem before 10 AM.

During setup (at approx. 10 AM)

Faking It

MrBillM - 3-5-2012 at 10:16 PM

The Newspaper article I read a few years back on the "Fake" allowance pointed out that the exemption allowance is NOT because the Feds want to be nice to the returning Touristas, BUT because THEY (CBP) often have a difficult time figuring out what's real or not and, therefore, take the easy way out.

An interesting Irony also pointed out in that article was that the more inferior the Counterfeit, the more likely it would be seized on the theory that YOU should have "Known" it was Counterfeit.

Seems a little backwards, but ..........whatever works out.

mcfez - 3-5-2012 at 10:20 PM

Well Roberto...if you read the post I did...you'll wouldn't be asking this troll question. Please...this isn't the Off Topics or the Fulano site. Express your views and so be it.

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez

Quote:

And your point is? Is this more Mexico hate speech?

[Edited on 3-6-2012 by mcfez]

gschroder - 3-5-2012 at 10:35 PM

My wife and I have watched the businesses along Avenida Mateos suffer with the loss of cruise ship traffic, and hope the Ministry of Tourism decides to get a clue! Ensenada built itself up and redefined itself with the Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise port, and cannot afford to be painted with the same anti-Mexico message that has plagued Matzatlan and now Puerto Vallarta. La Bufadora has been a joke for years, but the Mexican government needs to realize people from So Cal will stop the weekend cruises if the negative message keeps getting out. I can see Carnival doing 3 days cruises to San Clemente Island, rather than stopping in Ensenada. Lets face it, Gringos on cruises don't care they are going to Mexico - they want an excuse to drink on a ship for 3 days!

Wine Country

bajaguy - 3-5-2012 at 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? :mad:

Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off :rolleyes:

Take the wine country tour, then come back in August for the wine festival!!!!!!

mcfez - 3-5-2012 at 11:15 PM

Carnival and Disney suspend tours to La Bufadora (Ensenada)

Let's keep wooosh's post about it's intended topic...and not go off the deep end with this nonsense of yours. Please refrain yourself.

""""If you truly believe there are no negative points in Mexico, maybe you've never been there.

""""I own and lease in Mexico.

I never said the description of La Bufadora was inaccurate (?). I said there may be OTHER reasons for the cancellations of the cruises. Please comprehend what is being said and cease making issues here.

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
Not a troll question at all. You criticize every post that has anything negative to say about Mexico at all. If you truly believe there are no negative points in Mexico, maybe you've never been there. This post is proof of that. The desciption of La Bufadora is accurate. How does New York enter the picture? And I can tell you, as an ex-New Yorker, that while counterfeit merchandise is certainly available, it doesn't even come close to the level of La Bufadora.

[Edited on 3-6-2012 by Roberto]

[Edited on 3-6-2012 by mcfez]

Woooosh - 3-5-2012 at 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gschroder
My wife and I have watched the businesses along Avenida Mateos suffer with the loss of cruise ship traffic, and hope the Ministry of Tourism decides to get a clue! Ensenada built itself up and redefined itself with the Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise port, and cannot afford to be painted with the same anti-Mexico message that has plagued Matzatlan and now Puerto Vallarta. La Bufadora has been a joke for years, but the Mexican government needs to realize people from So Cal will stop the weekend cruises if the negative message keeps getting out. I can see Carnival doing 3 days cruises to San Clemente Island, rather than stopping in Ensenada. Lets face it, Gringos on cruises don't care they are going to Mexico - they want an excuse to drink on a ship for 3 days!

I agree that the effort should be made to fix the problem if possible. Tourism to this area is a stated priority for Mexico. Baja has special gov't offices to promote tourism and ex-pats participate in the "Baja Image Committee" to support that effort. If the officials in Baja and Ensenada specifically can't make this small area a worthwhile shore excursion, what do they have control over? This isn't even about the hot topics of crime or safety- it's just about doing business with tourists correctly and honestly so they don't feel cheated enough to complain. The days of tourists tripping over each other to spend their money in Baja are gone and every tourist dollar is important to attract and retain. If Baja officials can't get it done at La Bufadora, it's pretty much game over and there will be no mainstream media to blame for it. The excuse of "business as usual" simply doesn't cut it any more. Tourists (especially non-Mexican tourists) expect and demand more and Baja needs to step up to keep them and the cruise industry motivated to return.

Some areas like the Guadalupe wine region are stepping up and getting it done in a big way, but the coastal attractions will always be the bread and butter of the economy because that is what most Baja tourists seek first.

[Edited on 3-6-2012 by Woooosh]

One more time.....

mcfez - 3-6-2012 at 07:57 AM

I never said the description of La Bufadora was inaccurate (?). I said there may be OTHER reasons for the cancellations of the cruises. Please comprehend what is being said and cease making issues here.

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
Right. Well, the original post was NOT about cancellations of the cruises, but about suspending the tours to La Bufadora, because

Quote:

Too many tourists felt ripped-off by the local businessmen and the businesses selling counterfeit goods as genuine.

And your comment was

Quote:

Your post would seem to say that it's not the rip-offs at all, but some other reason. What would that be?

angels4 - 3-6-2012 at 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? :mad:

Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off :rolleyes:

Take the wine country tour, then come back in August for the wine festival!!!!!!

I will make the Wine Country tour our first choice. And will plan a return trip in August. Thank you for the excellent advise. I am really looking forward to Celebrate my birthday on my very first cruise. Cheers!!!

Islandbuilder - 3-6-2012 at 09:18 AM

The real reason may be a bit different than is being stated publically. The cruise lines HATE sharing profits with other businesses, and far prefer to own, or represent, any shop, resturant or day tour company that services their passengers.

I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't a way to provoke the government to:

1, Regulate the businesses along the approaches to La Bufadora

2 Eliminate the small owner operated shops and replace them with larger, cruise company owned or operated businesses.

Obviously the cruise companies hold a pretty big financial hammer over the heads of Ensenada officials, and they will use it to increase their bottom line.

mcfez - 3-6-2012 at 09:42 AM

2 Eliminate the small owner operated shops and replace them with larger, cruise company owned or operated businesses

This has been done in many ports of call. The Inside Passage ports are 90% owned by the lines.

Quote:

Originally posted by Islandbuilder
The real reason may be a bit different than is being stated publically. The cruise lines HATE sharing profits with other businesses, and far prefer to own, or represent, any shop, resturant or day tour company that services their passengers.

I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't a way to provoke the government to:

1, Regulate the businesses along the approaches to La Bufadora

2 Eliminate the small owner operated shops and replace them with larger, cruise company owned or operated businesses.

Obviously the cruise companies hold a pretty big financial hammer over the heads of Ensenada officials, and they will use it to increase their bottom line.

90 percent?

mtgoat666 - 3-6-2012 at 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez
2 Eliminate the small owner operated shops and replace them with larger, cruise company owned or operated businesses

This has been done in many ports of call. The Inside Passage ports are 90% owned by the lines.

"90%?"
Provide proof please!

greengoes - 3-6-2012 at 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Other than the sweep of the second hand and the weight- it is very hard to tell it from a real one.

I saw several really good 'knock offs' there several years ago. They had jeweled movements, not quartz, and the second hand ticked around instead of floating. Yes, they were made in China.
:lol:

Islandbuilder - 3-6-2012 at 10:07 AM

Goat, I don't have statisical proof, perhaps McFez does, but my experience in Alaska supports the assertion. I am very familiar with both ketchikan and Juneau, and in both those towns the former downtowns have been bought up, and rebuilt by the cruise companies. I usually get to Juneau in early May, and the shops are just opening for the season.

First, they put up the "80% OFF SALE" sign, then they unload the container with all the inventory from their Caribbean stores. It is the same jewelry, carpets (who buys carpets when they're on a cruise?!!) and other made in Asia, authentic Alaskan art.

Granted there are stores owned and operated by locals, but if they have "Cruise Recommended" sign, they're paying a fee to the cruise companies, just like the shore tour companies do.

The cruise industry is working to consolodate all periferal businesses that rely on cruise ships to deliver their customers to bring them under their ownership or control. Their goal is to do everywhere what they have done in the Caribbean where they bought their own island, so that everything you do on the island, from buy a shave ice to pet a porpoise, generate profits for the company. They're trying to do the same thing in Alaska, by partnering with a Native Corporation to create a custom Alaskan experience on tribal property. They want to offer everything from Helicopter rides to the glacier, dog sled mushing (down the old logging roads on training carts), jet boat rides (into a literally pristine wilderness area) and a Native Arts and Crafts extraveganza.

It's just business, of course............

DENNIS - 3-6-2012 at 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Other than the sweep of the second hand and the weight- it is very hard to tell it from a real one. He loved it. But I though importing counterfeit goods was illegal?

The really good fakes have a sweep second hand and not the jerky Quartz movement.
You paid $120 bucks? Wow.

ooops...greengoes already said that. Sorry.

I don't understand the importation of fakes either. Around twelve years ago, I was in Otay secondary with a truck full of specialty lettuce to be imported into the states. At the loading dock, there was a bobtail truck packed with about a million Piñatas and the driver had to unload all of it. Customs confiscated the ones that were Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and any other copywrited/protected design. They wouldn't let them through.
I realize Bill mentioned one item per thirty days or something like that, but it still makes no sense to me that just a little bit of ripoff is OK.

.

[Edited on 3-6-2012 by DENNIS]

mcfez - 3-6-2012 at 11:00 AM

Thank you Islandbuilder

This is happening to many ports of call.

The real issue is that these cruise lines will jack up the prices on ALL goods and services once they get a choke hold on a port. One may say ...why not go away from the port and buy/tour elsewhere? The answer is...the port callings are far too short of a stay to venture very far off.

BTW...I was told that they did...or are trying...to buy the RR up there!

Quote:

Originally posted by Islandbuilder
Goat, I don't have statisical proof, perhaps McFez does, but my experience in Alaska supports the assertion. I am very familiar with both ketchikan and Juneau, and in both those towns the former downtowns have been bought up, and rebuilt by the cruise companies. I usually get to Juneau in early May, and the shops are just opening for the season.

First, they put up the "80% OFF SALE" sign, then they unload the container with all the inventory from their Caribbean stores. It is the same jewelry, carpets (who buys carpets when they're on a cruise?!!) and other made in Asia, authentic Alaskan art.

Granted there are stores owned and operated by locals, but if they have "Cruise Recommended" sign, they're paying a fee to the cruise companies, just like the shore tour companies do.

The cruise industry is working to consolodate all periferal businesses that rely on cruise ships to deliver their customers to bring them under their ownership or control. Their goal is to do everywhere what they have done in the Caribbean where they bought their own island, so that everything you do on the island, from buy a shave ice to pet a porpoise, generate profits for the company. They're trying to do the same thing in Alaska, by partnering with a Native Corporation to create a custom Alaskan experience on tribal property. They want to offer everything from Helicopter rides to the glacier, dog sled mushing (down the old logging roads on training carts), jet boat rides (into a literally pristine wilderness area) and a Native Arts and Crafts extraveganza.

It's just business, of course............

LaPazGringo - 3-6-2012 at 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? :mad:

Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off :rolleyes:

Absolutely DO NOT GET OFF! It's 1000x more fun on the ship. The food is free and better and you'll have the run of the place. There is nothing for me or my family in Ensenada. Same for cruises to Cabo, we stay on board.

JoeJustJoe - 3-6-2012 at 02:16 PM

Thanks for the insight Islandbuilder and McFez.

So this whole thing could be politically motivated by Carnival and Disney to control the lucrative market of shops and restaurants near the cruise lines ports-of-call.

Don't you just hate the evil corporations like Walmart that come in and muscle out the small businesses in small towns in the US and now around the world?

Personally I don't think the La Bufadora is worth the visit, and think Baja needs to add attractions.

I have no sympathy for anybody that buys a supposedly designer Louis Vuitton handbag that retails for $1000 dollars, but buys it near the cruise line stops for $40 dollars and then complains when they find out the purse is a knock-off.

[Edited on 3-6-2012 by JoeJustJoe]

bajaguy - 3-6-2012 at 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaPazGringo
....... There is nothing for me or my family in Ensenada........

And we won't miss you a bit!!!!

DENNIS - 3-6-2012 at 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

What percentage of the visitors to La Buf you figure comes off the cruise ships?

Probably in the high 90's percentage bracket. Even mid-summer, the place is a ghost town on days without a cruise ship.
These tourists arn't big shoppers on the best of days. Most arrive out here empty handed and are still empty handed when they reboard the bus. That probably accounts for the hyper-aggressiveness of the recycled cholos who stand in front of the stalls giving everybody their rap of crap to increase sales.

I have no comment to make on Joe's aroma.

.

let's build our own blowhole (and i don't mean dennis!)

mtgoat666 - 3-6-2012 at 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JoeJustJoe
Thanks for the insight Islandbuilder and McFez.

So this whole thing could be politically motivated by Carnival and Disney to control the lucrative market of shops and restaurants near the cruise lines ports-of-call.

regarding the evil corporation's quest to dominate the blowhole, it would seem that a creative engineer could easily build a blow hole. some poured reinforced concrete on the right rocky cliff coast, in an embayment, at optimum elevation -- and presto! you got yourself a blow hole!

anybody got some good RE and interested in building a blowhole?

maybe tiger will build a blow hole at his resort, eh?

CaboRon - 3-6-2012 at 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaPazGringo

Quote:

Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? :mad:

Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off :rolleyes:

And on port days they always offer on ship spa specials .... good reason to stay on board.

DanO - 3-6-2012 at 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by LaPazGringo
....... There is nothing for me or my family in Ensenada........

And we won't miss you a bit!!!!

"Never get out of the boat." Skip to about 3:00 if you don't have the patience to watch the whole excellent scene. WARNING: Language NSFW.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbFvAaO9j8M

[Edited on 3-6-2012 by DanO]

DENNIS - 3-6-2012 at 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
Wow, I had no idea it was so high.

La Bufadora to the Ensenada Mexicans is their Disneyland. They really don't have much to do on a Sunday, so they take a drive out to the Buf, many of them, but they don't spend. They bring their own food and they don't buy Serapis.
They do, however, pay two bucks to park their car and that is, by far, the most lucrative concession out there.

Quote:

There even used to be a decent place to eat. Don't remember the name, but it's right next to the lot close to the entrance to the pueblo, multi story, used to have a terrace on top.

Geeeeezo...you must have been really hungry. That was just a few years back and they weren't open long. Still closed and I don't recall they ever did have a name. They ruined their own reputation the minute they opened the doors for business and that was right around Tourism D-Day.
Bad timing, but who knew?

paranewbi - 3-6-2012 at 03:57 PM

The cruise line ownership thing must be the case in Belize also...
Theres a large modern tourist shop center on the dock and the only time it's open is when the ship comes in and it closes when the ship goes out.
All in a matter of a few hours.

Outside of this area is a more local artisan area with the hand made items...not sure if these primitive stalls are leased out to the locals or not.

DanO - 3-6-2012 at 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
Wow, I had no idea it was so high.

Quote:

There even used to be a decent place to eat. Don't remember the name, but it's right next to the lot close to the entrance to the pueblo, multi story, used to have a terrace on top.

Gordo's, the place with all the hats?

DENNIS - 3-6-2012 at 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DanO
Gordo's, the place with all the hats?

Straight across the street....as far as I can tell. I just don't think it's been there since before the ships started coming in although it took them about five years to build it.

chuckie - 3-6-2012 at 04:57 PM

I had no idea it was like that, But then the last time I was out there, was I think, in the early 70's...Villarenos fish camp, and not much else...

Bajahowodd - 3-6-2012 at 05:00 PM

I'm thinking that the restaurant across from the lot was Celia's, which closed some time back.

Having read the many posts that came after my last one, I have a couple of observations:

Cruise lines do actually create businesses in ports that have little to offer to give the passengers additional opportunities to get off and walk around, while simultaneously increasing their own revenue, similar to how they bought and developed "out-island" stops in the Caribbean. This is particularly true given that fees to dock at many ports can be quite high, based on a per passenger charge.

I absolutely do not think that the tourists get ripped off on the walk in and out. Not unless they are criminally ignorant.

In our most recent walks there, we've spied numerous tourists from the ships because they all wear tags identifying the the ship. They have always appeared to be having a good time.

I still believe that this is some sort of shakedown by the cruise lines taking advantage of a local operator. After all, this isn't like passengers being mugged on the streets of Mazatlan, or being robbed on a jungle tour in Puerto Vallarta.

The idea that merchants were ripping them off rings really hollow to me.

bajalou - 3-6-2012 at 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
The idea that merchants were ripping them off rings really hollow to me.

Who better to rip off than someone that has to be on a ship leaving town and can't stay to follow up on a complaint?

vgabndo - 3-6-2012 at 08:44 PM

Ah, but DanO, the heart of the darkness comes with the end of the sentence. Never get out of the boat...unless you are going to go all the way. :no:

La Buffahorror

DENNIS - 3-7-2012 at 01:10 PM

Boat people allll over the place.........

I don't know which ship is in, but there seems to be a healthy amount of bus traffic going by to the Buf Mall. Maybe the place got virtuous in the last few days.
I'm off to Gordo's to follow up on this blockbuster story. Stay tuned.

.

[Edited on 3-7-2012 by DENNIS]

angels4 - 3-7-2012 at 01:41 PM

Dennis, take some pictures. I'm very interested to know what you find. Put your El Investigator hat on.

805gregg - 3-7-2012 at 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lizard lips
Time to clean house. (if it ever happens) This has been going on for more than 40 years. I have not been to the Buff for a long time because I can't stand the hawking! This will be a wake up call for them. [/quote

More like 200 years, ask yourself why is Mexico still a third world country, they've been around longer than the US.

DENNIS - 3-7-2012 at 07:21 PM

Being old doesn't make you smart and productive.

bigmike - 3-8-2012 at 07:09 AM

Cruise ship was in town yesterday and the buses were on the road to La Bufadora all day, so I don't know when this goes into effect?

J.P. - 3-8-2012 at 09:53 AM

It seem's like ever since they anounced a while back that they were going to reduce the number of stop off's in Ensenada they have doubled. :?:

fishingmako - 3-8-2012 at 04:08 PM

I really don't understand what is so strange about the items sold?
This has been going on since before most of us ever born.

Wheather it be Tijuana or Rosarito or Ensenada? any place close to a border town is going to sell spinoffs as well as a lot of China Crap, and things from other countries.

You know talking about China why does everyone think that China makes Crap it simply is not true, peoples HANDs ARE HANDS, WHEATHER CHINA...USA...VIETNAM only to name a few it is whom is behind the mfgr, a lot of very well known products are made in China very expensive items it is the cheap crap... trinkets that are sold in the.99 store and places like that that make them so terrible, more and more products will be made in foreign countries due to very hi demand labor in the USA maybe start with unions think about it?

DENNIS - 3-8-2012 at 04:21 PM

I think we would have to be present on board to hear what these tourists are offered. It's probably not so much what they see, but what they're led to believe they will see.
That said....I'd bet all I have that if the customers were shown a video of the scene at the Buf Mall, most wouldn't go.

Cypress - 3-8-2012 at 04:38 PM

I'd pay to get off one of those feeding troughs. :biggrin:

Woooosh - 3-11-2012 at 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? :mad:

Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off :rolleyes:

Take the wine country tour, then come back in August for the wine festival!!!!!!

Ensenada Wine Festival

bajaguy - 3-11-2012 at 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? :mad:

Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off :rolleyes:

Take the wine country tour, then come back in August for the wine festival!!!!!!

Typically, the festival runs from August 5th - 21st, various venues. Ticket prices from $30-$120 depending on event/location/food-drink. Many events are free. One of the best is the CruisePort terminal wine and food pairings..

Woooosh - 3-11-2012 at 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? :mad:

Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off :rolleyes:

Take the wine country tour, then come back in August for the wine festival!!!!!!

Today's Union Tribune had the Baja event calendar in a pull out travel section. Sorry I don't have the exact words they used- I fried up some whole fish today and used the paper (I usually save the UT for the bird cages). Anyway, It said the exact dates for the Wine Festival events were not set yet and that tickets are from $100 to $1000 dollars. I hope the UT made a mistake and that was pesos. If it's not a mistake- the festival organizers are way out of touch with the economy imho. It's good, but it ain't Napa or Sonoma yet. What's the story?

Text added to post by Woooosh:

Ensenada: Wine Festival — Fiestas de la Vendimia (during August; dates still to be determined)

The festival’s name comes from the Latin word for wine, vinum, and demere, meaning “to take” or “take away.” The Vendimia is time for celebration, with the two-century-old wine tradition of the Guadalupe Valley as the focus. For nearly three weeks in August wine aficionados can sample wines, savor gourmet meals and attend workshops and concerts. Last year’s activities included an opera concert in a local vineyard.

Cost: The price varies for each event during the Vendimia; tickets range from $100 to more than $1,000.

[Edited on 3-12-2012 by Woooosh]

It's too bad the Union Tribune didn't ask YOU! You provided more info right there in a better way than the Baja Summer Guide. $30 is back in the ballpark!

[Edited on 3-12-2012 by Woooosh]

UT Article

bajaguy - 3-11-2012 at 09:43 PM

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/11/tp-the-best-of-ba...

2011 Fiestas de la Vendimia

bajaguy - 3-11-2012 at 09:48 PM

From Bajabound insurance, this is the schedule from the 2011 Ensenada wine festival (Fiestas de la Vendimia) with prices and venues:

https://secure.bajabound.com/events/vendimiaschedule.php

nbacc - 3-12-2012 at 07:02 AM

Actually, I enjoyed seeing the Buf when I got down there but walking down from the bus was awful!!!!!!!! I have been to different places in Baja (and other parts of Mexico) and NEVER been hawked so much. I would not buy anything just due to that alone. Any buyer who does'nt thing they are getting a fake is a _____________ for thinking they are getting something real!