BajaNomad

Baja New Years 2005 Trip Report (Part 1 of 4)

David K - 1-4-2005 at 04:04 PM

With the exception of the cool, cloudy weather, this trip could not have been any better... honest!

Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004:

I pick up Elizabeth late in the afternoon and we head right for the border/Tijuana. There is a long line getting INTO Mexico where I-5 and I-805 merge. No problems otherwise.

We pull off the toll highway to the free road just before the second toll gate/Pemex with AM/PM market... passing JR & Carol's driveway and then Fox Baja Studios on our way to dinner at Puerto Nuevo. We go upstairs to CHELA'S (third floor) for a great meal of chips, guacamole, lobster, tortillas, rice and beans. As I am driving a long ways still, Elizabeth enjoys the two fantastic margaritas (I have a sip or three) that come with the combo dinner. Dinner was just $12 per person (yes with lobster and margarita). Baja Nomad Doug took me here the first time and he is right about it being the best place in Puerto Nuevo.

We are cruising easily the entire 230 miles from Tijuana to El Rosario and only stopped by the military up on the Rosario mesa for normal questions (it was very cold out side for the boys in uniform). They suggested we have some tequila to warm up when we get to Baja Cactus Motel at the bottom of the hill! This of course just was another example of the friendly people (even with machine guns) found in Baja! We laugh and drive down the steep grade to Baja Cactus, arriving at 11:30 pm. The lobby is staffed 24/7 and a room key is handed to us... new room #103, in back (quieter in case any truckers hit the jake brakes). The huge deluxe room and giant shower is a big hit with us and is great place to crash after a long drive.

Friday Dec. 31, 2004:

We are still somewhat full from the lobster dinner and wait for breafast, down the road. Our first excursion is to the mission of San Fernando and the petroglyphs nearby. Lots of water puddles indicates a bunch of rain just was in the area. We examine the mission ruins and drive on towards the cliff containing the rock art. A new locked cable stops our drive about a quarter mile from the cliff. We walk the remaining distance and climb up the path for a closer look.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Edited on 1-5-2005 by David K]

David K - 1-4-2005 at 04:06 PM

San Fernando Petros

Bob H - 1-4-2005 at 04:10 PM

Sounds like a great start to a great trip - keep the report 'parts' coming David. That lobster at Chela's sound great. Where in the village is that one located?
What's Elizabeth's impression of Baja (south of Ensenada) so far?

Baja should be in store for a fantastic spring bloom this year!

Bob H

David K - 1-4-2005 at 05:26 PM

Chela's is on the 3rd floor, first street to the left after entering PUERTO NUEVO. The combo had both halves of a small lobster, with the other items I mentioned. If you are really hungry for more lobster, request a larger combo. We were very well fed for the $12 combo.

Elizabeth enjoyed the lobster and Margaritas very well... things are off to a good start. The soldier's comment about drinking tequila to fight the cold was a hit too. Antonio's beautiful deluxe motel room (although unheated and cold) was a hit, too. Wait to see the size of the showers in these new rooms!

David K - 1-5-2005 at 09:46 PM

Photo web site: http://community-2.webtv.net/boojum1/105

[Edited on 1-6-2005 by David K]