tim40 - 2-2-2005 at 07:40 PM
Wife and I talked our older kids to watch our younger ones as so we could slip out of LA this past Thursday in route to La Paz via Areo Ca for 273
each/rt. To maximize our available time we selected the one stop route through Loreto on the way down. As we had never taken this route (truth be
known, out of the dozens of trips we have made only a couple have been by air), we were educated that we had to exit the plane and clear immigrations
in Loreto. No problem, just wondered why we were the only one on the plane until one of the flight crew educated us. Arrived in La Paz about 20
minutes late (man is that a quick air hop from Loreto to La Paz...25 minutes up to down). Had an advance reservation with Thrifty for a 4 wheel
drive jeep. Although they did not have the vehical at the airport as they should have, it worked out perfect. We did not have to pay the airport
surcharge AND they drove us to town saving us the taxi fee to town. The jeep was near new AND Ulysises was a joy to talk to. None of the attempts to
sell us anything we did not want. Highly recommend Thrifty on price (54.00/day to include liability insurance..we confirmed with our American Express
that it would cover loss and casualty and service. We stayed at the Los Arcos as we do near always (time to time we will stay at the La Perla).
We secured a Bay view suite for 123.00/night with our 4th night free. Our room was just like we recall, slightly worn but with zillion dollar views
of the bay and beyond. The pool was kept heated and sparkling clean. Several of the wait staff remembered us from our last visit...and that always
makes a trip more special. On Sunday the massage therapist came in on her day off to give wife and each 1/2 hour massages. A little expensive we
thought for area standards at 35 US plus tip, but she gave one of the better either of had ever had. Excellent way of building on the pressure. The
restrurant was excellent as always and anytime you can have a full bottle of quality wine, two first class meals and dessert with a nice tip for 70 US
in relative terms you have to feel that it was a deal (at home that was 200 US easily). We ate there 3 of 4 nights. The one night we did not we
ate at a little Torta cafe that may have served the best that I have ever had....just simply wow! Hipocampus...I think. One street behind the La
Perla and about a qtr block north on the east side of the street. Try it, you will fall in love. The other thing we tried at the hotel was the
sauna. They opened it up for our private use and it was great. After 1/2 hour at 170F you better believe our body was feeling it.
Our primary trip purpose was to continue our search for either a house or property in or around La Paz. Our last extended stay in La Paz was late
August 04. One thing is clear, people at least believe their properties are worth significantly more. As an example, on the Malecon a smaller 2
bedroom home on a corner (not ideal) the asking 'firm' price is 325K. Several other homes on the flats of town with some form of slight view were in
the high 200's. Did drive out to Coyote. They are building one house, have most of their land fenced off and a notice saying your passage access
can be revoked at anytime. They are getting ready to do something big. Numerous other larger projects heading from town in that direction. I am
sure they were nice, just not our interest. Spent time checking out Colina del Sol, a new gated project on the hill on the north side of town.
Officially they only offer 2 models of homes, but for a price they will modify. The standard homes interiors were too choppy for our liking. But as
we had made friends with the guard he let us walk through a few of the custom ones. They were VERY nice. I am guessing the project is 40 homes all
with bay/city views and they had 7 lots left for sale with a year delivery date to build the home. The land/house will cost about 190K for standard
and 225ish for modified. This may be the best deal of its' kind in or around the city.
Spent the better part of a day visiting and researching LaVentanna. Same observation from this summer til this visit, many believe their land to be
much more valuable. Water front starting at 150K to 265K. Houses 350 to 650 water front. Met several very enjoyable folks and truly enjoyed
watching the sail boards and kite sailors....they were out in large numbers....got some great pics I hope turn out.
If there was a downer on the trip is it is clear that graphitti is on the rise....at time it appeared in town that every blank surface had something
sprayed on it.
We were delighted to see families cleaning the trash from roadside on several of the roads outside of town.
As someone else noted, the election was in full swing and was served as a reason to party. It was fun participating in a very small way.
So we have many leads on a casa or property but still looking to see if one or more meets our desires.....if you have leads we would love to hear
about them.
Lastly a couple of interesting small world type 'bump ins'. At lunch one day at one of the beach cafes at the end of the road heading north out of
town, we ran into Anne Hazzard (cartwheels in the sand) and another day sitting at a bar the designer (landscape) of the new golf course at El Mogote.
He was very postive that it has more than adequate financial backing and the sales have been brisk. I checked it out today on line, it is sellling
out fast. Not our cup of tea, but listening to what they have planned it will be nice.
We will be back down soon or sooner if we locate the place.
foghornleghorn - 9-2-2005 at 06:40 PM
Nice report!!
El Jefe - 9-3-2005 at 09:54 AM
I love reports like this with good, useful information. Thanks and good luck. Tom
Acuity - 9-3-2005 at 10:05 AM
Very useful and informative - would be nice to see more of these on the forum.
bajajudy - 9-3-2005 at 03:28 PM
Very nice report
When exactly did you go to La Paz?
The reason I ask is that Ann is not in Baja now and has not been for over 2 months,
Hi Judy, Check the dates of the original report
Keri - 9-3-2005 at 05:44 PM
Someone is reading old reports and replying to them, thus bringing them to the top again, k
bajajudy - 9-3-2005 at 06:10 PM
DUH
Thanks Keri. I feel pretty blond!
Oh me too
Keri - 9-3-2005 at 09:03 PM
I just fell upon it when you said Ann wasn't in baja. I looked to see what date it had been posted. So you can go back to brunette if you wish, k 
bajatorres - 9-9-2005 at 06:56 PM
I had to do a doubletake too, Ann is my next door neighbor, and I know she left in June.
bajajudy - 9-9-2005 at 07:22 PM
Hey thanks guys and gals...torres dont know if you are blue, pink or yellow
Keri....What do you mean?
(blond head bouncing off one shoulder and then the other)
Oh.....you mean dye my hair?
Tim40
Sorry, but I was ready to go after whoever was impersonating my friend.
That is a great report and I wish you much luck in your search for a place. I live in San Jose year round and absolutely love it.
Think you might head back this way this year? If you get as far south as San Jose, please look me up. I think I should buy you a beer.