BajaNomad

Jeep, Beach, City -- July 2018

Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 02:10 PM

It was my 50th birthday, so what better way to celebrate than a trip south of the border! :bounce:

I packed some clothes to reflect my environment..



My wife and I took one week to relax at a nice hotel in Playas de Tijuana. From there, we would either relax at the beach each day, or take day trips around the area.

Our first item on the agenda was to visit Puerto Nuevo and Cantamar!:bounce:





What a good time climbing the massive sand dunes, looking across to the Pacific with such cool, comfortable conditions all day.

Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 02:13 PM

Most days looked like this. Cool, gray skies with thick clouds. I wouldn't have it any other way in the summer!



Leidys and I walked on average 4 miles per day. This was a beautiful beach house we passed on our morning 3 mile walk.




Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 02:19 PM

My friend Alex Ford works at the Vinicola Decanthos. We decided to go and visit him at his work and to try some of the wines from the Guadalupe Valley that people have been raving about.

The drive took a little over an hour from Tijuana.


Before we arrived at Decanthos, we first stopped at Alximia for lunch.















Finally, we reached Decanthos




Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 02:25 PM

Alex Ford is quite an entertainer as he told us about this history of Decanthos Winery. He also walked another couple from Monterrey, Mexico named Eugene and Monica. Eugene, like Alex are both Jeep enthusiasts. Monica's parents come from Spain (hence, her accent was quite a bit different than most visitors that day), and Alex is a real nice guy.




Alex on our tour of the winery



The winery even has its own, live mascot!



As the day ended, we said goodbye to our friend Alex. We plan to see him in February at the 'El Imposible' 4WD run.






Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 02:43 PM

Friday was soon upon us, and our week south of the border had already passed the mid point. Our plans were to hit the town, and see Plaza Fiesta - adjacent to Plaza de Zapatos, across the street to Plaza Rio Fashion Mall. That's a lot of Plazas!

Plaza Fiesta is a smattering of discos and hip eateries crammed together on a large street corner. The clientele was mainly hip, urban Tijuana residents and savvy Americans looking for a more upscale alternative to the typical Tijuana bar.



My friends Tyler and Gabriela joined Leidys and I for dinner. We dined at the hip, Sotano Suizo. www.sotanosuizo.com



Afterward, it was music at Route 69 - and my birthday celebration!

DJ Candy played a Tech House set


El Borix played more Tech House



Yours truly played a 2 hour Techno set :cool:



Max Beta (a.k.a. Shatterer) played a Dark, Techno set:wow:



From that point, I don't remember what happened, so a Taxi needed to take Leidys and I back to the hotel and sleep off all of the Fiesta!:lol:





Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 02:53 PM

On Saturday, it was finally my 50th birthday. Half a century of VIDA!

What was the plan? Leidys wanted to get a makeover near the Caliente Stadium. From there, we wanted to GO BACK TO PLAZA FIESTA!!:bounce:

Boutikeria



The view from my chair for 1.5 hours



My new wife emerged, glowing, ready for Plaza Fiesta




Plaza Fiesta was busy for a Saturday in mid July. This place embodied Tijuana's party flavor.



We saw a sign that Route 69 was the best and only place for us to visit in Plaza Fiesta. The sign appeared golden. The people of Plaza Fiesta would not allow me to steal the sign..



Back at Route 69 with their more electronic-based music selection.





blackwolfmt - 8-2-2018 at 04:54 PM

Happy 50th, great pics looks like an awzome time for sure:bounce:

Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 05:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by blackwolfmt  
Happy 50th, great pics looks like an awzome time for sure:bounce:


Thanks!

Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 05:31 PM

The last day (Sunday) was hot, sunny and the beach (Costa Azul) was closed to vehicles due to drunkenness of drivers causing a public nuisance. So, Leidys and I drove to the area of the malecon (boardwalk), but we decided to visit a park with lots of shade, instead.




Our park provided plenty of shade and was perfect for a picnic. Our lunch was a combo from Pollos y Costillas Tony from Playas de Tijuana. This chicken has some of the best marinade and smoke providing a real intense flavor.
https://es.restaurantguru.com/Pollos-Tony-Tijuana



Our shaded view of the Pacific



This park is a gathering point of a local car club. They brought out a BBQ grill, an EZ-UP, lawn chairs and lots of old school R&B music.



After visiting with Gabby at the Arabic restaurant ARGANA also in Playas, we headed for the border. Our week in northern Baja was now over. I will miss this week, but plan to do this again next year.


KurtG - 8-2-2018 at 05:53 PM

Looks like a great B-day week! How I would like to be 50 again, instead I have my son turning 50 in a couple of months. He and his gal friend are also doing a week focused on music but in New Orleans. Both are big jazz fans.

advrider - 8-2-2018 at 06:59 PM

Awesome report... Thanks

Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 07:04 PM

Kurt - It felt like 40 was just a few years ago. I a.m glad that you liked my trip report

Loretana - 8-2-2018 at 07:13 PM

That was the best report seen here on Nomad in a long time!!

Such excellent photos......Feliz cumpleanos, Senor Ken, and many more!

Ken Cooke - 8-2-2018 at 07:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Loretana  
That was the best report seen here on Nomad in a long time!!

Such excellent photos......Feliz cumpleanos, Senor Ken, and many more!


Muchisimas gracias por las felicitones Lorneita!

charliemanson - 8-2-2018 at 07:30 PM

right on!

nice to see some good stuff on this site!

wish it was easier to post pics.... as in the fishing pics here in the south. just to time consuming to figure out...vamos de picina.

fishbuck - 8-2-2018 at 11:29 PM

Wow! Nice

bajatrailrider - 8-3-2018 at 05:54 AM

Looks like you had a great BD Ken thanks for sharing again Happy 50 .

Rainer - 8-3-2018 at 06:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Loretana  
That was the best report seen here on Nomad in a long time!!

Such excellent photos......Feliz cumpleanos, Senor Ken, and many more!


Totally concur, really enjoyed your report, Ken.

David K - 8-3-2018 at 08:14 AM

Great times for your 50th birthday! Thanks for the photos! :bounce::cool:

SDROB - 8-3-2018 at 12:56 PM

Living the life! Congrats on a successful 50 years young on this planet.

Nice post... Great read as I am re-living baja through my computer at the moment!

Akula - 8-4-2018 at 01:31 AM

Great pics Ken! What an awesome way to spend your 50th!

..and here is the SOUNDTRACK!

Ken Cooke - 8-26-2018 at 10:09 PM

https://www.mixcloud.com/ken-cooke/ken-cooke-route-69-live-s...

Route 69 Image.jpg - 199kB

ehall - 8-27-2018 at 05:04 AM

Wow. Very nice. That shot of your wife sitting on the jeep hood is awesome. What a beautiful lady.

DocRey - 8-27-2018 at 08:56 AM

Awesome 50th! Thanks for the report. Blessings & stay safe.

Ken Cooke - 8-27-2018 at 09:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall  
Wow. Very nice. That shot of your wife sitting on the jeep hood is awesome. What a beautiful lady.


Thanks Ed! We let 10 years ago in front of the main cathedral in Barranquilla, Colombia. Together ever since.

JohnK - 8-29-2018 at 09:04 PM

Dude! Great trip report!

Ken Cooke - 9-5-2018 at 07:34 PM

Every time I drive south of the border, it's fun times.:bounce:

jbcoug - 9-5-2018 at 10:23 PM

You are living the life, congratulation Ken!