BNF
Newbie
Posts: 7
Registered: 8-28-2006
Location: Southern LA County
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First Baja trip- need advice.
Hello all. I just stumbled onto this resource and have to say thank you all for the great info. My wife and I have a trip planned to the pyramid
resort next weekend. However with all of the recent problems in the area I am starting to reconsider, especially as we have no history with the area.
If anyone has been to the area, I believe its at K57. First, neither of us speak Spanish. Do you think this is a good time to go-just us? Second, does
anyone know what is in the area as far as places to eat? Is it safe to travel around there to look for surf, and can my wife hang out on the beach ok?
Sorry for all of the newbie questions but I just want to have a good trip. Thanks for any help you can offer.
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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I will let others respond to your questions but just wanted to say "HELLO"...
All this new crime wave stuff is not the normal BAJA that we have been dealing with for the most part....so it is hard to really answer.....
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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BNF, Not a good time, not a bad time . Time to be careful, time to be with the crowd. Travel daytime, play daytime and you will have a great time. If
you are uncomfortable in any situation it is time to listen to your feeling. You decide, but I would not change my plans.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 4999
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
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Mood: INTP-A
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First, I suggest you send a U2U to user "Keri" here, as she's with the Pyramid Resort:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/member.php?action=viewpro&me...
Second, around that area are Puerto Nuevo restaurants, the Halfway House, and down the road very nearby is the La Fonda restaurant in La Mision.
That's some good eatin' in the vicinity.
Don't drive much past dark, and always be aware of your surroundings while traveling.
--
Doug
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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You will be safe at the Pyramid Resort, I do think! Go eat before it gets dark at nearby restaurants or Taco Stands. A few miles north on the free
road is The Half Way House.. excellent dining by one of Mexico's top chefs (was the presidente's personal chef)... Johnny.
See many Nomads (including Doug) at last year's Pyramid Resort Book Signing Event: http://vivabaja.com/book3
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Places to eat????..........pick any direction....try a New York style pastrami for lunch at the NY Deli in Puerto Nuevo (asy "HI" to Dave) for
starters, then dinner at Casa de Langosta Puerto Nuevo, then lunch and dinner at the 1/2 way house...........burp!!!
[Edited on 8-30-2006 by bajaguy]
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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UGH!
BNF: A few weeks ago most of us "oldies" would have said "Go for it, not too worry!" With what has been reported I see that many folks that live in
the area are not so quick to say that (in fact, I've gotten an email from someone that spends most of their time between TJ and SQ and their Mexican
and American local friends alike are advising them not to travel at this time.
Even David K. is saying "Go eat before it gets dark"
When old Baja travelers are on edge, I take note.....I only have 9yrs. under my " Baja belt"
I have been traveling alone with my young son for several years and not thought anything about it, but, right now I have to say I do.
My best advice: Email Keri, she is your host at the Pyramid Resort, she will give you a frank honest answer to you questions.
Mean people suck!
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BNF
Newbie
Posts: 7
Registered: 8-28-2006
Location: Southern LA County
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I am still debating- but leaning towards heading down. The only thing that worries me is that it is just me and my wife. However we will be heading
down Friday during the day, and there has to be other traffic I would assume. 
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
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There will be a lot of southbound holiday traffic, plus the commuters later Friday afternoon. Restaurants are likely to be relatively crowded all
along the coast in the north.
I recommend La Fonda for any meal -- especially their Sunday brunch (be prepared to consume mass quantities), and also recommend that you park as
close to the restaurant as possible and seek out and tip in advance the security guy closest to your vehicle. Cheap extra insurance.
By the way, the only trouble I've ever gotten into at La Fonda was when my wife and friends dragged me down to the beach at 2:00 a.m., pantsed me and
threw me in the water (birthday party, tequila, etc.). I'm out there in my underwear in the surf waiting for the party to disperse a little so they
won't have enough people to throw me back in, when some naked and very drunk guy swims out to "save" me. However, the good samaritan starts flailing
around like he's drowning, and I start worrying that I may have to drag him back to shore and administer CPR, right there in the lights below the
restaurant. What a photo op that would've been. Just when I'm thinking how I'm going to explain this to my wife, the guy gets his bearings,
struggles back to the beach and stumbles off into the dark. Whew.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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QuePasaBaja
Nomad
Posts: 179
Registered: 9-7-2006
Location: Rosarito Beach
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I live in roasrito, and that is a nice area. As mentioned, there are several places to eat. Lafonda being more on the $$$$$$ side than the rest.
Rosarito is right there, so there are other places to eat, as well as clubs if you are in to that. Plenty of shops as well.
As for traveling. If you drive with a map in the window, in San Diego, you are asking for trouble, so don't do it here. Dont wave money, and dont be
flashy. If you drive an average car, you have less to worry about. If you drive the newest mercedes or a hummer, then I would do very little driving
after dark. Mexico in this area is not unsafe. But you can make it that way by not thinking.
Have a Baja Day
QuePasaBaja
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Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
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GO GO GO! It's not a war zone down there. QuePasaBaja hit it right on the head. Don't broadcast yourself as a target and you will be OK
[Edited on 9-9-2006 by Bajamatic]
yuletide
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QuePasaBaja
Nomad
Posts: 179
Registered: 9-7-2006
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by QuePasaBaja
If you drive the newest mercedes or a hummer, then I would do very little driving after dark. Mexico in this area is not unsafe. But you can make it
that way by not thinking. |
If you drive a hummer (less than H2, andyway), can't you just drive through those bullet storms and say "Hey, did you hear something, dear?"
--Larry |
I wish that were so. They bad guys in the noth area are using Suburbans, and they are very big. If one cuts in front of you, and tries to stop you,
HIT THE GAS!
If it turns out to be legit cops, better to be alive and pay a fine, than to not be!
Have a Baja Day
QuePasaBaja
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BNF
Newbie
Posts: 7
Registered: 8-28-2006
Location: Southern LA County
Member Is Offline
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Just got back today. We were up and down the toll and free roads
all weekend. We stayed in the La Fonda area two nights at the Pyramid Resort which is one of the nicest places I have ever stayed. Beautiful. We drove
down to Ensenada on Friday and shopped at the Giagante supermarket. Ate at the Lafonda Hotel which was excellent but very expensive-70$ without booze.
We drove into Peurto Nuevo and ate a couple of times at places that were excellent and great values. We explored the coast up and down from where we
were staying and at no time felt unsafe at all whatsoever. I would not hesiatate to go down again, and in fact we are planning our next trip as we
speak All in all one of the best trips I have taken, and I am kicking myself for
not getting down sooner. The only problem was the border crossing on the way back. San Ysidro was filled by 8:30 AM and we were sent to Otay Mesa,
where we waited 2 hours to cross. Great trip though and thanks for the advice!
Edit: forgot on Saturday during the day there was some sort of Taxi driver protest in cantamar, about 50 yellow and white cabs and a heavy police
presence. looked like some sort of protest. Anyone know what it was about?
[Edited on 9-11-2006 by BNF]
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