David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65247
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Baja New Years 2005 Trip Report (Part 1 of 4)
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]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65247
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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San Fernando Petros
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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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
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65247
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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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!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65247
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Photo web site: http://community-2.webtv.net/boojum1/105
[Edited on 1-6-2005 by David K]
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