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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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the prior arrangement angle is for those less adventurous or those who don't like driving off road. pay more and let someone lead them around by the
wallet. Ojo de Liebre/Scammons lagoon is really cool also. camping right at the waters edge or stay in town about an hour away and be on the water
early!!!
Shari puts together a gathering every year. we detoured from our vacation in the "area that shall not be named!" last march (right after the tsunami)
and met Nomads from all over baja in GN. had a great dinner,breakfast and were on the water around 9am. after communicating with the whales we all
went back to our respective corners of baja and continued our vacation......
[Edited on 1-19-2012 by woody with a view]
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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post tsunami
back at the "area that shall not be named!"
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3152
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Islandbuilder
Great info, BT.
Can you just drive up to those camps and hire a panga, or do you need to make prior arrangements?
Thanks. |
That's exactly what we did. We camped out and then hit the camps just after breakfast. It wouldn't hurt to start your search around 0800-0900, the
water is likely to be calmer in the mornings. Just drive from camp to camp, asking what they'll charge you for the trip. The regularly-scheduled tours
go out in the morning, around 0800-1000, and then again in the afternoon. If you get there when a tour boat is leaving with space, you stand a chance
of getting a better deal, but it will be more crowded. Unless you're hurting for money, crowded isn't the way to go.
Many of the companies offer a discount for state (BCS) residents. I think we paid around 1,500 pesos for a boat we had all to ourselves. There were
five of us. We had such luck that we actually got tired of petting a calf as the mother whale circled about, passing under our boat a few times. It
was a great (though at times disconcerting) experience.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
Member Is Offline
Mood: bewildered
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Woody;
Very nice!
Mean.
But very nice!
(I wonder if we perhaps met once, probably 5 years ago, at Cerritos? I'm my ideal weight (if I was a foot taller) and have a long gray beard and flesh
colored hair)
BT, thank you. I think that's our plan, just show up and climb into a panga. I think Shari is planning another BN meet-up, but I don't think she's set
a date yet.
[Edited on 1-19-2012 by Islandbuilder]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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LA VIRGEN
Here is a photo of La Virgen from last spring taken by John M:
Here it is in 1956 (photo from Howard Gulick):
and in 1961:
From space:
On map:
This 2003 Baja Almanac map incorrectly showed the old road as the paved highway, and the turnoff for 'Faro San Jose' shown is actually La Virgen on
the old road.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
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"I was told the the road from Rosarito was better of highway 1. Is this true and if so where would I find the entrance off the 1? How long should I
plan from the time we leave the highway to San Borja?"
Yes, true. Once you get to Rosarito and turn toward the village (which is strung along Mex. 1 more or less), BEAR LEFT (north) - you really don't get
into "town" at all. And then you will see a couple signs. Just stay on the road until you get to the end - takes about an hour depending on how many
times you stop to take photos and stop to look at the sand washes or rocky sections. Ask Angel or Henry to take you to see the rock art. I love San
Borja - the evening sunsets and morning sunrises are memorable.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wilderone
.....Just stay on the road until you get to the end - takes about an hour depending on how many times you stop to take photos and stop to look at the
sand washes or rocky sections. Ask Angel or Henry to take you to see the rock art. I love San Borja - the evening sunsets and morning sunrises are
memorable. |
wilderone,
Ditto to all of the above. Angel was our tour guide in 2006. He is a 6th generation San Borjian.
In the photo, Angel is showing us his grandfathers grave site.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Wilderone, when where you last over both roads to the mission? In 2003 the Rosarito road was great, but in 2009 it was way more rutted up and slower
than the L.A. Bay road... Interesting to hear when they run a grader over the roads in Baja.
[Edited on 1-20-2012 by David K]
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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Shows up on my screen. It's posted the same as all my photos.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Here's when his brother made cover boy of a magazine!
[Edited on 1-20-2012 by David K]
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I got the info box with a red x... I will try something else. |
my bad.........should be ok now.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13052
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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you are so right wilderone about the road to San Borja...it takes me forever...i might as well walk it because we have to stop ALOT to photograph some
immense cirio out of a Dr. Seuss book.
it is always nice to help out the end of the road folks and i like those rustic cabins at the lagoons edge.
Watching whales is....is a big experience in every way and we are thankful that the shrimp tacos are ready at the restaurant overlooking the inner
lagoon calving sanctuary.
you can wander around checking out the displays in the Interpretive Center...or you can catch their van out to the pronghorn antelope project on the
other side of the lagoon.
What I like most about these areas is that you are not on anyone elses schedule so you can decide when you want to hop on a panga...you can wait till
the tide changes, or sun comes out etc. and go when you want. You can pack a lunch and use the palapas for shelter and shade.
They sometimes arent as busy as the more commercial operations and can be more flexible...but remember, they must be approved and have the permits to
do trips. The government is very strict at protecting the safety of the animals as well as the whale watchers.
While many people want to see whales at the peak of the season, January is amazing for seeing newborn calves, mating, and the month old calves
learning about boats and humans. This baby was only a day old as it still had the longitudinal folds from being curled up in the womb. The second
photo is of mama curling her tail around the baby to protect it.
and dont forget to take a ride out to El Faro...the lighthouse...turn right after the bank...the birding is superb and the clams at the guard shack
are awesome.
Have a great time and let us know how it went for you.
[Edited on 1-20-2012 by shari]
[Edited on 1-20-2012 by shari]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Here's the family in 2003:
Sarah and Andee are in the second photo... the kids let them ride the mule around.
[Edited on 1-20-2012 by David K]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thanks for fixing the photo link Ken... I see that I had my kids mixed up, that Angel is the older Gerardo brother, not seen in my 2003 photos.
From BajaCat, in my 2009 trip report (on the father and son I pictured above):
David, Jose's full name is JOSE ANGEL GERARDO MONTEON, a fourth generation cochimi , Gerardo is HIS last name , and also I made a mistake on his son's
name. Is GENARO GAXIOLA GERARDO not gerardo, sorry about that, I already fix it
[Edited on 1-20-2012 by David K]
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Sprocket
Junior Nomad
Posts: 67
Registered: 1-3-2012
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We just hit the road! I will post up our adventure (vaction) when we get back!
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13052
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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hey Sprocket...if you get this...make sure you check out the little hot springs at San Borja too...after the kids ride the Mula...plan to camp
there...I think they have little rooms too.
some nomads will be spying on whales with me thursday feb.16th, then the birthday extravaganza on march 3rd...dinner and party on the 2nd...then again
on march 9-11 if any of you happen to be in the area!
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Sprocket
Junior Nomad
Posts: 67
Registered: 1-3-2012
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Just got home! Wow awesome time will post soon
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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whales
HOLA,ya dont have to go to baja to see whale's,,,,only,,only ,if you want to them birthing,,get a grip !!
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13052
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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respectfully....seeing whales in the lagoons is far far far superior to seeing them ANYWHERE else in the world...it doesnt even compare. It is truly a
unique, phenominal experience unparalled anywhere else...so many whales concentrated in such a small. calm, protected place...mothers with their
babies, mating, birthing, friendly encounters etc....it's like whale soup in there!
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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shari
HOLA, I love whales and get to see them all over the northern pacific,,was cking them out in mag bay when I was a kid...my point is,,,and I'll say it
again,,you do not have to go to baja mexico to spend time with whales,,BTW,the baluga whale's in the turnagain arm in AK,,runnig in with the tidal
bore is a sight never forgotten,,please excuss my spelling,,it's a awsome day in B.C.S. K&T
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