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bajaguy
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Wine Country
| Quote: | Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat?  Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off  . Someone suggested the Wine Tour... But, at this point the more I read the
more discouraged I get. Nice way for me to spend my birthday. But, I'll still make the best of it and eat to my heart's content  |
Take the wine country tour, then come back in August for the wine festival!!!!!!
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mcfez
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Carnival and Disney suspend tours to La Bufadora (Ensenada)
Let's keep wooosh's post about it's intended topic...and not go off the deep end with this nonsense of yours. Please refrain yourself.
""""If you truly believe there are no negative points in Mexico, maybe you've never been there.
""""I own and lease in Mexico.
I never said the description of La Bufadora was inaccurate (?). I said there may be OTHER reasons for the cancellations of the cruises. Please
comprehend what is being said and cease making issues here.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
Not a troll question at all. You criticize every post that has anything negative to say about Mexico at all. If you truly believe there are no
negative points in Mexico, maybe you've never been there. This post is proof of that. The desciption of La Bufadora is accurate. How does New York
enter the picture? And I can tell you, as an ex-New Yorker, that while counterfeit merchandise is certainly available, it doesn't even come close to
the level of La Bufadora.
[Edited on 3-6-2012 by Roberto] |
[Edited on 3-6-2012 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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Woooosh
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| Quote: | Originally posted by gschroder
My wife and I have watched the businesses along Avenida Mateos suffer with the loss of cruise ship traffic, and hope the Ministry of Tourism decides
to get a clue! Ensenada built itself up and redefined itself with the Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise port, and cannot afford to be painted with
the same anti-Mexico message that has plagued Matzatlan and now Puerto Vallarta. La Bufadora has been a joke for years, but the Mexican government
needs to realize people from So Cal will stop the weekend cruises if the negative message keeps getting out. I can see Carnival doing 3 days cruises
to San Clemente Island, rather than stopping in Ensenada. Lets face it, Gringos on cruises don't care they are going to Mexico - they want an excuse
to drink on a ship for 3 days! |
I agree that the effort should be made to fix the problem if possible. Tourism to this area is a stated priority for Mexico. Baja has special gov't
offices to promote tourism and ex-pats participate in the "Baja Image Committee" to support that effort. If the officials in Baja and Ensenada
specifically can't make this small area a worthwhile shore excursion, what do they have control over? This isn't even about the hot topics of crime or
safety- it's just about doing business with tourists correctly and honestly so they don't feel cheated enough to complain. The days of tourists
tripping over each other to spend their money in Baja are gone and every tourist dollar is important to attract and retain. If Baja officials can't
get it done at La Bufadora, it's pretty much game over and there will be no mainstream media to blame for it. The excuse of "business as usual"
simply doesn't cut it any more. Tourists (especially non-Mexican tourists) expect and demand more and Baja needs to step up to keep them and the
cruise industry motivated to return.
Some areas like the Guadalupe wine region are stepping up and getting it done in a big way, but the coastal attractions will always be the bread and
butter of the economy because that is what most Baja tourists seek first.
[Edited on 3-6-2012 by Woooosh]
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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mcfez
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One more time.....
I never said the description of La Bufadora was inaccurate (?). I said there may be OTHER reasons for the cancellations of the cruises. Please
comprehend what is being said and cease making issues here.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
Right. Well, the original post was NOT about cancellations of the cruises, but about suspending the tours to La Bufadora, because
| Quote: |
Too many tourists felt ripped-off by the local businessmen and the businesses selling counterfeit goods as genuine. |
And your comment was
| Quote: |
Selling counterfeit goods as genuine......is a very common sight if one should go to New York City as we did. It's all over the place. Same goes for
San Francisco......it's a joke. I suspect there is way more to this story that meets the eye.....for NY and SF has not experienced any cruise
cancellations due to the merchants cheating the tourist. |
Your post would seem to say that it's not the rip-offs at all, but some other reason. What would that be? |
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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angels4
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
| Quote: | Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off . Someone suggested the Wine Tour... But, at this point the more I read the
more discouraged I get. Nice way for me to spend my birthday. But, I'll still make the best of it and eat to my heart's content |
Take the wine country tour, then come back in August for the wine festival!!!!!! |
I will make the Wine Country tour our first choice. And will plan a return trip in August. Thank you for the excellent advise. I am really looking
forward to Celebrate my birthday on my very first cruise. Cheers!!!
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Islandbuilder
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The real reason may be a bit different than is being stated publically. The cruise lines HATE sharing profits with other businesses, and far prefer to
own, or represent, any shop, resturant or day tour company that services their passengers.
I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't a way to provoke the government to:
1, Regulate the businesses along the approaches to La Bufadora
2 Eliminate the small owner operated shops and replace them with larger, cruise company owned or operated businesses.
Obviously the cruise companies hold a pretty big financial hammer over the heads of Ensenada officials, and they will use it to increase their bottom
line.
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mcfez
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2 Eliminate the small owner operated shops and replace them with larger, cruise company owned or operated businesses
This has been done in many ports of call. The Inside Passage ports are 90% owned by the lines.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Islandbuilder
The real reason may be a bit different than is being stated publically. The cruise lines HATE sharing profits with other businesses, and far prefer to
own, or represent, any shop, resturant or day tour company that services their passengers.
I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't a way to provoke the government to:
1, Regulate the businesses along the approaches to La Bufadora
2 Eliminate the small owner operated shops and replace them with larger, cruise company owned or operated businesses.
Obviously the cruise companies hold a pretty big financial hammer over the heads of Ensenada officials, and they will use it to increase their bottom
line. |
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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mtgoat666
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90 percent?
| Quote: | Originally posted by mcfez
2 Eliminate the small owner operated shops and replace them with larger, cruise company owned or operated businesses
This has been done in many ports of call. The Inside Passage ports are 90% owned by the lines.
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"90%?"
Provide proof please!
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greengoes
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
Other than the sweep of the second hand and the weight- it is very hard to tell it from a real one. |
I saw several really good 'knock offs' there several years ago. They had jeweled movements, not quartz, and the second hand ticked around instead of
floating. Yes, they were made in China.
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Islandbuilder
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Goat, I don't have statisical proof, perhaps McFez does, but my experience in Alaska supports the assertion. I am very familiar with both ketchikan
and Juneau, and in both those towns the former downtowns have been bought up, and rebuilt by the cruise companies. I usually get to Juneau in early
May, and the shops are just opening for the season.
First, they put up the "80% OFF SALE" sign, then they unload the container with all the inventory from their Caribbean stores. It is the same jewelry,
carpets (who buys carpets when they're on a cruise?!!) and other made in Asia, authentic Alaskan art.
Granted there are stores owned and operated by locals, but if they have "Cruise Recommended" sign, they're paying a fee to the cruise companies, just
like the shore tour companies do.
The cruise industry is working to consolodate all periferal businesses that rely on cruise ships to deliver their customers to bring them under their
ownership or control. Their goal is to do everywhere what they have done in the Caribbean where they bought their own island, so that everything you
do on the island, from buy a shave ice to pet a porpoise, generate profits for the company. They're trying to do the same thing in Alaska, by
partnering with a Native Corporation to create a custom Alaskan experience on tribal property. They want to offer everything from Helicopter rides to
the glacier, dog sled mushing (down the old logging roads on training carts), jet boat rides (into a literally pristine wilderness area) and a Native
Arts and Crafts extraveganza.
It's just business, of course............
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
Other than the sweep of the second hand and the weight- it is very hard to tell it from a real one. He loved it. But I though importing counterfeit
goods was illegal? |
The really good fakes have a sweep second hand and not the jerky Quartz movement.
You paid $120 bucks? Wow.
ooops...greengoes already said that. Sorry.
I don't understand the importation of fakes either. Around twelve years ago, I was in Otay secondary with a truck full of specialty lettuce to be
imported into the states. At the loading dock, there was a bobtail truck packed with about a million Piņatas and the driver had to unload all of it.
Customs confiscated the ones that were Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and any other copywrited/protected design. They wouldn't let them through.
I realize Bill mentioned one item per thirty days or something like that, but it still makes no sense to me that just a little bit of ripoff is OK.
.
[Edited on 3-6-2012 by DENNIS]
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mcfez
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Thank you Islandbuilder
This is happening to many ports of call.
The real issue is that these cruise lines will jack up the prices on ALL goods and services once they get a choke hold on a port. One may say ...why
not go away from the port and buy/tour elsewhere? The answer is...the port callings are far too short of a stay to venture very far off.
BTW...I was told that they did...or are trying...to buy the RR up there!
| Quote: | Originally posted by Islandbuilder
Goat, I don't have statisical proof, perhaps McFez does, but my experience in Alaska supports the assertion. I am very familiar with both ketchikan
and Juneau, and in both those towns the former downtowns have been bought up, and rebuilt by the cruise companies. I usually get to Juneau in early
May, and the shops are just opening for the season.
First, they put up the "80% OFF SALE" sign, then they unload the container with all the inventory from their Caribbean stores. It is the same jewelry,
carpets (who buys carpets when they're on a cruise?!!) and other made in Asia, authentic Alaskan art.
Granted there are stores owned and operated by locals, but if they have "Cruise Recommended" sign, they're paying a fee to the cruise companies, just
like the shore tour companies do.
The cruise industry is working to consolodate all periferal businesses that rely on cruise ships to deliver their customers to bring them under their
ownership or control. Their goal is to do everywhere what they have done in the Caribbean where they bought their own island, so that everything you
do on the island, from buy a shave ice to pet a porpoise, generate profits for the company. They're trying to do the same thing in Alaska, by
partnering with a Native Corporation to create a custom Alaskan experience on tribal property. They want to offer everything from Helicopter rides to
the glacier, dog sled mushing (down the old logging roads on training carts), jet boat rides (into a literally pristine wilderness area) and a Native
Arts and Crafts extraveganza.
It's just business, of course............ |
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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LaPazGringo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off . Someone suggested the Wine Tour... But, at this point the more I read the
more discouraged I get. Nice way for me to spend my birthday. But, I'll still make the best of it and eat to my heart's content |
Absolutely DO NOT GET OFF! It's 1000x more fun on the ship. The food is free and better and you'll have the run of the place. There is nothing for me
or my family in Ensenada. Same for cruises to Cabo, we stay on board.
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JoeJustJoe
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Thanks for the insight Islandbuilder and McFez.
So this whole thing could be politically motivated by Carnival and Disney to control the lucrative market of shops and restaurants near the cruise
lines ports-of-call.
Don't you just hate the evil corporations like Walmart that come in and muscle out the small businesses in small towns in the US and now around the
world?
Personally I don't think the La Bufadora is worth the visit, and think Baja needs to add attractions.
I have no sympathy for anybody that buys a supposedly designer Louis Vuitton handbag that retails for $1000 dollars, but buys it near the cruise line
stops for $40 dollars and then complains when they find out the purse is a knock-off.
[Edited on 3-6-2012 by JoeJustJoe]
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bajaguy
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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| Quote: | Originally posted by LaPazGringo
....... There is nothing for me or my family in Ensenada........ |
And we won't miss you a bit!!!!
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
What percentage of the visitors to La Buf you figure comes off the cruise ships?
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Probably in the high 90's percentage bracket. Even mid-summer, the place is a ghost town on days without a cruise ship.
These tourists arn't big shoppers on the best of days. Most arrive out here empty handed and are still empty handed when they reboard the bus. That
probably accounts for the hyper-aggressiveness of the recycled cholos who stand in front of the stalls giving everybody their rap of crap to increase
sales.
I have no comment to make on Joe's aroma.
.
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mtgoat666
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let's build our own blowhole (and i don't mean dennis!)
| Quote: | Originally posted by JoeJustJoe
Thanks for the insight Islandbuilder and McFez.
So this whole thing could be politically motivated by Carnival and Disney to control the lucrative market of shops and restaurants near the cruise
lines ports-of-call.
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regarding the evil corporation's quest to dominate the blowhole, it would seem that a creative engineer could easily build a blow hole. some poured
reinforced concrete on the right rocky cliff coast, in an embayment, at optimum elevation -- and presto! you got yourself a blow hole!
anybody got some good RE and interested in building a blowhole?
maybe tiger will build a blow hole at his resort, eh?
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CaboRon
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| Quote: | Originally posted by LaPazGringo
| Quote: | Originally posted by angels4
Oh boy! Should I even get off the darn boat? Maybe just stay on board and enjoy a cadillac margarita while all the others get ripped off . Someone suggested the Wine Tour... But, at this point the more I read the
more discouraged I get. Nice way for me to spend my birthday. But, I'll still make the best of it and eat to my heart's content |
Absolutely DO NOT GET OFF! It's 1000x more fun on the ship. The food is free and better and you'll have the run of the place. There is nothing for me
or my family in Ensenada. Same for cruises to Cabo, we stay on board. |
And on port days they always offer on ship spa specials .... good reason to stay on board.
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DanO
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
| Quote: | Originally posted by LaPazGringo
....... There is nothing for me or my family in Ensenada........ |
And we won't miss you a bit!!!! |
"Never get out of the boat." Skip to about 3:00 if you don't have the patience to watch the whole excellent scene. WARNING: Language NSFW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbFvAaO9j8M
[Edited on 3-6-2012 by DanO]
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
Wow, I had no idea it was so high. |
La Bufadora to the Ensenada Mexicans is their Disneyland. They really don't have much to do on a Sunday, so they take a drive out to the Buf, many
of them, but they don't spend. They bring their own food and they don't buy Serapis.
They do, however, pay two bucks to park their car and that is, by far, the most lucrative concession out there.
| Quote: |
There even used to be a decent place to eat. Don't remember the name, but it's right next to the lot close to the entrance to the pueblo, multi
story, used to have a terrace on top.
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Geeeeezo...you must have been really hungry. That was just a few years back and they weren't open long. Still closed and I don't recall they ever
did have a name. They ruined their own reputation the minute they opened the doors for business and that was right around Tourism D-Day.
Bad timing, but who knew?
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