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SyntaxJO
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 6-19-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Excited for November!
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I may be GOING IT ALONE!
I am the adventurer of my friends. We are planning our first time drive to Cabo and of course I am the most excited. Our "caravan" is steadily
shrinking into a "drag race." One by one my friends are bailing out for semi-legitimate reasons. The ones that remain, well, there is a real
possibility that they may drop out as well. I have accepted the reality that I may have to take the trip alone. Believe it or not I am secretly
hoping that I will be going alone : )
So I've been pumping myself up for it, but alas, I come across the "bad side" of Baja. The robbings - the shootings - yadda yadda. Now, I know
anything can happen - and I wouldn't be as concerned if I knew I'd be driving with another passenger at least. Not only will I perhaps be
with only one vehicle - I may be driving alone.
I hear so many different things - Baja is safer than the US - SPEED past TJ, Rosarito, Ensenada (too bad I love Ensenada) - Stay Out of Baja Norte all
together!!!
I would really like to hear from someone who has taken the drive alone. There's adventure - and there's dumb  Where do I fit in?
Survival - breaking down - running out of money - I can deal. Trouble finding me - another matter. You tell me I'm paranoid and that's all I need to
hear. (well you can tell me more than that)
Thanx!
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Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: BahÃa Asuncion BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Living the dream
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As long as you use common sense I don't think you will have any problems. Don't drive late at night, don't flash alot of money around, and that
includes jewelery, fancy camp stuff etc. When my esposo and I go down, although it is together, my engagement ring stays home, and all other expense
jewlery. Be kind, polite, and I know you will be fine.
Enjoy your trip, I'm jelous
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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i made the trip to mulege from the states at LEAST 30 times last year...
drive slow
drive during daylight
get insurance
get your visa at the border
have GOOD tires and spares
and...
know how to change them and have the jack and tire iron ready for a "nascar change"
slow way down (almost stop)
if you're not sure about a truck or bus
you'll be fine after you get below ensenada
below ensenada it's a different world
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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All good advice from above. I've traveled all over Baja by myself and with others. Follow your gut instincts and you'll be fine. It's not as bad as
some posters from this Board make it sound.
One thing I do is separate my money and hide it in different places in my car/gear....you know the saying about all your eggs in one basket...
When are you headed down?
Zac
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
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 might just have a better time by yourself...a solo traveller was just here with us and he took a wrong turn, got very lost and very found by a
bunch of awesome fisherman who gave him a bunch of lobster and he had a super time...travelling alone yeilds some great stories and you meet way more
people...keep our pnone # on hand in case of emergency and I would buy a little handheld VHF marine radio or cell phone anyway just in case...stop in
and visit on your way down amigo!
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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You may want to consider a satellite phone. It would provide you a communications link where ever you would be. Also make sure some one at home knows
where you are going and staying and when to expect you back. Call home every couple of days or so.
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Cap
Nomad
Posts: 202
Registered: 4-20-2007
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajagypsy
Be kind, polite, and I know you will be fine.
Enjoy your trip, I'm jelous |
Best advice on the board in a long time.
Just do it man! You are obviously cautious. Common sense and courtesy will win the day. Have a great trip.
Fly low, land on roads.
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jorgie
Nomad
Posts: 430
Registered: 8-25-2006
Location: on another road,again
Member Is Offline
Mood: on the road....again,again
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what are you driving ??????
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larry
Nomad
Posts: 233
Registered: 8-22-2005
Location: Orinda, CA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SyntaxJO
One by one my friends are bailing out for semi-legitimate reasons. |
It sounds like you are working up to do the same.--resist that temptation. You are the one who will end up having a great time if you follow through
with your plans.
The problems that you are afraid of get blown out of proportion on this board simply because they are discussed at length. Crime happens
everywhere--if you read your local newspaper, you could reach the conclusion that your own city or town is unsafe, but you probably are not afraid to
go out of your house because the reality is that where you live is generally safe.
Exercise common sense on your trip and enjoy the wonders of Baja.
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jerry
Super Nomad
Posts: 1354
Registered: 10-10-2003
Location: loreto
Member Is Offline
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go for it
Its human nature to fear the unknown but
once you get on your way you will calm down slow down and injoy the ride
jerry and judi
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Traveled in Baja since 60's, then drove and camped without parents when I turned 16, since then alone, with friends, & with family (little kids to
teens)... NEVER had a problem...
Above advice from other Nomads is all good... Use good judgement, don't be obnoxious or get drunk in public, try and speak some Spanish or show an
effort...
Camp far from the highway when alone OR stay with others if in camping areas... Use motels, they are cheap... some are luxurious for very little money
(Baja Cactus at $35 comes to mind).
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
Member Is Offline
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Canceling: I don't know about the situation with your friends, but it can get easy to forgo adventure until it is too late. It almost started to
happen to me. That was one of my grandmother's biggest regrets later in life. She put off adventure until she was too crippled to do it. That was
pretty much her exact words for it. Adventure - it's not for the non-adventurous I guess.
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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follow all the common sense suggestions above, take a deep breath and just do it. expect to have some late night nerves just prior to departure. use
Tecate crossing, drive straight through Ensenada, be smart, be safe, use common sense, be open to the adventure. don't take lots of attractive stuff,
stay in Nomad recommended hotels.
this from single middle aged female who has done it alone many times and lived, though the last trip I rolled/totalled the car and walked away from
that one (old thread). for now I'm flying but that's just til the normal post MVA freakiness goes away.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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Do it!
Larry is right on about the fact that crime that does happen, gets blown out of proportion here. Not intentionally, but the focus and discussion
makes it appear that it is more pervasive than it really is. I have never made the drive (typical trip is to Mulege) with other cars, and have driven
it alone (on a motorcyle).
Have I changed my habits in how I travel down.........yes. I used to allways cross TJ at 4 am to time leaving Ensenada at sunrise. I will not do
that anymore. I will cross at TJ at sunrise. This change is one I have just made starting with our next trip in Nov. Taking that advice and the
other wise suggestions here you will be fine.
Have a great trip and report back.
Ken
[Edited on 10-5-2007 by tripledigitken]
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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It's good to meet people and make friends, perhaps some of the Nomads or it could be the hotel and resturant owners or employees or maybe people
around the various missions. Then on your next trip you'll be seeing an old face or faces and that can take some of the edge off being alone. In the
late 80s thru the mid 90s we would take clothes, toys etc. to a Padre in La Purisima. After the first trip he would always have a wonderful meal for
us on the next trip. One such dinner was with a family in San Juanico. It was a wonderful trip.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Repeating..........what are you driving?
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: gone fishin'
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have done the trip solo lots of times before the kids and while expecting the first one but always with a large and loyal dog and a good working
vehicle.
don't drive at night.
drive slow and enjoy the scenery.
stop often.
keep our gas tank full.
make sure you have a blanket, plenty of water, first aid kit, food, flashlight and batteries, tools, and can change a tire in case you break down.
keep in mind the KM marker and where the last place civilization was in case you breakdown study the road and map before hittin it.
i will miss those solo trips
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
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Don't worry, be happy. Alone is good, with a dog it's better.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Fred
Senior Nomad
Posts: 500
Registered: 3-15-2007
Location: Las Vegas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Laid Back
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Take your time and enjoy yourself. People who think about trouble....will find it. People who think they are going to get sick...will.
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SyntaxJO
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 6-19-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Excited for November!
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All Great Stuff - This was the response I was expecting! Not that it would have mattered - this just makes the "night before jitters" less 
OK Q&A time
What am I driving?
2003 silver Nissan Frontier King Cab
I figure I won't wash it until I get back (heh)
When am I going?
Nov. 10 - Nov. 20
How much cash will I have?
I expect around 1000 - but I'm going to do my HW and look for ATMs around BAJA so I can stay mostly cashless.
Will I get lost?
I hope so!!!
[Edited on 10-5-2007 by SyntaxJO]
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