ibannie
Junior Nomad
Posts: 59
Registered: 1-9-2009
Location: Soddy Daisy, TN
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Mood: 
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Baja trip report
Baja was such an experience on all levels that its almost impossible to put it all into words. It was more than expected, better than expected,
awesome and wonderful - yet at the same time driving through this part of the world makes me so incredibly thankful for everything I have. I think it
should be a must for every teen to visit here (but not the big tourist spots), especially those that have attitude. They would definitely learn some
good life lessons from some lovely people.
The views are stunning right from the start and my camera never stopped clicking all the way - thousands of photos and a severely groaning hard drive
later, we sit back here in the USA a little sad but immensely happy that we were able to see so much. The trucks on the narrow roads were incredible,
but we hung on to all our mirrors, kept all the wheels on the road and many extra photos were taken while Frank cruised around those mountain roads
that have no barriers on my side! We only had a few really close calls with trucks on our side of the road, but found most of them very thoughtful
and happy to give us plenty room.
I swear the sky changes color over the Sea of Cortez! and that water - totally amazing. The views, from the craggy mountains, unforgiving cactus
everywhere, ocean and beautiful bays were something I will never forget. Not being a morning person at all, it was quite a change for me to be awake
and functional enough to capture almost every awesome sunrise along the way and most sunsets too. Don't you just love the way that sunlight comes all
the way across the water to end right at your feet on the shoreline? It's absolutely special to be the first set of footprints in the sand while that
beautiful silence happens right before everything wakes up again for a new day.
It really fascinated me how the Mexican people are so incredibly friendly and how little eateries pop up everywhere and how no matter how stupid I
felt about not being able to speak more than a word or three of Spanish, I was always dealt a smile (except once where puzzlement took the cake) and a
wave. I swear that I will always learn the basic language skills of any country I ever visit again! The incredible amount of color everywhere is
beautiful and it was amazing to me how many different things are captured in just one photo - its a bit like those pictures that hide one character
(Waldo) and you have to find him - so much happens, its quite amazing.
The whales were totally awesome - especially at San Ignacio where we had a male and female playing around the boat for over an hour and together we
took 1500 photos! The camera clicked away happily while I looked at the real and big picture, not limiting myself to just the lens. Carlos drove us
from Rice and Beans to the lagoon - boy what a ride that was - an experience in itself! Ojo de Liebre was an absolutely lovely place to camp - we
loved being so close to the water and the blowing whales and the birds and the quiet! Los Barilles was simply beautiful with all the colorful sails
of the windsurfers. Santispac was special, but then so were so many other places - the gold flecks in the water and the hot springs on the beach at
La Jolla campground near La Bufadora, the beautiful pelicans at Bahia LA, the fishing boats at the fish camps we stopped at and the long open beaches
at Bahia Asuncion and Cerritos Beach Camp just below Todos Santos. We have seen so much and met some really lovely people and I just know I have
forgotten to mention something...
I keep wanting to say 'but most of all I enjoyed the........" but then I think of something else..... I think my favorite place is a mixture of all
the places we visited and people we met - from the smiling, hopeful salesmen on the beaches, the amazing cooks at the Palapa resturants we ate at,
the waiters and serenaders at Guerrero Negro, the people prepared to talk to someone who did not understand, others who live here and those who were
traveling through like us, the stores with hand packed items and meat thats not all pre-packed, the conditions people live in here and the total lack
of any feeling of fear, the jaw dropping beauty mixed with the unutterable poverty - all of this and so much more came together and handed us three
weeks of unforgettable days and nights... The color and character that shone through everything is something I will never forget, it will all roll
around my heart for a long long time to come.
We came in through Tijuana and left through Tecate. We only had a wait of about 25 minutes at Tecate and lost only the cactus wood - fair enough. We
were not asked about dogs, shells or anything else at all and it took only a few minutes to get through. The first night in a USA campground was
really interesting.... people kept to themselves and as a group of ladies walked briskly past, I had to bite my tongue not to call "Hola!", instead I
floated a "normal" hello across to them and was totally ignored! Now which is the more civilized country??
Thanks to everyone who helped us with suggestions and places to visit. Thanks to everyone we met who were so kind and helpful. I miss Baja already.
[Edited on 3-2-2009 by ibannie]
\"Life is mostly froth and bubble; Two things stand like stone:
Kindness in another\'s trouble, Courage in your own.\"
http://bajabaggs.blogspot.com |
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2107
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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You have a great perspective and write so easily. Thanks for the report, hope there`s more!!
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Great summary of your trip. I hope as the days unfold, you share a bit more detail. I can totally relate to your experiences at the campground north
of the border. Our young son is a superstar in Baja with everyone wanting to hold him but when we return here, people can barely acknowledge you when
you let them cut in line on the freeway.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.
Zac
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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So beautiful and so right. It was like my last trip. Kudos to Ibannie, and kudos to the wonderful people of Baja!
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13043
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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great trip report annie girl...I felt your awe. And another example of how this board added to your trip dont ya think? Gotta love the newbies!
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Nice report; glad you enjoyed.
Kinda brings me back about 20 years to my first long road trip in Baja.
Funny thing is, I still get some of those feelings on every trip !
Thanks
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64722
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Perfect!
Thanks for sharing and glad you had a rewarding trip...
Look forward to seeing some of your photos...
Hope it isn't too long before you get another 'Baja fix' for your 'Baja fever'!
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2107
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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I read your report again and want to thank you again!!
It is so refreshing to see Baja thru the eyes of someone who is seeing, traveling in and experiencing Baja for the first time.
Hope you write more, I`ll check your blog! Gracias!
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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I love the first time visitor's trip reports... yours was just fantastic. It takes us there for the first time again!
Gracias!
Bob H
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Steve&Debby
Nomad
Posts: 335
Registered: 12-18-2007
Location: Colusa,California/ Percebu
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DON'T LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG!!! People might get the wrong idea and think it is safe to go to Baja
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
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Mood: Mellow
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That was absolutely beautiful Annie!! Thank you so much for posting that report.
carpe diem!
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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Great report! Glad you see Baja like we do.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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