bajadock
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Ensenada Cruise Ship Day
Original Article with LINKS
Had two guests invade Ensenada via Golden Princess cruise ship this week. I did not catch a good photo of the ship arriving in harbor from my perch
on the hill of Punta Banda this morning due to fog.
I had never before met cruisers downtown, so I did not know the disembarque schedule other than an 08:00 ship arrival. At 08:20, my VIP guests had
walked the plank and arrived at the guard entry to the cruiseport. Apparently the other passengers were sleeping or enjoying the ship’s donuts or
getting on the cattle buses headed to La Bufadora.
We decided upon the closest breakfast restaurant to the ship which is Veleros at the Hotel Corona. Veleros is one of the few Ensenada breakfast
shops that opens at 7AM and has indoor and outdoor dining available. A view of the marina is included at no extra charge.
Service was excellent as the team of waiters all pitch in on tables. Sweet rolls were brought to the table immediately with our coffee. And DE CAF
was available, a true rarity in Mexico. My guests ordered an omelette with peppers and a cream sauce plus machaca with eggs.
Up next was getting Mexican Pesos for my guests. A “cambio” shop that I often use is El Gran Tipo, two blocks south of Corona Hotel and on same side
of Blvd Costero(west/water). I use this cambio almost every time when returning from a San Diego shopping trip because it is on the southbound side
of the street and parking in front or on the side street(Calle Diamante) is always available.
My guests, veteran visitors of Ensenada, had a definite plan for their tourist shopping today. First was Habanos Cigars, located at Blancarte and
Costero. It was only 09:30, but, owner Martin, had his door open and with mop and bucket getting his shop ready for the day.
The interwebs are full of knockoff cigar ripoff stories in Mexico. But, my guest and two other cigar gurus assure me that Habanos is the real deal.
Monte Cristo, Cohiba and all of the popular brands are available in what we think is Ensenada’s only cigar humidor.
Apparently, cigars are similar to wine. There are the usual suspects, but, part of the fun is discovering new labels, flavors and favorites that
might not be so famous.
It was only 9:45 and we noticed that Ensenada was still a bit sleepy with many shops not yet open. My guests wandered into Cafe Torino, located on
Lopez Mateos(First Street) across from Hotel El Cid, next to El Patio Bar. Daniel greeted us, indicated that they opened approx 1 year ago. I
enjoyed my Italian roasted coffee. My guests also had a good time with their espresso and cappuccino.
There are two shops on Lopez Mateos in which I have spent money and also take guests. One is Bazar Ramirez and the other is La Herradura. Miguel’s
La Herradura is your one stop shop for souvenirs. I have purchase molcajetes, sweaters, glasses, statues and other stocking stuffers here. The shop
is located on Lopez Mateos, west/water side, between Riveroll and Macheros.
We navigated the gauntlet of vendors and peeked in a few more shops. The good news was that my guests had two bags full of their needed purchases,
rendering them less vulnerable to the street stuff. They were also full of coffee and requested the nearest bathroom break.
We were at Av Miramar and near one of my favorite ‘Nada town bars, Tequila’s. Bathrooms at Tequila’s are clean and it’s fun sport bar with simple
food and the BEST margaritas in Ensenada.
Owner, Louie Prieto, is a huge sports nut, especially LA Kings hockey and USC football. His TVs will be on for your major sporting event.
After our potty break, we settled into some Tecate beer nearing the noon hour.
Our last stop of the day was for birria at Birrieria La Guadalajara, on Macheros, one block up from McD’s. We ordered birria de chivo(goat) and tacos
de chivo. The salsa is excellent here.
I ordered the small bowl of birria, which along with the chips, salsa and tortillas made a perfect light lunch. Could not believe it when I saw a big
poster indicated La Guad’s location in El Valle de Guadalupe, “just passed the bridge”. I’ll have to find them up there on my next visit.
The birria(stew) is full of meat with strong broth. This goat flavor did not have a gamey finish at all. ILIKEY!
On cruise ship days and weekends, mariachis troll for pesos throughout Ensenada Centro. The mariachis that happened to be at La Guadalajara this
Tuesday had remarkably strong voices. They jumped into my guests request for “Jalisco” with gusto.
After that entertaining lunch, I threw my VIPs back at the Golden Princess for a nap and an easy afternoon in perfect weather.
[Edited on 10-9-2013 by bajadock]
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajadock
On cruise ship days and weekends, mariachis troll for pesos throughout Ensenada Centro. |
Not just a few Pesos either. Their work is pricey, but worth it every now and then.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Bajahowodd
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Great photos.
Sadly, the ships that still do call on Ensenada usually spend precious few hours in port. Add to that the fact that the passengers have already paid
for the privilege of gorging themselves onboard leaves little for local restauranteurs.
Not so long ago, before the cartel reign of terror, several cruise lines used Ensenada as their port of embarkation on trips to Hawaii. That was due
to the Jones Act that forbade foreign flag carriers from starting and beginning their cruise at a US port. A number of local hotels were full of
cruise passengers that were bused down from San Diego. As I recall, The San Nicolas and Hotel Corona were prime beneficiaries.
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bajadock
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Good point Howodd,
There were more vendors on Lopez Mateos yesterday than tourists.
Yes, Dennis, these guys were worth the admission fee and played for approx 30 minutes for a handful of tables of guests.
Adding photo of Golden Princess leaving Ensenada, Sunday 6 Oct, headed back to Long Beach to pick up my VIP guests. Photo taken from my house.
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bajaguy
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Great Report
Looks like you were busy eating/drinking your way between curio shops
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klutz13
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I'm going there next week (yes, on a ship). I agree we spend too few hours there. Carnival's 4 day cruise, which stops in Ensenada on Wednesdays,
stays until 10p.m. It's nice for us so we can eat both lunch and dinner in Ensenada. At other times, most ships stay only until 5p.m. and it feels too
rushed.
What is the current exchange rate?
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sancho
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajadock
There are two shops on Lopez Mateos in which I have spent money and also take guests. One is Bazar Ramirez |
Ramirez is a one of a kind shop, Dia de Muertos, folkart,
items, a must see for someone looking for unique items.
You have quite a perch up on the P Banda ridgeline, took
a walk a while back from La Jolla to the Blowhole along
the ridgeline, has some great views
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Udo
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Great report Doc!
I actually hate to go shopping during the cruise dockings.
The local shops refuse to bargain during those days.
Guillermo's place, at the north end of the boulevard does, however, treat his regulars "right."
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Bajahowodd
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Looks like you were busy eating/drinking your way between curio shops |
Don't know if you really wish to quote George Orwell (Eric Blair), since he was a member of the Labour party and a left leaning fellow. Doubt if he
would have supported your other advid causes such as Israel and the second amendment. Just saying.
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durrelllrobert
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| Quote: | Originally posted by klutz13
I'm going there next week (yes, on a ship). I agree we spend too few hours there. Carnival's 4 day cruise, which stops in Ensenada on Wednesdays,
stays until 10p.m. It's nice for us so we can eat both lunch and dinner in Ensenada. At other times, most ships stay only until 5p.m. and it feels too
rushed.
What is the current exchange rate? |
Todays OFFICIAL rate is 1 USD = 13.09000 MXN.
I hope you pass on the rip-off excursion to La Bufadora since it's barely blowing with the calm sea. Also, if you do go you will have to pass directly
in front of DENNIS's house and that could be dangerous.
Bob Durrell
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klutz13
Newbie
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
Great report Doc!
I actually hate to go shopping during the cruise dockings.
The local shops refuse to bargain during those days.
Guillermo's place, at the north end of the boulevard does, however, treat his regulars "right." |
I have been to Ensenada about 20 times (always on a ship). I have been able to bargain in the stores.
We don't need to buy any trinkets. We go into the tourist just to eat and buy some things in the market that we can't get in the States.
[Edited on 10-12-2013 by klutz13]
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klutz13
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Todays OFFICIAL rate is 1 USD = 13.09000 MXN.
I hope you pass on the rip-off excursion to La Bufadora since it's barely blowing with the calm sea. Also, if you do go you will have to pass directly
in front of DENNIS's house and that could be dangerous. |
Thanks.
Already been to the Bufadora. Will only go back when the water is rough.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by klutz13
| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Todays OFFICIAL rate is 1 USD = 13.09000 MXN.
I hope you pass on the rip-off excursion to La Bufadora since it's barely blowing with the calm sea. Also, if you do go you will have to pass directly
in front of DENNIS's house and that could be dangerous. |
Thanks.
Already been to the Bufadora. Will only go back when the water is rough. |
You really ought to seriously consider driving to Ensenada. From the border, there is a well maintained toll road, and it takes very little time. Once
there, you could stay a few days and enjoy great hotels, and great restaurants.
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durrelllrobert
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I counted 4 different cruise ships coming into the harbor this week instead of the standard 2. 
Bob Durrell
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klutz13
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I counted 4 different cruise ships coming into the harbor this week instead of the standard 2. |
Normally Carnival docks 2x a week (Wednesday and Saturday). Princess has started doing some similar runs and also docks in Ensenada 2x a week.
Starting next year, Carnival will have 2 ships (Inspiration and Imagination) coming to Ensenada 2x a week. They will be doing the same 3 and 4 day
cruises, but arriving on different days.
This isn't counting the ships that go to Hawaii and must stop in Ensenada for a few hours.
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SteveD
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The web site CruiseTT.com lists the cruise ships going to each port each day. For October, 2013, I counted a total of 27 ships docking in Ensenada.
Princess is pushing their 3 and 4 day criuses that all go to Ensenada, plus all of the round trip to Hawaii that also stop there.
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