Baja Summer Trip - Views from the Road
This bonus post contains scenery from the vehicle, mostly while we were driving around. I was mainly practicing holding the camera steady and taking quick photos, but then saw that the scenery was quite lovely in many areas.It was nothing like I remembered in my prior trips down these highways.
On our trip to La Bufadora, the last few miles of the drive consisted of many uniquely beautiful vistas.
We stopped and picked up some wonderful olive oils, jams, honey and other treats at this roadside stand. I loved the seasoned (clamato, hot sauce) olives. They had avocado honey for sale which just sounds good, but I did not taste it.
 |
| winery in Valle de Guadelupe |
This beautiful building houses Laja, the Baja "French Laundry" type of restaurant. I made a mental note to come back.
 |
| tuna farms - colored by me via Photoshop |
I look forward to the next Baja visit. Until then, this ends the series of posts.
Baja Summer Trip - Markets, Cities and Hotel
One of our last stops at the end of our wonderful weekend away was a for tacos at La Taqueseria at the Food Garden in Tijuana.
We really enjoyed the Taqueso, filled with shrimp and ribeye beef, and Taco Dulce, made of shrimp and fruit sauces, from Marco Flores’ food stand. We pointed out how we shouldn't have enjoyed the sweet and salty taco as much as we did, but we just did.
I even followed it up with a supplementary smoked marlin taco, the 2nd taco from the bottom in the above set of photos. Although I was full, it was a taste I enjoyed and missed so much from prior visits. Marlin is not readily available in L.A., although I hear it's making a couple of appearances lately.
Our guides from Club Tengo Hambre told us that was the Gastromercado farmer's market's very first day opening.
Puesto Fenix
In Ensenada we had just enough time to see the main square. I spent 5 minutes buying a hand embroidered cotton blouse and dress at a boutique, and we headed off to the next stop.
On our last day, we made a stop in Ensenada for a fish taco at Puesto Fenix. Because you can't really leave Ensenada without a perfecct fish taco. Lucky for us, we do have a fish taco option in LA that meets if not slightly exceeds this one in taste.
During one of our few breaks at the hotel, a couple of us walked over a a couple of blocks to the center and tourist area of Puerto Nuevo, a well known lobster town.
In prior visits I thought this was as good as it gets with Baja food. I'm sure it's all great but incomparable to the food and views we'd witnessed the past few days.
There were some interesting signage and statues through Puerto Nuevo.
Our hotel, the Grand Baja had a few quirky elements and spotty upkeep, but overall, it fit the bill. Our guides worked hard to iron out any small kinks for which we were grateful. We made full use of the wifi in the lobby.
 |
| Russian embassy on the hotel grounds and hand lifted parking gate |
Baja Summer Trip - Cultural Excursions
On our last day in Ensenada, before heading back towards Tijuana, the group split into two groups with the choice of either hanging out in Ensenada for a few hours or going to the already scheduled La Bufadora, one of the largest blowhole, or geysers, in North America.While it was tempting to shop and enjoy some refreshing drinks, I'd been to Ensenada since childhood with family so many times. It seemed better to see something new. So La Bufadora it was.
I never imagined it would be so packed with families, couples and just so many people happy to be there. It was hard to get a veiw at the blowhole with so many crowds.
Walking back to meet the group I spotted the lady above sitting on a fence.
The blowhole itself is very hard to see from most parts of the viewing area, and some brave visitors climbed up the bare rock to get a better view. I opted to climb up steps to the highest vantage point.
It was totally worth it. We got a great vantage point of the blowhole errupting every couple of minutes and the thunderous sounds were almost drowned out by the crowds cheering and clapping for the larger explosions!
What even proved more amusing than the main attraction was the surrounding market. Many vendors, selling regional arts and crafts, souvenirs and food lined the road to the blowhole, and back.
It was the most amusing mix of colors, sounds, smells - a visual feast! I'll let the photos do the talking.
 |
| shiny chorizo tubes |
 |
| clams au gratin - a very popular dish at the market |
 |
| doll head holding handmade bracelets |
 |
| candy, nuts, giant pastries and cinammon sugar coated almonds (the best) |
 |
| elotes - Kristin, our guide kindly gave us tastes of her street corn |
 |
| This Viagra mascot appears in several pharmacies, in various forms and sizes |
 |
| frog with maracas? - why yes! |
 |
| dolls on swings, frog bands and kids having fun |
 |
| fruit |
 |
| clamato and tequila shots stand |
 |
| marionettes |
 |
| Pina Coladas are the signature drink - samples offered at every step |
 |
| plate painting and naughty souvenirs (ladies covered with blankets at least) |
 |
| snakes, parrots, baby lion cub and falcon |
 |
| more pina coladas, even a hollowed out pineapple full (with $3 refills!) |
 |
| street chips with hot sauce dispenser from bottom - brilliant |
Another day in the Valle, we made a quick visit to the Museo del Vino y La Vid. which features the history behind wines of the Valle de Guadalupe as well as beautiful grounds and architecture.
This excursions brought another dimension to the visit, along with the food, wine and landscape. Great suggestions by Club Tengo Hambre.
