Bienvenidos a Mexico!

George and I officially crossed the border into Mexico on November 13th! The border crossing was super easy. We did ask to confirm which building we should go to in order to get our six month tourist visa (it’s the big building that says Aduana on the right, but the appropriate office inside was a lot smaller than I expected!). We were greeted at the Aduana tourist visa office by a very sweet and funny man, which was such a great welcome into the country. We paid the man, he stamped our passports, and he informed us we could get our vehicle permit in La Paz before crossing into mainland Mexico.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YWLbCPlDj0c/VGwkfle6xOI/AAAAAAAApuU/_jPCSOVVoWk/s144-c-o/IMG_8588.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/BienvenidosAMexico#6083277321727034594″ caption=”Crossing the border, finally!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_8588.JPG” ]

After receiving our tourist visa, we headed due south for Clam Beach where we thought we might find our friends the FlightlessKiwis. We didn’t see our friends, and since it was early and we were so amped to be in Mexico, we decided to keep driving to Ensenada. We stopped for coconuts at a road side stand, checked out the beach, and decided to camp our first night near La Bufadora (a geyser just outside Ensenada) just in time to catch our first Mexican sunset.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FSara1J5BiE/VGwkgq-G6wI/AAAAAAAApug/xn889nI1TPk/s144-c-o/IMG_8594.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/BienvenidosAMexico#6083277340379900674″ caption=”First sunset in Baja!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_8594.jpg” ]

Some highlights from our first few days:
We found a cool spot for surf and camping at Punto San Jacinto. We met several great people here who gave us great recommendations. A big thanks to Pat (for the salsa too!), Paul, Mingo and Louis! I feel like our baja plans have been evolving to incorporate their and others’ word of mouth.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Io-ZS7EIS8Y/VGwf6UDwHoI/AAAAAAAApsU/1YQHOlFNOoI/s144-c-o/IMG_1482.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/BienvenidosAMexico#6083272283348016770″ caption=”Surfing some fun ones” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1482.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qZxys9hbko0/VGwerCyuAhI/AAAAAAAApsE/DLXqvKJNRa0/s144-c-o/IMG_1464.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/BienvenidosAMexico#6083270921503506962″ caption=”Our campsite at San Jacinto” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1464.JPG” ]

We also hit up El Soccorito based on a recommendation. There is a great campsite in town with a firepit by the ocean, and a little surf in the morning. What more could you ask for? Perhaps we could see some dolphins swim by please…

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cUGb1GowH7s/VGwhlcFr2FI/AAAAAAAApsw/2lrpqInKFU8/s144-c-o/IMG_1502.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/BienvenidosAMexico#6083274123749611602″ caption=”beach camping at El Socorrito” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1502.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zRXN2hus7Xs/VGwiHcD8D5I/AAAAAAAAps4/Pl6GgleybV0/s144-c-o/IMG_1508.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/BienvenidosAMexico#6083274707857837970″ caption=”Surfing with Dolphins” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1508.JPG” ]

Lastly, we drove about 30 miles down a dirt road to a fish camp that we heard would have wind for kiting (Punta San Carlos). While the conditions were not right when we got there, we were not disappointed with the scenery during our drive, or the remote, beautiful, campsite on the water. There was only one other couple camping in the distance in the whole area, next to what is a wind-sport school (Solo Sport) during the spring, summer, and fall (currently closed). George went for a great mountain bike ride in the morning, and I went for a run along some well groomed trails in the area.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tC7TRC25_4Q/VGwmZzWnMoI/AAAAAAAApwY/AMOFI1EBWyw/s144-c-o/IMG_8634.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/BienvenidosAMexico#6083279421394334338″ caption=”Cactus towers over Titus” type=”image” alt=”IMG_8634.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y-7w59lvF00/VGwjJPAZntI/AAAAAAAAptY/GiwzQSymfTo/s144-c-o/IMG_1540.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/115263927216347870948/BienvenidosAMexico#6083275838224703186″ caption=”Sunrise at San Carlos” type=”image” alt=”IMG_1540.JPG” ]

I’m happy to report that our Spanish (what we had learned in the states) has come in very handy for getting by, and we are improving every day by talking with people, asking questions, and using Rosetta Stone and coffee break spanish (a free podcast). People we have met, whether at a gas station, restaurant, or campsite, have been incredibly friendly and helpful when trying to speak and learn.

We knew that the Baja 1000 was going on around the time we entered the country, but we had no idea where or when. I’m sad to report that by Day 2 when we figured out the “when”, we learned that while we were exploring on Day 1 in the country, we actually missed the race that went by near Ensenada.

Next we are headed down to the remote surfbreaks called the Seven Sisters on the west coast! Stay tuned…

What we are listening to:

• Bahamas, Stronger Than That (pretty funny video – first time seeing it when I Googled it for the blog post)

What we are reading:

• Wild by Cheryl Strayed – one woman’s inspiring tale of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

Other pics from our first week in Mexico:

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