To the Arctic Ocean via the Dalton Road

[geovalue]

Ok so we made it to Mexico but not quite as planned. We entered at Tecate only to be told we had to go to Tijuana to get a permit for the truck. So we set off driving along the Mexican USA border watching the USA border control on the other side of the fence watching us watching them. We entered Tijuana with no map, no address, no directions and using all our African driving and navigational skills we worked our way across the chaotic city and finally found the office for the permit. Again not as planned we headed down the coast from San Felipe only to get stuck in the sand and had to be rescued by the Mexican military oh well all in the day of an overlander.

We have updated our blog with photos and more details
http://www.adventurouspirits.com/how-not-to-cross-a-border-into-mexico/

Safe travels all

Mexican Military to the Rescue

 

[geovalue]

We continue to explore Baja California. We are amazed at how many Canadians there are we have met more Canadians here than we met in the USA. Also surprised at how chilly it has been especially in Baja North. We spent a wonderful New Years Eve on the beach in the Bahia of Concepcion with of course Canadians and Americans. Enjoyed roasted pig and margaritas and boy do the Mexicans know how to make a real Margarita!
Tom has completed his geology video from our trip across the USA anyone who loves a rock, a desert or any other natural wonder will enjoy his video

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qDtbX_O5i0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qDtbX_O5i0[/ame]

We are now in La Paz and enjoying hot weather and are busy planning our route across mainland Mexico but will not be leaving Baja until sometime the end of this month

Safe travels all

 

[geovalue]

We woke up to a tire that was going down slowly, not a puncture but a faulty valve. So we called in the tire man and it was a struggle to communicate with them. So we are back in Spanish school in La Paz. We had planned to spent a month in Guatemala at Spanish school but have decided we need some serious studying before we get there. We had taken Spanish in Calgary but obviously did not retain much!! although it was fun in our first class and it is slowly coming back.

Having lunch between Spanish lessons.

We have met several overlanders both going down to Central or South American and several coming back. Lots of sharing of information. La Paz is a good place to meet overlanders as they all come through here if shipping from mainland Mexico

Safe travels all

 

[geovalue]

We are continuing to learn Spanish in La Paz. I read in the newspaper about a dog that knows 1022 words in English. That is more words than I know in Spanish. What does that tell you? I am not a dog

We also had the most amazing experience diving with whale sharks in the bay in La Paz. We heard they were out there so we hopped on a boat and headed out. After an hour of seeing nothing there it was a huge shadow in the water. We jumped into the sea and it swam right past us. It was hard work not like the documentaries we have seen with diver and the whale shark. As there is no way one can swim as fast as the whale shark so you have to clamber back on the boat and head off in front of the whale, jump back in and swim, it passes us again and we jump back on the boat and so the exercise is repeated until one is exhausted but exhilarated by the experience of swimming alongside a whale shark. Another must do for anyone who loves nature. There were actually several whale sharks swimming around both a little one and a really huge one. They are the largest fish in the world.

approaching whale shark

passing whale shark

going whale shark

Safe travels all

 

[geovalue]

We are still in La Paz leaving this weekend to explore the southern most tip of Baja. We have been attending Spanish classes and if I have learned one thing it is that is is painfully hard to learn a 2nd language but we are committed to do so.

I have attached the video of our highlight of La Paz swimming with the whale shark. An amazing experience. Tom has been scuba diving for over 40 years and this was the first time he had seen a whale shark. He was ecstatic, one would have thought he was the first ever to see one.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Mi9PT8aPE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Mi9PT8aPE[/ame]

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Really enjoying the trip report Janet and Tom...Be sure to check out Los Ceritos Beach Resort just South of Todos Santos.

Great little spot at the end of a dirt road...at least it was a few years ago when we visited. I'm not sure what it'll be today as they were in the process of building something new..but I'd love to know what you think

 

[geovalue]

Really enjoying the trip report Janet and Tom...Be sure to check out Los Ceritos Beach Resort just South of Todos Santos.

Great little spot at the end of a dirt road...at least it was a few years ago when we visited. I'm not sure what it'll be today as they were in the process of building something new..but I'd love to know what you think

Thanks we are leaving La Paz today and heading south so will definitely check out Los Ceritos and let you know what we think.

 

[geovalue]

We have updated our blog about our experience of diving with the whale shark and the real truth about why we had to go back to Spanish lessons. We spent 11 days in La Paz despite only planning to "pass through" but we have had a wonderful time, meeting great people, learning Spanish and diving with the whale sharks. Although the truth is now out what really happened on the boat at sea in our blog.

We are now heading south to see the south of La Paz. We will be heading back next week to take the ferry across to Matzalan. We are still debating the route to take across Mexico mainland as there is so much to see and of course we cant see it all.

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/whale-sharks-and-spanish-lessons-life-in-baja/

Safe travels all

 

[trailsurfer]

We are all really enjoying keeping up with your trip. Thanks for posting! You have had over 20,000 views so far!!!!!!!!

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Gran verlo y conversar con usted, así a través de Google video chat de ayer, Tom y Janet. Tener más diversión en Baja California Sur, mantener la práctica española, confía en mí ya que lo necesitará. Al tomar el ferry que le falta Barracas del Cobre, las Cataratas del Basasiachi, muchas ruinas y las chozas de barro famoso de Paquimé y la famosa cerámica de Ortiz, así como muchos otros. Disfrute de ustedes mismos.:costumed-smiley-007

 

[geovalue]

We arrived at Cabo Pulmo hoping to do some snorkelling and kayaking but the sea was too rough so we had to be content to just enjoy the view and a walk along the beach. However we found a lovely beach to camp on, away from the crowds.

Campsite at Cabo Pulmo

Then we headed to Cabo San Lucas with some trepidation as we had heard it is so touristy and it is. We took a panga out to Land’s End, the Arch and were dropped off at Lovers Beach.

Lovers Beach

I thought perhaps it really was a lover’s beach because Tom became so excited but I was soon brought back to earth when he exclaimed, “Just look at these beautiful weather granite rock, take my picture with these rocks!” Oh yes my romantic geologist.

Tom with his love on Lovers Beach
The beach, the sand and the sea (and the rocks) were spectacular and I can see why people fall in love here. The sea was full of life with large colourful fish swimming about and we can not wait to go diving and kayaking here.

The Arch

We will be here until Saturday and then we are heading back to La Paz via Todas Santos. We will take the ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan. All the Mexicans we have met have told us that we will only see the real Mexico once we cross over to the mainland so are looking forward to exploring that part of the world.

For those of you who have not yet been to Baja start planning it is fun, safe, beautiful and great weather
Safe travels all

 

[brushogger]

Great trip report! We were in San Antonio the same time you were. I'll have to start keeping a close eye out for you guys on the return trip. If you happen to be coming through Oklahoma on the way back, pm me and we'll fix you dinner and have a few cool ones. Have a safe trip.

 

[PJPR01]

I just read all 15 pages at one sitting...what a wonderful story you are weaving here on this great adventure. Some of your African videos are also quite exhilarating!

You will really enjoy South America - having lived in Argentina for 3.5 years only a few years ago, and travelled thru many other SA countries...you are in for some fun! I only wish I had made it to the Atacama desert, hoping to see pictures of your SA adventures as well.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Hope you and Tom get this in time, there is a art gallery/cantina on the west side of the road as you head north from Cabo San Lucas to Todas Santo. They some some different MX beers there when I was there 2 years ago. Great little spot, good food as well. I camped near there.

IIRC, I went through the area in late fall, and caught the Monarch butterfly migration. There were thousands everywhere! Have fund and find some more rocks Tom and be romantic about it as Janet will enjoy them as well then.

Tom use some big words and she will melt in your arm, like felsic, phorphry, hornfels, (don't use plutonic), feldspar, eutectic, protolith, etc. :costumed-smiley-007

 

[geovalue]

Thanks for all the comments. We survived the tourist packed Cabo San Lucas and actually had great fun.

back in the maddening crowds

Yacht Anyone?

The snorkelling was unbelievable although Tom managed to add some excitement when he "forgot" to take his money out of his pocket before he went snorkelling resulting in him having to dive deep to recover it all.

Fish and more fish

Tom diving for his money

Kayaking across the bay to The Arch was great despite being swamped by waves from all the boats.

Kayaking across to The Arch at Cabo San Lucas

We have also updated our blog with more pictures and stories.
http://www.adventurouspirits.com/tom-dives-deep-for-money-in-cabo-san-lucas/

We are now back in La Paz and are heading across to Mazatlan this week

Safe travels all