There must be more to Mexico!

Here we are in Mexico - the Californian Baja. We left San Diego after a very fond farewell with Jim,



collected the bike insurance - no problem, then crossed the border which took all of about 10 minutes. I can remember looking at the very, VERY long queue of cars waiting to come from Mexico into USA and thinking 'thank goodness we aren't in that!' After a short distance and an even shorter discussion we agreed that this didn't feel right. No passport check, no removing the green visa pass, no vehicle permit, so we turned round and went back. There was a very long queue back into America, lots of street vendors and lots of very kind drivers advising us that we could go down the outside of the traffic and that we didn't need to queue. When we got to the border guard we explained our predicament. Now I'm sure that in Brian's blog he will try to attribute much of this cock up to me. If this is the case then let me assure you that I only sit at the back of the rider and as such am strongly and most totally led by him. We then had to head back up the freeway, off the first exit and back into Mexico. So you see, I've been to Mexico twice now.

Anyway, we declared ourselves, got the passport stamped (after paying a tiny amount of money) tried our best to get a vehicle permit but to no avail, and then continued on our way heading for Ensanada. The Garmen Zumo had a lot of difficulty keeping us on the right road due to new road construction and was driving us mad at one point because she was 're-calculating' over and over again. Thankfully there were good road signs to follow. However, when we got into Ensanada the Zumo took us right to the motel which was basic and very Mexican.


We had a nice afternoon walking back into town, finding a bank and getting something to eat. A couple of problems there - Brian's card didn't work and the food was cold though it should very clearly have been hot.

The next morning Brian found that he was unable to access his account on line. The first indication that there was a problem. Fortunately I had contacted my bank as we left USA and informed them that I was going to be using my card in Mexico. Oddly enough, even though I had contacted them before I left England and informed them of the trip the guy I spoke to (who supposedly had my details in front of him) had no idea of the trip. It seems that, even though Brian had informed his bank of the trip they have decided to lock him out of his card because they aren't sure why it is being used in Mexico. So you see, it doesn't really matter if you inform the 'institutions' prior to the event - they don't seem to record it!

We then had a lovely ride through to San Quentin and into El Rosario passing through a military check point on the way (machine guns and everything) We had to open one of the panniers there but no big deal. El Rosario was just a little way farther. A very lovely room and only £17 a night. A huge walk in shower! It was all very lovely and luxurious. However, the next problem rose it's head. We realised we didn't have very much cash, the gas station, restaurants and hotels don't take cards and the next town we were heading for only had one ATM . After much deliberation we decided to go back to San Quentin as there were three ATM's there. So, up early, away at 7.30 and back through the military checkpoint explaining that we needed to go to San Quentin for some cash.

After a little difficulty we finally found an ATM, got out lots of cash, called in at the garage to use the phone and to allow me to stuff the cash in a safe place! (a purse in case your mind is working overtime) We got on the bike and ............................. it wouldn't start. Off with all the gear, seat off, wires checked, lots of pondering and bewilderment then ............. Brian noticed the 'cut off' button had been depressed. The best of it was that he knew it was probably something really simple. As we got everything back together we noticed a lot of oil spray over the shed, Brian's left boot, and a little on my boot. Back through the check point (third time in 24 hours) and back to El Rosario. This time we stopped at the Motel next to the previous one. A great and helpful family business who were well into racing and off road motor bikes . They are the first checkpoint on the Baja 1000k off road rally. We got lots of advice from people and offers of help from the owner of the Motel and another guy who lent us his tool box. After a phone call to Dave who had fixed the shed in San Diego, Brian got the shed fixed - ship shape and dandy.


So here we are, sat enjoying a few cold beer and planning the next bit of the trip. Hopefully, we'll be seeing a little more of Mexico................... there had to be more than this one bit of road!