LEG TWO: MEXICO

PACIFIC COAST OF BAJA

Ensenada

At 0400 on November 12--eager as children on Christmas Eve--we left San Diego for Mexico, docking in Ensenada just before dark. Though we'd already had lots of adventures, we felt the Big Adventure was just starting: heading into unknown territory, just the two of us.

Ensenada is the major check-in point for boats arriving in Mexico, so their procedures are theoretically streamlined. Apparently that just means all the offices for the various forms of required paperwork are in one building, since it ended up taking us almost two hours to officially clear in to the country. [Excerpt--Immigration window: "First you need to fill out Form B at the bank window and bring it back to me." Bank window: "You need to give me Form A from the immigration window before I can give you Form B." I had downloaded the forms from the government website just days before and completed them, but apparently all of those were obsolete!] Fortunately we had all day and had packed a sense of humor, and by midmorning we were wandering the streets of Ensenada.

The town is also a stop for cruise ships, two of which were in port that day. The main downtown area was teeming with people, turistas trying to buy and local people trying to sell. It was a bizarre bazaar; we couldn't help but wonder about the balance between economic boost and exploitation (especially given the number of small children hawking trinkets). Nonetheless, it felt vibrant and festive, and we were impressed  by the overt kindness of many people. We exchanged money, admired the fish market & local crafts, and enjoyed fish tacos from a sidewalk cafe. Our first day in Mexico was complete.

Ensenada Harbor with Second Wind, a sea lion on the dock,
and 2 cruise ships

 

Mateos Blvd 

Ensenada fish market

Statue by the marina