y4pcT1JaIwGptQJPO6l_mZmgv34 tiffin unboxed: August 2013

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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road beach cabanas

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road cow crossing sign orange house

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road cows rocks

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road horse

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road horses

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road red house fennel

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road cow

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road road through cliff

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road stand Delicias del Valle a mermeladas

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road stand Delicias del Valle honey olives

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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road sand dunes

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road small wave

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road stand a

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road stand b

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Ellen road winery
winery in Valle de Guadelupe
Baja Ensenada Jul13_Valle de Guadalupe Laja

This beautiful building houses Laja, the Baja "French Laundry" type of restaurant. I made a mental note to come back.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road sunset

Baja Ensenada Jul13_road tuna farms
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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden c

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden b

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden La Taqueseria

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden La Taqueseria a


Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden Taqueso shrimp and ribeye a

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden Taqueso shrimp and ribeye b

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden La Taqueseria Taqueso and marlin tacos

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.


Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden Andi Ara Antonio owner Marco Flores

       Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden pate tomatoes booth directions
     Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden a sign carvings booths

Our guides from Club Tengo Hambre told us that was the Gastromercado farmer's market's very first day opening.

       Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden booths

     Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden
     Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden cheese

      Baja Ensenada Jul13_Food Garden terrines de conejo y pato

While waiting for our tacos, many of us purchases aged local cheeses, terrines, jams and other artisanal products before heading toward the border.
Puesto Fenix

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Ensenada flag sign buildings

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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Tacos Fenix

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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo a

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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo d dulceria

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo c lobster

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo f markets masks pinatas games bags

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo b

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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo hotel a
Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo hotel d
Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo hotel c

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo hotel e


Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo hotel b
Russian embassy on the hotel grounds and hand lifted parking gate

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo hotel h

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Puerto Nuevo hotel i



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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado a entrance

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora a blowhole
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora b

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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora c

Walking back to meet the group I spotted the lady above sitting on a fence.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora d

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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora e

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!

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado calm au gratin

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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado chorizo
shiny chorizo tubes
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado clams gratin
clams au gratin - a very popular dish at the market
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado doll
doll head holding handmade bracelets
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado dulces
candy, nuts, giant pastries and cinammon sugar coated almonds (the best)
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado elotes Kristin
elotes - Kristin, our guide kindly gave us tastes of her street corn
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado farmacia Viagra man
This Viagra mascot appears in several pharmacies, in various forms and sizes
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado frog
frog with maracas? - why yes!
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado frogs dolls on trapeze kids
dolls on swings, frog bands and kids having fun
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado fruit pina coladas
fruit
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado kids

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado la clamateria
clamato and tequila shots stand
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado marionettes family
marionettes
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado marionettes

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado mariscos knife military

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado native doll

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado pina colada stand
Pina Coladas are the signature drink - samples offered at every step
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado plates naughty mugs
plate painting and naughty souvenirs (ladies covered with blankets at least)
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado raspadas

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado snake falcon parrots
snakes, parrots, baby lion cub and falcon
Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado UCLA bag doll balls

Baja Ensenada Jul13_La Bufadora Mercado Yumi pina colada cactus flower
more pina coladas, even a hollowed out pineapple full (with $3 refills!)
Baja Ensenada Jul13_Andi chips
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.

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid grounds a

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid outside art chains a

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid grounds c

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid grounds d

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid grounds g vineyard grapes

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid grounds e

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid grounds h vineyards rose

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid gallery a

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid gallery c

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid gallery d tasting wheel

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid gallery b corks

Baja Ensenada Jul13_Museo del Vino y la Vid gallery art

This excursions brought another dimension to the visit, along with the food, wine and landscape. Great suggestions by Club Tengo Hambre.