Quit our jobs, sold our home, gone riding...

[brecchi]

My bad - feeling stupid - carry on......

[eakins]

Originally Posted by Turkeycreek

If you read the post by Gene, it sounds like Gene and Neda got their passports stamped and got their visas in TJ, So no problems in La Paz getting a TVIP

thanks just noticed that.

my friends from Sayulita had problems with their TVIP in La Paz however and were told to go back to the border and get it.

on the other hand I had a friend come visit from Colorado and he rode baja and needed a TVIP too (but not FMM). he said the ordeal to get a TVIP at the ferry was a major pain in the ass and 1 day had to sit next to his bike for 4 hrs waiting for something to happen. took him 3 days to finalize the paperwork plus a fine (bride?) on top of the normal price.

read stories of others having the same issues/problems w/ TVIP at the baja ferry. not sure why my friend made it through but by other friends did not...luck of the person you talk to i guess. in retrospect they said they should have come back the next shift and see if they could get a different answer from a different person, but they were new to Mexico and did not understand rules are not cut and dry like they are in the US.

when i was living in Sayulita for the winter and meet almost every through rider stopping in town (as everyone stops in Sayulita as that is THE place to be & ADV bikes stand out like a sore thumb in the land of 125cc bikes) i'd always ask, which route? most did baja > mazatlan and i'd say about 1/2 said they needed to get a TVIP in La Paz. i'd ask how was that experience and most all said 2-3 days of run-around hell.

hopefully this will be easy for these 2!

[Pickup man]

Just when I thought the RR couldnt get any better... now you guys are in Mexico
Those last few pics of all the cacti look very surreal, like its a movie set almost.

Just for the record, if you didnt know already, its starting to snow back here in Toronto.
I wish you luck on your continued adventure into Mexico Gene and Neda.

[lightcycle]

Thanks so much for all the information and advice, guys! Definitely keep it coming! We can only do so much research before our brains explode so it's much appreciated.

As TC already mentioned, we've got our tourist permits already in TJ, the Migracion officer told us we could get our TVIP pretty much anywhere in the Baja before we cross into the mainland. Thanks to you guys, we're going to book a whole day off and sit in the Banjercita office with our iPhones and Kindles, no doubt Neda will still be 3Ging away until her data plan runs out! :) Will let you know the process in all its gory details when we go through it.

Originally Posted by Pickup man

its starting to snow back here in Toronto.

Something I am definitely not going to miss, seeing how we've already had more than our share of the white stuff on this trip already.

Originally Posted by brecchi

Hope we can meet up somewhere in South America. :-)

Hey Ben, definitely keep in touch and we'll have a cerveza or two somewhere south of here!

[Jbeckerx2]

I come from a family of photographers and I must say you take incredible photo's - composition, use of light / exposure, etc, etc. I was wondering if you do much post production and have you had any formal photography training or self taught?

Whatever the case, you take incredible photo's and write very well. Thanks for enduring the post ride posting, great reading and entertainment.

Jeff

[eakins]

are you somewhere else beside the port in La Paz?
keep us updated on location and time frame to get things done as others down the road would like to know this info.

Originally Posted by lightcycle

As TC already mentioned, we've got our tourist permits already in TJ, the Migracion officer told us we could get our TVIP pretty much anywhere in the Baja before we cross into the mainland. Thanks to you guys, we're going to book a whole day off and sit in the Banjercita office with our iPhones and Kindles, no doubt Neda will still be 3Ging away until her data plan runs out! :) Will let you know the process in all its gory details when we go through it.

[mehawley]

I have been reading your ride report over the last few days and I am so hooked (and there's more to read... I'm on page 24 of 37)! I had a plan to ride the United States and hit all four corners. Unfortunately, not-so-great planning and inadequate resources and gear cut my trip short. Your mention of Neah Bay made my ears perk up and take notice: that was/is one of my destinations.

I want you both to know that you have rekindled my desire to get back out on my trip. It will take some time for me to get my 'stuff' together (make money, pay debts, save money, create and strengthen my coaching business) and get back out there, but I am more and more confident that I will make it happen, soon... (soon meaning with 24 months).

Thank you for the inspiration! Ride safe and be well.

- Matt

[kawi_girl]

I've been lurking on this site for a long time and figured it was time to speak up. What better place for my first post than this great thread, thank you so much for inviting everyone along on your travels! I appreciate all the time you have taken to share your photos and thoughts along the way. I have ignored many household chores in order to read all of your adventures...Iceland was especially intriguing, as I would be interested in going there.

I wish you well on your adventure! Now that it is snowy and cold here, reading about dry roads and warm days is refreshing. I love winter; the length of it, not so much...

I can't wait to get back on my bike. Thanks again for the inspiration.

[lightcycle]

Updated from http://www.RideDOT.com/rtw/53.html



While we were in San Diego Mark put us in touch with his friend in Mexico to help us out while we were traveling in the Baja Peninsula. Dan lives in Bahia de Los Angeles (LA Bay), which is on the east coast of the Baja, and he invited us to crash for the night in his cabin by the beachfront on our way south. We've been e-mailing Dan for the last few days as well, and he told us that the Spanish school in La Paz was pretty good, so we're kind of of glad that we're out of Ensenada.


Dan's place by the beach

We left El Rosario pretty late in the day, so the sun was setting fairly fast as we rode Mex-1 southbound and then took a detour eastwards on Mex-12 towards the Gulf of California. The road winds up and over the Sierra de San Borja mountains, and we're barraged by the high winds that the area is known for. It's pitch dark (and only around 5PM) when we arrive at LA Bay, and Dan's place is nothing but a GPS latitude and longitude co-ordinate outside of the town, down an unmarked sandy road that runs parallel to the beach. We had a rule before entering Mexico that we wouldn't ride in the dark - didn't take long to break that rule. We may have to get up a bit earlier now that the sun sets so soon... :(


The full moon is as high and bright over the Sea of Cortez - view from Dan's cabin

Dan and Nancy greeted us with lots of alcohol and fresh fish and we spent the evening getting very lubricated with them. Dan served us some yellowtail sashimi from a catch earlier on in the day, and we were in heaven! We don't eat sushi very much any more these days and it was such a treat. We got a great sense of what brings ex-pats down to LA Bay, living a cost-effective lifestyle and enjoying the simpler things in life - in Dan's case, it's sport fishing and there's no better place in the Baja for it than LA Bay!

Later that night, a well liquored-up Neda passes out in the cabin. Meanwhile, I am enthralled by the view and walk around the area taking lots of pictures. I don't sleep too much as I want to get a picture of the rising sun over the bay.


Pastel colours in paradise


Dan's cabin, rising sun behind me reflected in the window. And the moon is still visible!


Sunrise over the Sea of Cortez

The reason why LA Bay is such a great place for fishing is that it's one of the few safe harbours in the Sea of Cortez that is protected from the high winds and waves by the number of large islands in the bay. Which also makes it a popular place to dock boats in the marina. Dan told us that not all is paradise, as there's a large drug problem in town and a result, rampant property theft from tweakers looking to support their crystal meth habit.

This is something that I've been wary about, as Mexico does have a very bad reputation in the North American media for the drug-related crime and violence. Neda and I have done a lot of research, trying to balance the Canadian and US state-issued travel advisories, the news articles and what other overland travelers have written about their journey through Mexico. We suspect that there's a truth that lies somewhere between sensationalism and Pollyannaism.


GS slowly warming up


Ex-Pat dreams by the beachside. I've been wandering around taking pictures for over an hour and Neda is still asleep


Cacti against the rising sun over the Sea of Cortez


Dan and Nancy hooking us up with restaurants and things to see and do in the Baja Peninsula


We got treated to a great Mexican breakfast by Dan and Nancy


Nancy at the restaurant


Our very kind and generous host, Dan

We've run into so many awesome people on our trip, and meeting Dan and Nancy really gave us some insight into life as ex-pats in Baja!

[Turkeycreek]

Originally Posted by lightcycle

Updated from http://www.RideDOT.com/rtw/53.html
This is something that I've been wary about, as Mexico does have a very bad reputation in the North American media for the drug-related crime and violence. Neda and I have done a lot of research, trying to balance the Canadian and US state-issued travel advisories, the news articles and what other overland travelers have written about their journey through Mexico. We suspect that there's a truth that lies somewhere between sensationalism and Pollyannaism.

Gene, lest I get accused of being a Pollyanna, yes, there is crime in Mexico and horrific violence. I have lived in Mexico full time for 5 years this month and operated my hotel for over 3. The violence between drug gangs and the authorities. for the most part. Some "collateral damage" (hate the phrase) to civilians in certain neighborhoods in some of the affected cities. There is very little violence in Baja south of TJ and very little in Sonora south of the border and most of the other states. The states bordering Texas are on the watch list. Know where you are going and pay attention to your surroundings. I feel safer in Mexico than in Arizona, especially Phoenix. Re-read the US State Dept warnings and overlay the trouble spots on a map and you will see that you you will be fine. Mexico is full of great people who work hard every day, love their kids and who will go out of their way to help you. There are some bad people just like there are everywhere.

Enjoy your ride through Mexico and please keep the great reports and photos coming. Be safe on the roads. I know from reading your reports that you have an open mind and more importantly an open heart.

Abrazos!

And yes, Bahia de L.A. is breath taking.

[bESS]

Gene & Neda:

I think I could also live the good life somewhere in Baja, on the beach too

Loving your good weather when we are forecast for snow flurries this weekend

bob

[lightcycle]

Originally Posted by eakins

keep us updated on location and time frame to get things done as others down the road would like to know this info.

Will do.

Originally Posted by mehawley

Your mention of Neah Bay made my ears perk up and take notice: that was/is one of my destinations.

The road out to Neah Bay is spectacular in terms of scenery and twistiness. Good pavement too. Probably a day trip from Seattle and back, not a lot to see and do in Neah Bay itself, just the ride is awesome.

Originally Posted by kawi_girl

Iceland was especially intriguing, as I would be interested in going there.

Probably most of our favorite pictures came from Iceland. Amazing diversity of scenery packed into such a small place!

Originally Posted by Turkeycreek

Gene, lest I get accused of being a Pollyanna, [..] I feel safer in Mexico than in Arizona, especially Phoenix.

We've only been here for a week and just on the Baja Peninsula, but we're inclined to agree with you so far!

Originally Posted by bESS

Loving your good weather when we are forecast for snow flurries this weekend

I was going to say that this will be our first winter that we haven't seen snow, but then looking at our Alaska pictures, I think we've ridden through more snow in the last 4 months than most Torontonian motorcyclists will this year!

[GP1200]

Originally Posted by Turkeycreek

Gene, lest I get accused of being a Pollyanna, yes, there is crime in Mexico and horrific violence. I have lived in Mexico full time for 5 years this month and operated my hotel for over 3. The violence between drug gangs and the authorities. for the most part. Some "collateral damage" (hate the phrase) to civilians in certain neighborhoods in some of the affected cities. There is very little violence in Baja south of TJ and very little in Sonora south of the border and most of the other states. The states bordering Texas are on the watch list. Know where you are going and pay attention to your surroundings. I feel safer in Mexico than in Arizona, especially Phoenix. Re-read the US State Dept warnings and overlay the trouble spots on a map and you will see that you you will be fine. Mexico is full of great people who work hard every day, love their kids and who will go out of their way to help you. There are some bad people just like there are everywhere.

Enjoy your ride through Mexico and please keep the great reports and photos coming. Be safe on the roads. I know from reading your reports that you have an open mind and more importantly an open heart.

Abrazos!

And yes, Bahia de L.A. is breath taking.

Just curious as to why you don't feel safe in Arizona, especially Phoenix ? I've been there and never felt it was dangerous. I've been to every major city in NA and only felt a little uncomfortable in Detroit. LOL

[Turkeycreek]

Originally Posted by GP1200

Just curious as to why you don't feel safe in Arizona, especially Phoenix ? I've been there and never felt it was dangerous. I've been to every major city in NA and only felt a little uncomfortable in Detroit. LOL

I don't want to hijack the thread but too many guns, too many bad attitudes. Grew up in the NY metro area, walked through Bed Sty and the Bronx later than I should have have, spent some time in Detroit. Not the same feeling as PHX for me. But Gene and Neda are in La Paz, I am in Banamichi and life is good.

Que Bueno

[lightcycle]

Originally Posted by Jbeckerx2

I was wondering if you do much post production and have you had any formal photography training or self taught?

Hi Jeff, no formal training, just a lot of trial and error. As for post production, the most common thing I do is crop the photos to bring out the subject - thank goodness for hi-resolution cameras! Still learning!