24 - Xmas in Baja California
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01 After a long day of driving we watch the sunset close to Catavina.JPG |
02 The cacti make for a wonderful skyline.JPG |
03 A coyote has crossed to road and is looking for a meal.JPG |
04 At night in our Desert Inn Hotel we have the first of our many Margaritas, the thing is huge.JPG |
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05 Early in the morning we visit the local museum, or what is left of it.JPG |
06 But the cactus trail is open and nice.JPG |
07 Talitha in front of one of those giant Cardón cacti, Pachycereus pringlei.JPG |
08 For breakfast we go to Rancho Santa Inez.JPG |
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09 Huevos Rancheros and instant coffee, we are in Mexico allright.jpg |
10 We drive on to Bahia de Los Angeles, a sheltered bay where fish are jumping not ten meters from shore.JPG |
11 Remy has tangled his line on his first try and Anneke is trying to untangle it.JPG |
12 The weather does not look too great, but we set up camp and drink Margaritas in town.JPG |
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13 Mark goes for a run in the morning and then takes the camera to the beach.JPG |
14 Where would you see this combo - seagulls, a turkey vulture and a raven, at the beach.jpg |
15 Pancakes for breakfast.JPG |
16 yummy.JPG |
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17 The weather has changed for the best and we spend a quiet day at the beach.JPG |
18 The best fishermen are on shore.JPG |
19 We visit the town, not worth seeing, but this sea lion car by the museum, is very well done.JPG |
20 Christmas Eve with more Margaritas, of course.JPG |
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21 Nightlife in Bahia de los Angeles.JPG |
22 On Christmas day the plan is to go fishing, we get up early and watch the sunrise, but fishing is cancelled because of the weather.JPG |
23 So we prepare huevos rancheros, break camp and head for San Ignacio.JPG |
24 The owners of the bed and breakfast in San Ignacio give us a ride to town to find food on christmas day.JPG |
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25 Mission de San Ignacio is what makes the town famous, the church is still in use.JPG |
26 The inside is beautiful too.JPG |
27 Hundreds of turkey vultures spiral lazy circles over the town as dusk sets in.JPG |
28 The boys try their hand at freshwater fishing for Tilapia, but it is too dark.JPG |
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29 White pelican and a cormorant share the log.jpg |
30 We sleep in yurts, Mongolian style nomadic tents.JPG |
31 There is nothing primitive about them, queen sized beds and airco included.JPG |
32 This Whale skeleton marks the San Ignacio turnoff from highway 1.JPG |
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33 A dirtroad starting next to a dump takes us towards the sea of Cortez.JPG |
34 Breathtaking views.JPG |
35 This is what you see when you are in the second car.JPG |
36 This road sign by San Ignacio is a reminder that we still have to drive all those kilometers back.JPG |
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37 After our drive we take the canoes.JPG |
38 It is a short trip to the source of the river, the water is nice and warm.JPG |
39 Remy and Talitha trying to photograph the baby tilapia.JPG |
40 That evening Mark and Remy both catch a tilapia, Mark had not even baited his hook.JPG |
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41 Our next adventure takes us 40K off road on a desolate dirt road.JPG |
42 The road goes through dense cardon cactus stands.JPG |
43 The cave paintings we want to go see are a further 5K hike uphill.JPG |
44 The paintings are beautiful.JPG |
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45 There are human figures, you can tell which one is the female....JPG |
46 Lots of animals are depicted too.JPG |
47 Amazing that these paintings are 10,000 years old and nobody knows anything about the painters.JPG |
48 Our guide quietly waits until we have taken all our pictures and looks out over the valley that is our way back.JPG |
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49 A reminder that we are in the middle of the desert.JPG |
50 Our last full day we spend at the beach on the Pacific side, at Campo Rene.JPG |
51 The Pacific.JPG |
52 We collect shells, pretty pretty and shiny too.JPG |
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53 Lunch at the restaurant and campsite that is Campo Rene.JPG |
54 The coast here has mangrove forrest and lots of birds.JPG |
55 Ospreys nesting in Campo Rene.JPG |
56 Another try at catching a nice big fat fish.JPG |
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57 Despite very convincingly tugging the line, it is only seaweed that we pull in.JPG |
58 Stripped to their underware Mark and Remy fish the mangrove gullies at low tide.JPG |
59 Guess what we are having for dinner.JPG |
60 We have to leave and hit the road towards San Diego.JPG |
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61 Both cars have had to deal with a lot these past days, but they held up very well.JPG |
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