Journies

Ensenada, Mexico

(located on the Baja Peninsula; "ensenada" is Spanish for "cove")

The Ensenada airport is controlled by the military. "Fuerza Aerea Mexicana" means "Mexican Air Force". After I took this shot, a friendly soldier warned me that pictures were not allowed.

A huge Mexican flag at the port of Ensenada. This flag pole is 500 feet high!

A shot from the beautiful cultural center, which displays flags from around the world. In the background, a wildfire burns in the hills. Fires are frequent and most are started by broken glass reflecting the sunlight during hot, dry conditions.

This sign welcomes visitors departing the cruise ships. The 500 foot flagpole stands in the background.

A rusted anchor lies along the shoreline in front of the marina.

Lady Carmen, the patron saint of sailors. If a ship is sinking, and no priest is available, sailors can confess their sins to her before they perish.

A vessel at dry-dock in the shipyard.
A cruise ship leaves port.

Sunset over the bay of Ensenada.

Ensenada, only a 1.5 hour flight south of Los Angeles, has made a lot of progress in recent years. Police corruption has diminished, and it is safe to walk the streets at night. The people are remarkably friendly and many speak English.

Be sure to bring at least 500 pesos in small denominations (20 peso bills, and 10, 5, and 1 peso coins) because many places don't have change. Ten pesos are worth one American dollar.

Ask for a hotel room away from the street, which has an active "la vida noche". Be sure to visit the "Mercado de Mariscos" to stock up on inexpensive seafood. If you've got an artistic bent, visit El Centro Artesanal and check out the brilliant Baja cave painting re-creations of Jose Martinez. Feeling brave? Then visit "El Taco de Huitzilopochtli", an authentic Mexican restaurant off the tourist track that serves a really scary purple corn fungus quesadilla.

Cabs are a great way to get around; ask for Mario Duran, who drives yellow cab #13. Mario speaks English, is incredibly nice, and is very knowledgeable about the area.


The Ensenada airport is controlled by the military. "Fuerza Aerea Mexicana" means "Mexican Air Force". After I took this shot, a friendly soldier warned me that pictures were not allowed.	A huge Mexican flag at the port of Ensenada. This flag pole is 500 feet high!	A shot from the beautiful cultural center, which displays flags from around the world. In the background, a wildfire burns in the hills. Fires are frequent and most are started by broken glass reflecting the sunlight during hot, dry conditions.


This sign welcomes visitors departing the cruise ships. The 500 foot flagpole stands in the background.	A rusted anchor lies along the shoreline in front of the marina.	Lady Carmen, the patron saint of sailors. If a ship is sinking, and no priest is available, sailors can confess their sins to her before they perish.


A vessel at dry-dock in the shipyard.	A cruise ship leaves port.	Sunset over the bay of Ensenada.