1 - 31 January 2017 - Los Barriles, BCS, Mexico

Saturday 7th January

The local cows have wandered down the arroyo onto the beach for a walk and a paddle in the sea.

Monday 9th January

The new bread maker has arrived.

Sunset at El Gecko's for drinks and dinner.

Wednesday 11th January

Today we are in San Jose del Cabo for shopping and look around the town, followed by a visit to Baja Brewery and a meal at the nearby Jazmine Restaurant. The restaurant is in the arts district of downtown and is Mexican rustic with lots of colour and a large outside courtyard. There is also a small retail area with old photos and memorabilia. The ambiance, staff, food and drinks were all excellent and they had a great Mariachi band.

Thursday 12th January

Sunset and time for a cocktail.

Margarita time at El Pirate.

The Mariachi band came to entertain us.

Friday 13th January

Thirteen of us on Friday 13th for dinner at Three Dog Corner. This is a car park just off the road leading into Los Barriles. One of the local family’s set up tables and chairs in the car park and barbeque. The menu is limited but it is good basic food and there is always a very lively atmosphere.

Saturday 14th January

The grey water (the exit pipe for waste shower and sink water) value fitting has broken and needs replacing. A job that was easier said than done, very tricky and it took hours but with help from Dave and Ron it got done.

Sunday 15th January

South of Los Barriles in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna is the town of Santiago. Taking a right from Mex 1 towards Santiago we crossed a large arroyo that runs through town. At the town plaza, we turned right towards the mountains, our destination being a freshwater lagoon and waterfall located about 10km from the town. We started to climb and eventually took a right fork signed Canon de la Zorra. Continuing along a sand road we reached Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo which is at the head of the trail down to the waterfall. At the rancho we paid a small fee and started our climb down to the river bed.

There are large steps cut into the rock to assist the climb down.

The climb was worth it to see this beautiful pristine fresh water lagoon. However, it was fresh as a mountain stream and as cold. Once in, the water was glorious.

On the way back we stopped off at Palomar Restaurant in Santiago for lunch.

Monday 16th January

We are off on a road trip to La Paz and Todos Santos, crossing the lower Baja Peninsula via Mex 1 and 19. The RV stays at home and we are using the Celica all the way.

First stop, the mountain town of El Triunfo and Café El Triunfo for lunch.

La Paz, and dinner at Sorstis Restaurant. A great Italian restaurant near the town plaza.

Tuesday 17th January

Breakfast at Villa Gemma. We have stayed overnight at the very warm and welcoming home of Emy and Mauro Pasotti and son Giorgio, an Italian family living in La Paz. They have a corner house in the suburbs with an inner courtyard that has a pool and four rooms around the courtyard that they let out for bed and breakfast. They have the best Italian coffee you have ever tasted!

On to Todos Santos on the Pacific coast where the sea is a deeper blue, the temperature is usually lower and the waves are higher.

First a walk around the old streets of the town with its art galleries and up scale shops.

On to the famous Hotel California for lunch.

South of Todos Santos we took the sand road down to Cerritos Beach. Here we relaxed after lunch watching surfers ride the waves.

Wednesday 18th January

Horses from the local stables running free on the beach.

Lazy Daze Beach Bar

This adorable pup is one of a litter rescued by A.L.M.A Humanitaria the humane society of Los Barriles. This non-profit association is dedicated to the well-being of domestic animals in the area. They have rescue and adoption, vaccination, medical attention and education programmes. They also sponsor spay/neuter clinics. Some of the dogs are flown to the US and Canada for adoption. Returning ex-pats escort them on the flight and hand them over to their new owner at the other end. This little guy was being fostered by a local lady, until he could be found his ‘forever home’. Very sadly, we heard that a few days after this photo he died of parvo. However, we understand that all his litter mates were adopted.

Thursday 19th January

Sunning ourselves at El Gecko. Bob has gone back to Canada for a couple of weeks snow skiing with his buddies. Two friends of Nancy’s have come down to join her for a few days.

Pattie and Chris

Siesta time.

Friday 20th January

Dinner at camp.

Saturday 21st January

Out and about in Los Barriles we stopped off at the Bay View Restaurant at Hotel Palmas De Cortez.

This week the Lord of the Winds kiteboard competition took place in Los Barriles. Many of the world’s top kiteboarders came to take part.

After the daytime activities on the water there are festivities every evening. Tonight, we join everyone for a beach party hosted by El Gecko.

The band were good and there was plenty of dancing going on.

It is noticeable that it’s all young people playing Beer Pong. All the oldies were down on the beach partying.

What a party we had!

A great last night party with Chris and Dave.

Sunday 22nd January

We are off to La Paz airport with Chris and Dave for their flight to Mexico City. A great three weeks together, fun, sun, sea, sand and margaritas. It was a sad and tearful goodbye.

We made our way back through the mountains, stopping on the way at El Triunfo Café for one of their excellent pizzas.

Monday 24th January

Pickleball - Women’s Club Tournament.

There is a thriving Los Barriles Pickleball Club in town. We watched the ladies tournament today, although we are new to the game the standard looked very good. Debbie and Dave are regular players of the game, Nancy, Bob Tony and myself are very keen to start playing.

Wednesday 25th January

We are at Marie’s Restaurant and the Mariachi band, Hermanos Ojeda are entertaining us again.

The restaurant staff soon joined in on the fun.

Thursday 26th January

We have decided to spend another year in North America and next winter here in Los Barriles. After several conversations with and emails to the owner of Playa Norte about staying next winter, our negotiations have come to a halt. Therefore, today we have been to Baja Sunrise RV Park at the south end of town to talk the owner Jorge Bremer. It was an excellent meeting and we have agreed on a two month stay in April and May, followed by a five month stay through the winter. We have a beach front site and couldn't be more pleased.

Friday 27th January

Tonight, was a pot-luck dinner at the RV Park. Some of the fishermen here barbequed tuna, sierra and dorado and we all brought a side dish. It was a brilliantly sunny evening but quite chilly until the wind died down at sunset. About fifty people attended and the food was just excellent.

Nancy doing some dog training.

Tony arranged for the Hermanos Ojeda Mariachi band to come along to provide the music.

The evening was a great success. Thanks to Sharon and Ron for organizing.

Saturday 28th January

There is plenty going on in town right now. The Fogata Restaurant are having a party to celebrate their 6th Anniversary where the Lack Family will be entertaining.

The Lack Family are a travelling band consisting of Dad on guitar, Mum on keyboard and three daughters covering drums, bass, ukulele and vocals. What a talented bunch, they raised the roof.