Vacationing in Baja, Part II: Crossing the Border into Baja

So, you've decided you want to drive to Mexico, or more specifically Baja. But you're wondering how much trouble it will be to get across the border into another country.

If you've never done it before, the 'wondering about it' might cause some anxiety. But it really isn't so bad. And after you've actually done it, you'll wondering what all the fuss was about.

This picture is at La Bufadora, not far from Punta Banda. This is one of our favorite hang-outs. La Bufadora Tequila Grill....mmmm, you gotta love the Tequila. The food is one of the greatest things about Mexico.

Here is a link to the Border Wait Times table. Please note that this refers to traffic returning to the United States from Mexico.

Coming into Mexico either through the San Ysidro entry point or the Tecate entry is much easier than returning. There is seldom much of a wait time. And not every vehicle is stopped and questioned by the Mexican border officials like the U.S. Border patrol does when you return home.

Most people with nothing to declare will drive right across and continue on their way to their vacation destination.

At the border there are certain things you need to "declare". There are many sites online that explain all the customs rules. Here is one from BajaBound, follow the links in the article to find out what you can or can't bring across. For the most part, casual travelers with the usual things you bring with you on vacation are fine to cross the border without declaring anything. Let common sense prevail. Be aware of Mexican laws, some are more stringent than ours. DO NOT bring firearms, ammunition, knives with blades larger than 3 inches, narcotics, illegal drugs, very large sums of money, or too much of anything that looks like you want to sell it, or go into business. If you take prescription medicines, you should have the prescription with you. And only bring enough for the vacation.

A note about prescription medicines. You can buy many prescription medicines in Mexico "over the counter" without having to have a prescription for them. However, it is unlawful to bring these back into the United States without a prescription.

There is also information about obtaining "tourist cards" and "vehicle permits" for your trip into Mexico. But, in Baja, if you are not traveling outside of the "border zone", and you don't plan on staying more than 72 hours you do not need a tourist card. The border zone in Baja extends from Tijuana to Ensenada (and it's outlying areas). Also, you do not need a "vehicle permit" for this area. If you do plan on staying more than 72 hours, you might want to obtain an FMT or tourist card that will be good for 6 months. Again, if you follow the links in the BajaBound article noted above, it will give you the information you need.

For traveling back into the United States, here is the site for the U.S.Department of State with a summary of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in regards to proof of identity and U.S. citizenship when traveling abroad (like to Mexico). This will tell you what documents you need to get back into the U.S. from Mexico.

Here is a link for a visitors safety update from My Baja Guide.com

There is a website for Baja Tourists at Discover Baja California.com with information about different areas, things of interest. It's a nice site with plenty of information about traveling in Baja.

You need to obtain Auto insurance for your trip into Mexico. This can be bought just before crossing the border. In San Ysidro you will find many places that sell insurance at a very reasonable price. You can go online and put "mexican insurance san ysidro" (or wherever you are crossing) into the search engine and there will be plenty of sites to choose from. Some will offer online sales of insurance. Here is a link to one of the Mexican Insurance vendors in San Ysidro. This particular place has lockers for leaving valuables that you may not want to take into Mexico with you. If you travel with any kind of weapons and/or ammunition, you want to leave this in the United States. This includes most hunting knives or even jack knives if the blade is over 3 inches in length.

OK, so you've got your Mexican insurance, your weapons are locked up, you have all the information you need, and now you're heading to Mexico. As you cross into Mexico there will be a signal light that you pass. You must stop briefly to wait for the signal light to come on. Nine times out of ten, it will be a green "pase", and you are on your way. Just follow the road carefully, the traffic starts getting a little frantic here. If the signal light turns red, you must stop for a brief inspection. Don't panic, stay calm and just pull to the right where the Mexican border officials will wave you over and show you where to park. Most of them speak enough English to communicate fairly well. They will ask you to step out of the vehicle, and briefly look through the vehicle and trunk. If you have not brought anything that you should have declared, they will soon have you on your way again. If you should have declared something, they will tell you what to do. If you are driving an RV or a motorhome, you should enter the declaration lane, as they will want to inspect any of these type vehicles.

So now you're in Mexico. Congrats! Have a great trip.

Oh.....for directions to get to Ensenada, and then Punta Banda from either the San Ysidro or Tecate border crossing....look on my blog page bottom left side of the page.

Springtime Touring through Mexico's Finest Wine Country

Springtime Touring through Mexico's Finest Wine Country

By Steve Dryden

Steve Dryden is a wine, food and travel writer living in northwestern Baja California, in the heart of Mexico's premier wine country, where he also guides individual and small group wine tours and books lodging. He can be reached through Baja Wine and Tours .

Here is his article:

This is my favorite year-round tour for wine tasting in Mexico's premier wine country, located near Ensenada, Baja California. The Valle de Guadalupe is home to over 25 wineries, several restaurants and lodging. I've designed this guide in the appropriate order so that if you follow the narration and directions it will make for a wonderful day or two of wine tasting.

Some of the wineries are hidden, and the dirt roads can be rough in a regular vehicle, but it makes exploring this region so much more of an "off road" adventure. Wine tasting in Guadalupe Valley is like prospecting for gold – sometimes you really have to dig into remote locations, but more than likely you'll find hidden treasures! Be warned: temperatures in July and August can exceed 100 degrees (F), so spring and fall are better times to visit! Hydrate yourself with fresh bottled water on hot days, and pace yourself. You won't need a 4WD on back roads, just go slow and use common sense. It does get muddy after rain, so be cautious.

Most visitors travel from San Diego or Tijuana via Scenic (toll) Highway 1 along the beautiful coastline from Playas de Tijuana towards Ensenada. The Mexican wine country is located seventy miles south of the border – a two hour drive from San Diego.

There is an alternative route winding thru the back country of San Diego on Highway 94, and then south through Tecate on Highway 3.

Most travelers use the coastal toll road where, before reaching Ensenada, you'll come to the third toll station at Playa San Miguel. Pay your toll, continue south for about 1.5 miles to a sign reading Tecate Highway 3 or Ruta del Vino. Exit to the right onto Highway 3 and then drive east over the foothills towards Tecate for seven miles, until you drop down into the wine country at San Antonio de las Minas.

I suggest that you don't drive this route at night or when intoxicated, as it is a narrow, winding, one lane road, often occupied by slow-moving trucks.

Here in San Antonio de las Minas the wine country begins and extends along Highway 3 for about 14 miles. Scattered about the valley and foothills are about 25 wineries, several restaurants with great food, specialty shops, art galleries, gourmet coffee and lodging. And you'll find wonderful people!

At this point I'm going to share with readers my favorite and most popular day tour to the wine country.

Some of the wineries are user friendly, while others don't focus on tasting room sales or hospitality. Some of the wineries sell out their inventory each season, market their wines to commercial distributors and could care less if you visit their wineries or sample their wine. I'm going to save you time and frustration by sending you to my friends – who love sharing their wines and hospitality. You'll meet some great folks!

You need to know that all valley restaurants and food establishments are closed by 6 p.m.

This tour focuses on the region of San Antonio de las Minas and you'll have to double back some, but this is an easy tour for newcomers as well as experts. If you are an early bird Casa Vieja opens at 9 am, and you can adjust your tour as needed.

San Antonio de las Minas, Leonardo's Pie Shop, and Los Globos Creamery

Let's start in the metropolitan area of San Antonio de las Minas at Km 94.5. As you approach this village from the coast, on Highway 3, don't blink or you'll miss the town! Watch the shoulder of the road and look for mile markers (in kilometer) as this will aid you in your search for those "bottled treasures of delight." Look to the right as you enter the town and you'll see two large signs for Tecate and Corona beers.

At this point note that just before the signs, on the right side are two businesses of interest. Leonardo's Pie Shop – you'll need a chain saw to cut in to their eight-inch thick homemade pies, they serve amazing breakfasts, and right up the street fifty yards is Los Globos Creamery – where you'll find a nice selection of local cheese. Los Globos is a nice place to purchase gourmet cheese from Ojos Negros or Rancho Cortez, as many wineries have the perfect spot for wine and cheese tasting on their patios or terraces.

Continue on Highway 3 for about one mile beyond the village towards Tecate and you'll see a large white building on the right at Km 93.5. This is Viña de Liceaga.

Liceaga Winery

The Viña de Liceaga's newly completed complex offers amazing wines, great hospitality and it is staffed with knowledgeable employees. The tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tasting fees ranging from US$3 to US$10 per person. US$10 gets you a wine glass, samples of one white wine, four red wines, and one taste of their Grappa. US$3 gets you one taste of white wine and one red wine. Large tour groups of more than ten people need to make advance reservations with Marisa at 52-646-155-3281.

This winery is famous for their Merlot, but Viña de Liceaga continues to make a good Chenin Blanc from grapes grown in the Valle de San Vicente. Their 2007 Chenin Blanc is aged in stainless steel tanks which allows for a refreshing and light white wine with hints of pineapple, green apple, honey, and peach. Their 2007 Vino Tinto is a palate pleasing blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, both varietals that are grown in the Valle de Guadalupe. This user-friendly table wine was released in mid-July 2008 after aging for nine months in American oak barrels. Vino Tinto is a smooth red blend, medium bodied and easy to drink.

Liceaga's 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is a mellow red blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah –most delightful and smooth. The grapes are from Guadalupe Valley, and the wine is aged for two years in new American oak barrels. Aromas of tobacco, violets, vanilla and coffee, with flavors of black fruit and bell pepper. Smooth, elegant, and complex with 13.5 % alcohol.

Their 2005 Gran Reserva Merlot is an elegant blend of grapes grown in San Antonio de las Minas with 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Aged in new French oak barrels and with 13.5% alcohol this wine makes for a smooth, fruit forward, rich, complex and palate pleasing Merlot. Their newest 2006 Gran Reserva Merlot was released in November 2008, with a slightly different blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (no Cabernet Franc added).

My favorite wine for 2009 is their new 2006 L – Selection #1, which is the Eduardo Liceaga Campos Memorial Wine. This remarkable wine is a superb blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Merlot, aged for 20 months in new American oak – a connoisseur's delight!

For those who missed their morning cup of coffee, you can still wake-up with their potent distilled Grappa, called Aqua de Vid Viña de Liceaga. But don't try driving, dancing or walking after a sip or two! Grappa is a distilled spirit without color made from black grape pomage, fermented, gently pressed from several wine varieties, and aged for three years in new American oak. Their Grappa is a powerful clear beverage that will awaken even the most laid back individuals.

Now return to Highway 3 and turn left, back towards Ensenada. Drive 1/2 mile and turn right into the driveway of Casa Vieja Wine Bar and Gift Shop.

Casa Vieja Wine Bar and Gift Shop

This new addition to the Baja California wine culture is a cozy and remarkable business, hosted by an American-Mexican family with deep roots in the valley. Here everyone is fun and entertaining, they speak English and Spanish, and the complex is user-friendly. This historical adobe home, along with its olive orchard, old vine vineyard and ranch, was established in the early 1850's.

Today their relaxing and tranquil ranch features a wine bar, art and crafts gallery, picnic area and restrooms. Several artisan (homemade) wines from the region are offered by the glass or bottle. The atmosphere is a country setting where individuals and families can relax and enjoy the natural surroundings with friendly and hospitable hosts.

According to the owners, Humberto and Colleen Toscano, "we wanted to create an environment where guests can feel at home, relax, walk around the ranch, vineyard and orchard, reunite with family, friends and nature, and enjoy the country life in San Antonio de las Minas." La Casa Vieja is open daily (except Monday) from 9 a.m. until sunset.

Now if you're ready for the best lunch in the valley, leave Casa Vieja, turn right, drive 1/2 mile back towards Ensenada and the Los Globos creamery, then turn left at the large Corona Beer sign in San Antonio. This is the only paved road there (Av. Juarez), so follow it towards the hills and then turn left at the third stop sign, where you'll see a sign/arrow for La Hacienda Restaurant.

La Hacienda Restaurant

Follow this bumpy dirt road for 500 yards across the riverbed and make the first right into the La Hacienda Restaurant driveway.

Here you'll find outdoor dining within a retail plant nursery, with a nice selection of fresh seafood and traditional Mexican cuisine, all offered with good service and a reasonable price. They have a dynamic brunch and lunch buffet on Sundays!

After lunch, drive back up the dirt road to the stop sign and make a left. Go to the first stop sign, go straight, pass the school and turn left when the pavement ends and turns into a dirt road. Follow it to the first stop sign, turn right for 100 yards and enter Vinisterra Winery. You'll be amazed with the wine!

Open Weds - Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Hosted by knowledgeable winery staff who provide hospitality and excellent samples of wine. Their newly released Macouzet 2005 Tempranillo is an outstanding wine aged 40 percent in new American oak with almost two years bottle aging. Dark ruby color with aromas of black cherry, vanilla and a hint of oak. Flavors of black stone fruit mix with good mid-mouth mild tannins, good acidity with a balanced finish. Good quality wine, a bargain at under US$30 per bottle.

Vinisterra Winery, Art Gallery, and Ceramic Studio

Try their Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend if you want to enjoy samples of high quality Mexican wine, or let your palates explore their new Vinisterra premium wine, Tempranillo 40% and Grenache 60%. Their winemaker, Christoph Gartner, is one of Baja California's top winemakers. Their wines rate among the top wines in Mexico, and they are a prime example of this country's "silent revolution" in creating world class wine. Give them a taste, you won't regret it!

In addition to great wine and hospitality, there is a new art gallery, a ceramic studio and beautiful vineyards on site for guests to explore.

Head back down to Highway 3, and if you want to explore more wineries turn right and drive towards Tecate about six miles to Km. 88. One awesome artisan winery that you must not miss is called Three Women winery – a bit of a challenge to find but well worth the effort.

The Three Women Winery and Ceramics

At Km 88 you'll see a cell phone tower on the right, where you continue around the curve in the road for one mile. Near Km 87 you'll see a blue sign reading Ruta del Vino. Just past the sign you'll see two rock columns at an entrance to a dirt road. Take the road towards the foothills for about 1/2 mile (it is not the winery on the hill to the right as you enter), and follow the hand-painted tile signs.

Three women, Ivette Vaillard, Eva Cotero Actanirano and Laura MacGregor Garcia, have teamed up in a cooperative manner to create three interesting and unique styles of winemaking. These wine artisans pool their energy, talent and vision into perfecting the art of handmade wines.

This communal effort has built a dedicated family of friends and visitors who seem to embrace the idea that "cooperation can achieve anything." Quite often visitors and wine drinkers to this winery are touched by "the spirit of it all," and they find themselves jumping into action. Total strangers who happen along have been known to help with harvesting, bottling, moving barrels, cracking walnuts, gathering fresh eggs, or whatever else seems to be happening at the time.

In addition, Ivette Vaillard is a skilled and talented ceramic tile artist. She creates individual tiles and designs unique custom tile work for stairways, walls, bathrooms, murals, walkways and more. Her ceramic tile work can be found in galleries and in homes from Ensenada to San Diego. She began her courses on ceramics in 1985 at UCSD, studying with French artist Irene de Waterville, and at continuing art classes in the Rhode Island School of Design. Hand-painted tiles have been her major interest since 1989, allowing her to develop a variety of designs from Mediterranean, surrealistic, medieval and, more recently, focusing on the flora and fauna of Mexico's premier wine producing Guadalupe Valley region.

Now get ready to drive (turn right onto Highway 3) ten miles towards the end of Valle de Guadalupe. You'll drive over a bridge and past the village of Francisco Zarco – keep going on Highway 3 for five miles. Near Km 73.5 you'll see a large billboard – L.A. Cetto Winery. Turn right and follow this dirt road for two miles.

L.A. Cetto Winery

Eighty years of hard work and dedication by the Cetto family and Camillo Magoni have resulted in over 100 awards for quality and excellence in regional and international markets. L.A. Cetto makes an outstanding Petite Sirah which has received eight gold medals and many other awards throughout the world. Their Cabernet Sauvignon has won nearly 20 international awards, Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve gained 13, and Zinfandel six awards.

They also produce an award-winning classic Bordeaux style red wine, Terra, blended with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 10% Petite Verdot. This wine is from their Don Luis Cetto line of premium wines that are made from select grapes grown with the highest possible standards and daily management.

Outside of Italy, L.A. Cetto is the largest producer of Nebbiolo wine in the world. This deep red and rich grape is often found in Piedmont, Italy, and it is known to produce some of the finest Italian wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco.

L.A. Cetto's Nebbiolo has won 21 international medals, including a recent gold medal from the Winemakers Association of France – and their trophy for "the best red wine of the year." This private reserve wine is aged in French oak for 14 months and bottle aged for two years, with an alcohol content of 13-14%. It has an intense ruby red color with flashes of garnet, concentrated red and black fruits with undertones of prune, vanilla, spices and wood, mature tannins, velvety, dry and well rounded. This wonderful Mexican wine compliments red meat dishes, tomato sauce based entries and strong cheeses, plus it is a "Baja Best Value Wine" with a retail price of about US$15. This Nebbiolo is probably the best value for any red wine in Mexico – an absolute steal!

Wine tasting here is free and they make over 20 different wines, as well as an excellent extra virgin olive oil that is US$6 liter or US$25 gallon.

Doña Lupe Organic Winery, Deli and Bakery

As you leave the parking lot of L.A. Cetto, turn left on the dirt road and drive about 500 yards to Doña Lupe Organic Winery, Deli and Bakery.

This is a very popular destination and you're always greeted with first class hospitality by a friendly staff, including their bilingual parrot, Baby. Doña Lupe greets all of her guests with open arms and an open heart. She puts loving and creative energy into all her natural and organic jams, jellies, salsas, cookies, pies and wines. She planted the vineyard herself over thirty years ago, and has practiced organic and natural farming for several years. Her end of the valley still has some of the purest water in the region, and combined with rich riverbed soil her vineyard produces high quality organic grapes. And there is gourmet pizza on Saturdays and Sundays!

Doña Lupe's son, Daniel Yi, creates unique and interesting wines. His wines are pure, organic and fantastic! Try his Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Grenache, Merlot and others. Her daughter Shirley is baking some amazing pastries, while expanding the organic food selection and gift shop.

Don't miss this beautiful boutique winery that is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hopefully at this point you are safe and sober.

Accommodations

If you want to spend the night I suggest the upscale Hotel Hacienda Guadalupe (call 52-646-151-3273). From L.A. Cetto winery drive back on Highway 3 towards Ensenada, watch for mile marker Km. 81 on the left side.

Or, if you are seeking the ultimate in peace and quiet on a 500 acre ranch setting, you should visit Rancho Malagon B&B or Viñedos Malagon (52-646-155-2015). In addition to having a most relaxed and exceptional atmosphere, one of their wines was given 92 points by Wine Spectator Magazine.

If you're on a budget, Plaza Fatima Hotel in San Antonio de las Minas offers rooms for about US$50 per night. Call 52-646-192-4531.

This is a wonderful day trip that I've developed over the last five years. It's simple and to the point. But it can really take several days to explore the region, get to know the people and experience the many high quality wines. I've exposed you to several wineries, ranging from the largest in Latin America (L.A. Cetto) to some amazing artisan winemakers. This is a well-rounded tour that offers visitors the opportunity to discover why everyone is talking about the premier wine country of Baja California, Mexico.

Enjoy!



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Guess Who is Coming to Punda Banda!

According to the Transcendence Theatre Company's Webb Page.

In March through May of 2009, the Transcendence Theatre Company will be taking its first leap towards fulfilling our mission. We will be embarking on a three month expedition at The Gertrude Pearlman Theatre in Punta Banda, Mexico.



The Transcendence Artist Project is an experiment of great magnitude uniting personal development with artistic development through individual, group, and community integration.


14 performing artists from around the country will join together with a team of holistic health, healing arts, peak performance nutrition, mindset training, & creative arts specialists to enhance the personal and collective development of the artists. The artists will be educated through various lectures, classes, and workshops.


The artists will simultaneously join together to create collaborative works of art as a company and with the community. Our works will include the performances of musicals, plays, outdoor dramas, and original works. We are extremely excited to explore community collaborative art as we join with the community of Punta Banda. We are dedicated to bringing new voices and stories to the stage. We are also very excited about our community outreach projects as we share and develop art with the youth of Punta Banda.


Our company is extremely dedicated to enriching & helping the community we are serving. Multicultural community service projects will be a major focus during our three month stay in Punta Banda.


We see the value in creating original work that speaks not just about our current observations of life but on what could be. Our intention is, through our art, to encourage individuals to commit to living their best lives ever.

Transcendence theatre is an exploration of the possibilities that can happen when a body of people from all walks of life come together to create art that is moving and relevant. We will assess the ills of current society and create works of art that will inspire people to become agents of change. We will approach this in a way that has never been done before.

Our company will be made up of individuals who have a commitment to health in mind, body, and spirit. We will explore ways of communication and consultation so as to have a peaceful, loving, and ego-less springboard from which to create. We will be the antithesis of dark, brooding, depressed, artists- we will be healthy, vibrant, and alive!!! We will be living in a microcosm of what the world should be. Our goal is to create unity within the company itself, and extend it to the surrounding communities, and BEYOND!!!

Transcendence theatre allows us to have everything we ever dreamed of. It is a place to express our unique voices, a place we can share with our friends and families, a place to thrive and be the healthiest people we've ever been. And in so being-- to become a force of CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

© 2009 Transcendence Theatre Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The Latest in Technology From David Pogue

Pogue’s Posts
March 2, 2009, 3:57 pm
South of the Border, Down Mexico Way

A few months ago, I received a most unusual request: to come and speak at a technical conference in Monterrey, Mexico—a conference run entirely, and I mean entirely, by students.

I’d never heard of anything like this, but they claimed that previous speakers had included speakers like Steve Wozniak and Kevin Mitnick, and that this year’s speakers would include executives from Amazon, Electronic Arts and AMD. So I signed up.

It turned out to be an amazing experience. In all my years of speaking, I’ve never encountered a conference as organized and smooth as this one. Three students greeted me at the airport, speaking flawless English—two guys, wearing suits and ties, and a young lady, Erika, who introduced herself as my assistant for the three-day event. They grabbed my luggage and we drove to the hotel. I had already been sent a day-by-day agenda, filled with all the details of the trip, the conference, the schedule, the restaurants where the speakers would join the organizers for meals, contact information and so on.

(I was so floored by all the personal attention that when we arrived at the hotel, it almost didn’t surprise me to see a dozen cute 15-year-old girls in a line at the entrance, clutching flowers and holding cameras expectantly as our car pulled up. “No WAY!” I exclaimed, looking out the window.

“Oh, they’re not for you,” said Erika. “An Argentinian soap-opera star is also staying at this hotel.” Ah. Well. Still.)

The talk was the most fun I’ve had in years. The audience of 1,500 college kids from all over Mexico was electric and quick to laughter.

The university hosting this event (Tecnológico de Monterrey, or “the Tec,” as everyone calls it), is an absolutely gigantic operation, with 92,000 students at 33 campuses across Mexico. At the main campus where I was, there were 19,000 students. Its graduates wind up working at big-name tech firms all over the world; 200 work at Microsoft at this moment.

Monterrey is a wealthy city, and the kids attending this school have the maturity and intelligence you’d expect of Ivy Leaguers in the U.S. But the school also has a huge social mission. Like most Mexican colleges, Monterrey Tec requires its students to put in 240 hours of community service: teaching reading to poor kids, leading tours of science museums, running Boy Scout outings and so on—plus another 240 hours of either internships or additional community service.

The school also sets up “incubator” schools in poorer Mexican states, in hopes of cultivating the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Apparently, it works. According to de Tec’s engineering dean, David Garza, Mexico produces about 75,000 scientists and engineers each year—about the same number as the United States, which has three times the population.

He also pointed out that 6,700 Tec graduates have gone abroad after graduation: 54 percent to Europe, but only 28 percent to the U.S., probably because European institutions have so far been much more willing to participate in exchange programs and other collaborations.

Everybody knows that the U.S. has a serious scientist shortage; we’re falling behind other countries in science and engineering. The problem, and the solution, begins at the beginning. If we hope to catch up, maybe we should take a look at how other countries are doing it; the time for complacency is over.

Mexico Retirement Turned into Paradise for Waco Couple

09:40 PM CST on Saturday, February 28, 2009

By LAURENCE ILIFF / The Dallas Morning News
liliff@dallasnews.com

BUCERÍAS, Mexico – Harold Sokolove and Susan Fornoff knew that retirement from long careers in Waco was going to change their lifestyle. And so they went for radical change.

With little investigation but eyes wide open, they found their place in the sun – a once-sleepy fishing town that is drawing baby boomers looking for a life they could never afford in the U.S.

"We decided we were going to make one change, and we might as well make it a big change," said Fornoff, 55. "We can walk from our house, three blocks to the beach, something you can never do in Waco."

She took early retirement from M&M Mars three years ago. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service.

They sold their home in Hewitt, outside Waco, and were able to buy into what Sokolove, 61, called "Americans in paradise" for about the same amount.

Their new home's value has risen, thanks to the arrival of foreigners and their dollars. They've bought a second rental home as an investment.

Before the move, they visited the area, made friends and felt safe.

Fornoff said the drug cartel violence in Mexico rarely touches bystanders. "They keep their violence to the people it involves: the narcos and the police."

Go to Mexico Retirement Turned into Paradise for Waco Couple by the Dallas Morning News. There's a short video at this site also.

Why You Should Not Feel Guilty about Taking a Vacation

You might think that the notion of taking a vacation, and the reasons for doing it would be a "no-brainer." But in today's world, it seems the more stressed out we are, the more we conclude that we just can't take the time to get away, let alone pay for it. Much better to trade your vacation days for an extra pay-check, right? Or, for retirees, what's the sense in going away to someplace different--after all, we don't "work", so we have no reason to be stressed out, right?

Very, very Wrong!

For those who work, the benefits of vacationing are equally important to you and your employer (even if this is you):

• increased creativity
• less likelihood of developing "burn-out"
• improves job performance
• enhances productivity
• heightens morale

For everyone, working or not, the benefits of vacationing are immeasurable:

• it keeps you healthier
• it strengthens the bonds of family and friendships, keeping relationships strong
• you have a more positive outlook on life in general
• you have less likelihood of developing chronic conditions like depression, or diseases like heart disease, hypertension, cancer just to name a few
• you feel rejuvenated and reconnected to life and loved ones

So, why do we have such a hard time just taking a vacation? Many people mistake their personal identity with their job title. Yeah, I used to do that. On top of that, we struggle with guilt feelings over taking vacation time, like we're abandoning our employers and coworkers. Let's be real. Just say after me.....

"I am a human being. I am not a_______________(fill in with job title).
I do ___________________(job title) for a living. I work to live, I do not live to work."

Say it again. Now, that's not so bad. Feels kinda good.

Many people tend to think that vacations have to be exotic, or action-packed, or be very expensive, but this simply isn’t true. Most of the time you can find a great vacation spot by driving just a few hours or even less. The important thing is that you are taking the time away from the daily grind, to get away from the stress, the exhaustion, and the constant banging-your-head-against-the-brick-wall feeling. Promise yourself to leave all your work at home, including the cell phone, laptop, blackberry, whatever. Take a few days to totally immerse yourself in the moment while enjoying some time off with your family or your best buds. You won't regret it. You will feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the world when you go back.

I wanted to bring this up, because here in Punta Banda there is the perfect get-away for just a few days (or as many as you want) and you don't have to spend alot of money to feel like you're pampering yourself. There is a beautiful uncrowded beach here on the Bay, there are plenty of "touristy" places if you like that, there are loads of restaurants, bars, clubs, or just plain old movie theatres and McDonalds, whatever you like. The food ranges from expensive fancy restaurants to the "street taco" stands. All the food is great, and the Margaritas are even better. We can recommend local restaurants and stores close by if you prefer not to drive too far. The rental homes are all equipped with linens and a full kitchen with dishes, cookware, utensils, coffee-pot and blender. You might decide to bring food along, or buy your own food at the local stores and cook it yourself. It is also possible to just pack a bag and run.....there is everything else you need here. Best of all, Punta Banda is just south of Ensenada, and less than 80 miles south of San Diego.

Do yourself a favor. Take a vacation. Just a thought.

Wishing you and yours Warm and Sunny Days!

Beach Homes in Punta Banda; for Rent Short or Long term. Just 12-15 miles South of Ensenada, Mexico.

Beach Homes right on the bay; 1 to 8 bedrooms, 1 to 6 baths.


Six miles of beach at Punta Banda, 12-15 miles south of Ensenada.


Furnished with linen, and kitchen utensils. These homes sleep 1-20. All you need is food and your drinks of choice.

24-Hour Security; Diving, Fishing and Sight Sightseeing Services available.

Available nightly, weekly, monthly, yearly. Short-term rates: $1200.00 per wk = (6 nights 7 days). Long-term rates: Yearly leases are $250.00-$1500.00 per month.

We also have a Large Home that sleeps 20+ with two kitchens 8 Bedrooms 6 bathrooms and party areas. Perfect for family reunions.

These rentals are located 65 miles south of San Diego CA.

For pictures of rentals just click on the Link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/VinceDAcquisto

1-619-793-5832
Vince or Carlos