Baja, California

The trip through the border was interesting but uneventful.  As we approached the Mexican border, both of us had a slightly nervous feeling that we haven't had at any other border.  It was likely because everyone we had met in the last week had been warning us that if we crossed the border into Mexico, we would likely die.    Of course, like most things, the reality is a little different.  

The Tijuana border crossing is the busiest land border anywhere in the world, with over 17 million vehicles and 50 million people per year passing through the gates.    Of course this area can be very dangerous, so we had no intention of sticking around after we made it in.  It took us about 2 hours to cross, get inspected, arrange our tourist cards, and register our motorcycles for travel into Mexico.

After we were cleared, we pulled out and began riding towards Ensenada along the Pacific coast.  The Baja peninsula is separated into two states, Baja California, and Baja California Sur.

We've been running into quite a few teams from the Baja 1000 off-road race, which begins in a couple weeks.  They started arriving to pre-run the course as it changes every year.  

While the Baja is desolate, there are quite a few towns and settlements along the way.  No problem with gas, although they don't take Visa at the ones we have stopped at.    In terms of the quality of life, the level of prosperity is much lower in Siberia and Mongolia that it is here.  There are shops and stores and restaurants, that while not up to American or Canadian standards, are certainly much higher than what we experienced on the last trip.

Bike Update:  Cory's bike is running great.  Tim's bike has developed a leak in the final drive, which was actually pulled apart and serviced before we left.  We will be monitoring it as we make our way south to Cabo San Lucas, where there is a BMW dealership.  Hopefully it is just a seal, and not something more serious.

We had heard that there was a guy who was WALKING from Tijuana to Cabo with his donkey to promote that Baja was safe for travellers.    So, as we were riding along, we saw him on the road and stopped to talk.  Interesting guy.. walking with his donkey.. named "Donkay"... and two mexican dogs that just started following him along the way.  

Our newfound travelling friends... Neil (Colorado) and Troy (Australia).  Awesome mates!