mission Archives - Chris de Blank Photography

San Ignacio to Loreto

Posted on 11 November 2017 by chrisdeblank@bigpond.com

San Ignacio to Loreto

I took an early morning walk into the town square before the ride today. All was quiet with just a few locals sweeping the streets outside of their shops.

The following excerpt from our tour paperwork explains today. “Ahead of us this morning is the massive ‘Volcan Las Tres Virgenes’. Which tells us the origin of recent lava flows around us. We descend Devils Grade, seven miles of switchbacks that take us down to the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. We ride along the shores of beautiful Bahia Conception, whose deep-blue waters, volcanic islands, and isolated beaches are real Baja delights. In the afternoon we reach Loreto, the oldest Spanish settlement along the West Coast. The town offers a picturesque central plaza, shopping, and an array of excellent restaurants.”

We had a rest day upon arriving at Loreto. Our van driver took 4 of us up the mountain to San Javier Mission. Founded in 1697 by Jesuit Missionaries, it’s the oldest Spanish settlement on the Baja peninsula and one of the best preserved. Beats the hell out of me how or more importantly why they would want to create a settlement up in the mountains like they did. It was a challenge getting up there with a paved road, how did they manage without one?

A local

San Ignacio Mission

Prime waterfront realestate

Warming up before their performance

Day 3 Catavina to San Ignacio

Posted on 10 November 2017 by chrisdeblank@bigpond.com

Catarina to San Ignacio

A hot ride through the Vizcaino Desert today, also dry and dusty and windy in a few areas.

Stopped at a food van in Guerrero Negro for the most delicious fish tacos. Deep fried fish fillets in a soft taco and topping of your choice.

Our stop for the night was a true oasis in the desert. Riding into town past date palms and water, did I say water! Was nice to see some water apart from the ocean. Dinner in a little restaurant in the town square. We wanted to sit outside so they moved the tables out onto the street for us. Celebrated Robyn’s birthday tonight, Tom celebrated with a few too many Margaritas and didn’t feel the best the next morning. A little toast with butter and my vegemite and he felt he could go on.

A rest stop in the desert

Fish Tacos for lunch

Cross tucked into the corner of the mission

Day 19 Loreto to Guerrero Negro

Posted on 9 November 2017 by chrisdeblank@bigpond.com

Loreto to Guerrero Negro

The usual morning ride into the mountains, the twists and turns that Andy loves, then once more we see the Sea of Cortez. Riding along Conception Bay enjoying our last day with these stunning views.

A short break at Mulege Mission Santa Rosalia which is small but rather nice and sits on a hill over the town.

We head a little further up the coast back on the water for our lunch stop at a little taco place in Santa Rosalia. Awesome soft shelled beef tacos.

The afternoon sees us head towards the Pacific Ocean and the town of Guerrero Negro. Not much here but a nice meal at a local restaurant.

Due to the nature of the roads (mountainous with tight curves etc) and not very strict road rules (people still allowed to ride in the back of utes) we have seen lots of little (and some not so little) roadside shrines where people have lost their lives. The example below is the largest we saw but they do range from a simple cross to a small building.

Sea of Cortez

Moulage Mission Santa Rosalia

Build your home around the palm trees

Camping at Concepcion Bay Sea of Cortez

Roadside shrine

Day 7 La Paz to Cabo San Lucas

Posted on 31 October 2017 by chrisdeblank@bigpond.com

Day 7 on the Bikes

We took a wrong turn this morning but I was happy as we had passed by an area with lots of cactus and the Turkey Vultures were drying their wings so Andy slowed down for me on the way back so I could capture a shot. Quite atmospheric with the low cloud around.

Morning tea rest stop was at a little town called El Triunfo. They had a great character coffee shop down Harley Davidson Drive and a music museum.

Lunch saw us in the artist community of Todos Santos, which has a number of art galleries and lots of souvenir shopping. Silver is a big thing here so there is a number of shops selling everything silver. We ate lunch at the Hotel California. I believe that the band The Eagles have filed a lawsuit against the hotel for leading people to believe that they inspired the bands biggest hit. They have a huge souvenir shop which gets a lot of sales.

Spent the night at Bahia Hotel Beach Club a block back from the beach and a room overlooking the pool. The beach front is full of resorts or restaurant which each have an exclusive bit of beach. Trying to upload a photo of this below but current wi-fi is not letting me. Lots of people down here for sunset, drinking games etc. Dinner at La Dolce Italian Restaurant which served up the most beautiful food and we were looked after by the owner (a friend of our van driver).