Day 28 (Sunday June 13, 2010): San Jose del Cabo

Starting to feel nervous about traveling solo on motorcycle. I suppose, that in the worse case it's just money.

Day 27 (Saturday June 12, 2010): San Jose del Cabo

Don't ever let anyone tell you that roosters cockle-doodle-doo in the morning... they don't. They do it in the middle of night, and continuously. Needless to say, sleepless night... Even though the temperature is a lot lower than usual in Cabos, it is still extremely draining and we can't seem to muster up the energy to do anything. Normally I want to maximize my time in a new location but I have become jaded with Mexican cities in Baja California. They all feel about the same.

The view from Maria's house.

Day 26 (Friday June 11, 2010): La Paz to San Jose del Cabo

We did not know that we needed to get tourist visas before passing Ensenada. From what we could gather it costs and extra 580 pesos to get one in La Paz than it does in Ensenada. Four trips to the visa office and two trips to the bank (to pay for the tourist visa) later, we get our visas. The process to get my temporary import license is much easier, and the girl that helped me with the details was exremely pleasant.

After making it to San Jose del Cabo we meet up with Maria for a little bit of couch surfing.

San Lucas is almost completely devoid of tourists and they are hurting for tourist money.

Day 25 (Thursday June 10, 2010): Loreto to La Paz

While we were attempting to overtake an erratic semi truck, one of his trailer tires blew out and sprayed Jan with bits of tire. Jan could not avoid a significant chunk of tire and after rolling over it, it was thrown into the air and hit me in the face after bouncing off my front fairing and windshield I get hit in the face going 100kph. The chunk is about 8lbs. Under the circumstances I know I am lucky. Never leave home without a fullface.

Yeah, it didn't feel good... I actually thought a bird had hit me since those shredded edges look kind of like feathers when you are not looking directly at it.

In La Paz, a corrupt cop tries to take my license (I did not have my photocopied ID on me at the time... useful I know). He does not speak any English and my Spanish is terrible. I manage to grab my license back and communicate to him that I will follow him to the station to pay whatever fine he wants me to pay. After leading me down several random streets I get an uneasy feeling and head to the Malecon so that there are loads of witnesses. I hand the policeman 100 pesos and and that is the end of the troubles. Cheapest bribe I have heard of yet.

At night we walk around town and it is interesting that the girls will not veil their interest in you.

Day 24 (Wednesday June 9, 2010): Loreto

Food poisoning. Really do not like this town. I might think differently if I went out fishing though. We are getting some much needed rest though.

Day 23 (Tuesday June 8, 2010): San Ignacio to Loreto

Before heading out we go kayaking in the Oasis. After not sleeping much the night before, the short ride is actually difficult for me. I barely have the energy to enjoy the scenery.

One of the deserted, turquoise water, white sand beaches along the way.

The first time we crossover to the Sea of Cortez side of Baja California.

A little slice of deserted paradise.

We have a seafood dinner in Loreto. The shrimp is good, everything else seems a bit off.  

Day 22 (Monday June 7, 2010): San Telmo to San Ignacio

We decide on going for a hard days riding and start early in the morning with the goal of making it to San Ignacio before nightfall. Partway through we pass through a brutally hot desert with huge rock boulders and massive cacti. It is so hot I don't even want to stop to take pictures. Along the way there is a stretch where we are actually worried that we would run out of fuel. After an extremely long and hard day through the desert the sight of palm trees and cool water is intensely relieving. The Canadian owners of the recommended bed and breakfast are on vacation in Canada (heh). We meet a father and son who have been riding the back-roads of Baja California for decades and two people from Oregon who are riding identical blue 2009 KLRs and are on their way back home after going from Oregon to the southern tip of Baja.

No gas... We start to get worried.

In the middle of the desert.

At night I sit by the water of the oasis under the palm trees and gaze upon the stars. That image will stick with me forever.

Jewel of the desert... =P Yeah...