It was a short but fun ride to the Tecate border crossing the next morning where armed with Passports, Temporary vehicle import papers, Tourists visa, Registration docs, Immunization certificates and International driving permits etc, we were fully ready for the border crossing into Mexico.
Of course the border guards didn't give a shit about all that stuff and simply waved us across and just like that we were in. We didn't even get shot at like everyone told us we would and No drug Barons trying to kidnap us. Just a lot of friendly faces staring at the stupid Gringos who obviously had no idea what they were doing.
Was all a bit of a disappointment really. After a quick look around Tecate we set of on the impressive Highway 2 for Mexicali along the way crossing the Brilliant La Rumarosa pass. What a road. Better than any high mountain road in Australia. ( apart from the treacherous braking reminders known as Topes IN THE BRAKING AREA on the approach to every corner. FUCK THEY KEEP YOU ON YOUR TOES)
It was also at this point that hire Strom developed some concerning noises emanating from the rear wheel area. An inspection discovered that the chain was stuffed and and that the sprocket carrier bearing was also had seen better days.
This was not what we needed in a country where we didn't speak the language and bikes of this size a very few and far between. We decided to push on to Mexicali and see what we could organise and were very fortunate to come across Juan at Yo Mero motoservicios. Juan had the problem sorted with a chain he had ordered off Ebay by mistake and soon had a replacement bearing underway. He was intrigued by the Strom and was wrapped when i told him to take for a test ride to make sure all was good. The smile on face was priceless.
Whoops Ive broken another one.
In no time at all we were on our way again, Heading south down highway 5 across the desert to the Oasis of San Felipe.
I wondered where that cough lolly went.
We were tired little vegemites when checked in to the awesome beach-side resort Hotel Cortez but we soon settled into a night of $3 dollar Margaritas and $1 tacos while the super Moon rose over the sea of Cortez.
Was a fantastic night
Nah I didnt really take that LAST pic. Pffft as if.
Next morning After a spectacular sun rise, We had a great brekky on the water front.
No we did have bearded clam
Then had a bit of a look around San Felipe.
Set off again down the amazing highway 5. Was so surprised at the quality of the road. Brand new most of the way and virtually no traffic.We sat on 100mph ( 160kph) the whole way and didn't get tazered once.
We called in to the ghost town of Puertocities. There are lot of these deserted towns on the peninsular. Seems when times are good the locals go ballistic building resorts and restaurants and stuff and then it turns to shit an the towns get abandoned.
There also these massive entrances to driveways that lead to nothing. Its Bizarre.
We scooted down a few of the sandy tracks pretending to be Baja racers. We soon learnt we are not even close.
But we celebrated like we were anyway.
The local were always friendly and keen for a chat.
And the views magnificent.
Someone had told me about a little Cantina on the beach at the Bay of Gonzaga, so we pulled into to have a look and have a cold beer.
It was here that the coolest thing happened.Whilst we were sitting back sipping our Cerveza, a Magnificent Whale shark swam past just a few meters in front of us. She was at 100 ft long I reckon ...ok maybe 20.
We jumped to the waters edge and were shooting off reams of pics, when 2 fisherman raced towards us and urged us the jump in their boat.
They raced us out to the whale shark and proceeded to strip us of our riding gear urging us to jump in with the massive fish. Was a bit unnerving, being stripped to our undies by fishermen but me and Buzz dived in and had a great time swimming with the beautiful creature until she grew tired of us and with a flick of her tail disappeared.
Was a fantastic time that we will remember for a long time. Thanks friendly fishermen.
The road south from there turned to dirt and we whizzed on having a great time once again pretending to be Toby Price.
The road was rough as guts and The remote outpost of Cocos Corner was a welcome sight.
Coco is a 79 year old double amputee who spends his time selling cold beer to passing travelers and pinching knickers off any female visitors which he then gets you to hang up on his wall.
Buzz was in paradise
He really is just a dirty old man and while he distracted me by asking me to fix a hinge on window he secretly Whipped Sams knickers off and then had the cheek to ask me to nail them to the roof. Dirty Old bastard.
He is quite the character though and we spent a nice hour or so laughing and reading excerpts from his guest book and listening to his tales.
The new road is slowly encroaching and in future will not actually go past his place. Will be a sad day when hes gone.
We said our goodbyes had a crap in his toilet and continued on to Baja De Los Angeles, which has a spectacular view, and a is a brilliant road in, but is actually a bit of a dump. Dirty and mangy looking dogs everywhere and one of those places where you can feel the eyes peering at you from behind closed curtains. Was kinda freaky.
We checked into the 2nd best hotel in town (found a later there is a much better one right on the beach. Doh! ) and spent a nice night and a great meal, chewing the fat with some good old boys from the States who thought our accents were hilarious and who were blasting around the desert on the dirt bikes. They were having a ball.
End Part 2.
Part 3 soonish. (its taking a lot longer than I thought so shut up and stop sending me messages)
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