WE MADE IT - 4280 KILOMETERS TO MEXICO

driving highway 1d in tijuana

The day started out by sleeping in, destroying our tom tom and running around getting money and insurance.  All in all a good start!  With our day beginning like this we were a little concerned with the trend we had going.  Upon rolling up to gates of the great unknown we saw vehicles with their entire contents out on the street (oh good).  After waiting and getting pointed in numerous directions we ended up with no inspection, no red light green light and a cat and truck that broke the ice with border officials, allowing us to stream through in a record breaking two and a half hours!!

Unfortunately, we had the pleasure to meet a very not nice immigration officer.  It started with him asking us, "Where are your visas?" and telling us there were new rules that Canadians needed a visa to enter Mexico.  The thing was we were already in Mexico!  He then sent us back to red light green light area full of big machine guns with signs that say DO NOT ENTER.  We asked a guy if it was safe to go past the military secure zone to find a different immigration officer and he said, "no problemo".  This new immigration officer proceeded to roll his eyes and call the 'not nice' immigration officer and set him straight.  He then apologized to us for his co-workers wild goose chase he sent us on.  When we walked the kilometer back he took us right to the head of the line and told us "I guess you Canadians don't need visas in Mexico anymore".  (on a side note, we knew we didn't need visas, we always do our homework, I guess this is a lesson that we need to assert ourselves more!!!)  As well, this same guy never stamped our passports, which is required and would cause us problems later.  When we noticed and returned he knew exactly why we were back - (@$$^*!e)

After driving the wide toll roads that carved down the coast we entered Ensenada, with no idea where to go and after a little marital spat, we ended up in a cute but worn hotel well away from the tourist zone.

entering ensenada

It was a long, trying day but still very exciting - and at the end of it, it was time for dos cervezas!!  We are leaving here bright and early tomorrow, we have our sights set on a beach where we will truly begin our adventure!!

no idea what we ordered but it was really good

our home for the night

THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT

grover beach

Our final stretch of the California coast ended up as a pleasant drive through farm land due to an unexpected detour.  We saw where all the produce in your grocery store comes from!   I have to say I am definitely impressed, these fields are massive!   It was a welcome change to have a relaxed drive (without imminent death beside us, so says Nadine)

Having had a relaxing drive we realized we were lost.  After some map reading 101 and land rover  maintenance,  we were back on the road to Santa Barbara on the coastal highway.  This section was less perilous then the last couple of days.

After unwinding in Santa Barbara it was now time for our much dreaded drive through Los Angeles.  In the end the tom tom drove us right through,  although it did take us an entire day of driving. (no wrong turns or one freeway) We were disappointed not to see any famous people,  but we did see their massive houses along the coast before and after LA!  Sorry no pictures.  We didn't get to see any sights either but in the future we will,  but that trip will start and end in an airplane!

It is now time for our break for the border..........