Ensenada
The city
Enjoy the city, have fun and relax. Begin your day eating some delicious fish tacos
at "Fenix" a fish taco place close to the hostel. Continue visiting the curious
shops and galleries on the main touristic street, take a walk on the beach and go
horseback riding. At night have a beer at Cantina Hussongs the Baja's Oldest Bar
and the Verified Originator of the Margarita, dance Salsa at Mango Mango, listen
some Mexicans bands at the Sport Bar and enjoy Papas & Beer a famous discotheque.
In the next days take a wine tour, visit La Bufadora, take the Harbor boat tour,
rent a bike and practice mountain biking, take a kayaking and snorkeling tour, and
of course don't miss the opportunity to see the migration of hundreds of gray whales
to the south of México. Click to view pictures
Cantina Hussong's
The cantina was founded by Johan Hussong, an immigrant who left Germany with his
brothers in 1880 for New York. Bored with city life, in 1890 John decided to travel
to Ensenada, then a small fishing village of only 5,000 people. Johan then changed
name to John and opened a small restaurant and stage coach stop where he sold beer
for a nickel and whiskey for a dime. John then brought his fiancee from Germany,
Louise. Back in Ensenada they married and raised four boys, Ricardo, John, Percy
and Walter as well as a girl, named Estella. In 1892 he obtained an alcohol license
and started operating the John Hussong Bar. His license is still #002 and the building
is still located on Ruiz Avenue. Currently, Hussong's offers a relaxed setting for
locals and tourists alike. In addition to the bar, the Hussong family also owns
an adjoined shopping mall too (The Hussong's Official Stores are owned by the Ampudia
family, not by the Hussong family, which is the family that owns The Papas&Beer
and Mango Mango Bars and the Papas&Beer Official Stores too). Hussong's offers two
for one beer on Tuesdays, and is packed by 8:00pm, mostly with locals. On other
nights Hussong's attracts a large clientele, providing music, excellent piña colladas
and the customary basket of peanuts. (Source: Wikipedia)
Click to view pictures
La Bufadora
La Bufadora is a marine geyser, or Blowhole located on the Punta Banda Peninsula
in Baja California, Mexico. The spout of marine water (occurring every minute or
so to varying degrees of height) is created when ocean waves and air are drawn into
an underwater cave located in the cliffside, and the trapped air and water then
explode upwards. This interaction not only creates the upward-shooting spout, but
a thunderous noise as well. La Bufadora is the second largest blowhole in the world,
and can shoot upwards as high as 80 feet above sea level. (Source: Wikipedia) Click to view pictures
The wine route
The nearby town of Guadalupe, was founded by immigrant Russian Molokans in the late
nineteenth century. Most of the Molokan community re-migrated towards California's
Central Valley in the mid-twentieth century, and a Russian Museum commemorating
their legacy in the region has been established. The traditional economic activities
in Guadalupe are olive and wine production. Currently, about 90%of wine production
in Mexico originates in the valleys of Guadalupe and adjacent Calafia.
Many local wine producers offer tours and tastings. Every year during the month
of August, the beginning of wine harvest season is celebrated in the Guadalupe Valley
and in the city of Ensenada with a two week long series of cultural and culinary
events, all under the title banner of Fiestas de la Vendimia (Wine Harvest Festival).
This event attracts people from all over the world. (Source: Wikipedia)
Click to view pictures
Party at night
Carnaval de Ensenada
The Carnaval 2010 starts from February 11th to February 16th, the streets of Ensenada
will vibrate with the music of their most popular town party, starting at historic
Avenida Ruiz. Click to view pictures
