First off, for all you other old-timers like me, forgive the top post, I
only do it when making a general comment about a looong NG post.
Thank you John for another interesting post in the "When on a cruise:"
series, I hope to see more of this type of post. If TA's must be
allowed to post here, this is the type of information they should be
giving, and not whether the shipboard hair salons are making a profit.
However, I would like to see future articles deal with ports on longer
cruises, not the 3-4 day el cheapo booze cruises.
Respectfully,
EF
John Sisker wrote:
> When on a cruise:
> Ensenada, (Baja) Mexico
> Compiled by John Sisker
>
> Welcome to Ensenada:
>
> Ensenada is a 90-minute drive from San Diego (California), about 70-miles
> south of the international border. It has become known as the "Cinderella of
> the Pacific" and is also a popular destination for the 3- and 4-day cruise
> market for both Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line, and
> a widely-held port for pleasure boats. Ensenada also is a necessary
> stop-over port for the longer round-trip Hawaii cruises from the West Coast,
> mainly because of the Jones Act. (More on that some other time)
>
> Ensenada is also Mexico's second most-visited port of call, with a warm
> Mediterranean climate, and has grown from a sleepy fishing village to become
> a popular beach resort. Located on the Baja Peninsula, Ensenada offers a
> warm and wonderful introduction to Mexico. Within the municipality of
> Ensenada, is the Sierra San Pedro Martir mountain range and national park.
>
> Currency & Wineries:
> The currency is the Peso, yet the "$" symbol is used to refer to Pesos, so
> don't be too shocked at the price tag. American dollars are listed as "US$"
> or "USD." Major credit cards are also widely accepted.
>
> While Baja has a number of excellent wineries, as does the rest of Mexico
> itself, the United State will not allow them to export to the states.
> However, just outside of Ensenada, in the Valley of Guadalupe and San Antony
> De Las Miuas, you'll find a variety of wineries, each having tours and
> tasting. (See the information on available shore excursions for more
> information on wineries)
>
> As an added bonus, during the month of August, the beginning of the wine
> harvest season is celebrated in the Guadalupe Valley. Likewise, the city of
> Ensenada itself celebrated with a two-week long series of cultural and
> culinary events. All is done under the banner of Fiestas de la Vebdimia,
> meaning Wine Harvest Festival. People from all over the world are attracted
> to this event.
>
> Major Port of the Short Cruise Market:
> In Baja, California, Ensenada is its third largest city. It is not only the
> primary cruise port for the 3- and 4-day cruise market as mentioned, but an
> attraction in itself because of the warm and friendly people. Besides a
> tourist travel port, visitors can experience first-class hotels,
> restaurants, and shopping from everything from Mexican crafts to leather
> goods, and from silver jewelry to European imports. For hospitality,
> Ensenada ranks among the highest in the world.
>
> Even just a day-stop on a cruise, there is time for sightseeing, golf,
> hiking, horseback riding, swimming, sailing, sports fishing, kayaking, and
> even scuba diving, just to name a few. A bit south of City of Ensenada are
> some excellent spots for windsurfing. (Be sure to see the 'Excursions'
> connections for other choices)
>
> Baja Off-Road Race:
> For those inclined towards the racing set, the world-renowned Baja 1000
> off-road race is help in late November every year is Ensenada, with the Baja
> 500 race held in early June. Likewise, off-road enthusiasts use Ensenada as
> a starting point to explore Baja California year-round. (More details on
> this can be obtained at http://www.sdro.com/eb8.htm)
>
> Calle Riviera Del Pacifico:
> Close to the cruise ship dock in Ensenada is the Social Cultural and
> Conventions Center, a former hotel and gambling casino, now called Calle
> Riviera Del Pacifico. The hotel and gambling casino was originally built in
> 1930.
>
> Hussong's Cantina:
> I think just about everyone has heard of Hussong's Cantina, the oldest bar
> in the Californias. Husson's has a reputation in itself, especially with
> the party-hardy crow that the 3- and 4-days cruises intends to attract. But,
> everything is not just for the party and drinking crowd, for Ensenada is so
> much more, as are the 3- and 4-day cruises themselves.
>
> Within the City of Ensenada, is a street called "La Primer" (meaning 'First'
> in English). It is a class tourist spot, but a must for its many "Curious,
> Curiosidades" (tourist and souvenir shops), hotels, restaurants, bars, such
> as Papas & Beer and even Hussong's Cantina. La Primera is filled with
> tourists and locals and is a very busy street, and it is normal to go
> through a lot of traffic, and is just one block from Ventana al Mar (Window
> upon the sea), a boardwalk/seawall avenue where an enormous Mexican flag is
> located.
>
> Silver & Gold:
> An early activity in the Ensenada region was silver and gold mining, and a
> few of these mines still exist, but in limited operation. However, in recent
> years, large amounts of gravel have been extracted from the gravel beds in
> rural area and exported to California. Yet, this has become an environmental
> issue, for it decreases the amount of water that is absorbed by the soil
> during the brief rainy season, negatively impacting the agricultural
> business. And the three main agricultural zones in Ensenada are. the
> Guadalupe-Calafia Valley in the north, the Ojos Negros Valley in the east,
> and the San Quintin Valley in the south. The main crops include g.s,
> olives, tomatoes, wheat, alfalfa, asparagus, green onions and broccoli.
>
> La Bufadora:
> A spectacular wonder of Ensenada is a blowhole called "La Bufadora," which
> spews ocean water up to 35-feet in the air, along with a mighty roar. La
> Bufadora is the second largest marine geyser in the world. Likewise,
> Ensenada, as a uniquely put town on the bay or penninsula, is also known for
> the California Gray Whale annual Migration.
>
> El Ray Sol:
> Deborah and I have been coming to Ensenada for many years now, all with the
> 3- and 4-day cruise market. While also a brief stop for the longer Hawaii
> roundtrip market from the West Coast, as previously mentioned, that actually
> put Ensenada on the cruise map. Of special note, is Deborah's favorite
> restaurant, right in the heart of town called El Ray Sol. Half French and
> half Mexican, it has been in existence for over 60-years now, and in our
> opinion is one of the best restaurants in all of Ensenada, for both the
> locals and tourists.
>
> Museums:
> Ensenada also has its Museums, which includes the Science Museum, Regional
> History Museum and Estero Beach Museum, among others. The new "Malecon"
> Seaport Walkway and Ventana Al Mar Park, with its Monumental Mexican Flag,
> are among other new Ensenada attractions. Baja's largest Seafood Market and
> the remolded AV. Lopez Mateo's shopping and Dining Promenade is also close
> by the cruise ship dock.
>
> In fact, every time we visit Ensenada, we notice some major improvements in
> the town, most noticeable during our last visit was a new cruise ship dock
> (See this and other related pictures from our related photo albums)
>
> Commercial and Sports Fishing:
> More than 90-species of commercial fished in Ensenada, are actually exported
> to the Far East, including Tuna, Shrimp, Lobster, Abalone, Sea Urchins,
> Sardines, Mackerel and Seaweed. Imposed on Mexico is the 1990's, the Tuna
> embargo caused most of the fishing fleet to relocate to the ports of
> Guaumar, Sonoraed Mazatlan, Linaloa, further south. Ensenada's tuna industry
> shifter its force to tuna farming, exporting the highly valued meat
> exclusively to Japan. Yet, Ensenada continues to be known for sports fishing
> and has been so for over 50-years. Short range day trips are good for Bass,
> Bonita, Barracuda, Cod, and Yellowtail, while the long-range trips pull in
> the Tuna, Albacore, and Dorado, thus making Ensenada a very popular fishing
> spot for not only the short cruise market, but because of the shorter
> distance needed to travel by sea to get the big catch.
>
> Big White Steamship:
> Of special note. while sailing into the harbor toward the Ensenada cruise
> ship dock, one cannot help but notice a half-sunken ship right in the bay.
> From my understanding, this is the old Catalina steamship, once the major
> transportation to Catalina Island to/from the Port of Los Angeles. When the
> ship retired, the intent was apparently to convert her into a floating
> restaurant and gambling casino, and she was brought down to Ensenada for
> this conversion. Obviously, something went wrong, things fell through, or
> whatever it was; so today she still sits half-sunk - the Big White Catalina
> Steamship. (I also have a picture of this as well within my photo album)
>
> Airport:
> In 2005, the census listed Ensenada with a population of 260,075, as is also
> the Municipal of Ensenada municipally, one of the five into which the state
> is divided. Ensenada is also a Navy Base, and Army Base and a Military
> Airfield, which functions as an airport of entry into Mexico.
>
> In the first-quarter of 2008, construction is to begin on the El Tigre
> International Airport at the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road to serve that
> general area, soon to be the third airport serving the greater Tijuana and
> San Diego area. It will cost an estimated $230 million dollars, and will be
> able to handle large aircraft, from the Airbus A280 to the Boeing 747.
> Likewise, flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, Frankfurt and
> Bogota are pat of the itinerary.
>
> Weather:
> The weather tends to be mild year-round, because its location on the Pacific
> Ocean and Mediterranean latitude. The winter rainy season also tends to be
> rather short, but the area is prone to prolonged droughts.
>
> Deep Water Port:
> You may be asking yourself about this time, why Ensenada? Why did the cruise
> lines pick this particular port in the first place? Part of the reason is,
> Ensenada is the only deep water port in Baja, California. Likewise, it is
> part of the standard shipping routes that directly link it with the Mexican
> cities of La Paz, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Acapulco and Lazaro Cardebas, as
> well as the United States cities of San Diego, Long Beach and Los Angeles.
> Ensenada is currently not part of any rail service, even though there are
> plans to build a rail line to the border in the future.
>
> Fox Studio:
> Besides the City of Ensenada itself, and surrounding locations, we also had
> the opportunity to see the Fox Studio Tour. Sometime stated in the general
> information brochures as being in Ensenada, it is really located well
> outside the city limits itself. We found the studio quite interesting, a
> great picture taking opportunity. This studio was originally built for the
> movie "Titanic," but many others movies have been filmed there as well,
> including "Night at the Museum," "Pearl Harbor," "Deep Blue Sea" to name a
> few. While not anywhere the size and detailed caliber of Universal Studios
> in the states for example, it is more of a production set for specialty
> films and/or the big production stages for select movies. The props,
> artifacts, materials and sets still remain for some of those major movies,
> including the Titanic, even though rumor has it that the studio may be
> torn-down. However, that I can't confirm. In any event, at least I got quite
> a few pictures, so one way or another, I will have those memories. (Be sure
> to see these pictures from our photo album(s) connections)
>
> City of Science:
> Ensenada, has also been coined the City of Science, because of UNAM's
> research headquarters, the Marine Sciences Department of the UABC and the
> thriving CICESE scientific institute that are located there. Furthermore,
> Ensenada boasts the highest concentration of scientist and science students
> in all of Latin American, chiefly in the field of astronomy, physics,
> biology, and Oceanography.
>
> Shore Excursions:
> As a reference, I have included some of the optional shore excursions for
> Ensenada from both Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Lines,
> instead of just trying to list everything that is available. This way,
> nothing will ever become outdated, as the cruise lines themselves modify
> their own online information. One can naturally sign up for the cruise line
> organized tours, and/or simply use this information to see what's suggested,
> then do things on your own. After all, it's your cruise.
>
> Carnival Cruise Line:
> (Paradise)
> (http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionsSearchResults.aspx?region=MB&portcode=ENS&portname=Ensenada%2c+Mexico)
>
> Royal Caribbean International:
> (Monarch of the Seas)
> (http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/shoreExcursions/downloadBrochure.do;jsessionid=0000g6J1LHzzO_5u7QJFn8obARi:12hbiocus?brochureFileName=SHXMN080104USUSD.pdf)
>
> Source material and background reference:
>
> · http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensenada,_Baja_California - the free
> encyclopedia
>
> · http://www.ensenada-tourism.com
>
> · http://www.ensenada.com
>
>
> Secondary Information:
>
> · http://www.ensenada.gob.mx
>
> · http://www.puertoensenada.com.mx
>
>
>
> Photo Albums:
>
> · Monarch of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International).
> http://share.shutterfly.com:80/action/welcome?sid=9AZsmzVo3bt0O&emid=sharshar&linkid=link3
>
> · Ensenada.
> http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9AZsmzVo3bt0s&emid=sharshar&linkid=link3
>
>
> · Fox Studio.
> http://share.shutterfly.com:80/action/welcome?sid=9AZsmzVo3bt1K&emid=sharshar&linkid=link3
>
>
>
> Happy Sailing:
>
> John Sisker, SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY (sm)
> (714) 536-3850 or toll free at (800) 724-6644 & (Agency No. 714.536.3850)
> www.shiptoshorecruise.com
> |
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