December 10, 2015. First day in Baja California, Mexico

CAMPGROUND:  Campo 5. Perched on a cliff over the ocean.  Dirt lot with space for about 10 campers.  Barking dogs (security system) tied to trees.  Awful shower with one pipe flowing cold water.  One toilet working. $7.  Rating:  1 star for facility, 5+ stars for view and price.  Would return

LOCATION:  South of Ensenada, about 60 miles south of the border, on the Pacific

WEATHER:  Beautiful. Highs about 70

We crossed the border at about 11:00.  It was more "official" than the crossings last year in Arizona.  The customs guy looked in our refrigerator, but nothing else.  Then, we had to stand behind a cement wall while they X-rayed the trailer.  Very strange.  Then after some paperwork, we were on our way.  

We will follow highway 1 all the way south to Cabo San Lucas, about 1000 miles.  The views are even more spectacular than on the California (USA) highway 1.

We had tried to buy THE campers' guidebook for camping in Baja, but couldn't find it.  So, we are depending on a map that has icons for RV parks.  We drove through the city of Ensenada.  We were in search of an ATM to get pesos.  They are hard to find, and then, parking near one is even harder.  We finally located one and were able to park in a grocery store lot.  

I spotted this campground icon south of Ensenada in an area 12 miles off the road that is famous for its "blowhole".  We decided to give it a try.  As we drove to the blowhole, we passed several RV places that looked dumpy and/or impossible to get to.  Then we saw this one with 2 European RVs parked there.  It looked like a possibility.  

We drove on to the blowhole.  It is pretty amazing.  It is the highest one on the Pacific.  The waves come up and spray really high in the air.  The Spanish word for it is La Bufadora which means "The Snorter".  

We were practically the only tourists there, but on weekends it fills with Mexican tourists.  The street on the way to the blowhole is lined with shops.  There are several pharmacies selling drugs to gringos.

 Some say, "Great Viagra here that will make you feel good "

After the blowhole, we drove back on the same road and decided to check out this campground.  I talked with some guy that appeared to work here, although he was just lounging outside.  I gave him the pesos and we set up.  As we were getting settled, a bus came by and the guy left!  Did I just lose my money?

Our RV neighbors are from Switzerland in a military-looking van.

We talked with them, and they said the guy is legit.

The view from our site is magnificent.

We watched the beautiful sunset.

Two huge motor homes pulled in.  They invited us for a drink.  These motor homes are huge and plush!

This couple has made this trip around Baja 13 times, so they gave me some tips about camping and buying gas.  They have lived on the road 16 years.  They have a second camper they store in Europe for traveling there.

DINNER:  Chicken thighs that George had grilled last night, cooked in leftover Thanksgiving gravy, potatoes and broccoli.