Cheapo Dad's Trip Report on the Navigator of the Seas (Maybe with few pictures added)...

[HappyTexan44]

22 minutes ago, broberts said:

 

An internet search will produce numerous articles from main stream media sources that suggest most of this post is mischievous fantasy.

You can't argue with the basic idea that California doesn't allow the gas that the rest of America uses.  

[broberts]

4 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said:

You can't argue with the basic idea that California doesn't allow the gas that the rest of America uses.  

 

No, (https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/gasoline/regional-price-differences.php#:~:text=California gasoline prices are generally,on gasoline is also higher), but the completely unfounded accusation is malicious.

[harryfat1]

Thanks for everyone’s input on the differences in gas prices.  I know CA has higher prices due to the stricter environmental laws but didn’t realize the gap is that dramatic between states.

 

I also looked up the taxes for a gallon of gas in CA and that’s 77 cents/gallon as that's part of the extra cost.

 

https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/state-gas-tax-rates-2023/

 

 

I got curious and did some sample gas prices on the Gas Buddy phone App – everyone should download the App on their phone as it shows you the best price in any neighborhood across the US as you travel.

 

Here are the lowest prices on what is showing at various large cities in the western/midwestern states (note: I throw out the lowest price on the list if it’s too low compared to the rest as it’s not realistic to get that price unless you live nearby that station):

 

+++++++++++++++++++++

San Francisco - $5.37

Los Angeles - $5.63

Anchorage - $4.49

Honolulu - $4.64

Portland - $4.27

Seattle - $4.99

Las Vegas - $4.63

Phoenix - $4.59

Boise - $3.99

Salt Lake City - $3.86

Albuquerque - $3.49

Cheyenne - $3.69

Denver - $3.29

San Antonio - $3.07

Chicago - $3.75

++++++++++++++++

Here are some East Coast cities:

Atlanta - $3.19

Miami - $3.33

Raleigh - $3.13

Philadelphia - $3.63

Washington DC - $3.43

NYC - $3.85

Boston - $3.55

+++++++++++

 

There is a pattern where everything on the East Coast is under $4.  Then as you migrate to the western states, at the states of Nevada/Arizona, the gas is above $4 in both states with Idaho also at the $4 mark. Then as you move westward everything is above $4 in Oregon/Washington/Alaska/Hawaii.  Of course, you have CA above $5

[harryfat1]

Before I show y'all pictures of the Blow Hole, let me show you the lay of the land first.  Per the Google map, you are parked at the upper part of the map - see the parking lot?  You need to get to the other end of the path at the Blow hole near the water on the left.  Per Google, that’s over 600 yards.

 

You say, yeah, whatever, dude, no big deal,  I can walk 600 yards easily.  No worries.    

 

Yes, but the added wrinkle is the 600-yard is like walking a gauntlet with people shoving free samples in your face every minute. 

 

I saw the walk on YouTube before leaving home (as you know an anal 9.2 person would do the homework beforehand) and one tour guide said this is equivalent to Mexican Costco with various free samples.  That is very true.

 

He didn’t mention how aggressive the workers are in shoving food/trying to get you to talk to them and then going into their shop.

 

You will soon see what I mean but just thought I give y’all a heads-up

 

[harryfat1]

Lidia’s Tacos. 

 

The first restaurant is next to the parking lot.  Alexa recommends it and I heard other tour guides recommend it as well later on so it's very popular.  Good reviews online and on Yelp (4.7 stars) so that’s where we will be at the back end of the tour

 

 

 

The first gauntlet is the green shirt guys.  There’s a flock of them as they swarm you.  No way you can avoid them like you can if there's only one of them.  

 

If you get past the green shirt guys, next to them are the purple shirt guys...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

This dude tried to sell tacos at $2.50 each but I rather go to Lidia's as they look cleaner

 

We made a stop here to get free samples of Pina Coladas and some members of the tour group bought the pineapple filled with pina coladas.  I think I heard them say it was $12 but don't hold me to it as I'm not a drinker.

 

 

 

More free sample stop

 

 

 

If you are a big sports fan, you can get a logo mug of your favorite team

 

Edited September 29, 2023 by harryfat1

[harryfat1]

More shops - remember they made this a long walk on purpose as they have you as a captive audience.

 

Many people are visiting their relatives in prison today as today must be parole hearing day (aka massive amount of walk-by shopping)

 

 

See the pineapple pina colada someone from our tour bought?

 

 

Mexican pharmacy is very popular as people can get their prescription meds at a lower price here than back home

 

 

[harryfat1]

More free sample stops - does anyone like spicy gummy bears?  Yeah, doesn't taste very good in my opinion but it must be an acquired taste

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

Wait, did I hear someone say they want more samples?  Do you want more?  Well, you are in luck...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 29, 2023 by harryfat1

[harryfat1]

So is your stomach full?  Enough free samples?  Yeah, me too.

 

My favorite samples were the Churros.  I assume most people know what a Churro is? 

 

Your local Costco food court used to have them but I believe they have been phased out this year.  If you don’t know what it is, it’s like a Mexican donut except it’s more crunchy and harder than American round donuts.  Tastes really good when it’s hot off the fryer…

 

Hey, I never said they are good for you, just that they taste good. Life is full of these "tastes good but bad for you" food. My dream world finding a place where people tell you ice cream is good for you and you need to eat it daily...

 

 

[harryfat1]

We now enter the sales pitch part of the tour where they don't have free samples but just a sales pitch. 

 

Blah, Blah, Blah...

 

Queue up Fleetwood Mac

 

 

Tequila with Scorpion inside

 

 

 

More liquor to bring home

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

Habana Banana.  Big operation but has very bad online reviews. 

 

Supposedly they are being accused of poor animal treatments and sell the photo opts for money. Read the reviews on Yelp and Tripadvisor for yourself and decide if you want your money to go there.

 

Easy pass for us as we planned to go to Lidia Tacos to eat anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

Are we there yet?

[perfect match]

It looks like you’re running the gauntlet to get to the blow hole! 

[bobmacliberty]

At least it looks like they aren't overly aggressive and you can easily walk by.  Doing that over and over for 600 yards would get old though.  I hope the payoff is worth it!

[Coralc]

Wow! The blowhole walkway is really built up now! Last time we went out there, there were no permanent structures or restaurants. Bill bought a faux Tag Hauer for $20. ☺️ He purchased a real one a few years later. ☺️

 

We also convinced the bus driver to stop at a store (his aunts) on the way out so we could stock up on beer, soda and snacks. It looks like that's not necessary anymore. 😅

[harryfat1]

18 hours ago, perfect match said:

It looks like you’re running the gauntlet to get to the blow hole! 

 

12 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

At least it looks like they aren't overly aggressive and you can easily walk by.  Doing that over and over for 600 yards would get old though.  I hope the payoff is worth it!

Yeah, they deliberately set up the gauntlet walk where you can only enter and exit in one direction.

 

I guess they are not aggressive in that there are literally hundreds/thousands of tourists coming by when the cruise ships are in town on top of regular tourists so if one "fish" slips by, they just target another one

[harryfat1]

6 hours ago, Coralc said:

Wow! The blowhole walkway is really built up now! Last time we went out there, there were no permanent structures or restaurants. Bill bought a faux Tag Hauer for $20. ☺️ He purchased a real one a few years later. ☺️

 

We also convinced the bus driver to stop at a store (his aunts) on the way out so we could stock up on beer, soda and snacks. It looks like that's not necessary anymore. 😅

This is my visit to the Blow Hole even though it's my 4th time in town so I don't know what it was like previously but it's much more developed now as more and more cruise ships visit Ensenada.  Princess Cruises use Ensenada as the mandatory foreign port visit during the Hawaii island sailings during the winter months when sailing to/from Vancouver is not a viable option.

 

As previously discussed, RCI also dropping by Ensenada for their 7-day Mexico cruise so the town is part of the West Coast cruise stop for many itineraries. 

 

Did you guys just flag down a taxi driver to get there?  Pretty long drive from town

[harryfat1]

Are we there yet?

 

Almost.  I see some water. 

 

And of course, there's a bathroom to the left per the sign in case you need to go.  Bring your 75 cents to walk into one…

 

 

 

 

More sales pitch

 

 

[Coralc]

1 hour ago, harryfat1 said:

Did you guys just flag down a taxi driver to get there?  Pretty long drive from town

No. We've been to Ensenada 8 or 10 times. I've been to La Bufadora twice. The first time in '92 on my first cruise with our office secretary and then later with Bill on Monarch. And then RCI took their long hiatus from the West Coast. We've been back 3 times on Navigator, but usually just go downtown to Hussongs Cantina or a Farmacia. 

 

Last time Bill and I went out to the blowhole, we took the shuttle into town and boarded one of the readily available tour buses with a driver and a guide out to the blowhole, just like yours. 

 

Drinking is legal on buses in Mexico. I just asked the guide if we could stop at a store to pick up beers and drinks. He said, "What a great idea! Let's see if everyone wants to do that" It was all cruise ship passengers, and pretty much everyone raised their hands. ☺️ So, he directed the bus driver to his aunt's store and we all quickly stocked up on adult beverages and snacks. Our brief restroom stop was at an under-construction resort on the way out. https://resortesterobeach.com/en?currency=USD . It looked very nice, and they are understandably proud of their new developments. (although it is probably 20 years old now). 

 

Like everything, it was probably more casual then. Since there were no bars or restaurants at the blowhole back then, I think our guide and driver were well compensated for their accommodation. 

 

The guide was really nice and walked along with us and bargained with a blanket vendor for something I wanted to purchase. I don't know if I would like it as much anymore. 😦 Although I think it is more fun than downtown Ensenada. 

[harryfat1]

More food

 

 

 

 

Yeah, very hot.  Can't touch this...

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

6 minutes ago, Coralc said:

No. We've been to Ensenada 8 or 10 times. I've been to La Bufadora twice. The first time in '92 on my first cruise with our office secretary and then later with Bill on Monarch. And then RCI took their long hiatus from the West Coast. We've been back 3 times on Navigator, but usually just go downtown to Hussongs Cantina or a Farmacia. 

 

Last time Bill and I went out to the blowhole, we took the shuttle into town and boarded one of the readily available tour buses with a driver and a guide out to the blowhole, just like yours. 

 

Drinking is legal on buses in Mexico. I just asked the guide if we could stop at a store to pick up beers and drinks. He said, "What a great idea! Let's see if everyone wants to do that" It was all cruise ship passengers, and pretty much everyone raised their hands. ☺️ So, he directed the bus driver to his aunt's store and we all quickly stocked up on adult beverages and snacks. Our brief restroom stop was at an under-construction resort on the way out. https://resortesterobeach.com/en?currency=USD . It looked very nice, and they are understandably proud of their new developments. (although it is probably 20 years old now). 

 

Like everything, it was probably more casual then. Since there were no bars or restaurants at the blowhole back then, I think our guide and driver were well compensated for their accommodation. 

 

The guide was really nice and walked along with us and bargained with a blanket vendor for something I wanted to purchase. I don't know if I would like it as much anymore. 😦 Although I think it is more fun than downtown Ensenada. 

Yeah, a lot more established now. Alexa offered to help anyone bargain if they needed help.

 

Downtown Ensenada is blah.

 

 

[harryfat1]

The only thing we bought from the whole place was the artist who was painting at the end of the long strip. 

 

She has the price listed so no need to haggle.  She’s just there painting away and you buy whatever strikes your fancy.

 

We typically either buy magnets or Christmas ornaments during our travels so we have a collection of the various places we have visited.

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

Alrighty, we are here. 

 

Well, not exactly here-here.

 

The lady artist is the last of the sales vendors and you are at the blow hole after you round the corner but here are a few area pictures where she is drawing her inspiration from - definitely better scenery than downtown 

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

Strategically placed restroom right by the platform to watch the Blow Hole.  Bring your money

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK.  We finally made it here-here.

 

 

The rock area where the water spray always comes out is wet and have moss growth

 

Edited September 30, 2023 by harryfat1

[harryfat1]

There’s a Kayak version of the Blow Hole you can get via the cruise ship.  They get to see the Blow Hole from the water level.