Off to San Diego, 3 day visa run

Off to San Diego

PHOTOS : https://photos.app.goo.gl/RH2DzgX6pSAcUNf66

Our choice of travel was to take a Voloris airline flight to Tuajuana and then to walk across the border using the Cross Border Xpress and enter the USA. To cab it to a hotel in the south of San Diego.

The La Paz airport is a smaller airport, but very nice. We only had carry on each but ended up checking one bag of those free. The Volaris plane was new and comfortable, it was a full flight which lasted all of 1 hour.

After arriving Tuajuana airport our first challenge came as we were checking into the Cross Border Xpress. This is where you submit your electronic ticket and then walk across to the USA. We were stopped because the machines did not recognize our Bermuda passport. Sooo, we were directed to go to the officials’ booth where we were questioned. They had absolutely no idea how to deal with a Bermuda passport so then had to call superiors for them to research Bermuda and entry into the USA.

We were seated next to a lady who was, quite frankly, out of her mind with worry. She was in a terrible state. We tried calming her until finally she received her entrance permit.

I guess we waited nearly an hour, finally we were permitted to walk the “bridge” to our destination.

At the other end we were of course, again stopped by the American immigration folks who had no idea about Bermuda and travel agreements between Bermuda and the USA. They then handed us over to their superiors, who again had to check our Bermuda passports.

In this area we were not permitted to do anything but sit, in fact the woman was quite rude, she obviously distrusted everyone by the ugly, looks we received.

Finally, after another half hour, we passed all the “tests” and we were granted our 3 days, but no more.

Our hotel was perfect, just what we wanted, nearby, within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Plus the streets were walkable with sidewalks.

On our 1st day we went off and did the shopping we wanted to do. Basically stocking up on black tea bags which are an essential item for us both….gotta have cups of tea. And for me getting a new iPad, which makes my writing while underway possible. Shopping was easy and quick.

Imperial Beach pier

Imperial Beach pier, the southern most pier in the United States was our destination on our 2nd day. It is 1,500ft, and was Originally built in 1963. The pier was then rebuilt in the 1980s after a very destructive storm and updated again in 2006.

For decades, the wood-plank pier has been a popular destination, especially for surfers, fishers and sunset watchers—in fact it’s the largest tourist attraction in San Diego’s South Bay.

It was a cool windy day and the walk along the pier was invigorating, but enjoyable.

The seas were rolling in, but no surfers were about to watch. I guessed the seas were just a bit too large for the average surfer.

After watching the fishermen, me wondering what is fun about fishing in such cold breezy conditions.

We headed back along the pier and found a sweet restaurant nearby. The place was outdoor seating but thankfully they had a fire pit we sat next to.

We shared a lunch as portions were huge and then set off back to our hotel.

The next day after some shopping at a CBS pharmacy for essential meds we set off for:

Old Town San Diego.

This historic area was said to include three major parks and to be next to the State Park. To also contain 32 historic sites, shops and the Presidio, which is the site of the first mission in the area.

It is also the oldest settled area in San Diego.

The Kumeyaay, (also called Diegueño, Iipay, Tipay), are the indigenous people and the first people of the San Diego, Baja California region. The archeological record for these people of this region goes back more than 10,000 years.

The Kumeyaay lived in territories/areas defined by their shamulls or clans. They were and are horticulturists, engineers, fishermen and hunters.

The site of Old Town is also the first European settlement in present-day California

We wandered around, in and out of the various buildings.

Most displays were replicas of the old town way of life.

The old tavern, the museum,

tavern, tobacco shop,

each and every building along the way.

Stopping for a very nice late lunch we then finished off the park before heading back to our hotel.

The whole area was wonderful and educational.

Travel back to La Paz

The return journey to La Paz was very straight forward and easy. No stops or questions by authorities we were back at the marina by mid afternoon. Chico was excited to see us. Melissa reported he had been a good cat.

Marina Cortez

Back at Marina Cortez we restocked over a few days with as many supplies as possible….we intended to be out and about for quite a while. We cleaned Aeeshah, John the outside, me the inside, taking advantage of the dock and water supply.

John patched our dinghy. It was quite a big job, but really made a difference to the dinghy. We were very busy, but couldn’t leave anyway as the port was shut due to high winds.