Search results matching tag 'Baja Events'

Anthony Bourdain's Baja Episode of No Reservations Will Make You Want to Cross the Border Immediately

438380 — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:41:00 GMT

No Reservations Mexico-US Border 2/5

Anthony Bourdain's Baja Episode of No Reservations Will Make You Want to Cross the Border Immediately

By Ali TrachtaTue., May 15 2012

The Baja California episode of No Reservations begins with a soundtrack of gunshots and sirens peppering news reports of violence in Tijuana. But against this noise we see Anthony Bourdain strolling into town looking unafraid. He knows what you're thinking: "Wait, isn't Tijuana dangerous?"

The short answer, we learn, is there is no short answer. Yes, it's been a hotbed for drug-related violence in recent years, which has caused Americans largely to stop going. So what does one find just over the border these days? A city that's stopped caring, apparently, about catering to our vices and is now in the midst of a renaissance, especially when it comes to the culinary scene.

Bourdain also reminds us in this episode that Tijuana is merely stop one on your Baja excursion, if you're wise, and that a journey further south will land you in wine country that "feels like Tuscany."

Tijuana tourism boomed, Bourdain explains, during Prohibition, when hoards of thirsty Californians began traveling there to get alcohol, sometimes with a side of sex and drugs. This continued through about 2006, until Mexican President Felipe Calderón launched a crackdown, spurring violence across the city. This made Tijuana essentially unvisitable. The restaurants and hotels laid vacant. The city couldn't survive off the old model.

So what did it do? "Tijuana is in the beginning phases of reinventing itself," Bourdain's guide, also named Tony, says to him. It's now about the locals, he explains, not the tourists.

Chef Javier Plascencia, whom Bourdain meets on his first stop at Misión 19, concurs. "We're trying to create a food town -- a gastronomic destination," he says.

After sampling Plascencia's beef tongue sous-vide, Bourdain moves onto a mezcal tasting with guide Tony, then hops into a pink limousine for a quick trip to "taco alley."

Despite the car's breakdown ("You gotta sit in this thing," he complains, "with passersby hooting at you and taking pictures of the big, stupid gringo in the douchnozzle prom-mobile that needs a fucking jumpstart,") Bourdain eventually gets ahold of the alley's best campechano taco -- a mix of carne asada and chorizo.

The next day, after a local favorite hangover cure of plum juice, tomato juice, lemon juice and beer and a meal of fresh grilled seafood, Bourdain finds himself awash in a sea of cervezas. Boozy afternoon turns to night, and he turns to Kentucky Fried Buches, or chicken necks, for sustenance.

And just before tapping out on Tijuana, he meets a pal at a little beach stand to eat what's apparently the first real fish taco he's ever encountered. From there Bourdain heads to Ensenada, where the seafood theme continues, though we learn that there, it's all about carts over stands. He's led to what is widely considered the best street cart in the world and has what he calls "Le Bernardin-quality seafood in the street."

In the nearby fishing village of Popotla, Bourdain encounters lobster "Puerto Nuevo-style" at a plastic table and chairs on the beach. "I don't even know what Puerto Nuevo-style is, but I want it," he says. Turns out it means chopped in half and thrown in hot oil. So says Bourdain, this is a good thing.

Finally he makes his way to Ensenada's wine country in El Valle de Guadalupe, where he discovers Baja Med cuisine. He learns quickly, though, that chef Benito Molina of restaurant Manzanilla finds this a bit of a misnomer. "It's more Mexican than Mediterranean," he clarifies. "It's Mediterranean ingredients, but done in a Mexican way."

Molina introduces Bourdain to protégé Diego Hernandez of restaurant Corazon de Tierra, who seems the poster child for Baja's culinary movement. He's apprenticed only with Mexican chefs, saying he'd "never" go to France or New York to train. "I think that it's very important for us as young chefs to get to know our own cuisine," Hernandez says.

Molina observes the astuteness of his former student. "It tells you a lot about how the technique and the food scene in Baja has evolved," he says. "It's like we have a clean slate."

Which is really what makes a trip there so intriguing. Through Bourdain's lens we see that Baja is uncharted territory again, yet with all the buzz it's been receiving lately, it's likely headed for a new kind of boom. Best get your passport.

The Baja episode of No Reservations airs May 28 on Travel Channel.

Anthony Bourdain relaxing on a Baja beach

U.S. Rotary Club Sponsors Rosarito Event "Region Is and Always Has Been Safe For Visitors"

438380 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:25:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 27, 2009

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---The Rotary Club of Cambria, California is co-sponsoring with its Rosarito counterpart a Nov. 14 beach maintenance day --- but its main purpose is to show this area is safe for U.S. visitors. “Any beach can benefit from a clean-up day, but the ones here are maintained very nicely,” said Bruce Howard, past president of the Cambria club. “Our main goal in bringing Rotary members down is to help correct misperceptions in the U.S.”Howard, who has a vacation home in Rosarito, said media coverage of the Mexican government’s aggressive crackdown on drug cartels has created the impression among many in the U.S. that the area is unsafe for visitors.“Those of us who love this area and visit it often know that is not true,” Howard said. “But unfortunately the perception is seen as reality by many and it has badly hurt the economy and many people here.”

“We’re hoping events like this and others we are planning involving club members and their families will help spread a more accurate perception in the U.S.,” Howard said. “It’s also a great way to strengthen our relationship with clubs in Mexico,” he added. “Many members of California Rotary clubs and their families love this area and have enjoyed visiting here for decades.” Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres praised the Cambria club’s effort and expressed his gratitude. “This is a bad time to be involved with organized crime in Mexico,” said Torres. “But for our millions of visitors the area is as safe or safer than ever. Still, it is difficult to overcome negative perceptions.”

“We are extremely grateful to the Cambria Rotary Club and other U.S. groups who love Rosarito and have stepped forward to help us convey an accurate picture,” Torres added. “We know they are among our best ambassadors in the U.S.”Participants in the beach maintenance day will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 on the beach in front of the Rosarito Beach Hotel. One group will head south, towards Rene’s Campo, while the other group will head north to clean up as much of the beach as possible during the two-hour event, according to Edson Ruiz, the President of the Rotary Club of Rosarito.

Ruiz is asking all youth and service groups, clubs and organizations in the area, including members of Rosarito’s large expatriate community, to participate. Further information on the event, including lodging discounts, is available by contacting Jack George at; jeg925@yahoo.com or, in the U.S., Bruce Howard at; bruce@brucehowardrealtor.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa

(619)948-3740

ronraposa@hotmail.com

U.S. Mailing Address:

2751 Lincoln Court
National City, CA 91950

Experience Dia del los Muertos in Baja (and have a great safe traditional Holloween in Las Gaviotas)

438380 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:17:00 GMT

Living in the border region many of the traditions blend together and sometimes that means twice the fun. While Halloween is not typically celebrated in most of Mexico, Baja more and more has been getting more into the Halloween act. One great example of this is in Las Gaviotas, a resort neighborhood in Rosarito, Baja California Mexico. For more than 10 years over 100 children of the residents, guests and workers have enjoyed a traditional style Halloween, walking the streets of this Mediterranean Style hamlet, dressed as ghosts and witches. The only thing that clues you into the Baja style is the call of "tiky tiky" at the door when the local children show up.

It reminds many of us of when we were kids and it was safe to let children roam free in the neighborhood. The popular oceanfront resort community is a protected haven for children to freely enjoy a safe Halloween. The residents welcome vacationing guests to bring thier children to enjoy the festivities. Little haunted houses are decked out around the resort and residents and visitors oblige trick or treaters with piles of candy. You are formally invited to join the fun and can do so by contacting Baja-Rentals in Rosarito to enjoy and oceanfront vacation in Baja while doing so.

As if that wouldn't be enough you can then experience the celebration of Dia de los Muertos over the following days. This is a historical celebration in Mexico and much of Latin America to honor family members who have passed on to the afterlife. The beliefs of today's Mexicans are based on the complicated blended cultures of our ancestors, the Aztec and Maya and Spanish. The origins of the Days of the Dead reach into the ancient history of Europe and Mexico. In the eighth century, the church decreed November 1 as All Saints Day. Setting aside the day to honor the martyrs and saints was an attempt to replace the 2000-year tradition of the Celts and their Druid priests (from Europe) who combined harvest festivals and celebrated the new year on November 1.

The Celtic dead were believed to have access to earth on Samhain, October 31st, when the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead relaxed. The Celts danced around huge bonfires, wearing animal heads and hides to confuse the spirits and burned crops and animals as offerings to the returning dead. Around the end of the first millennium, the church reinforced its attempt to cover the Celtic celebration by designating November 2 as All Souls' Day to honor the dead. All Souls' Day was celebrated with parades, big bonfires and the people dressed as saints, angels and devils.

In the Celtic language of the day, All Saints Day and All Souls' Day were known as All-hallowsmas, and October 31 was "All Hallowed's Eve" or Hallow'e'en. When the Spaniards arrived in Mexico they encountered two-month celebrations honoring death, the fall harvest and the new year. For more than 500 years, the goddess Mictecacihuatl (Lady of the Dead - pictured here) presided over Aztec harvest rituals using fires and incense, costumes of animal skins, images of their dead and offerings of ceramics, personal goods, flowers and foods, drink and flowers.

The Spanish conquerors attempted to transform the joyous celebration to a more suitably serious image of death, and a day of prayer focusing attention and reflection on the saints and martyrs. The people of Mexico did not fully adopt the idea, and by keeping their familiar ceremonies, All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day evolved into the celebrations that today honor the dead with color, candles, lots of food and joy.

Many families honor their ancestors and dead with home altars, laden with harvest fruits, traditional bread with crossed bones on dough on top, all to greet the spirits as they return to the home for 24 hours each year. Many will visit the cemetaries of thier loved ones with a feast in two and offer it to them. Of course they will devour whatever those in the afterworld leave behind. It's all a great spirited celebration. Some towns have parades with lavish skelital costumes and many artisans fire up their creative skills for the celebration. It's a great time to shop for unique art indigenous to Mexico.

This is all just another great example of how Life In Baja is a rich cultural experience that blends the best of both worlds. Come join the celebrations a and family fun that await you in Baja.

ROSARTIO TO HOST HALF MARATHON EVENT NOVEMBER 7th, 2009

438380 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:57:00 GMT

Rosarito, Baja-Rentals knows, has long been know for its bike rides and surf contests. Continuing the trend as a health haven Rosarito will now host a half-marathon for residents and visitors. The fifth annual iteration of the event will start in Rosarito and make its way to Puerto-Nuevo's famous lobster village, on November 7th, 2009. The organizers expect that the event will attract between 500 and 1000 participants in various categories.

As per their press announcement "Categories for the event along the Pacific Ocean are men, women 18 to 24; 25 to 29 30 to 34; 35 to 39; 40 to 44; 45 to 49; 50 to 54; 55 to 59 and over 60 years. There also is a wheelchair category. Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third place in each category, including wheelchairs. Cash prizes for the winners are first $400, second $300 and third $ 200. For winners in the wheelchair categories first will be $150, second $100 and third $50. The winning Rosarito residents in men and women’s categories will each receive $200. They must prove at least three years of residence.

Commemorative medals will be awarded for the first 150 men and 50 women who finish and shirts given to each participant. Entry fee is $100 pesos or $10 U.S. and registration is available at the Rosarito Convention & Visitors Bureau or the Institutes of Sport in Mexicali, Ensenada and Tijuana. The last day to register will be Friday, Nov. 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the race pavilion. More information is available by calling 661-614-1454 in Puerto Nuevo, 661-612-0396 in Rosarito or emailing promoter@rosarito.org From the U.S. people can phone 1-800-962-BAJA."

Management of the event is provided the State Association of Athletics of Baja California and the event is endorsed by the Mexican Federation of Athletics.Gerardo Medina, president of the State Association of Athletics said "This event is a tradition in Rosarito and people are excited about... another great event with a large of number of participants,” Since the beginning of the year there have been two 50 mile bike rides, several surfing tournaments and a bi-national basketball tournament held in Rosarito. The Rosarito Board of Realtors, AMPI has also sponsored two open golf tournaments that have drawn sell out fields. Rosarito continues to position itself as a top healthly lifestyle vacation and residential destination and many of those events are sponsored by Baja Rentals.

INAUGURAL VENDIMIA OPEN GOLF TOURNEMENT – A TRIUMPH FOR BAJA’S CHILDREN

438380 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:07:00 GMT

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. August 14th, 2009 - As part of the celebration of Baja’s wine harvest festival Bajamar, the premier golf course in northern Baja, hosted the first ever Vendimia Open Golf Tournament in support of the Baja Scholarship Foundation (BSF). The local Baja Real Estate Association, AMPI, which is Mexico's franchise of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) organized and sposored the event in cooperation with Bajamar. The tourney combined spectacular oceanfront golf with the spirit and magic of Baja’s Wine Country. The result was nothing less than spectacular when on the beautiful morning of the event a “maxed out” field of 156 golfers tee’d up for the shotgun start with over half of them venturing down from the US.

The event was a two man scramble with a $6500 purse at stake. There were prizes and events on each hole and an opportunity to win a HUMMER for a hole in one. All inclusive oceanfront golf packages, premium golf equipment and roundtrip airfares were among the donated items for the tournament. As if that isn’t enough the premier vineyards of México’s Guadalupe Valley presented their internationally acclaimed, award winning wines. There were Wine Tastings on five holes paired with culinary creations from Ensenada’s celebrated chefs. Château Camou, Emeve, Valor and several other wines were presented on the day. At the turn a classic Baja carne asada, carnitas, pollo asada lunch was served at the turn and sumptuous Steak & Lobster was served at the awards dinner in the scenic Bajamar clubhouse restaurant. At the awards ceremony dinner there was music & dancing, prizes & raffles and rousing auctions.

Bajamar has long been known as one of the most spectacular oceanfront golf courses on North America’s west coast. Five holes play right along Baja’s scenic pacific coastline and most of the rest of the 27 championship holes play in a lava desert layout that looks out to spectacular ocean views. A challenging yet rewarding course layout the 18 original holes, now the Lagos and Vista nines, were designed by Percy Clifford in 1976 and redesigned in the early 1990s. The Oceano nine, was designed by Robert Von Hagge and opened in June 1996. Since the addition of a new desalinization plant for the courses water sources the condition of the course has improves to a caliber that any golfer would consider impeccable.

The event had the support of AMPI, México’s franchise of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Provino’s Vendimia events council. Gracious volunteers from BSF and AMPI donated their time and worked the course to insure a smooth tournament. Sponsors for the event included Bajamar Premier Properties (Platinum Sponsor), Mahon International, Telnor, Cannon Power Group, BajaBound Insurance, First Title Services, Baja-Rentals.com, Children’s Fund of SB, Chicago Title of Orange County, Realty Executives, Hostal San Angel and Santa Barbara at Bajamar.

The event was in support of the Baja Scholarship Foundation; a nonprofit 501 C3, that provides education to high potential children in Baja California from needy families. They have graduated students who have become doctors and engineers and who are giving back to their local communities to help change the lives of others in the region. It is a great cause run by great people. Approximately $10,000 was raised for the charity and Judie Kesson, the president of BSF said “these guys really did it!” expressing great satisfaction with the result. For more information on the Baja Scholarship Foundation go to http://www.bajascholarshipfoundation.org.

Larry French is a member of the Baja Real Estate Group and can be found at http://www.oceanfrontbaja.com.