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I first heard of “the green flash” in the Northern Territory where watching the sun set at East Point was a bit of a hippie tradition in the old days. Just as the sun sinks below the horizon you will see a green flash…. if you’re lucky?…… enhanced?
Tonight I’m watching the ever-spectacular sunset from my balcony at the Hotel La Siesta in Mazatlan, Mexico, still one of my favourite places, even after all the rest.
The sun sets through a low layer of glowing red coals clouds then breaks clear for the last free plunge into the Pacific. My third time here and still magic.

WAS IT THE GREEN FLASH?

Bill Shum
2006-08-21 17:06:57

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decks.
Then we enter the Sea of Cortez, that stretch of water between Baja and mainland Mexico. The water is like glass, the familiar, soothing throb of the engines,
Bajawe glide across clear water and I can see manta rays, flying fish and then a pod of dolphins, maybe 50 or 60, cutting across our bows, riding the bow wave, diving under the hull and coming up, grinning inanely, hurling themselves out of the water, they seem to be having so much fun, we are all watching them from the rails, grinning along with them.

Then La Paz, not much to report, and the long hot run down to the bottom of Baja. It is noticeably hotter, like a flaming furnace, the air is burning any exposed skin, I need to stop and get a drink. I figure I have to get right to the bottom of Baja if this to be a trip of extremes.
Stick it where the sun always shines! I need to remember the sunblock, with only the body armour on I’m getting dark skin ringlets above the glove line and a lattice of brown diamonds thru’ the mesh…looks a bit weird.
So, the aforementioned Cabo San Lucas, the multi storied, multi national, mega developments, and all around the coast, private mansions perched in every viable cleft in the cliffs, an endless perfect beach, some good waves(?) and rocky points, perfect blue/green sea, I can understand the development, just like, ultimately, at every perfect place.

Then to Cabo Pulmo, everyone said it was the best diving in Baja, it was pretty speccy. And then on again, dove in the morning, rode to La Paz, met some uni students from the US, had a great night, then early and off across the wild, boring, deadly dry and hot Baja. Santa Rosalia, had to wait in line for gas at the only servo!…the servos are all government owned//run in Mexico but some towns have 20, others 1, and many run out altogether!…rule-of-thumb in Mexico…never pass a gas station without filling up!
The last leg, I was going to spend a day in Ensenada but sort of missed it and ended up in Tijuana, right on the frontera, and another wild night, interesting town, touristed out but great locals and cheapness just a couple of blocks from the main strip.

Early start and a pretty straightforward crossing, got a new visa and they never looked at the bike or the papers!…then straight up the freeway to San Clemente, Rip Curl and a photo in the same spot where it all started.
I’ve got a cheap (Ha!) motel and need to study the mapa and plan (yes, a plan!) where and when next. I’m going to deviate thru’ Sequoia and Yosemite Parks, cut back to San Fransisco and then up the coast…..maybe…..

It’s sort of strange being out of the latino culture after 49 weeks, 56,000 kms and 16 countries (8 of them twice) ….a bit of reverse culture shock this morning and an overwhelming sense of sadness….and loss…I wanna go baaaack…..

….the only saving grace being the high latino profile in the local culture!….

and…aahhh….Go Dees…..and Go Oz in the world cup….the main plan in my maybe plan is just to have access to coverage of our games….12, 18 and 23 June…(our time)

Hey, what are you up to? I know, you’ve wasted enough time on this rubbish, time to get back to work etc etc ….but hey, c’mon, what’s up?