Originally Published the Week of Oct. 7, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications
It’s been a heck-of-a-year, hasn’t it?
A lot of us just want to press “fast forward” and put 2020 behind us with hopes that 2021 will be different. Or at least back to some semblance of normalcy.
If not 2021, then how about 2020 version (2.0)? A lot of us would settle for that!
A few months ago, I was in that same tank. Tired of quarantine . Tired of protocols. Tired of restrictions.
Tired or looking at empty beaches you couldn’t go on. Tired of looking down empty streets and restaurant that remained closed.
As a fishing operation down here in Baja, it was disheartening to take another phone call or answer another e-mail with another client needing to cancel their fishing trips. It was either because of nervousness, age, pre-existing medical conditions or plain old fear.
Some cancelations had nothing to do with the fishermen who were eager to come down. However, they had to cancel through no fault of their own. For example, their flight was canceled again…and again. Or that the immigration office was not processing passports this year “until Covid was under conrol!”
And so, the clients just gave up out of shear frustration and put postponed their trips.
I get it. I got it. Sure…WHAM…every day. Every day another punch right in the kisser.
Just the way it is. This year. Like you, we keep rolling on.
But, with each passing week, I gotta say, things are looking more optimistic. Maybe, I’m just getting used to the new “normal” here.
I look around and I’m saying, “This is not a bad time at all to be down here.”
Check it out.
For better or worse, we’ve been blessed with cooler temperatures this year. The sun is out and it’s warm, but we’ve been spared all the 100-degree temps we normally see in the season.
Because there’s been so little boat traffic, the waters are markedly cleaner and clearer. Although fishing has been up-and-down, my divers and snorkelers are telling me that not only is the water clearer, but there’s a lot more sea-life happening as well. They’re seeing a lot more down there than normal .
I look scan the city’s the main streets. I see palm trees in the breeze and very little traffic. It’s like Baja 20 years ago. The air is cleaner too!
I can actually get seated at a restaurant without reservations. And, my gosh…the service is so much faster and friendlier as well. You’ve been missed!
The waterfront tourist areas are not should-to-shoulder tourists bumping into each other. You can actually walk and stroll like in the old days.
The hotels have great deals and it’s nice to be in the pool without 50 drunk guys or kids doing cannonballs right on your head. I can swim a lap and don’t have to dodge anyone. The swim-up bar always has a seat waiting for me too.
Wanna go somewhere? Taxi drivers found their manners again.
They’re willing to take you anywhere. Willing to make a deal with you too! You’re not taken for granted anymore. They also know they’re competing with UBER and other services.
Remember landing at the Cabo Airport then finding that standing in line for immigration and customs sometimes took longer than your flight? Crowds are largely gone.
You grab your luggage and you’re out the door. You can start your vacation with a smile instead of being worn out from a travel day.
More airlines are coming back. More airlines are adding routes to Baja as well. Prices are back to being competitive. You may not get a happy meal or a cocktail on the flight anymore, but the airlines want you back in the worst way.
You want to go snorkeling or diving? You want a sunset cruise? You want to rent a car or ATV? Finally try paddleboarding?
And fishing? Sure, there’s boats available and they can’t wait for you to climb aboard.
Step up! There’s no waiting.
Yea, it’s not such a bad time to be here afterall!
That’s my story!
Jonathan
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Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter.com.
They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com
Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!
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Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website:
www.tailhunter-international.com
Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942
Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.
Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/
Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g
“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”
That's My Story 
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