Baja Bound 2023 (Part 9)

This entry is part 9 of 23 in the series Baja Bound 2023

April 13, 2023

By Simon J. Lau

Today, I focused on some self-care. This included a boat trip to Carmen Island and light snorkeling. I saw tremendous sea life, including dolphins, starfish, and many reef fish. I’m not totally recovered from my fall yesterday, but I’m feeling much better now!

Afterward, I researched mission history in Baja. I realized that the oldest mission on this peninsula is the one in Loreto. Loreto was too arid, and the missionaries needed a plot where they could farm. The natives suggested a plot in a valley, just over the mountains. That’s where they built San Javier Mission, the second oldest mission in Baja and the mission that I visited yesterday. It appears that both Mission Loreto and San Javier Mission are cut from the same cloth and were established just 2 years apart.

Finally, I tried something new for my last night in Loreto: Soul food. I’ve had Mexican food every night for a week now, so I was hungry to try something new. It’s not bad, especially the mac and cheese! Apparently, I also found myself a new friend.