Day 34

Today we are off on a Tour of La Paz. The tour was going to begin at 9:00 A.M. & finally was underway at 9:50 A.M. because the bus driver forgot about the time. We discovered that La Paz is a rich city, among the richest in Mexico. The city landmark was a mushroom shaped rock, but ten years ago was changed to a Whales Tail & a Dove to commemorate friendship & peace. The population of La Paz, the capitol of Baja California Sur, is 250,000. La Paz was founded by the Spanish on May 3^rd, 1535. Cortez wanted the gold that had been discovered & he also wanted to claim more land for Spain. The cost of a two bedroom house 5 or six blocks off the Malecon is between $35,000 &$ 50,000 USD. On the Malecon, the price can triple.  There is 2700 kms of coastline in the Baja but no commercial fishing can occur because Mexico declared it a National Park. They now have shrimp, tuna & sardine farms instead.

The Cathedral of La Paz is unique because all the Stations of the Cross are in English, because a Bishop gave the originals to a good Samaritan, who was going to take them to Guadalajara & never returned. The English plaques were supplied by an American.

We went to a high heat Pottery Factory, where believe it or not, some Caravaners bought some Pottery.  The pottery was very light & we were told it was dishwasher & micro-wave safe. Several Caravaners bought goods at the Flea Market as well.

Lunch was at the Bismark Lobster Café, on the Malecon.  Seafood tacos were enjoyed by most everyone. The shrimp stuffed fish also looked great.

La Paz is famous for Humpback & Gray Whales.

They are 15-17 meters long & 350 kilos as adults. Baby whales are taught to swim, spending the first two years with their mothers.

Dan and Liz