Science Meeting in Loreto

This should be an interesting event. I hope to make it and maybe I'll see some of you there!

Applying Science to the Conservation and Management of Natural Resources throughout Northwest Mexico

May 25-27, 2011

Loreto, B.C.S.

The Ocean Foundation, in collaboration with a diverse collection of research institutions, government agencies and non-governmental organizations, cordially invites you to save the date for a conservation science symposium discussing the application of science to the conservation and management of natural resources throughout Northwest Mexico, to be held May 25 to 27, 2011 in Loreto, B.C.S., Mexico.

Through a series of oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, we will explore marine and terrestrial issues, helping to define priorities for conservation throughout the region.

The topics of discussion will include some of today’s most pressing issues, such as:

• Climate change and its impacts on habitat and biodiversity,
• Freshwater quality, quantity, and alternative sources of water,
• Fisheries and coastal communities,
• Development, urbanization and the sustainable use of natural resources, and
• Natural protected areas, connectivity and biodiversity.

Participating Organizations and Institutions:
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Ayuntamiento de Loreto, California Academy of Sciences, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas de México, Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C., Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C., Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias, A.C., Instituto Nacional de la Pesca de México, Laguna San Ignacio Ecosystem Science Project, ProEsteros, A.C., Pro Peninsula and The Ocean Foundation, Sociedad de Historia Natural Niparaja, A.C., The Nature Conservancy, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur.

The Volaris Experiment Part 4: The Flight to La Paz

Continuing the story...

The flight to La Paz on Volaris was quite pleasant. The Airbus 319 was clean, modern and appeared new. Pink Martini played over the intercom as we taxied out. The aircraft was equipped with fold-down computer screens. The safety video was done in the form of a telenovela - you have to see it for yourself. On both my flights everyone paid attention.

Claudia Lizaldi does a great job reminding us of the safety features of the Airbus 319.

The La Paz airport is small and straight forward. A windy afternoon made for a choppy approach. There was a German Sheppard sniffing the checked luggage - it was the second drug/gun/cash dog of the day.

There is an ATM in the airport. I got some pesos and jumped into a cab and headed for the bus station. The cab was clean and efficient - $300 MN (Pesos) for the lift. Although I have used colectivo buses to get to the Los Cabos Airport I don't know if it would work in La Paz. The airport is on a fairly long side road from the highway. I would be very interested in hearing about potential alternatives to cabs.

The Volaris Experiment: Part 3 The Tijuana Airport

The ride from the boarder to the Tijuana Airport is relatively short and easy. After the line the bus heads south, crosses the river, spins around a traffic circle and then heads east along the boarder fence for about 3 miles.

While the bus ride was straight forward the navigating airport is not. Some Spanish language skills and calm determination is required. English only would work here but it would make things more challenging.

The airport is nice and modern with plenty of food and other basics and with a little lead lead time should present no major problems. But it helps to know the drill. In Mexico there are often more than one way to do things and they often change but for what it's worth here is what I did:

First I went inside the airport and got in line that led to check in area.

There is an x-ray machine for your bags here and they may check for a boarding pass - I can't remember .

Just before the x-ray check point there is a small INM window - it is fairly well marked - I asked about getting an FMT (tourist visa) and the uniformed officer said to pay inside and come back for the FMT.

I went in and got in the long slow check in line.

Note that each flight has its own check in line and each flight gets one check in window. Be sure to get in the correct one. At the front of each line just before the check-in window, a team of three people did a cursory search of our bags and then sealed them with zip-ties.

While in this line I talked to an American couple who I had met on the bus and had come through a different initial screening entrance where they had paid a different INM guy directly and had their FMTs already.

After a little asking around my Spanish paid off and I was directed to this window:

When you are in the Volaris check in lines this window is directly behind you.

I paid my $22 for the FMT here got a receipt and was directed back to the INM guy near at the x-ray line.

I was relieved to discover that he had a small window on the inside of the security check so I didn't have to go outside and return through security.

I gave him the receipt and he gave me an FMT good for 180 days.

Then I was back in the check in line, got my bags searched and sealed, got my boarding pass and headed to the final security check.

The final security check was the third bottle neck for the morning - there appeared to be only one lane for the check that was serving several flights. It was the standard x-ray your carry on and metal-detector deal.

After that it was a quick hustle through the terminal - very new and nice but with the trio of long lines I didn't have time to enjoy it.

At the gate they loaded us onto a pair of buses and then drove us a few hundred yards across the taxiways to a waiting plane and boarded using old-school stairs.

I was a little over whelmed by the process and may have gotten small details wrong but the general plan should work.

I snapped this picture of Adriana - all Volaris aircraft appear to have names - but not all have a Krispy Kreme logo.

The Volaris Experiment: Part 2 Crossing the Boarder

OK,

So Alaska/Horizon tickets were about $450 from LAX to Loreto and I was in San Diego with an itch to go fishing.

Determined Baja traveler that I am, I decided to give the Volaris route a try.

I walked down to the Greyhound station in San Diego at 1st and Broadway about three hours ahead of my flight - about 6:00am. It was very close to my hotel in San Diego and I found the walk quiet and pleasant in the calm coolness of the morning.

The ride on the Curcero-USA bus (http://www.crucero-usa.com/) from San Diego to the Tijuana Airport was $15 US but you can get tickets for a few dollars less on the web. Buses run every hour or two from 6:45am to 11:30 pm. It takes about an hour to get from downtown San Diego to the Tijuana airport but leave early boarder delays are always possible and unpredictable.

Here we are about to cross over to el otro lado. I haven't made the land crossing at San Ysidro in a while and while much is still the same a few things have changed. The south bound traffic backed up in the photo are cars being stopped for searches on the US side prior to entering Mexico.

All vehicles were being stopped and we had to wait while a crew of officers really looked over a nice SUV and pick up driven by two young latino guys. Afterwards a series of three very serious officers visited the bus covered by an officer with the most fearsome looking shotgun I have ever seen. I think these guys were ICE but it was serious enough that I forgot to write down who was doing the searches. They ran a dog through the bus and made some announcements about carrying more than $10,000. This isn't usually a worry for El Moscero. If I had $10,000 I wouldn't be on the bus.

After a significant but not fatal delay we were on the way.

Always build extra time into your travel plans. You will need it here.

A volunteer from the bus gets to push the Aduana (Mexican Customs) red/light green light button - we got lucky and dozen or so people on the bus cheered as our volunteer got the green light.