Clam and fish fry, in Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja...

It was dark, really dark, as it was at least an hour past sundown, and I'd just enjoyed a delicious meal of fish tacos, and the company of two wonderful women, who happen to own and operate a very colorful eatery, known as Taqueria Bahia, which serves some of the best fish tacos in the small town of Bahia de Los Angeles. I love to dine at local taquerias, and I especially love fish tacos, served by beautiful women!

Photo: Carlos, at the left of the photo, and George, pose for the camera in front of the motel, as they hold their barbecue.

After enjoying the company of two beautiful women, and a couple of delicious fish tacos, I headed back to my motel room, intending to see if the electricity was on, and maybe enjoy a movie or two in my room; such is the entertainment offered in Bahia de Los Angeles on a Wednesday night, in early October, 2007. As I ambled up to the entrance to the Hotel Las Hamacas, where I was staying, which is really a motel, I noticed something different as I approached the entrance: Two guys tending a campfire, and roasting fish over the fire. How could I not resist the investigation? How many times do you walk up to your motel, and see a couple of guys cooking freshly-caught fish over an open campfire? I guess I had to pinch myself a couple of times and remind myself that I was visiting the sleepy town of Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico.

Carlos and George are two real estate speculators, who reside in San Felipe, but had taken a trip to Bahia de Los Angeles to sample the local fishing, and to troll the locals for a few leads on real estate investment. I stumbled upon them, and their charcoal fire, as I was returning to my motel room, and immediately struck up a conversation with these two friendly guys. The conversation started with a casual "Buenas noches," and it took off from there; I love the conversation opportunities in Mexico. Naturally, an knowledge of Spanish is a must... Of course, they invited me to their barbecue, which was fine with me, but I politely excused myself, and told them that I'd be back in a couple of minutes, as I had something that I wanted to contribute to the party. In my motel room, I grabbed 3, 24-oz Corona beers, which seemed fitting for such a wonderful party. Carlos and George were ecstatic as I presented the beers, and as we popped the tops of the cans, many toasts of "Olé!" and "Salud!" were offered to the three of us.

Photo: George, left, opens a clam as Carlos, right, tends the glowing mesquite and charcoal fire.

Carlos and George had been sport fishing for much of the day, and had brought back a catch of dorado. After they'd cleaned and iced the dorado, they went back to the beach, near the "Rampa Publica" and spent some time digging clams, and had cached quite a few clams. Carlos and George were staying at Hotel Las Hamacas, which features a stand-alone suite in front of the motel, and allows amenities such as a fire pit (only in Bahia de Los Angeles!) so Carlos and George took advantage of the situation, to host an impromptu clam bake and fish fry, and I just stumbled on to the whole thing. Carlos and George provided the fish, and I provided the beer, and the fire provided the cherry atmosphere.

I was already full, from my dinner adventures at Taqueria Bahia, but I couldn't resist enjoy the delicious barbecued fish, and the wonderful companionship of a couple of friendly guys like Carlos and George. They said that they were going fishing the next day, and invited me to join them, and I carefully thought about it, but declined, as I sort of had an plan for the next day. However, these guys were truly "real" in their offer, and if circumstances would have been different, I probably would have enjoyed a wonderful day of sport fishing with these guys in the Sea of Cortez.

Photo: Grilled dorado fillets to the left, and clams, grilled with key limes line the frying pan to the right of the photo. Note the large can of Corona beer, which was provided by the author.

By the way, the salsa, the grilled clams and the dorado were outstanding, as you just can't go wrong under these circumstances. Good food, good Tecate beer, and fine company add up to a wonderful evening!

When you're visiting Bahia de Los Angeles, keep your eyes and ears open for friendly people, as the opportunities are unlimited. Thanks to Carlos and George, I enjoyed a delicious meal of clams and dorado, trimmed with limes and freshly made salsa. Combine wonderful company, fresh salsa, delicious fish and a few beers, a night just doesn't get any better!

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