eas Baja’s Blue-Eyed Pirates (NAPSA)—If you’re planning un viaje (a trip) to Baja California, consider these hechos interesantes (interesting facts) about the area: Whereas the Spanish/Indian heritage is strong in mainland Mexico, you’re likely to spot locals with blue eyes when you visit Los Cabos. So where did these blueeyed Latinos come from? The blue-eyed descendants of English pirates can be found throughout Baja California. Fact and legend blur here, but the best guess is that they are descendants of English pirates who once holed up in ports along the Sea of Cortez. The Spanish and their gold-laden galleons were tempting targets throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, and their cargoes were often hijacked. Today, residents of the southern Baja’s east coast speak of the Coromuel, the westerly wind that blows year round. As for the origin of the name, it seems there was an English privateer’s ship, the Cromwell—named after England’s 17th century ruler, Oliver Cromwell—that used to hide in the Bay of La Paz, waiting for the famed Manila galleons to sail by. When they did, the Cromwell sallied forth to do battle, using the stern wind of what became known as “the Coromuel”to exit the bay and attack the hapless galleons. For a brochure on Mexico and Pleasant Mexico Holiday’s moneysaving travel packages, call your travel agent or 800-448-3338. Visit Pleasant’s Web site at www.PleasantHolidays.com.
