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MeznG. In the air, on the road, river or sea again
As we entered the bay this morning we are greeted by the sound of the sea lions and these huge rock formations jutting out of the sea. With the sun just rising, the sky is pink and the colors on the rocks are ever changing with the light.
Cabo San Lucas is situated at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. It was home to a nomadic tribe the Pericu before Europeans began exploring the waters in 1542. Pirates stashed their bounty in the harbours coves. A shipping port developed here in the 19th century and back then the waters were teeming with tuna.
Hurricanes demolished the village in 1941 but the abundance of fish attracted sport fishing enthusiasts and Hollywood celebrities transformed it into a playground for the rich and famous in the 50s and 60s. Judging by the yachts, catamarans and other sea craft in the marina and in the bay, it is still very much an escape for the wealthy.
We didn't venture from the cove but as well as this beautiful water there are a couple of villages that some tours will visit today. There is the historical Centre of San José mission built by Spanish missionaries in 1730 and a Mexican village between the desert and the Sierra Laguna mountains called Tados Santos meaning 'All Saints', another destination is the actual Hotel California that was apparently the inspiration for the song by the Eagles.
We have opted for a 3 hour Zodiac raft snorkeling tour this morning. Ten of us pile into the inflatable zodiac powered by 2x115hp outboards and we make our way out through the marina to get up close to these incredible rock mountains. With the zodiac we can poke the nose into lots of little nooks as we rise and fall with the ocean. There are a number of formations that have been given names including pelican rock, Neptune's finger and the window to the Pacific. The sea lion colony has made its home on a rock platform and there are so many stacked on top of one another. Occasionally they look up and someone barks instructions or wriggles around to get more room which makes others groan. The most photographed formation is El Arco (the arch) which is a 200ft granite formation carved by the ocean. The last part of this area known as Lands End is a single rock with a sea lion draped over the top. What a life lolling around in the sun. Sounds like cruise life to me!
We now pick up speed and head you our first snorkeling spot Chileno Bay. The water temperature was cooler than we had become accustomed to but it was clear and the fish were there in abundance. Our guide helped with the fish numbers by feeding them with tortillas. At this spot we witnessed a display by manta rays on the surface and an Eagle Ray on the ocean floor. After 30 minutes in the water we climb back on board and go to our next snorkel spot a short few minutes away which is Santa Maria Cove. This spot is just off a palm lined sandy public beach. The sea was becoming more turbulent but the cove was semi protected by a reef and rocks. The visibility was compromised here because of the waves but still the fish numbers were abundant. After 30 or more minutes being buffeted by the waves we climb back on the boat and proceeded to head back to the marina. The trip back was fabulous as we traveled close to the shoreline looking at the many many large resorts with their private beaches and the luxury homes rumored to be owned by celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Tom Cruise and Michael Jordan. Back in the 40's Bing Crosby, John Wayne and Desi Arnez built a hotel along this strip. The houses are literally cut into the mountains and are either multi storey or large sprawling estates.
As we enter the marina we see many of the huge game fishing boats returning. Our guide says we should have our camera ready in case we see Pedro a local celebrity, and then there he was! This large sea lion pops up out of the water and rests on the ledge at the back of the fishing boat hoping for a fish. The crew oblige by giving home a small fish and he happily slips back in the water only to pop up again and again and again. He is briefly joined by another sea lion. It's such a fun thing to see.
We head back to the ship to shower, have lunch and then within the hour we are back in shore to explore a little more of Cabo. The atmosphere is alive. The vendors and stall holders are offering tours, fishing trips, water taxi, golf trips you name it. All the bars have happy hour all day with 2 for 1 Margaritas and beers.
We walk around the marina, past the Dolphin Centre and onto the street. Behind the fancy marina is a bit of 'normality' with the local buses, cars and people going about their business.
The afternoon has turned out very hot, it maybe the last real warmth that we feel as we head up the coast to Los Angeles.
It has been great to get off the ship today and say we have been to Mexico albeit a very different Mexico to what we imagined.
Cabo San Lucas is situated at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. It was home to a nomadic tribe the Pericu before Europeans began exploring the waters in 1542. Pirates stashed their bounty in the harbours coves. A shipping port developed here in the 19th century and back then the waters were teeming with tuna.
Hurricanes demolished the village in 1941 but the abundance of fish attracted sport fishing enthusiasts and Hollywood celebrities transformed it into a playground for the rich and famous in the 50s and 60s. Judging by the yachts, catamarans and other sea craft in the marina and in the bay, it is still very much an escape for the wealthy.
We didn't venture from the cove but as well as this beautiful water there are a couple of villages that some tours will visit today. There is the historical Centre of San José mission built by Spanish missionaries in 1730 and a Mexican village between the desert and the Sierra Laguna mountains called Tados Santos meaning 'All Saints', another destination is the actual Hotel California that was apparently the inspiration for the song by the Eagles.
We have opted for a 3 hour Zodiac raft snorkeling tour this morning. Ten of us pile into the inflatable zodiac powered by 2x115hp outboards and we make our way out through the marina to get up close to these incredible rock mountains. With the zodiac we can poke the nose into lots of little nooks as we rise and fall with the ocean. There are a number of formations that have been given names including pelican rock, Neptune's finger and the window to the Pacific. The sea lion colony has made its home on a rock platform and there are so many stacked on top of one another. Occasionally they look up and someone barks instructions or wriggles around to get more room which makes others groan. The most photographed formation is El Arco (the arch) which is a 200ft granite formation carved by the ocean. The last part of this area known as Lands End is a single rock with a sea lion draped over the top. What a life lolling around in the sun. Sounds like cruise life to me!
We now pick up speed and head you our first snorkeling spot Chileno Bay. The water temperature was cooler than we had become accustomed to but it was clear and the fish were there in abundance. Our guide helped with the fish numbers by feeding them with tortillas. At this spot we witnessed a display by manta rays on the surface and an Eagle Ray on the ocean floor. After 30 minutes in the water we climb back on board and go to our next snorkel spot a short few minutes away which is Santa Maria Cove. This spot is just off a palm lined sandy public beach. The sea was becoming more turbulent but the cove was semi protected by a reef and rocks. The visibility was compromised here because of the waves but still the fish numbers were abundant. After 30 or more minutes being buffeted by the waves we climb back on the boat and proceeded to head back to the marina. The trip back was fabulous as we traveled close to the shoreline looking at the many many large resorts with their private beaches and the luxury homes rumored to be owned by celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Tom Cruise and Michael Jordan. Back in the 40's Bing Crosby, John Wayne and Desi Arnez built a hotel along this strip. The houses are literally cut into the mountains and are either multi storey or large sprawling estates.
As we enter the marina we see many of the huge game fishing boats returning. Our guide says we should have our camera ready in case we see Pedro a local celebrity, and then there he was! This large sea lion pops up out of the water and rests on the ledge at the back of the fishing boat hoping for a fish. The crew oblige by giving home a small fish and he happily slips back in the water only to pop up again and again and again. He is briefly joined by another sea lion. It's such a fun thing to see.
We head back to the ship to shower, have lunch and then within the hour we are back in shore to explore a little more of Cabo. The atmosphere is alive. The vendors and stall holders are offering tours, fishing trips, water taxi, golf trips you name it. All the bars have happy hour all day with 2 for 1 Margaritas and beers.
We walk around the marina, past the Dolphin Centre and onto the street. Behind the fancy marina is a bit of 'normality' with the local buses, cars and people going about their business.
The afternoon has turned out very hot, it maybe the last real warmth that we feel as we head up the coast to Los Angeles.
It has been great to get off the ship today and say we have been to Mexico albeit a very different Mexico to what we imagined.
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