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After spending one day in
La Paz
enjoying the ambience of the waterfront, we journeyed
several hours south to a wonderful beach house that enjoys close proximity
to a coral reef. (Click here to see the movie
'Early Morning at the Beach House') What a truly amazing experience to
dive amidst the creatures that call it their home! Dane and I spent
two days doing our open water dives to complete our certification. We
saw puffer fish, eels, manta rays, and so many schools of colorful fish it
was awe-inspiring. On the third day, not believing it could get any
better, we dove with Phill. Sharing his love, knowledge, and expertise
of the undersea world was unbelievable. (Click here to see the movie
'Did you enjoy that Dane?') We saw flying manta rays, a three
legged turtle swimming past, enormous (to me) groupers, really beautiful
blue and pink parrot fish with human looking teeth. I had to keep
reminding myself that I was actually there experiencing this totally
different world. Scuba diving was better than I ever imagined!
A typical sunset in the Baja
Our next stop was Todos Santos where we tested our
really amateur rock climbing skills. With Phill's support and guidance
we all managed to climb and hike this beautiful canyon with its several
secret spot waterfalls. (Click here to see the movie
'Little Rock Climbers') We even came upon several
wild horses! The beautiful pink sunset from the Pacific side of Baja
was most enjoyed after our afternoon of exploring. (Click here to see the movie
'Like an Oasis')
After a good night’s sleep we continued our journey
through the cactus filled countryside, which is more beautiful and serene
than imagined. In a small village, we spent a wonderful evening with a local
family while preparing for our boat trip and over night stay at the Rancho
Secret Spot Baja. (Click here to see the movie
'On the Way to the Rancho Secret Spot')
Our panga ride along the coast of
Baja
was interspersed with snorkeling, Phill spear fishing for dinner, and just
an occasional cooling off swim. (Click here to see the movie
'Back to the Pila') Before sharing a great Parrot fish dinner (Click here to see the movie
'Dinner') prepared by the family living in the hacienda at Secret Spot we did some
exploring. First to the pila, a very large fresh water holding pond
for the gardens, for a refreshing rinse from our day’s salt water swims.
Then through the gardens, investigating a second pila and a very old large
water pump that is still in use, and then back to the palm-lined beach where
we set up camp. Sleeping on the beach with the cool sea breezes was
most welcome after a very full day.
Carol sleeps
On a previous visit, Phill had discovered a complete whale skeleton resting
on a beach about five minutes by panga from the Rancho. Before heading
back towards ‘civilization’ we went and numbered all the bone pieces,
loaded them in the panga, and relocated them further back on the beach at
the Rancho. (Click here to see the movie
'Marking the Pieces') What an amazing experience! What
happened to the whale? Was it ill? How did it get beached with its head
facing toward the water? These are all questions that continue to run
through my mind. What an amazing experience to find a complete whale
skeleton!
Looking
to the Sea
We then continued our trek traveling back to California by Land Cruiser,
through the Baja countryside, through all the Mexican Army stops (which I
found to be very interesting) making one additional side trip to see a
church. What a great town with lots of atmosphere and tons of palm trees. We
relaxed in the plaza, in the shade of massive trees, just to stretch our legs before continuing
on. (Click here to see the movie
'Relaxing in the Plaza')
The entire trip was fabulous!! It was so enjoyable to have quiet
moments but always a new adventure pending. My favorite experience
had to be diving with Phill. Diving exposed me to such a
wonderful new world; it was unbelievable. I am
planning another trip to the Rancho Secret Spot Baja, with Phill- a
New Years trip- to create more wonderful memories and to hopefully improve
my diving capabilities. I can’t wait!
To be continued...
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