The Drrons shoot a killer and other delights.

[drron]

Now we came ashore hoping to spend our last pesos.That basically proved impossible.We decided to have a drink at a bar where you get back on the zodiacs or tenders for the larger ships.There was basically nothing for rojaan to drink.Only 1 white wine-a chardonnay.I had what was advertised as their strongest tequila coughtail.It tasted like they had left out the main ingredient.Rip off.

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So back on the zodiac.

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Past the last of the big ships.

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And where the catamaran cruise went.They did see a humpback whale.

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[drron]

So now just 2 sea days left before reaching San Diego.Nothing much happening on deck.Many first time cruisers on board this time and funny hearing them say how bad the sea is-for the Pacific a 1-2 metre swell is nothing.Several lectures but a lot of time lying on the bed looking at the back of my eyelids.So a change of tack.here are some of the meals.Unfortunately they no longer give you copies of the menus so as I suffer from CRAFT disease forgive the lack of detail of what the dishes are.

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[drron]

As I have said before the standard of food on this cruise was not up to previous standards.Not bad but often just plain but occasional dishes that were a fail.Tom Yum soup and Pad Thai definite failures.
Sometimes though I liked the plain dishes as they were comfort food from my childhood such as liver and shepherd's pie-those received negative comments from some.
But to the pictures.

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[drron]

The last night was an Asian themed night.I felt this was poorly done.

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[craven morehead]

A tricky landing as a sharp drop off and the beach was slippery rounded stones.

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The island is known for these large round cacti.

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Reminds me of some of the golf courses I just played @drron lol

 

[drron]

Often on the Explorer the ship's carpenter does a map of the voyage which is auctioned off to raise funds for the Crew fund.This time it raised $1000.

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I would like to buy one but as usual when you know the bidder you know you wont win at a price you are comfortable with.A travel guy well known in small ship cruising was the winner.
The next morning we arrive in San Diego.The Carl Vinson is in port and we dock close to the Midway.

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On the other side is the maritime museum.

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It is also close to the airport.For a plane spotter this is great.

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[drron]

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[drron]

So the first of our cruises has ended.I enjoyed it but to quite a few it was disappointing.Many wanted to see more of the wildlife particularly whales and dolphins.Research however suggested that late March was at the very end of whale watching in the sea of Cortez.As well the photo shown at our first briefing of an orca the week before convinced me whales were not going to be seen.The only real disappointment was that there are 3 resident pods of sperm whales which I would have liked to have seen.
But the positives.It is an area that I would not have ever seen if it were not for this itinerary on the Explorer.The islands were interesting and the bird life particularly in the first 2 days was extraordinary and the sheer number of birds exceeded those seen in the Galapagos.
The trip to the Copper Canyon was very good even with the hotel problems and the long days.I dont need to go back but I am grateful that we could do it.You do need to spend at least a night there if you go privately.


If you want to see and interact with whales,sharks and dolphins this is not the way to do it.You need to stay on the Baja peninsula or live aboard on a small boat cruising the Baja coast and go in season.February and early March probably the best.
We did have an operator from Baja on the expedition team and he was great value.His name is Tim Hatler.
Palapas Ventana - The Best of Baja!


Also although there were several fairly new expedition staff the team was very good.Robin Aiello was superb as always.Enjoyed the talks by the geologist Jonathon Furmann and I enjoy the company and experience of the birder Chris Harbard.
Especially encouraging was seeing Hilman on the Expedition staff.We knew him as a waiter in the restaurant previously.Very enthusiastic and will go far.Great to know he was encouraged by Dominic another who has made the transition from the Restaurant to the Expedition staff and was Asst.Expedition leader on our Cape to Cape cruise last year.


So although in some ways not a full expedition cruise I still really enjoyed it.

 

[drron]

So I start the second cruise with a brief overview of our time in San Diego.We just had a stroll,did some shopping and had a nice lunch.So a picture summing up transport here.A free bike and light rail.

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Back to the transport theme with the Railway Station.

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Lunch was at the Fish Market restaurant.We like this place.I started with the fish and scallop cerviche and had mussels in a garlicky and slightly spicy broth.Loved both.

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Mrsdrron had the lobster.

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Outside was a PERfect specimen of one of JohnM's WA plants.

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[drron]

It is next to the Midway.

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We now went back to the ship.The US authorities were creating havoc.First in the morning the ship wasn't cleared for disembarkation until just after 10am.Several had 11am flights.
Then they went through the ship with a fine tooth comb.Searched every cabin-attendants told they were looking for stowaways.Dogs brought on for that task but obviously drug dogs as well.
Then there was the health inspection.The restaurant was closed until 2.30pm.New passengers couldn't board before then and those who stayed on board couldn't have lunch until then.
An even bigger problem that soon showed up was they insisted that all fruit and vegetables loaded in Mexico had to be thrown out.
But a few more shots when back on board.

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[drron]

It was fortunate that we had made the decision to lunch off the ship.We did wonder why the new passengers were all sitting around in the terminal.We did board with Tim Amm who we know well and is now a senior Expedition office staffer.He told us of the dramas.
Our room attendant,Sharon,was shaken by the experience though.She and our butler Aditya were both great so we chatted to both the hotel director and the head of the butler service to make sure they continued with us on the second leg.
Now for sailaway.We were accompanied by a Coastguard vessel on each side.

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They were ready for action warning off any vessel that got close.

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In 1983 with our son we visited friends on Coranado and I think it was one of these places.

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The fellow was an IT contractor for the Navy and an admiral lived next door.He was then on the John F Kennedy.He made an 8 year old boy very happy.
But back on message.

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We were followed out by the navy.

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[drron]

And passed the Naval air station.

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And now we pass the submarine base.

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[drron]

One thing I like about the USA is the respect shown to their service men and women.The ordinary soldier,sailor or airman has little say in the big decisions and do literally put their lives on the line.
I also appreciate how polite and helpful their service men and women are when interacting with the public even with a couple of nuisances from Australia.
It is good to see that the fallen are given a prime spot for their final resting place.

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Sailaway continues.

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Which one of these would you like to spend time in?I know my answer.

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[drron]

As we head off into the sunset.

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On this second voyage it is great to have Captain Maggie back in charge.Our favourite Silverseas Captain.
A couple of dishes from that night's meal.a lack of variety in veggies and at breakfast-no berries!But this time not really Silverseas fault.

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Sunrise and our first view of the Channel Islands.

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Then our destination Santa Cruz island.

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[drron]

We had to use the zodiacs to transfer to a local operator's vessel as his is the only craft allowed to land passengers here.He does the transfers from the mainland.There was benefit as it meant only the first service had brought passengers to the island and the second service from the mainland was the vessel that would take us back to the zodiac boarding position so the place wasn't crowded.

One of the old ranches with an olive grove that still survives.

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We pass a buffet for birds.

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The coast is quite rugged.

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[drron]

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Now we arrive at the landing place.

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Wild flowers are returning.

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The island was divided into 6 ranches.Many farming activities but the main one was sheep.There were also pigs which escaped and wreaked havoc on the flora.On top of that the sheep ranchers didn't like the bald eagle so basically got rid of them allowing the golden eagles to take over.they lived on the endemic foxes which were at the brink of extinction.The bald eagles were introduced so the golden eagles have gone and the fox has made a remarkable comeback.
The landing place is where the National Park headquarters are.Now a collection of old machinery.

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[drron]

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Now it pays to always carefully observe even if it only means you win your bet with the birder that you will find the endemic lizard before he finds the island's endemic blue jay.

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A raven was not the least bit intimidated by the crowds nor were the foxes.

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[Pushka]

Sounds like there were a few hidden agendas happening for this cruise.

 

[drron]

Sounds like there were a few hidden agendas happening for this cruise.

No.I really get along well with Chris the ship's bird expert.Have cruised a few times with him.We basically have this deal where he spots all the birds and I spot things that are on the ground-on this cruise mainly lizards but a little later a few more things

 

[drron]

A small plot of land is still owned by the original ranch family here.

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We now set out on a walk with our birder.He now is under pressure to find us the island Blue Jay.

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The foxes are indeed common..
I went up to Chris and asked what is the little brown bird with yellow legs.he was confused.

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He put the binoculars on to it-a sparrow that has been banded.What good eyesight you have!

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