Our captain, Israel, can maneuver without hands apparently!
March 11, 2015
Our excursion on this wonderful day was my husband’s idea. He knows how much I love to do things like this (even if I am a little bit of a chicken). I’m ecstatic when he suggests it and we went on a hunt for two more passengers for the boat. We settled on two of our adorable friends who have never met one another–Katie, a local surfer girl, and Blaze, our next door neighbor–both of whom are single. It wasn’t a set-up though, honest.
Greg, Blaze (on the bow), me & Katie
Our guide was Paula, from the Todos Santos Surf Shop. She and Carlos own the store, are both surfers, and we know them to be super good people. Carlos had to work at the shop, but we are in good hands with Paula, who has a degree in marine biology, and has taken lots of people on this trip. See them at: https://www.facebook.com/
Paula, who is originally from Uruguay
Say adios to La Paz, we’re heading for the whale sharks.
The cormorants know the way as well.
Both of these photos are from online, because I don’t have mine yet.
Our guide, Paula, took some with a go-pro, but she hasn’t sent them to me yet.
First things first: I was a little nervous about getting in the water with these behemoths. I always experience a bit of anxiety the first five minutes I’m out snorkeling. I don’t have mucho experience, and it is a wee bit of a stretch for me. Throw in a GIGANTIC fish, and my adrenaline reaches its peak.
I am intellectually aware of the facts: these creatures are filter feeders. But the me, whose stomach is churning, is a little afraid of swimming with an animal that can reach 40 ft. in length and weigh up 20+ tons. Might they just like a retired teacher for breakfast? It doesn’t seem to matter to me that I am not plankton, which is this fish’s diet.
Soon I settle down, and though the visibility isn’t all that great, I can see them. And they can see me.
Can I just say, “Oh my God! What a thrill.”
Here are some facts from See the Wild Wildlife Conservation Travel. You can find them at http://www.seethewild.org/shark-facts
Whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet. These gentle giants are filter-feeders and are harmless to humans. The enormous whale shark, which can reach lengths of 40 feet or more, feeds on the tiniest of ocean organisms, plankton.
Whale sharks are striking in their appearance not only for their size but also for their unique pattern of spots and bars covering its gray body.
More facts found at http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/whale-shark/
The whale shark’s flattened head sports a blunt snout above its mouth with short barbels protruding from its nostrils. Its back and sides are gray to brown with white spots among pale vertical and horizontal stripes, and its belly is white. Its two dorsal fins are set rearward on its body, which ends in a large dual-lobbed caudal fin (or tail).
That was exhilarating, but we have other places to go. Off to a sweet, almost secluded spot to have lunch. But first, we swim with sea lions about 20 minutes from where we swam with the whale sharks. Now I honestly think I have died and gone to heaven. This is beyond a wonderful experience. I have been around sea lions my entire life, living in San Diego, CA and then in Western Washington, but I have never been in the water with them. These particular sea lions don’t mind people at all, which is not the case in the other places where I have encountered them, so I’ve never been swimming with them before.
I couldn’t get over how effortlessly they moved through the water, like a ballet. You can’t tell me they weren’t having fun while they are swimming with us. Maybe it’s just me projecting my own understanding of what it’s like, but I swear they were having fun, all the while showing off their water ballet skills. Fascinating to observe.
These guys were taking a nap.
The sea lions share this spot with lots of birds.
After a satisfying swim with these guys, we headed to an almost deserted beach for a lunch.
Put out the anchor, we’re going ashore!
There we are, all set up on the whitest beach I’ve ever seen.
Oh, not just any lunch. No. This was gourmet!
Ceviche and delicious burritos:
some with beans and cheese and some with beef, beans, and cheese.
I’ve had a lot of ceviche, but this was the best I’ve ever had. I think it was the mango and pineapple addition to the raw fish, chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
What would you like to drink?
Complete with tablecloth!
We spent about an hour wandering around on shore before packing everything back into the boat and heading back to the marina.
Blaze, me, and Greg
This is the view once you climb up the white sand hill.
I can mark this off my bucket list. I swam with the whale sharks and enjoyed a beautiful day with all sorts of creatures and some of my favorite people. What could be better?
This day seems incredible and that beach is so beautiful!
It was incredible and will remain in my memory bank as such. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.