We found out about an awesome side trip to see whales up close from our friends John, Cindy and Journey on S/V Namaste. February 16 we rented a car with Theresa and Niko from S/V Savarona and we all hit the road north out of La Paz. In a few short hours of driving we were out of La Paz and passed by many of the scenic anchorages and towns along the Sea of Cortez coast that took us weeks of sailing south to pass. In the late afternoon, we arrived at our nearly deluxe accommodations at Hotel Posada.
Hotel Posada: A simple place to stay overnight with some rooms having hot water 24/7!
We had dinner in town at one of the two small restaurants and hit the sack early for the morning drive to see whales.
The whole crew loaded up in the panga ready to go whale watching. From Left to right in the back row: Theresa, Natalie, John, Nate (Me), Rose and Cindy. Front row: Sully, Niko and Journey
Journey, Niko and Sully in the bow of the panga
Spyhopping nearby
A mother and baby close by out boat
Sully had fun riding the boat and sometimes watched the whales. Mainly he was interested in eating snacks.
Quickly riding the panga back to shore
The large tidal flats
The Sully sized door at the Mission in San Ignacio
The beautiful Misión San Ignacio Kadakaamán was constructed in 1786
We piled everyone in one car for a trip to dinner. Everyone under 25 piled in the trunk.
Our road trip to San Ignacio took us through weeks of sailing. It was fun to reminisce our cruise through familiar towns like Santa Rosalia.
Inside the Eiffel designed church in Santa Rosalie
Driving past Conception Bay and the anchorage at Playa Santispac where we anchored for my birthday the previous fall
While we were driving through Loreto we saw a familiar boat anchored off the town so we invited Margie and Chuck from S/V Dream Catcher out to lunch. It was cool to see them one last time after meeting them while cruising in Canada in 2011.
We made it back to La Paz and continued preparing Astraea for sale and storage at the dock in Marina de La Paz.