What a gift we recieved during this week in

The Baja California & The Sea of Cortez

Christine Amala Keeper of the Golden Whale Keys along with Jeff (Vancouver) Melven, Big Siva & Little Siva (Singapore) experienced a week with the Great Whales of the Sea of Cortez! 

 
We watched Whales Dance, Dolphins play with passion & Sea Lions protect their space. We walked on the shore we swam in the sea and some of us jumped from the cliffs! In all it was an adventure unlike any we had had before.

We met the local Mexican people who opened their homes and their hearts.
Each of us had our own heart opening experience.

We joined Panterra in the Sea of Cortez, the prime area for whales. We saw the  Humpbacks playing with their babies. We went out on fast panga's for a very special day trip to the birthing lagoons of the Pacific Gray whales, we were graced with many of their presences. We had the most delicious cooked lunch al fresco on a remote island and then went back out for more sigtings! Amazing Day.

During the week we spent aboard the MV Narval, a beautiful 117' live-aboard vessel, we explored cactus forests, snorkeled, kayaked, and hiked. More importantly we encounterd whales and dolphins  where we encountered whales breaching, pectoral fin slapping, lob tailing, and other whale behaviors. We met with rare California sea lions at their volcanic habitat and watched two huge bulls fight to become the alpha male.

Where we went.

The Baja Peninsula was formed approximately 5 million years ago when part of the earth's crust separated along the San Andreas Fault drifting in a northwesterly direction away from mainland Mexico. After colliding with southern California, an ocean basin was formed. This basin is known today as the Gulf of California or more commonly referred to as the Sea of Cortez. Left in the wake of the collision was an explosion of natural geological wonders; a group of desert islands. The area has remained uninhabited, spellbinding and timeless.
This amazing Galapagos type setting plays host to some of the rarest and most beautiful marine life encounters possible and offers an amazing environment for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking. It’s an ideal opportunity to explore, discover and learn. Rich in natural history, unspoiled in beauty, and unrivaled in marine life, the Sea of Cortez is a world of a different time, place and rhythm.

Day 1 March 5th ARRIVE IN LA PAZ

• Our first night’s sleep on the MV Narval will be in marina.
  

Day 2  WHALE TONING CEREMONY, MAGDELENA BAY

• Early morning departure by road across the Baja Peninsula to the gray whale birthing lagoon of Magdalena BayArriving for the high tide which brings the mothers with their new babies into the lagoon to nestle and nurse, we boarded a panga (a small boat) and be taken into the midst of the whale pod. We didn't manage to look into their eyes but we still had no doubt that we had been blessed.
• It wasn't as easy as it sounds but Christine did sing to the Whales
• Everyone received a personal message from the Whales.
• While we were sleeping we sailed out into the Bay of Cortez

Day 2 – 5 AT SEA
 Each day took us to a new adventure snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and wildlife encounters. We were never bored!

EVENINGS:

As the sun sets and the night sky falls Stasia, gave us a special tour of the sky, even though we had a howling wind and were wrapped up in our thickest clothes! Each day we drew our own mandala and each day we made time for a guided meditation. There was still  plenty of time to relax and reflect on the day’s happenings or just sleep!

  Every day was a feast:

Our meals consists of a variety of healthy and nutritious foods including fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. The ships cuisine reflects the Mexican culture and most dietary needs can be accommodated with advanced notice. Thanks to the lovely Paloma we had 5 star cuisine! The food was plenty and tasted wonderful!

For more information on future expeditions contact:

christineamala@truth-talk.com
Lela Sankeralli at the Panterra office.
Phone: 1 - 800-665-6639 Email: lela@panterra.com

Website: www.panterra.com