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Not quite live Explorer Mazlatan to Vancouver.


drron29
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We love the Explorer and have been very pleased that the introduction of the Cloud to the Expedition fleet has opened up new destinations for the Explorer.So we have 2 B2B cruises this year.We are now on the first of these adventures.From Mazlatan,Mexico exploring the Sea of Cortes and then on to San Diego.The next leg takes us on to Vancouver.

The reason for my interest in these voyages was the chance of seeing whales as I knew it was the tail end of the whale watching season in Mexico and the grey whale migration up the West Coast.But even more of a want is the sighting of an orca.I have tried several times but always they were there yesterday or turned up the next week.Unfortunately I feel I am destined for more of the same because at our first briefing was a photo of an Orca in the Sea of Cortes just a few days previously.

I will start with our night before the cruise in the Holiday Inn in Mazlatan.Much better than I had expected.

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And fly pasts by the local Bomber Command-

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Dinner at the hotel.You got complimentary corn chips and salsa and I started with a mixed cerviche-fish,shrimp,octopus and scallop.A huge serving but very nice.

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For mains Rojaan had pasta carbonara as most local dishes were spicy.I had a steak covered in cheese and spices.Served with 2 sorts of chilli.One yellow which was very mild according to the waiter and one green habenero which was spicy.Problem with my dish was the habanero had zero heat but the yellow one exploded in my mouth with a distinct burning sensation.Needed a glass of wine and a few glasses of water to put the fire out.

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A good night's sleep and a lazy morning.Checked out just before midday and got a taxi to the port.I had researced the fares and it should be 150 pesos.i had decided to give a 50 peso tip.The driver though said 170 pesos so he got a 30 peso tip.I am generous.Transport drops you at a small "Cruise Ship Terminal" and the Explorer was some distance away.So a porter to shift our bags through Immigration and on to the Silversea staff and then a "tram" to take you to the ship.

View from the balcony.

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She is such a classy dresser and class act!

 

When do you all get to San Diego and do you overnight there?

 

We are getting into San Diego on the second of May.We leave on the second leg that afternoon.

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All the stops on this first cruise are in the sea of Cortes.No stops on the Pacific Coast.

So when in warmer climes we usually have a Medallion suite as without all the cold weather gear it certainly is large enough but also has a tub which we prefer.A soak in a warm bath is great for those arthritic joints after exercise.

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But also a separate shower.

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We also like the medallion in warmer climes as it has a larger balcony than the silver suites.

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After unpacking we had lunch and a while later the safety drill.I am sure they are supplying smaller lifejackets!

Not long after that it was time to leave Mazlatan.

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An impressive headland.

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Well it would have been if it hadn't been quarried.

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For the Welcome dinner we dined with the Hotel Director Zoran Jacimovic.We have cruised with him before.An interesting fellow with good company and the time just flew.So much so I remembered to take only 2 shots of the food.The appetiser-beetroot carpaccio which was very nice and the dessert.

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A restful nights sleep and in the morning it was zodiac briefing time and a lecture by Chris Habard on birds.Several cruises with him now and we get along famously.He looks for birds and i look for lizards!

After lunch we anchor off Espiritu Santo.So the beach from the ship then the ship from the beach.

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Some rather large oyster shells on the beach-apparently a source of pearls 100 years ago but not the quality of the Japanese and Pacific pearls.

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Definitely in top shape and we will maintain it.

Then of course she is yours to look after so still in great shape towards the end of September when we board again!

Will do. No worries!

 

Looking at your picture of the peppers with the steak dish the first night. I think something was lost in translation. The yellow one is the habanero.

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There were some nice rocks and clear water.

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Mostly covered with crabs.

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And several yellow legged gulls with a few nesting.Often on rocks.

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They got quite vocal if you got too close.Protective mates especially this fellow.

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We were in Sea of Cortez in Feb on the Azamara Quest. Snorkeled with whale sharks in La Paz--if they are still there, its a must do. In Loreto we crossed the peninsula to see the gray whales at Magdalena Bay.

February is the best month for those activities.Unfortunately pot luck in April.

One of the fellows on the Expedition team runs a business south of La Paz.He says he will take you swimming with whale sharks and dolphins then pat a gray whale plus a good chance of an orca sighting.From October to February is the season for adventure.For those interested he runs Palapas Ventana.Just google it.

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Evidence of mortality on the beach.

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I then decided to have a short snorkel-

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Not the most colourful reef.There were some fish and a couple of rays but I was too slow to capture them.

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Dinner with poached egg with asparagus,lobster and a deconstucted dessert.

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And for breakfast eggs benedict.

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later in the morning a large pod of dolphins passed the ship.

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