Isla Danzante, Loreto Bay National Park
Throughout the night the National Geographic Sea Bird had made good time sailing south towards Loreto Bay National Park, our destination for much of the day’s activities. During a relaxing morning of cruising, the staff offered presentations on desert plant adaptations and on creative ways to use personal photographs. Just before lunch, the Video Chronicler showed a preview of the DVD that he has been making to document each day of our voyage. Curious sea lions, fluking sperm whales and screaming elegant terns were some of the superstars.
We anchored at Honeymoon Cove on Isla Danzante for the afternoon. Across a channel to the west, mountains rose abruptly to provide a spectacular backdrop for the sheltered beaches and rocky shorelines around the periphery of Danzante. Kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and cruising by Zodiac provided something to satisfy everyone’s interest. There is a different perspective from a kayak. Paddlers can choose their own course and linger for a close look at a crab or push on in a blast of speed.
Snorkelers staggered awkwardly into the water with flippers on before reaching a depth suitable for swimming. They spotted the striking king angelfish with its bright yellow-orange tail and a vertical slash of white near the gills. A stone scorpionfish was a special sighting, and several swimmers found an octopus!
Hikers climbed the ridges for impressive vistas of the ship and the Sierra de la Giganta, the escarpment that forms the spine of the Baja Peninsula in this region. Towering cardon cacti along with the somewhat smaller organ pipes stood tall on the hillsides, surrounded by agaves, limberbush and other desert plants. A couple of walking groups skirted the shoreline of a dramatic peninsula enveloped by waves.
While we explored the island, the crew and hotel staff had prepared dinner for us to enjoy ashore. This was not just an ordinary picnic. Chairs were arranged for the optimum view of the sunset. Seared tuna, pulled pork, potatoes and sautéed vegetables along with wine, beer and brownies seemed to taste even better outdoors than they would have inside. The boatswain lit a bonfire that illuminated smiling faces and marshmallows toasted to a crisp golden-brown. We were serenaded with song and guitar strumming beside the flickering flames.
