Bahia Concepcion & Santa Rosalia
With a yellow sky brightening over mountains in the east, and a full moon setting over higher ridges to the west, an intrepid group of early-risers headed out by Zodiac to explore a pair of small islands in Bahia Concepcion. Our ship was anchored in flat calm waters between Isla Bargo and Isla Guapa. Slowly circling Isla Guapa in our Zodiacs, we photographed the setting moon over sculpted offshore rocks. Farther around the island we found groups of magnificent frigatebirds (pictured) roosting on guano-covered rocks. We also found several nesting osprey, American oystercatchers, great blue herons, a great egret and even two peregrine falcons. After breakfast, the more “civilized” risers cruised around these same islands, and other folks took to the kayaks for a leisurely paddle around the area.
By late morning we were on our way farther north to visit the town of Santa Rosalia. This town was once the site of a large copper mine run by a French company, and the architectural influences are still evident in some of the town’s older buildings. Many of the original mining company buildings are still standing, as well as numerous old pieces of rusting machinery and train cars that decorate parts of the town. After a visit to the main downtown area, including an odd, prefabricated church designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel, we all gathered at the Hotel Frances on a hill above town. This hotel was originally built in 1886, and has been nicely restored. Although we met there to enjoy margaritas, we were bemused to find that they had no tequila. Fortunately, they did have ample cold beers, sodas, and fresh guacamole with tortillas for us to enjoy in the cooling late afternoon air on their front porch. Arriving back at the ship we were greeted by our bartender, Steve, offering us his own fabulous margaritas on the ship’s bow. Soon we got underway and as the ship cruised out of the harbor we stood out on deck in the waning light searching for glimpses of large Humbolt squid, which can reach over a meter in length. At this time of year they can be found schooling in the waters just offshore from this quaint little town.
With a yellow sky brightening over mountains in the east, and a full moon setting over higher ridges to the west, an intrepid group of early-risers headed out by Zodiac to explore a pair of small islands in Bahia Concepcion. Our ship was anchored in flat calm waters between Isla Bargo and Isla Guapa. Slowly circling Isla Guapa in our Zodiacs, we photographed the setting moon over sculpted offshore rocks. Farther around the island we found groups of magnificent frigatebirds (pictured) roosting on guano-covered rocks. We also found several nesting osprey, American oystercatchers, great blue herons, a great egret and even two peregrine falcons. After breakfast, the more “civilized” risers cruised around these same islands, and other folks took to the kayaks for a leisurely paddle around the area.
By late morning we were on our way farther north to visit the town of Santa Rosalia. This town was once the site of a large copper mine run by a French company, and the architectural influences are still evident in some of the town’s older buildings. Many of the original mining company buildings are still standing, as well as numerous old pieces of rusting machinery and train cars that decorate parts of the town. After a visit to the main downtown area, including an odd, prefabricated church designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel, we all gathered at the Hotel Frances on a hill above town. This hotel was originally built in 1886, and has been nicely restored. Although we met there to enjoy margaritas, we were bemused to find that they had no tequila. Fortunately, they did have ample cold beers, sodas, and fresh guacamole with tortillas for us to enjoy in the cooling late afternoon air on their front porch. Arriving back at the ship we were greeted by our bartender, Steve, offering us his own fabulous margaritas on the ship’s bow. Soon we got underway and as the ship cruised out of the harbor we stood out on deck in the waning light searching for glimpses of large Humbolt squid, which can reach over a meter in length. At this time of year they can be found schooling in the waters just offshore from this quaint little town.
