Isla San Marcos
Diving, snorkeling, hiking and kayaking…We did it all today, and Isla San Marcos provided everything we needed to accomplish just that. While the first group of divers back-rolled into the warm water from our Zodiac, another group was making its way up the dry arroyo, studded with old man cacti.
Snorkelers donned fins and masks and gazed down into the clear calm water. A scorpion fish attempted to eat a small octopus, and for a moment, it looked as though the fish might win, but the small invertebrate somehow managed to work its way out of the scorpion fish’s mouth and quickly darted for shelter!
By noon, we took a short break and refueled our body for the afternoon kayak. But first we learned about spices, how they arrived in the new world and their uses in a most interesting talk given by one of our expedition staff.
Back on shore, almost everyone grabbed a kayak and paddled out to explore. The constant eroding action of the water and waves had helped over time to create a jagged rocky shoreline. Yellow-footed gulls, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies perched on pinnacles of jagged rock that pushed out of the sea. A large turtle gasped for a quick breath at the surface and several bottle nose dolphins streaked by.
The crew of the Sea Voyager had effortlessly set out a buffet of barbecued ribs and fish near our landing at the mouth of the arroyo. As we sat there sipping on margaritas and wine, several osprey flew above, their shrill cries piercing the twilight. A bonfire lit up the descending darkness followed by the strumming of a guitar and the desert held us in its magical warm embrace.
Diving, snorkeling, hiking and kayaking…We did it all today, and Isla San Marcos provided everything we needed to accomplish just that. While the first group of divers back-rolled into the warm water from our Zodiac, another group was making its way up the dry arroyo, studded with old man cacti.
Snorkelers donned fins and masks and gazed down into the clear calm water. A scorpion fish attempted to eat a small octopus, and for a moment, it looked as though the fish might win, but the small invertebrate somehow managed to work its way out of the scorpion fish’s mouth and quickly darted for shelter!
By noon, we took a short break and refueled our body for the afternoon kayak. But first we learned about spices, how they arrived in the new world and their uses in a most interesting talk given by one of our expedition staff.
Back on shore, almost everyone grabbed a kayak and paddled out to explore. The constant eroding action of the water and waves had helped over time to create a jagged rocky shoreline. Yellow-footed gulls, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies perched on pinnacles of jagged rock that pushed out of the sea. A large turtle gasped for a quick breath at the surface and several bottle nose dolphins streaked by.
The crew of the Sea Voyager had effortlessly set out a buffet of barbecued ribs and fish near our landing at the mouth of the arroyo. As we sat there sipping on margaritas and wine, several osprey flew above, their shrill cries piercing the twilight. A bonfire lit up the descending darkness followed by the strumming of a guitar and the desert held us in its magical warm embrace.
