Guest Report from Mrs. Martha Bock 5 day air trip March 1-5
Notes from Martha's travel journel
March 1, 2011
It was a beautiful sight again, buzzing the western coastline of Baja, passing over Guerrero Negro and then finding "our" lagoon with whales waiting for us. We saw a mom and calf from the air and began to see blows as soon as we got off the plane. We knew this was a good sign. Later, a million, million stars at night and the echoing voices of whale-breath as I walked out to the point and switched off my flashlight.
March 2, 2011
Whales everywhere! This is the most whale activity I've seen in the many years I've been coming down. We're seeing spy-hopping, breaching, and even mating behavior.
March 3, 2011
Cuco took us out to an area called "the nursery" because moms take their babies there to get them ready for the long trip north. I've never seen so many mother and calf pairs in one place before. On the afternoon whale-watch, we shared a friendly mom-calf pair with another boat. Cuco said that he recognized the pair from the morning in the nursery. The baby was so sweet, letting us pet and love on it. It was looking right at us and then rolling, on its side, closing its eye as if to say, "MMM, that feels good!"
March 4, 2011
It was so fun to be with the British couple who had come such a long distance to see the whales. And, she really did say, "snogging" after she got to kiss the baby!! That's slang for making out, for those who haven't read Harry Potter!
Guide Report
San Ignacio lagoon
Period: February 25 thru March 01, 2011
ALL WHALES THAT ENDS WHALES
The following verse was written and presented on the final evening by guest Robert Dyer. In addition to a comprehensive overview of his Campo Cortez experience, he elaborates on an unfortunate but comical incident he had with a flawed “chamber-pot”. Enjoy!
ALL WHALES THAT ENDS WHALES
We came to Baja – we number nineteen
From both coasts and in between
A common purpose – to visit the whales
To observe them from noses to tails.
Campo Cortez was our home base
Turned out to be a most special place
Met Pati and Tom, who sure know their stuff
Two gracious people we can’t thank enough.
We met Maldo, the owner and his family
As nice a family as you’ll ever see!
His wife Katalina, a.k.a. KATY ONE
Her cooking skills are second to none.
Her sister–in-law Elsa is cook number two
Katy I and Elsa’s food is great it is true!
And our great skippers, skilled on the water
Around whales, they do what they “otter”.
Cuco, Maldo’s brother and Paco and Roberto
Team Fischer – three muchachos “muy bueno”!
They can spot whales – beyond belief
With them at the helm, instant relief.
And all of you whale watchers – you’re really great
Even if you’re not from the greatest state!
Congenial and personable, and smart, as well
Your concern for the earth, it’s easy to tell.
We’ve learned a lot, about mammals, it’s true
I didn’t realize how little I knew
For example, the barnacle is really endowed
When it comes to mammals, he “sticks” out from the crowd.
Or that baby gray whales find it tasking
When “who’s your daddy” others are asking
Or how indoor plumbing which we really like
How much we miss it when we have to hike.
Speaking of plumbing – I’d like to state
An experience this morning that wasn’t so great.
At 3:00 a.m. I got a call
It was nature saying “get up y’all”
To the banos you need to trek
But, because of the cold, I said what the heck
I knew how many of you when you had to go
Stayed in your cabin and went with the flow
I made the decision I’d do like you
Take care of business in the cabin like you
I took the pitcher and into it did pour
When something strange happened down on the floor
A puddle was forming down by my feet
Which was warming, but, not really neat
You might ask, as I, why the pitcher was not filling up
Turns out I was using a ordinary dribble cup!
A hole in the bottom was the matter
Causing my feet to absorb lots of splatter
Quick thinking by me solved the riddle
I’ll now be more careful when I start to piddle
Well, thanks for listening to my verse
If I keep going it’ll just be much worse
Oh, I meant to mention the “pink floyd” thing
In California, it’s referred to as the Charlie Sheen
Have a safe trip home where’ere it be
Thanks to your staff for great hospitality
To everyone you’re my new mates
You’ve just spent time in “dyer” straits!
Written by Robert Dyer - Guest
Photo 1: Doug’s Glowing Smile, by guest Susan Silberman
SIMPLICITY, PEACE, KINDNESS, AND A DATE WITH NATURE IN SAN IGNACIO BAY
From the spouts of whales seen on the way to the outhouse to the feasts prepared by Maldo's family to the whirring windmills and solar panels that reminded me we were not hurting the environment to the absolute magic of touching a mother whale to the great information gleaned from Pati and Tom and the other guests to the kindness shown to me when an excruciating knee injury threatened to ruin our trip, I have a deep sense of gratitude, blessing, and peace. Thank you for five wonderful days at Campo Cortez.
I always hoped to touch a whale and my hopes skyrocketed when we went to Campo Cortez to whale watch. I thought I would be petting whales like dogs on the first day, but each day I would lose more confidence because I never got my chance until today when I got to pet a mother whale and her calf. They are unbelievably soft.
You’d usually think that they would have pretty hard skin. The baby was in a good mood because it was rolling over her mom and blasting us in the face with water. When you rub the barnacles on the mother she looks up at you with those bead-like eyes and you could tell that she felt grateful for it because she has been so busy with her calf. That was today, and tomorrow I have to fly back to San Diego.
My whale watching trip was the best vacation ever! I got to touch both a baby whale and its mother! Their skin felt soft and thick, sort of like a hard-boiled egg but sturdier. I felt awed by their big size and yet they were so friendly and gentle.
Each whale watching expedition was special in its own way. No two trips were exactly alike. I was surprised at the large number of whales in the lagoon, and I got to see spy hopping, breaching, “footprints”, mating and mothers with babies. The entire staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the whales, camp and lagoon. Pati and Tom did a great job teaching all about whales.
I really like how this camp is environmentally friendly and treats the environment with respect. I enjoyed the wonderful food, the comfortable cabins and also the sweet camp dog named Mika. I would definitely recommend this thrilling and awesome trip!
It was a beautiful sight again, buzzing the western coastline of Baja, passing over Guerrero Negro and then finding "our" lagoon with whales waiting for us. We saw a mom and calf from the air and began to see blows as soon as we got off the plane. We knew this was a good sign. Later, a million, million stars at night and the echoing voices of whale-breath as I walked out to the point and switched off my flashlight.
Cuco took us out to an area called "the nursery" because moms take their babies there to get them ready for the long trip north. I've never seen so many mother and calf pairs in one place before. On the afternoon whale-watch, we shared a friendly mom-calf pair with another boat. Cuco said that he recognized the pair from the morning in the nursery. The baby was so sweet, letting us pet and love on it. It was looking right at us and then rolling, on its side, closing its eye as if to say, "MMM, that feels good!"
