Guide Report ~
Noly Lira - Jan/Feb 2015
For me, the first Baja trip of the season is always filled
with a heightened sense of anticipation.
News of the whale counts down in the lagoons makes its way north and over
the border, so that by the time I’m meeting my tour group in San Diego, I’m as
excited as my guests who are making this journey for the very first time. And this year was no different.
It was a nice, big group of eight people, including a
precocious six year old and his mum from Australia, as well as an assortment of
much more experienced travelers, mostly from the States. We had a well-traveled group, but most had
never been to see the gray whales in the lagoons of Baja, so I knew they were
in for a real “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.
I couldn’t wait.
I always do my best to describe the rugged beauty of the Baja
Peninsula to my guests upon their arrival, but my words never do it
justice. When we drive through the towns
along our route, the unhurried pace and quiet solitude reminds us that we are far
south of the border.
Along the way we have the opportunity to view the incredible
and vast terrain filled with vegetation that has adapted for survival in a
harsh environment. The Baja Peninsula is famous for dozens of
varieties of plants that are at home in such a magical yet challenging land. The giant cardon is a cactus
plant that is found all along our route, and it resembles the saguaro of the
Sonora and Arizona desert. On this trip we were able
to see the first blooms on many such flowering species. The octillio was just starting and the
chollas were stunning.
Even though we pass some remarkable sights on our
trip south, not until we reach our final destination of Campo Cortez on the San
Ignacio Lagoon do the guests realize that they are in a truly unique
world. And as wonderful as all the unspoiled beauty of the camp and its terrestrial surroundings are, the
best is yet to come, and it awaits us out in the wonderful azure waters of the
San Ignacio Lagoon.
Upon our arrival, everyone settled into their cabins and they were ready for the
first of many incredible meals that the camp staff prepares. Once finished, we were ready for the lagoon
and we were fortunate enough to experience friendly gray whales on our first
trip out. Each day of the trip was as incredible as
the one before it.
With so many whales in the lagoon, you don’t know where to
look -- with breaching and spy hopping all around us. On
one of our afternoons we spent an hour observing the courtship and mating
behaviors of the whales.
Much thanks to my first tour group of the season: Bob and
Pat celebrating a 40 year marriage, Lisa celebrating her birthday, John, Shar, Cathy, Taryna, Thomas, Peggy and Mark's generous spirits all added to one fantastic and very memorable camp
experience.
Until next time,
Noly
Naturalist/Guide
When you've waited 30+ years to take a trip, the chances of the expectations outrunning the actual experience are high. But that's not the way this worked out. Noly, you did a wonderful job of making your enthusiasm contagious and your expertise accessible. My fellow travelers enhanced the trip with your company: thank you. Maldo, Paco, and the rest of the staff at Campo Cortez were exemplary hosts. Thanks to all.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fantastic trip and what photos...SO MANY WHALES!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great privledge visiting San Ignacio Lagoon and Campo Cortez. Maldo, you run a first rate camp which was very comfortable and eco-friendly. We've traveled the world but can think of no other place where a wild animal seeks contact with humans. The Gray Whales are amazing and it was a thrill to have such close encounters with them. Thank you Maldo and the entire Campo Cortez Team for all your hard work in protecting these magnificent creatures and San Ignacio Lagoon!
ReplyDeleteAs always, a beautifully descriptive and informative report from Noly. If photos on the internet of petting whales isn't enough to draw you to San Ignacio Lagoon, Noly's reports will. She's a great naturalist/guide and ambassador for the Gray whales. Sounds like this year is shaping up to be another spectacular one at the Laguna. :)
ReplyDelete