Not quite live Explorer Mazlatan to Vancouver.

[drron29]

The next morning it was an early morning start for Isla Partida del Norte.

The choice was a snorkel or a walk over the island.Now I had only just awoken and back home you should never go into the ocean at dawn or dusk so it was the walk for me.It was spectacular.

..

Great geology as well.

..

 

.

[drron29]

There were even birds on the beach.

.

But as we climbed the island the sunrise was the star.

..

 

..

 

.

[drron29]

There were even birds on the beach.

.

But as we climbed the island the sunrise was the star.

..

 

..

 

.

[Stumblefoot]

Hey now!

Haha! Just a little ornery humor.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stumblefoot]

Finished the day with a hot rocks meal and a wonderful sunset.

I must say, those rocks are much prettier at sunset.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stumblefoot]

The turn around day in San Diego was horrendous for the staff.

Should have done the turnaround at Disneyland, as it is of course, a magical place where all one’s troubles disappear. [emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[drron29]

A sea day and I am having the problems predicted with free internet for all.Glacial speeds.Getting the pictures for this post has occurred on and off over 6 hours.

As well as the sunrise there is more interesting geology.

..

 

.

But the sunrise is not finished yet.

..

 

.

[drron29]

Well today the internet died.Has returned but still glacial speeds so a short post as could only load 3 pics.

..

 

.

[drron29]

Another day of slow internet but seems to have picked up a bit in the last hour.I do suspect some accidental damage as in San Francisco some boxes were loaded on to deck 7 and then we heard various noises including drilling.We are on deck 7.After that the internet has not worked properly.

So while I can back to the report.

..

Lots of cacti.Big,very little and flowering.

..

Now to the other side of the island.

..

Lots of those holes.Said to house a beetle.

[drron29]

More of the dark side.

Sun shining on the island acroos the water.

.

Meanwhile on the bright side.

.

And the real top of the island.

..

[drron29]

Interesting dead things.

..

A surprising amount of rubbish.

..

Local fishermen come out to the islands and often overnight hence what looks like a campsite.In the second picture the gull is using the trash as a nest.

Then back to the Explorer.

[RachelG]

Really beautiful pics, Ron.

[drron29]

Thanks Rachel.It helps when the subject matter is great.

That afternoon and a short cruise to Isla San Esteban and the Chuckwallas.You will find out in due time what they are.

..

The obvious feature of the island are the large cacti.

..

But the rock layers are interesting.

..

[drron29]

The cacti were in flower and new growth evident.

...

Amazing what the cacti attract.

...

[Stumblefoot]

Looking good you two!

 

Any excursions to Walmart planned?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rojaan19]

Looking good you two!

Any excursions to Walmart planned

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

YES ! :D I need a good supply of Almond M&Ms - we cant get them in Australia !!

[drron29]

More flora and a hidden animal.

..

 

...

 

.

So did you spot the animal.No not the dinosaur in the 4th picture.

If you look closely at the third picture there is a little bird at the right hand edge.I didn't realise I had caught him in the shot until I downloaded to my computer.

[drron29]

Now to the lizards.first the zebra lizard-

..

And now the Chuckwalla.lives around the base of cacti-

..

 

.

I also spotted 2 types of whiptail lizard and a smaller unidentified light brown one.The photos though weren't great as nearly impossible to tell the lizard apart from the earth.great camouflage.

[drron29]

More flora.

..

 

...

 

.

[drron29]

I also found a dead chuckwalla.

..

Time to get back to the ship.

.

You had to get past this angry mother.

.

More geology.Note the fault line.

..

[drron29]

The dinner that night.An Indian theme dinner which we mostly avoided.Just didn't hit the markI did have the samosas and a Rogan josh-it wasn't even worth taking a picture of.Rojaan doesn't even do good Indian food.

..

Rojaan's prime rib.

.

Desserts.

..

Basically not quite up to previous experiences on the Explorer.There was another Asian themed night with a couple of Thai dishes which were poorly executed.Probably smaller portions but that isn't a problem!

[drron29]

The next day it is lectures in the morning-good ones too.after lunch we are off the island of Santa Catalina.The zodiac run to the beach.

..

 

..

 

.

[drron29]

We cruise past elephant rock.

..

A tricky landing as a sharp drop off and the beach was slippery rounded stones.

..

 

..

[drron29]

The island is known for these large round cacti.

..

 

...

 

.

[drron29]

The round cactus flowering and a quite tall specimen-

...

 

..