Travels of THB: Baja with Uncruise

Baja With Uncruise, A&T, +32 other Cruise-mates

Happy b'day THB!

Day 4: Cabo to La Paz on to the Uncruise Safa Voyager, where we enjoy an excellent dinner. It is a 2.5 hr bus ride to the ship: a diverse and very friendly staff, female captain and expedition team leader, and a pleasant cabin (the "big" advantage: a mini-fridge which we never use). The weather is consistently nice, only too hot for the long hikers (not THB or DB). The food is consistently good and requests are cheerfully met. Overall, a great week.

Nicole is an expedition lead

skiffs used to move cruisers around, life jackets always required

goodbye La Paz, see you in a week

the Safari Voyager at twilight

Day 5 A line of about 100 dolphins near a skiff, snorkeling in very shallow water, wet suits are required, and the sky is full of stars. Chicken breast for dinner is perfectly cooked. Portions are small, cruisers can always get more.

the nightly review of where we are and where we are going. Short version: not very far...

the Bridge

typical beach shoreline, air is always clear and fresh

snorkel bags stashed by room number on top deck

typical beach "station" with drinks, towels, staff

Day 6: Kayaking, pretty sunrise

burro ride, there are around 12 or 13 cruisers and 3 or 4 vaqueros

Caadon cacti

it is hot and we are exposed

Day 7: snnorkeling with big fish in very clear water, deconstructed pokre salad is really good, and during kayaking THB has suntan lotion roll into his eye...time to wash it out with sanitized water provided by the staff

Day 8: Whale watching and a stop in a small town, Loreto, followed by THB's b’day recognition...all the b'days for the week and any anniversary couple get a shoutout...only one of each

Sites around Loreto (pics not in order for yesterday and today

Contemporary art in an old (and refurbished) Mission

Paintings on canvas, not murals on the walls

views from the bus

Seafood lunch spot after whale watching

Grey whales, spumes, backs, and an occasional fluke

all cruisers take this excursion

T&A, DB and THB

Day 9: Snorkeling with sea lions, take the afternoon off, perfectly cooked rack of lamb and chile relleno combo for dinner

10: b’day hike on the actual day, easy and not very hot. The group taking the longer hike had some scary moments when the guide lost her bearings and the trail disappeared into ledges with no handholds or good footing.

THB's hiking club

Gorgeous bay

the oldest guy on the hike climbs the highest...will surprises never end?

it is a ridge hike with a wide trail (phew)

THB is getting ready for the Sea of Cortez plunge

the water is lovely, nobody else goes for a dip

DB has arranged a surprise party for four...excellente!

Day 11: Back to La Paz and on to E-ville

The local ferry is pulling into La Paz as the cruisers are disembarking from the Safari Voyaged

two hour bus ride back to Cabo San Jose

Our flight is delayed in SFO and DB gets an upgrade to biz class. THB is in an equally roomy bulkhead seat and it is easy for us to share one meal. Back to loft around 8:30pm, and now (on Monday) al belongings are back where they belong, clean, the we are in the land of rain and cold

Book Revies: JUDGMENT AT TOKYO: World War II on Trial and the Making of Modern Asia, by Gary J. Bass (narrated by Simon Vance): a well-written history of pre- and post-WWII Japan with a keen focus on the trial of the major war criminals (with the exception of the Emperor). Highly recommended. Also recommended is an oldie by Ian Buruma, Wages of Guilt pub’d in 1994.

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