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DianaT
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Some of the Whales in San Ignacio Right Now- at the end, photo of dog cages
Two days ago we went out whale watching at our favorite lagoon with our favorite guides at Kuyima. Year after year, we have very positive experiences
with this very eco friendly and professional group.
We never sign up in town, we simply drive out to the lagoon and it is never a problem. In another post, we will talk about a little about San Ignacio
and the road to the lagoon.
A beautiful piece of art.
The main building for Kuyima where one can enjoy coffee and or breakfast before the trip out, and lunch upon return.
The eco bathrooms. Everything is done very well and the walk ways were created to keep everyone from walking just everywhere destroying plants etc.
The gift shop next to the staging area. There is NEVER any pressure to buy anything from food to a gift. They are very laid back.
Some information about the whales in the staging area where the guides talk about the whales and the rules and reg.
We always enjoy meeting with old friends who work there and the new young people that come for the season---often from the mainland. But this
beautiful young lady, Paola is from Ensenada and is holding the whale she has named Lola. The stuffed whales are made locally and make a great gift
for young people.
Along with a few very friendly tourists from Germany, we enjoyed our very good guide, Domingo. As it is not always the custom of the Europeans to
tip, we tipped Domingo very well as he earned it.
This time of the year we did not expect the whales to be as friendly and seek as much attention as they do later in the season when the males are
gone. So we were very surprised that right when we entered the viewing area and Domingo put us in neutral, we were approached by a mother and her
calf. While they did not come up in the please pet me mode, they were very close and played around us for quite a while.
Mama, and she sure enjoyed spraying us a number of times! Difficult to keep the camera lens clear.
And her beautiful baby!
Just playing around the boat.
And watching mama coming back in this pose, the theme from Jaws played in my head
From there, there were a lot more whales, but none who touched the boat. They said that there were approximately 110 whales in the lagoon and more
arriving every day.
Just some whales resting
Just of couple of the spy hops very close to our panga.
And a few tails--- we saw and took more tail photos than in the past. It is always different and always a wonderful experience.
The tide was lower when we returned, so we had to walk a bit through the water---just part of the fun.
And for people who want a package deal for a few days, they have these cabanas with separate baths and showers. (Also camping areas where they will
provide the camping equipment or you can bring your own)
I just love this water heater!
And some really good news. They are building crates for dogs and will have shade for the crates when you are out whale watching. Not sure when it
will be completed, but they are working on it now. We have never had a problem with our dogs with the way we set up the car, but the crates are a
great idea!
Just a quick bird shot on our way back to shore---and bird watching is also great around there. Domingo saw that we were interested in the bird so he
slowed down and went as close as he could --- it was VERY shallow.
And one of the magnificent whales waving good-bye.
[Edited on 2-5-2012 by DianaT]
[Edited on 2-15-2012 by DianaT]
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tripledigitken
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Looks like you had a great time. Very nice shots Diane.
Ken
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David K
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Excellent post and photos Diana!
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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fantastic photos, love the mosaic whale...on that big tail shot, you can clearly see the killer whale teeth marks on the right upper tail! And my
goodness....what a fantastic eye shot on that big spy hop....you must be very pleased...nice to see the camps improvements too...they have come a long
way.
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Ken Bondy
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What a magnificent series Diane, mil gracias!
carpe diem!
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DianaT
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Yes, we had a great time---one cannot go whale watching too often!
Thanks for the nice comments. They are appreciated.
And Shari, I would love that mosaic whale in the garden in our front yard! 
[Edited on 2-4-2012 by DianaT]
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Skipjack Joe
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That's a very nice expose, Diane. Perhaps your best. You've certainly made the place look attractive to all of us here.
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elgatoloco
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Nice! Love it!
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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woody with a view
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looks like Domingo from La Bocana!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
looks like Domingo from La Bocana! |
We didn't ask--- but I am sure Blanca would know. Also, most of the families around here, La Bocana etc. came from San Ignacio and still have
relatives there.
He really was a very considerate guide. It was quite windy when we started and he got us out there quite dry and without banging the poop out of our
bodies. It is always calmer in the viewing area. And he worked well with the whales. We were very happy.
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Mulegena
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Baja's exceptional whales
Thanks, Diana, excellent report.
Just shared this with the family.
We're all now planning to go end of February.
How many passengers per boat are allowed?
The Canadian veterinarians who are here in Mulege working this week went out with Kuyima yesterday. Each and every one of them were over the moon
delighted by the experience. Just fabulous! They were all able to touch a whale when they came right up to their boat.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
Thanks, Diana, excellent report.
Just shared this with the family.
We're all now planning to go end of February.
How many passengers per boat are allowed?
The Canadian veterinarians who are here in Mulege working this week went out with Kuyima yesterday. Each and every one of them were over the moon
delighted by the experience. Just fabulous! They were all able to touch a whale when they came right up to their boat. |
There were 7 in our panga and we were not crowded at all. At other times we have been in a smaller panga with only 3 to 5 people --- it depends.
Check with Kuyima at http://www.kuyima.com/
Great that the Canadian Vets had such a great experience-- that is wonderful. It will probably help give them another excuse to return. 
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
That's a very nice expose, Diane. Perhaps your best. You've certainly made the place look attractive to all of us here. |
Gracias. It is a beautiful place
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goldhuntress
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Wow, what a wonderful time you had! I'll be down in a few weeks going out of GN. Now I really can't wait!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by goldhuntress
Wow, what a wonderful time you had! I'll be down in a few weeks going out of GN. Now I really can't wait! |
I am sure you will have a wonderful time and see lots of whales. They are so beautiful and I never stop being amazed at how big they are.
While I know a few people who have gone out once and say, OK, that is enough, and some local fishermen who are fearful of going out in the lagoons
with the whales, but most people want to do it again and again.
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Udo
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Thanks for the fotos, Diana. Excellent photographic presentation!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Ateo
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Thanks Diana T.
I've never been to Baja to see the whales. This is getting me stoked to go! I need to plan a non-surf trip sometime and get to the lagoon!
Thanks.
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woody with a view
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do like we did last year. go for a week. leave the beach at noon and drive to GN. eat, sleep. get up in the morning and go to OdeL and do your thing.
back to the beach by lunch or so.
see when Shari has a trip planned. well worth it to get in on that trip.
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msteve1014
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
looks like Domingo from La Bocana! |
Nope, Otro Domingo.
ps, great pictures.
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DianaT
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Thanks Udo
ateo---it is a good idea to do a combination trip no matter which lagoon you visit. It is well worth the break from surfing, but then again, for
hard core surfers, maybe not.
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