Panterra Cultural Adventures

 



 

Daily Journal

Hilltop High

Day 6

 


A visit to the fishing village of Isla Pardito.







Whale ribs from a very large whale.







Salted Manta Ray meat.








Moray eel.







Group photo - skull to the left is a sperm 
whale and the skull to the left is from a Sei Whale.




 


Paret of the days catch - Mexican Goat fish.







Heading back to the boat.




 


Working on the Expedition Logbook.







Randy helps the students track down the information.






 

Snorkeling at the California sea lions habitat.


 

 

 


Exploring life beneath the habitat.







A school of feeding Surgeonfish.







A sea lion swims by.







Bottlenose dolphin leaps through the air.







They surround the boat playing, jumping and riding the bow waves.







This one lobs through the air several times.
It made for great photography.







A school of Sardines appear in the night light.







The sardines are feeding on the krill (orange) in the lower part of the photo.




Skit Night 





 



 

We woke up to another calm day on the Sea of Cortez. After eating breakfast, we headed to the fishing village. Here we learned of the history of the tiny island. We met the fourth and fifth generations of a family that was started by one man wanting to get away from the Mexican Revolution in 1916. Among the small village we found about 15-25 people ranging from newborns to elders. We encountered most likely the first and only whale bones and shark fins that we will ever see. We also saw salted ray meat ready for consumers. The group gave the families on the island gift bags that were filled with necessities and toys. It was a very touching experience to see the smiles of appreciation on the local’s faces. Just as we were leaving to return to the Fiesta, local fishermen came in with a boat full of Mexican Goatfish. Still flopping within the nets, students stuck their nose over the edge to get a closer look. 
Upon return to the Fiesta, we all sat in the salon and completed our workbooks. Once we were finished, we had about two hours to lay on the upper deck and catch some rays while we traveled to our next destination. 
During our voyage we encountered a school of Manta Rays. After lunch we took the pangas to Los Isolotes to snorkel among the sea lions. During this snorkel the sea lions were circling the swimmers with some even brushing up against the students. This experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Some students were scared, others were not holding back. All in all, everyone had a great experience. 
As we began our adventure back to La Paz, we spotted a pod of at least 200 dolphins. These bottlenose dolphins were being very acrobatic. Doing jumps, back flips, and front flips. Before when we saw dolphins, they were simply swimming with the boat, not jumping into the air at all. Due to the extreme activity of these dolphins, we were all very excited. After lazing around for a couple hours we anchored at Pico y Gallo and had supper. 
After supper, we set up the night light and we all watched as Plankton, Sardines, and Barracudas demonstrated the food chain. Suddenly, all fish disappeared from sight. Lela told us that there was most likely a much larger predator, probably a tuna that was out of our sight that came and scared the fish away. 
After the nightlight, we all gathered in the salon and we performed our skits in the traditional talent show. There was a variety of poems, songs, and comedy acts, which all made everyone laugh. This tied up day 6, as everyone went their own ways to wind down before hitting the sack.

Day 1  |   Day 2  |   Day 3  |   Day 4  |   Day 5 - part 1  |   Day 5 - part 2  |  Day 6  |   Day 7 and 8  

Baja Gifts Program  |   Back To Main Page
(top of page) 


Copyright all rights reserverd - Panterra