Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2016 11:09:20 -0400
Reply-To: Tom Buese <tantonbz@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tom Buese <tantonbz@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Baja Whales 2016 trip
In-Reply-To: <56E4C26C.9080706@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Looks like another great trip w/ Curt Long aboard w/ his fabulous drone &
camera work!
On Sat, Mar 12, 2016 at 8:29 PM, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:
> Well, we did the whale camping trip and it was great. The weather was
> ideal and the whales were more friendly than ever. With the rains this
> year the Baja desert was green and even lush in places like I have never
> seen. We had 7 VW vans traveling in a caravan for 7 days. Vans came from
> 3 states and 1 from Canada. We covered about 1300 miles in Mexico. No
> real problems with the vans or anything else. I could not be happier
> with how it all went. We ate at various cafes and taco stands along the
> way and people got a real taste of Baja. Here is a link to a short video
> made by some of the people who went.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is5uFmcDOzA
>
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> mark drillock wrote:
>
>> We are once again planning a VW van camping trip to see the annual whale
>> birthing and mating rendezvous in the whale calving lagoons of Baja.
>> People travel from all over the world to experience this phenomenon. The
>> whales are friendly and on previous trips a few proud mothers brought
>> their babies right up to our small boats close enough for us to pet both
>> the babies and moms. This will be the fifth year for us to enjoy this
>> amazing spectacle.
>>
>> Each winter thousands of Grey whales make the long trip from waters near
>> Alaska to the Pacific coast of Baja. They begin arriving in January and
>> their numbers peak in Feb/Mar. The pregnant females enter the large
>> shallow lagoons of Baja to give birth in the safe waters. The males hang
>> nearby strutting their stuff and hoping for a chance to be the dads next
>> time. This congregation of whales is simply amazing to see, even from
>> shore. These waters are highly protected during this season and only
>> licensed guides are permitted by the government to take small boats of
>> tourists and scientists into the lagoons for up close and personal
>> observations. The boats must stay in certain areas so any whales that
>> prefer it can be left in peace. Many whales seem to be as interested in
>> us as we are in them and thus close encounters are numerous.
>>
>> For us the most interesting times in Baja revolve around the sea and we
>> tend to beach camp along the shore when we can. We will bring a tandem
>> kayak to share and have a second one that may find a ride on another
>> van. These aren't allowed in the whale lagoons during the protected
>> season but we will camp other places where they will come in handy for a
>> scenic paddle or a bit of fishing.
>>
>> While we take our Syncro, any VW van in roadworthy condition can travel
>> the route and handle the roads. Most of the time the road will be paved
>> and the few dirt sections are easy enough if done slowly. We will camp
>> most nights at actual campgrounds where fees are charged and some
>> amenities provided....
>>
>
--
Tom Buese
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