Ensenada Grande, Isla Partida
After a somewhat shaky night coming up from Los Cabos, we saw the sun pushing through the clouds in the lee of Isla Espiritu Santo. This run was ended as we pulled into Ensenada Grande, on Isla Partida, of the complex Isla Espiritu Santo. Here the wind was not quite so harsh, and the weather was wonderful. After breakfast, we began our activities into the island, with medium and long hikes, as well as the use of kayaks. Here we also snorkeled from the beach.
The island was covered in green vegetation due to the recent rains, and many plants were still in bloom, such as the Dyssodias, the Ruellias, and many members of the aster family. This lovely island has two endemic mammals: the big black jackrabbit, and the small antelope ground squirrel, both unique to Isla Espiritu Santo. We had the opportunity of seeing some individuals of this very small squirrel!
The day ran into the afternoon as we took a series of Zodiac tours around the bays in the area, enjoying the barbaric geology of these bays and of the island. Pink rock, all of it compressed volcanic ashes make up the bays, eroded into fantastic shapes. During snorkeling, Alberto, our underwater specialist found interesting fish, including a poisonous Guinea fowl puffer!
After we had all returned to the ship to change clothes, we found our way back to a smaller beach, where we had an interesting dinner, and heard stories about the different constellations, as well as about the origin of some of the important Aztec Gods.
