At mid-morning pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) were spotted. It was a group of at least 50 animals… we could even see a few big bulls in the group; identified by their tall, broad dorsal fin, compared to the smaller and shorter dorsal fin of the females and juveniles. It was an exciting sight, the conditions were perfect to take good pictures, so all the photographers on board seemed to be shouting, everyone was on deck and you could hear all the cameras clicking very fast. At one moment we had more than 5 pilot whales right off the bow….. a beautiful and exciting moment.
And finally the afternoon was spent at the lovely town of Loreto, an important town on the Peninsula. Loreto was the capital of the territory of California for 132 years, from 1697, when Padre Salvatierra chose this site for the first mission, to 1829 when a hurricane destroyed the town and the capital was moved to La Paz. All supplies and visitors entered the peninsula through the port and it was here that the only military presidio existed for the first 50 years. It was from Loreto that all the Jesuit missionaries were expelled in 1768 and the town from which the Franciscans left the following year on their land expedition to Alta California.
Everyone had a chance to walk around Loreto, visit the mission and museum and even buy souvenirs and Mexican art crafts. To end our visit we all met at the nice Hotel "Posada las Flores" for margaritas, beer, and quesadilla! A perfect way to end the afternoon ….even the light was excellent for photo opportunities, in the unique town of Loreto.
