with Kerrick
James
January 14 - 21, 2006
8 Days, 7 Nights
Cost: From $2,399 (double occupancy)
For this special
workshop we ask that you book your reservation through AAA
Arizona. Anyone doing so will receive $100 off the cruise
cost, an additional 5% rebate, plus a free subscription to
Arizona Highways magazine. Call them toll-free at
1-877-248-6962.
 Day
1 - Arrive in Cabo San Lucas
- Transfer from Los Cabos Airport to Cruise West’s
Hospitality Room at Cabo’s inner harbor.
- Board your ship and sail into the Sea of Cortés.
- Dinner provided
- Ask The Photographer:
Baja scenic overview – a slide show given by Kerrick
James on the beautiful photographs he has taken in the Sea
of Cortes’.
Day 2 -
Isla Espiritú Santo
- This 23,383-acre island near La Paz is centered in one
of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world
– and is a major environmental success story. Several
plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world,
including the blacktailed jack rabbit and antelope squirrel.
- Drop anchor at Espiritú Santo’s
Bahía Bonanza for a day ashore.
 Take
a guided walk among the tangle of exotic cacti, or swim,
snorkel, and kayak the crystal clear sea here that supports
900 species of fish. - B/L/D provided
- Ask The Photographer:
Morning & afternoon photo hike; photography by kayaks
 Day
3 - Whale Watching
- This whole day is spent pursuing up-close viewing of marine
life. The Sea of Cortés is home to huge schools of
common and bottle-nosed dolphins, as well as humpback, minke,
fin, and blue whales. From mid-January to mid-March, hundreds
of gray whales congregate in the shallow lagoons of Baja’s
Pacific shore.
 When
our local contacts tell us the whales are present, we’ll
cross the peninsula by motorcoach to Puerto Adolfo Lopez
Mateos. There we'll board an outboard-equipped panga to
observe the grays, who have migrated some 6,000 miles from
Alaska’s Bering Sea to mate, give birth, and rear
their young. When whales are not present there due to migration
patterns, we will look for whales in the Sea of Cortés.
- B/L/D provided
- Ask The Photographer:
Photographing marine life
Day 4 -
Island Exploration
- Guided by the weather and tides, visit one of the beautiful
and special islands of the Sea of Cortés. Exploration
will include nature hikes, kayaking, and snorkeling.
- B/L/D provided
- Ask The Photographer:
Morning photo hike, photography by kayaks, evening presentation
on general travel photography.
 Day
5 - Loreto
- Founded in 1697, Loreto’s Nuesta Señora
de Loreto Mission was the original “mother”
church from which all the other California missions were
founded, eventually leading as far north as Sonoma, California.
A museum adjacent to the mission displays artifacts and
paintings from Baja’s colonial era.
- Stroll the streets and plazas of this picturesque seaside
village, capped by a reception with musical entertainment
at the mission.
- B/L/D provided
- Ask The Photographer:
Photographing the town & people of Loreto (places TBD)
Day 6 -
Los Islotes & Isla Parida
-
 Los
Islotes is a steep seamount punctured by sea caves. Blue-footed
boobies reside on the cliffs, and a large colony of California
sea lions haul out on the rocks below. Weather permitting,
swim and snorkel as the female sea lions and their curious
young pups float about you in the sea.
- Continue to Isla Partida nearby, to hike the island’s
rugged canyons, kayak up-close to rock-walled headlands,
or just relax on the beach. In the sheltered cove of Ensenada
Grande, the silky, sandy bottom shelves out very gradually
for hundreds of feet, as gentle waves lap onto the mangrove-backed
beach.
- B/L/D provided
- Ask The Photographer:
Sea Lion photography, afternoon hike or kayak photography.
Day 7 -
La Paz
- Today, your ship ties up at the central waterfront of
Baja California Sur’s capital and largest city, which
was founded in the 1530s. Explore the shops, gelaterías,
and the miles-long waterfront malecón or promenade.
Options here include mountain biking and diving.
- Enjoy an exclusive fiesta, complete with Mexican music,
dancers, and piñatas.
- Later, depart La Paz to sail overnight to Cabo San Lucas.
- B/L/D provided
- Ask The Photographer:
Photograph the town & unique arts & crafts of LaPaz
Day 8 -
Disembark in Cabo San Lucas
- Cruise past the spectacular rock formation, Los Arcos,
at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula. After breakfast,
disembark and transfer to the Los Cabos Airport.
- Breakfast provided
All photos by Kerrick James.
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Cruise
Highlights
• Whale watch and
possibly
visit the
famous gray
whale
nurseries
of Baja
• Join playful
sea
lions in
their games
and antics
• Step back in time
as you tour
Loreto’s
17th century
mission
• Go snorkeling
among colorful
tropical
fish
• Count some of the
almost 400
species
of birds
• Wonder at
magnificent
sunsets
and sunrises
• Marvel at the
stunning
desert
landscape
• Enjoy special photo
seminars,
presentations
and
tips from
renowned
Arizona
Highways
photographer
Kerrick
James
Policy
& Guidelines
Travel Resources
Ask The Photographer
These activities
will be lead by professional photographer Kerrick
James. The activities are in addition to programs led
by Cruise West Exploration Leaders, and are optional. The
activities are for beginners looking for valuable tips and
insights, and for the dedicated photographer looking for expert
advice on how to get that "perfect" shot.
B/L/D
Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner.
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