Landing in La Paz

Sea of Cortez Cruise
January 2, 2008

After a fairly uneventful flight, we landed at La Paz, Mexico, the capital of Baja.  It’s a quiet beach town, with storefronts facing the beach where the National Geographic Sea Bird was docked.  We arrived after a  fairly uneventful flight from Los Angeles, where the biggest problem at both ends were long security lines.  We were eager to get our Lindblad expedition underway.  In 2005, we traveled on the Polaris with Lindblad to the Galapagos, and knew what to expect. 

When our shuttlebus arrived, they were not quite ready to receive us, so we left our belongings with the boat crew and walked along the lovely beachfront. 

Alex made a beeline for a nearby Burger King, which featured a huge playscape.  I was able to order in Spanish, which means that "Yo Hablo Fast Food" fairly fluently.   “Chicken Tenders” is evidently a universal term, so I did not have to dazzle the gal at the counter with my knowledge of the word “pollo”.   

Alex and I bought necklaces carved from coconut from a street vendor, and then we headed back to the boat to check into our cabin, a comfortable 3-person room with a tiny bathroom at the aft of the ship, right near the service stairs.

Dinner was served after some briefings and introductions of the crew and staff of naturalists on board.  There were margaritas and snacks served in the lounge, and we got the first chance to check out our fellow travelers, all 50 or so of them. 

The boat remained anchored at the dock overnight, due to some high winds, so we went to bed in our floating hotel in La Paz, Mexico.

I plan to post pictures from this trip, but the wifi on board the boat won't let me.  They may have to wait until we get home.  I suppose I should be happy that we have an internet connection at all on this boat.