Tag Archives: whales

Land’s End and finally whales

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I knew something was happening when I heard the collective gasp from fellow passengers seated around me on the little boat ferrying us to shore. I jumped up, just in time to see a huge grey mound emerge beside us in the water, and then disappear just a quickly. The whales had arrived!

Captain’s Log – Cunard Ship Queen Anne – this is now the 24th day of our voyage…

It’s been an exiting day in Mexico and it’s our first time on what locals describe as “the fun side of Trump’s wall”!

We’re at anchor in a charming location alongside the jagged rocks of Land’s End in the buzzing little port of Cabo San Lucas. It was also our first time to take a “tender” ashore, clambering out of the side of the ship onto a little motor launch. Adding to this small thrill was our first whale sighting when one popped up right beside the boat as we motored from the ship towards the pontoon. Sadly, I didn’t get to look it in the eye, but I did see it’s back slide slowly under the water.

The bay of Carbo San Lucas and the California sea beside it, is fertile ground for hump back whales coming down from the arctic to breed. The captain had told us we are in the midst of whale season. This was great news, at last the long wait was over.

The sighting of a whale’s back at close quarters was a great start to the day and left us scouring the waters for more.

Ashore in Cabo, we dodged a stream of locals offering boat trips and tours. But eventually bartered one down and jumped on with Adrian, who took us to see Land’s End, the line of craggy rocks and archways, that included a tiny window through to the Pacific.

I thought Adrian had got distracted as he sped towards a rock face urging us to be ready for a photo. Suddenly a tiny arched window was visible low down in the water and I understood what he was doing.

Whales weren’t the only wildlife treats that morning as we spotted sea lions, pelicans and some jumping manta rays. Plus the Scooby Doo rock, if you can spot it!

After a coffee at Tequila Beach cafe and a swim in the sea, Adrian returned to drop us back on the quay. There was more marine life fun here as we watched a man filleting a fish and giving the carcass to a sea lion, while a cheeky pelican sneaked behind him and raided his catch of fish.

That evening, as Queen Anne began to up anchor for the last leg of her journey, we hung from the railings, spotting multiple whale water spouts all around us and managing to see some emerge and wave their tales for the departing guests. We spent so long up there, reluctant to leave incase they came closer, but by the time the sun had sunk the strengthening wind left us shivering and in need of long hot showers.

Mexico had delivered the whales in the end, but it’s made me want to see more. Now I’m busy googling the best locations for whale spotting. Maybe this will be the next adventure…

Meanwhile San Francisco beckons.

Waiting for whales

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I’ve been waiting for whales but all I’ve spotted are flying fish. According to Captain Inga this part of the Pacific is rich in wildlife. But the sun is slowly slipping into the sea, so the chance of spotting whales today is sinking with it.

Captain’s Log – Cunard Ship Queen Anne – this is now the 18th day of our voyage…

Although we’re not crossing galaxies, we’ve made it over the Atlantic – just – and I’ve finally got to blogging again.

The trouble with going on a cruise with a sailor is you get to see the wind and weather apps, which seem to tell a slightly different story to announcements from the bridge. I knew we were trying to avoid a big Atlantic storm, but it turns out you can run but you can’t hide!

As the wind and waves gathered it was in sharp contrast to our gentle departure from Southampton. When I say ‘gentle’, for us ‘last minute’ passengers, it was always going to be a frantic dash from Devon. It took us several days to believe we were actually on board.

We feel very privileged to be joining Queen Anne on her maiden transatlantic voyage, as she sets out on her first world cruise. We’re not going all the way, but just enjoying the “ride” until San Francisco.

Back in the Atlantic the waves were getting higher and objects started sliding around our cabin. There was quite a lot of movement on board and it was becoming tricky to walk in a straight line to fetch a cup of tea. The swimming pools were awash with their own waves and it really was a bit like swimming in the waves while crossing the Atlantic, but with much warmer water!

One afternoon we’d been trying to judge the heights of waves from the safety of the restaurant – apparently they were 20 foot rollers. The next moment we heard a loud bang and something large seemed to be clattering along the glass roof above. Thankfully it wasn’t our job to risk life and limb scrambling after it as this was someone else’s boat! We later heard balcony chairs and dividers had been swept away in the storm, but thankfully no passengers!

As I gaze across a glassy Pacific Ocean that stormy weather feels a long time ago… and the whales are still in hiding.