Kayaking Isla Espiritu Santo - Day 2

The night proved to be windy and the sunrise filtering in through the tent walls got us up early. After a quick cup of coffee and breakfast of fruit and yogurt we packed up our bags and tents. With other still packing up the kayak guy and I set off for a short hike in the canyon behind camp. The island environment is very much a desert. A few wildflowers creep into shady spots but most of the plant life is cacti. I've never seen so many different kinds of cacti pipe organ, barrel, jumping, prickly pear and others which I do not know the name. Occasionally we would see one blooming a bright yellow or red breaking up the orange color of the rock and dust. The lizards were out in the morning sun and very unafraid as we passed by.

When we returned to the beach it was time to launch the kayaks and be on our way. I was in a Seda kayak, usually the kayaks I'm in are too big for me, but this one was just my size and I liked it quite a bit. We paddled across the small bays below towering red cliffs. The pelicans dove, the frigate birds soared and a few grebes and a kingfisher made an appearance. As we passed by some vultures devouring something on a rock I couldn't help but wonder if it was a pelican body. The pelicans in old age often go blind from having dove at the water so hard for so many years, and many die by diving onto the rocks when they can no longer see the water.

After landing on our camping beach and a lunch of ceviche the afternoon was spent snorkeling and more snorkeling. I was astounded by the number of sea urchins and star fish to be found. There were also angel fish, porcupine fish, a sea cucumber and many other wonders of the deep. After coming out of the sea we had the very pleasant opportunity to shower under a bucket of fresh water pulled up from a well. There's nothing more refreshing than rinsing off two days of salt, seat and sand!

Some of the group went for a sunset cruise around Whale Island while I stayed onshore with a few others to watch the pelicans dive and take picture after picture of the spectacular sunset which only grew more beautiful with every passing moment. The dark of night came eventually and with the lantern broken no light to spoil the starry, starry sky.

Continue the adventure:
Day 1; Day 3

Flicker Set