Oaxaca Mexico - Part 2
Where we are is very confusing on maps: most show something like Santa Maria, Huatulco. But the nearest town (and bay and harbour) is Santa Cruz and just beside that is the pretty town of La Crucecita. They’re both a five minute cab ride from where we are. Cabs are everywhere and reasonably priced. Huatulco is the broader area that encompasses about nine bays and the airport.
Oaxaca is the state we’re in but there is also Oaxaca City that we hope to visit - it’s about a three hour drive from here. The big cruise boats come in and out of Santa Cruz - they actually do a 180 in the harbour and back in.
Our boat ride yesterday was a blast. Five whale sightings (we weren’t on a whale watching tour 🙂) two sea turtles, two sea snakes just swimming on by and two snorkeling/swimming stops. Four of us (Nan and I missed it) saw a full humpback breach out of the water from about 300’ away - turns out it’s whale season down here.
No whales in first pic - just a lovely view from the ocean with the mountains behind.
Pirate in the rocks - Jane tried and tried but couldn't see it.
Humpback fin
Our first spot to snorkel was a bit murky and I got tired and sort of pulled myself back to the boat on a buoy line. As Donny pointed out, it would be pretty hard to drown because you just float like a bobber in the salty ocean. The second snorkeling site was much clearer and you could walk out on the sand to the rocky area and just float around and see all kinds of cool fish.
Sunset with a crescent moon
Cruise boat pulling out
A mere six new bird species spotted yesterday, all around our backyard, which is a kind of unexpected birding paradise.
Yellow-cheeked woodpecker
Frigate bird - supposedly a terror from above
Spectacular White Magpie/Jay - about two feet long
White-tipped Dove on cactus
The grackles make countless sounds
I said to Tuck 'What's that black and white bird?' It's a Black and White warbler :)
Inca doves
The weather is, let’s see, 83F and sunny. Moderate breeze off the Pacific Ocean. Ho-hum.