Swimming with ‘sharks’ and walking with butterflies!

We enjoyed an entire week exploring the city of La Paz and nearby beaches in southern Baja California. Our visit coincided, not by coincidence, with the celebration of ‘carneval’ (think, Mardi Gras…except don’t think anything risque because this was a totally family friendly event). We enjoyed multiple parades, interesting floats, talented dancers and bands, and the amazing food. The people of La Paz throw a great party! Since all of the festivities took place in the evening we used our daylight hours to go snorkeling. Some days we drove to nearby beaches, which were gorgeous. One day we even did a tour to swim with sea lions! However, the highlight for me (Chris) was swimming with whale sharks! I have been dreaming of doing this for over fifteen years – and my great expectations were actually overshadowed by the reality. It was A M A Z I N G! Swimming alongside these 25 feet long ‘fish’ as they cruised for food in the Sea of Cortez was simply incredible. It was a wonderful birthday gift (funded by birthday money from family – Thank you again!)

Our next challenge was a fourteen hour ferry crossing from La Paz to Mazatlan on mainland Mexico. All of our ferry crossings prior to this had been short and simple and so as I dug out our tie-downs and straps we weren’t sure what to expect. When we arrived three hours before departure we were directed to the designated motorcycle waiting area. Already waiting there were several other motorcyclists: Rodrigo, Javier, Renee, Fany and Pepe). You can probably guess what happened next…we quickly got to know each other as we shared motorcycle stories and adventures. Before the ferry ride had ended we had received several invitations to come and visit our new friends – long story short – we decided to change our travel plans to see our new friends! More on those stories in the next blog!

From the ferry we hurried to meet up with Sharon’s friend Lynda who owns a beautiful condo right on the beach in Rincon De Guayabitos. She greeted us with a big smile and open arms! We were so grateful for a hot shower and a real bed (not our ½ thick air mattresses). We walked along the beach, swam in warm Pacific waters (the first warm water of the entire trip!) read, shared lots of stories, and were treated to local cuisine as well as Lynda’s own delicious cooking. It was such a relaxing and rejuvenating few days! We are so grateful, Lynda!

From Lynda’s we rushed to see yet another feet of nature…the Monarch butterfly migration. (This part is written by Sharon, note its conciseness:) This has been a dream of mine for years now, but as we were arriving at the very end of the monarch season, we weren’t sure what to expect. After two LONG drive days we finally arrived in the first of two Monarch Sanctuaries. Upon arrival we asked about the current monarch population and were told that “there are very few”…I tried not to let my spirits sink too much and hoped for the best. So early the next morning we set out on a very difficult and dusty hike to see what was left of the butterflies. It turned out to be amazing! As we approached the overwintering area we started to see monarchs fluttering about. Then our guide took us up to a lookout where we could see hundreds of monarchs fluttering in the sun. Absolutely beautiful! After that, we went down into the forest again to see two large trees covered (bark and all!) in monarchs…that was the icing on the cake! We were not disappointed!

The next day we drove to El Rosario, the oldest and by far the most popular of all 12 of the Monarch Butterfly Reserves in Mexico. It is right in the middle of a town and the souvenir shops lining the way number in the hundreds…but sometimes things are tourist hot spots for a reason, and well, this place sure has its reasons…millions of them! Monarch butterflies EVERYWHERE! Here we were literally surrounded by thousands of fluttering butterflies and huge clumps of butterflies hung in the trees above us! It is truly a WONDER of nature. One that must be visited to fully appreciate. We were told there were about 1.5 million right now and around 12 million at peak season. It was hard for us to imagine what even more butterflies would look like. I hope some of you find out! Lastly, I have to mention my mom here. All her life my mom has always loved butterflies. So, the entire time we were having this incredible experience, I could not stop thinking of my mom! I hope someday to share it with her.

May you find contentment in your adventure and the challenges they bring,

Chris & Sharon

p.s. – The Google map route would not let us show the actual ferry we took directly from La Paz to Mazatlan, other than that it is accurate.