​Day 6 – Ensenada Grande
 Today was the day we had been waiting for all cruise – the day we get to snorkel with Sea Lions.   This was the main reason I was willing to brave the water earlier in the week to get the hang of snorkeling.   It was a little choppy but at least the wind had died down and the sun was out.   There was a dozen of us willing to get in the water with the sea lions while the others had an option to stay dry and just go around the sea lion island in a small boat.  I suited up with my multiple layers and was ready.   We had to take a skiff over to the boat from a company (Fun Baja) that takes people out to swim with the Sea Lions.  The rookery is on the island of Partida in the Espiritu Santo Island Archipelago.  Our guide Carlos gave all the details on what to do and what not to do.   You really do not want to annoy the large male sea lions.   We pulled up to the island it and really was covered in sea lions and also lots of birds.   The rocks actually looked snow covered due to all the bird droppings.   It was time to get in the water and you cannot help but be noisy when getting in because it was so cold but I waited a bit for my heart to adjust and then we started swimming closer.   I kept my eye on Carlos as I didn’t want to lose him figuring he knew best what to do.  As we got closer a big wave hit me and I drank a good bit a sea water and was about ready to say get me out of here but I took a few minutes to recover and calm down.   After that I really did start to enjoy it and get the hang of it.    I was floating along and a little sea lion swam right over to me.   I wasn’t sure what to do but I laughed so hard I got a mask full of water.   This little guy really had fun playing with us.  He nibbled on anyone hands that were out or their flippers.    He also thought Carlos’s orange life ring looked like fun and played around with that for a bit.   We thought he might go through it like a sea lion at a show but he didn’t.   He was also able to entertain himself quite well as I watched him dive down and he blew a few big bubbles and then he followed them up to the surface but right before they reached the top he would pop them with his nose.  Again I was laughing and let me just say laughing and snorkeling do not go well together.   We were out in the water about an hour and by then I was really cold so I was happy when Carlos asked who is ready to go back to the boat.   On the short swim back Carlos told us to keep looking in the water as there are sometimes big rays out there.   I looked down and decided I really didn’t want to see if there was one as it looked way too deep.   I was better off keeping my head out of the water.   I was glad to get back on the boat and sit in the sun and try to warm my fingers up again.   When we got back on the ship it was right in the hot tub to warm up.   This was the last excursion with wetsuits so we helped by dunking them in the containers of clean water and hung them up.   We also rinsed the other borrowed gear and put in the piles for the crew to put away.  We did all this before lunch!   I had worked up a hunger and was happy to not have to wait long for lunch.  

Our Last Day
  Our luggage had to be tagged and outside our door before we went to 7 am breakfast.   We had one last time to say goodbye to our new friends and then it was time to board the buses.   Most of the crew were out on the pier to say goodbye which was a very nice touch.  We headed back to Los Cabos and walked around town for a bit before it was time for our shuttle back to the airport.    We had a great time in Baja and would definitely do it again!  ​

Day 2 - Bahia Agua Verde
  Woke up this morning and made it to the 7 am stretch and WOW!   The cove we are in today is just gorgeous!  The weather also looked like it was going to cooperate both with sun and no wind.   On the way to breakfast we saw that we had the morning Kayak and afternoon Burro which we knew was perfect since it is usually best to get out on the kayaks while there isn't any wind.   We know from experience that wind tends to kick up more as the day goes on.   After breakfast it was out to the aft deck to board the skiff to the beach.   Our ship is stocked with kayaks and has a platform they use to launch kayaks in other locations but here in Baja they prefer to launch from the beach.   The crew had already taken the kayaks over and had them ready on the beach for us.  We grabbed our paddles and headed out. Our adventure guide for this one was Mike and he was also very excited about the lovely weather we had.   We paddled around the coast and even out a rock formation a few hundred feet from the coast.   Mike told us that the water all around that rock formation was very deep so many birds went there to fish and live on the rocks.   The water close to the coast was very clear so that we could see things like fish, starfish, and other things on the bottom while kayaking.   It was a great morning adventure and we all worked up a hunger for lunch.   Back to the ship with a little time to shower and head to lunch.  It was another great meal which was topped off by the most adorable and equally delicious dessert!  Our pastry chef made macrons shaped like a cactus and filled with a sort of Mexican eggnog cream.   All I could say was OH MY GOD!   

   
    After lunch it was time to head out for our Burro ride.  The Romero family brings the burros over to the island every week just for UnCruise.   Julio, the head of the family, takes a look at each guest and then pairs you with the right Burro for you.   I guess he could tell I like to go fast because I got the Burro that wanted to pass everyone was we went up the first steep hill.   The path was pretty narrow and he liked passing on the outside so I just tried to trust he knew what he was doing and wouldn't step too close to the edge.   It was about an hour ride and we went over rocks and sand, up and down hills, and even through an oasis which was full of palm trees and freshwater.   The family that brings the burros also had a little shop set up on the beach with some things they have made that were for sale.   I always enjoy being able to buy something that was made by the locals when we travel so I picked up a pair of earrings and a necklace.  
Since the weather was so nice we had the option to hang out on the beach a bit longer and could take out kayaks or paddleboard or head back to the ship.    We chose to hang out for awhile.   The crew brought over towels, chairs, snacks, and drinks as well so it was a great beach day!  After enjoying the beach it was time to head back for Happy Hour and pick tomorrow's activities.     We also also got a special treat and Julio joined us for happy hour and entertained us with a few songs.   They were all in Spanish so I could only pick up a few parts but they all sounded like very sad songs to me.   We enjoyed another very delicious meal but the chef which of course included another amazing dessert from Katie our pastry chef.    For anyone that knows me or has traveled with me you will know I am a picky eater so I was a little worried about meals on a small ship.   Even though there have only been 3 choices for lunch or dinner so far I have found something each time and you can also sort of customize the options if there is something you don't like.  Being that we are on the sea I hve been opting for the fish most nights and they have been delicious!

Day 3 - Puerto Escondido
We were supposed to have adventures in the morning but due to wind they were cancelled so we instead went out whale watching and switched onshore adventures to the afternoon.   We lucked out and quickly spotted a spout and Captain headed that way.   After carefully watching and waiting it was identified as a Blue Whale, which is one of the biggest whales.   We would watch the spout come up and then wait to see if the whale appeared too and most times the whale took a few breaths and then you would see the fluke (tail) as the whale dove and then wait 8 - 10 minutes to search for where he would come back up.  While keeping track of the Blue Whale a pod of dolphins came over to play with us.   They were bow riding and also playing in our wake.   They really seem like kids that were swimming around and even showing off a little.  It was so fun to watch them.  
After some whale and dolphin watching it was time for lunch and while having lunch we pulled into the first actual dock we have seen since leaving La Paz.  We are in  Puerto Escondido  which is a well protected harbor with mountains almost all around so it is also given the name The Waiting Room since many boats will wait out storms here.    There were a few adventure options available today - a strenuous hike, snorkeling, a skiff ride, or you could just walk around the marina we were docked in.   We opted for the skiff but it was windy and cloudy so a bit cold out on the water but we still saw some interesting things.   We were happy to not do much this afternoon anyway since this was the first time since boarding that we were able to pick up a wi-fi signal.  My travels are work for me so I really don't mind staying in touch while I travel but I hadn't been expecting to be without wi-fi so much on this trip.   I used this time to check on emails and make sure all my clients were OK.   Tomorrow we are headed to the Gray Whale Sanctuary which is one of the main reasons I chose this cruise at this time of year.   The momma Gray whales come to this special bay to have their babies each year in late January and stay through early March.

Viviers
  Our ship left Avignon at 4:45 am to make our way to Viviers.   Along the way we passed through the deepest lock on the Rhone - the Bollene Lock.  When you go through the locks on a river cruise your ship really fits snugly in the lock so if you were to open your balcony you really only have a couple inches between you and the wall.   When you enter in low if feels like you went into a tunnel and then you slowly rise up and see sunlight again.   
  We arrived in Viviers after lunch.   When we docked it was easy to see that Viviers is a very small and old village.  There was even a Renaissance faire going on so the townspeople were dressed for the occasion which made it feel even more like we had stepped back in time.   Today we chose the Active option and are "canoeing" again but just like yesterday we learned that canoeing actually means kayaking.  Today's kayak was an included option so we had a few more people going but it was still a nice small group.  However when we got to the river we quickly realized it was a Saturday and that definitely changes the crowd.   Even though the weather was overcast and only in the low 60s the river was very crowded.   We were kayaking through the Gorges de l'Ardeche.  Our guide said that during the summer there is usually around 5,000 kayakers on the river each day.   There were only a few hundred today and that seemed too crowded for me.  I guess we got spoiled yesterday having that river all to ourselves. Our guides did a good job keeping us together and made us aware of what was coming as there were a few rough patches but it was really fun.  The gorge was really impressive with lots of great walls of limestone.   We all got wet but no one flipped over so it was all good.   Today there were a lot of included options to choose from.  There was another Active that was a hike through gorges so they saw a lot of the same things we did but from a different perspective.  There was a Discovery which was underground wine tasting.  There were 2 Classic which were either to the Lock Bollene or to a crocodile farm.  
After dinner we were all treated to a guided walk through town to learn more about the history which was very interesting.    The town of Viviers floods a lot but it sounds like the townspeople adapt.   Viviers is home to the smallest cathedral in France about 1/8 the size of Notre Dame.  I love getting to stop in these cute little places!    

​Last night we arrived in Avignon pretty late at night but we were able to catch a view of the half bridge of Avignon under an almost full moon.   We pulled up next to another river cruise ship which happens a lot with the river cruises because there is limited docking space.  Unfortunately for us the ship we pulled up next to had neon green lighting that ran the length of the ship and they did not turn it off at all so our room now had a green glow overnight.   I thought it was pretty rude that they wouldn't turn that off when a ship tied up next to them so I quickly made a note on which cruise line that was and will remember not to book them.   Personally I wouldn't want to cruise on a ship that was lit up like that every night.
   Today we were in port long enough to not only choose an included morning excursion but also there are some afternoon options that you could purchase.  We really enjoy kayaking so I signed us up for the afternoon option to do that.   This morning I chose the Discovery option which was described as going to discover more about Essential Oils at the Musee des Aromes et du Parfum and it said we would get to create our own scent.   I really enjoy using essential oils myself so I liked the idea of learning more and making my own scent.   Being in the lavender capital of the world and that being my favorite oil I was thinking this would be an interesting excursion for me.   Unfortunately it wasn't really as described and we didn't get to create a scent and really didn't get to do anything with essential oils.   The museum had some neat collections but I would not call this a Discovery or hands on excursion at all.  The only saving thing was we also stopped in St Remy which was a totally adorable French Village that I enjoyed wandering around.  We were there too early in the morning though so most of the shops were not open yet but I actually enjoyed getting photos of the empty streets and cafes.   The Active Adventure for today was an ebike ride through the Gard with a little wine tasting included.  I heard that was a very good excursion and a much better bike ride than our first one.   The Classic excursion for today was a city tour including the Palace of the Popes and a picnic.  It sounds like the picnic was more of a tasting of a few samples but it sounds like everyone that went enjoyed it.   
I was glad that I had booked us on the optional afternoon excursion to kayak on the Pont du Gard.  It was a little chilly and raining a little but I was excited to go kayaking.   We were a small group of just 10 guests going kayaking (I am thinking the weather had a few change their minds).  It was raining for the first few minutes but it cleared up and turned into a great day and we had the river to ourselves.  We paddled right under an old Roman Aqueduct which is the highest of all elevated Roman Aqueducts.   The river did most of the work so it was an easy and enjoyable paddle down the river.