Ensenada - A Bay Surrounded by Mountains

After more than 36 hours sailing the Pacific southward from San Francisco, we arrived at Ensenada, Mexico yesterday. Due to the storms that have been ravaging California for the past couple of weeks, the sea was not exactly tranquil. Nay there was definitely some "Motion in the Ocean". We all walked like we had been on a two day drunk, but no one seems worse for the wear. During this at sea time I spent reacquainting myself with the ship and catching up on my sleep lost in the days before departure worrying, packing, making final arrangements for my six month absence - everything but sleeping.

I have searched for familiar faces from 2020, but alas have only seen a few. It appears that we will not be treated to "stories" by Dr. Sherry as we were in 2020, A big disappointment. She was the best lecturer one could hope to hear, but she did not like for them to be called lectures because those were boring. Her talks were anything but boring! We do have lectures on sea days and I will give them a chance. Perhaps they will equal Dr. Sherry.

I digress. Ensenada being our first port, I chose an excursion to see la Bufadora Blowhole. The California storms did not exclude this area. While we only experienced brief scattered showers, much of the roadway and countryside was covered with mud. Our guide for this excursion, Junior, engaged us with many facts about this area. According to Junior, tourism is the number one industry, followed by fishing, then farming. Production of alcohol of one elk or another, I forget which, is another top source of revenue. I remember him telling us that although tequila was first made here by the likes of Al Capone, it is currently illegal to produce here. Consume, yes. Produce, no. Junior also spent a fair amount of the trip educating the group on the difference in TexMex and Mexican food. We were assured that we should plan on eating at a certain taco place in Bufadora. Much to his chagrin, said taco restaurant was closed due to rain, wind and mud as was much of the remainder of the village. On the positive side, also due to the recent inclement weather, there were no other tours present and the Blowhole was even more spectacular than usual. While different from the Blowhole we saw at the Pancake Rocks in New Zealand, it was a beautiful site to see. Junior claimed it was the world's largest. I suspect New Zealand and Hawaii would disagree.

The return trip was equally slow and bumpy eliminating any chance we had of actually exploring Ensenada, but once back on ship Waves was open for business as usual so I was able to sustain myself with a "Texas Burger".

This morning I found a needlecraft group (needlepoint specifically) who welcomed me and my knitting; attended a showing of the ship's new line of "Crown Jewels"; restrained myself from any skiing endeavors (spending kids inheritance); written on this blog; now off to lunch followed by a pedicure. Life is tough here on the Insignia.

Today Is Someday! Enjoy It!