5C's Que Pasa

Yesterday saw a few of us head across the shipping channel to check out the Greenpeace ship. You can see the masts in the background. We used the other Embarcadero at the beach end of the Isla. More expensive at 30 pesos return but then we didn't have to take a pulmonia.

Colin brought out his camera for this trip. That is the Baja Ferry behind him.

The panga operator noted our interest in the Rainbow Warrior and took us right over the the ship. Because of him we got some very special views. He was tipped accordingly as he went out of his way without being asked. Photo by Colin.

We were very fortunate to get these shots as once on the dock you don't see this at all. Photo by Colin.

Once we got off the panga, we had a 3 block walk to the ship. First you registered and then you got into a line. We did have to wait about 45 minutes as there was a shortage of English speaking guides. Yesterday friends had to wait 15 minutes and today we heard the wait was over 3 hours due to school children. Photo by Colin.

While waiting to board we were given a solar demonstration. Those of us who were RVers were quite familiar with this aspect of things. On the right is a mock up of a solar water heating device and on the left is a device that cooks food. The pot in the centre holds a chicken that with the sun's rays will be cooked in two hours. Photo by Colin.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. March 16th 2006, Greenpeace activists unfurled a banner from the famous Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro to call on governments to protect global biodiversity. Representatives from 188 countries are taking part of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) in Curitiba, Brazil, to discuss the protection of biodiversity. Photo by Greenpeace.

We are about to board. Note the round elevator shaft on the right, one way to get up the mast. Photo by Colin.

One of the first informative stops along the tour. Here we were given info such as length and hull depth and height of masts. This is the largest sailing vessel in the world. Photo by Colin.

They fly the Greenpeace flag on the left and the flag of the country they are in on the right. The sails are all electronically controlled as they are too large to handle manually. It only requires two people to unfurl the sails. Photo by Colin.

I took this photo of a photo while onboard to show you the extent of a few of the sails. For the most part the ship does move while under sail. They do have diesel engines to use as required coming into port, etc. Rainbow Warrior was built with the intent of being able to recyle all of it components thirty years hence.

Tour of the bridge. The ship travels with a crew of 16. There is room for a further 16 people, usually folks involved in the project on hand. They are always looking for more volunteers! The fellow who spoke about the bridge was an Italian who had been sailing with Greenpeace since 2007. I don't think he has much of a personal life. Photo by Colin.

All in all it was a fascinating tour. We learnt a lot about both the vessel and Greenpeace itself. There was no charge for the tour nor did they at anytime request or even hint at requesting a donation. Very well done and most informative. Photo by Colin.

Rainbow Warrior The Third. There is so much information on the Greenpeace website, please check it out. Photo by Colin.

Gracias Colin for yet another shot.

Yes, there were many ups and very steep downs during the tour. I am so amazed that I was able to do this tour. A year ago I would have had to stay home. Photo by Colin.

..the sunset did not disappoint.

The sun is setting in a different position.

The plant truck had this huge Desert Rose which Colin actually considered buying but it really was too large for us. It was only 700 pesos but we passed on it.

These 3 sailboats left at the same time.....must have been friends.

My beach treasures on the morning walk.

We have had 2 new Rv's arrive in the past few days. Donna and Bob who were here last year and Karen and Bob, new Rvers to Mexico.

We wish Bob and Karen all the best in their new Mexican adventures.

View from the Isla of the Rainbow Warrior as it arrived about 7:15AM this morning.

Last Friday a group of us started our tour in this home on Angel Flores.

Susan Carnes does the oil painting and her husband dabbles in stained glass. He did a huge amount of work restoring their home which features her paintings and his beautiful stained glass pieces.

I particularly admired this painting.

Every corner of this home has unique displays.

I fell in love with this Traveller's Palm, a feature of their back garden. It is 2 stories high and it is only four years old. I just have to get one of these for my garden here on the Isla.

This was a display at another studio that featured mixed media. Interesting but not my taste.

John visits with a potential art instructor at Casa Etnika. Note the glass in his hand, many of the artists offer wine and appetizers making for a very enjoyable evening. Art Walk hours are from 4:00PM to 8:00PM.

Not part of the tour but street art nonetheless.

An example of mixed media and painting at the Mariano Escobedo Galeria.

Another example at the same gallery using recycled computer parts.

As the evening winds down many of those enjoying Art Walk gravitate to a restaurant.

I think that Lynne had a marvellous evening. Doesn't she look great?

The five of us ended up at our restaurant of choice at the Plazuela Machado, the Beach Burger. Of course Colin and I danced to our now favorite band. Check out Lynne's post for the photos. The Plazuela was a beehive of energy full of happy people.

So ends another splendid night on the town. Home James, please.