Today for my birthday Bill took me on a whale watching tour.  A van picked us up at the campground and drove us down to a huge lagoon called Laguana Ojo de Liebre off of the Pacific Ocean.  On the way we passed a salt mine which is the largest in the world.  They process and ship salt all over the world.  We boarded a small boat which held 15 people, passed huge sand dunes and the view was beautiful.  We saw many gray whales since this is where they migrate to from February to April to give birth.  The whales came right up to the boat and we were able to touch them.  They were curious about the hum of the boat’s engine and went from one side of the boat to the other passing underneath.  The water was clear enough to see them swimming and they were very playful.  They were close enough to see their eyes   and blowholes…I never knew they had two blowholes, just like a human nose.  We were sprayed by the mist from their blowholes and a couple times I was drenched as they flipped in the water and splashed their huge tails.  They had many barnacles and not the prettiest creatures I have ever seen, but I was in awe of actually touching a whale!  I once in a lifetime experience!    Everywhere we looked there were whales swimming and jumping in the water.  We did not see as many baby whales as we thought we would, but there were plenty of other whales and our guide told us there were some pregnant whales in the water.  Unfortunately none of them decided to give birth while we were there!

After a box lunch of sandwiches and fruit provided by the tour company we started to return to shore.  Along the way we passed a large mooring where seals and sea lions were sunning themselves.  The seals barked at us as we passed by.  

Monday evening we had dinner at the campground at Mario’s restaurant.  Bill had some great shrimp broiled in garlic sauce.  I ordered fried chicken and should have known better.  When my food came I thought it sure didn’t look like fried chicken.  I gingerly tasted it and the waitress who was also Mario’s wife, asked me how I like it.  She then told me it was fried scallops.  Not good news for someone who does not eat seafood.    I sent it back and declined their offer to fix something else when she said they didn’t have any chicken.  I thought it strange they would automatically substitute scallops for chicken without asking.  But, this is Mexico!  I am finding Mexico is a great place for me to lose weight.  I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich again for dinner.