Monterey 23 Feb - Tuesday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOAN.

Even though it forcasts a warmer day today 71°F (22°C), we have decided to go on a boat trip to do some whale watching. So we have wrapped up warm.

Three little monkeys: hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil.

Our whale watching boat.

We see our first seal on a buoy in the harbour, warming it's self in the morning sun.

More seals grouped together for warmth (from each other's body heat) and with one of their flippers in the air to catch any heat from the sun.

As we passed the old sardine canning factory that closed in 1973, now refurbished. There was a sea otter off our port side. But I was not able to get a photo of it.

The mouth of Monterey Bay has some large breakers.

Shortly after this, we saw out first whale. A juvenile Humpback Whale. Again we only sight of for a short time, so I was unable to get a photo.

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. She explained about the different whales, their migration and gestation, they migrate to the artic for the rich feeding grounds in the summer, to build up their blubber and down to South California (Baja) to calf in the winter.

The Long-Beaked Common Dolphin was easier to get an image of.

This was quite a large pod of dolphins, although they are know to join with other pods to feed more efficiently.

Managed to catch this Gray Whale on camera.

But still not very clear.

You can make this Gray Whale out a little better.

After our trip we walked back passed the old custom house. It has a very Mexican look about it. Which perhaps is not surprising if you look at California's history, it started with the Native American, then the European exploration period from 1542 to 1769, the Spanish colonial period from 1769 to 1821, the Mexican period from 1821 to 1848, and then the United States statehood, which continues to this present day.

In the afternoon Dorothy and I went to the Alamo car rental at Monterey airport, we explained to the nice lady there, that we could not get our bags in the Dodge Charger. She said she would swap it for a Dodge Voyager, then we could get our bikes in it. We explained that we did not have bikes, but had bags  (or luggage). She still let us swap the Chargerfor the Voyager, at no extra charge.

Not quite one nation divided by a common language. But very close. Bags not Bikes.

That evening we went inton the old Town, or down town as they call it.

One of the main street was closed for a Street Market.

One of the stalls was selling home made Root Beer. We spoke with the guy selling the beer. He explained that he made it from ground birch root, sugar, local honey, cinnamon and other secret ingredients. 

It tasted of Mint, anise, and a little bit vanilla-ish. Not very pleasant. We politely told him it was not for us, we would perhaps try somebody elses . He said his was the best Root Beer in the whole of the USA, so we would not need to try any other Root Beer's, as we had just sampled the best. 

Every Tuesday evening there is a Street Market in Monterey, which was a hive of activity.