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Old 3 Apr 18, 05:54 AM  
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#7
cornishfrogboy
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VIP Dibber
 
Join Date: Nov 10
Location: Falmouth
Day 5. Monterey bay whale watch. 'Pacific Coast Highway'

We left from Fishermens wharf at 0900 for a 4 hour trip. Be sure that you pick the right Wharf , of two. Fishermens is by 250yds the further to the North of Cannery Row. (We initially got it wrong) The ship was 'Blackfin' and the Marine Biologist, 'Will'. Before we had even left the harbour, we had seen Sea otters and Sealions. Within 25 minutes we were seeing numerous spouts and were very close to Humpback whales. The commentary was informative and very helpful.

Mandie came prepared for a hurricane.. and we did not.

We eventually ended up around 14 miles offshore and in a pod of 200 plus Risso's Dolphins. On return, we were just about bang on time to reach the jetty at 1300, when two Gray Whales were sited and investigated, resulting in a 25 minute overrun. This reflected the enthusiasm of Captain and crew to provide just that little bit extra, which was obviously gratefully received.
A highly recommended trip that yielded sightings of 10x Humpbacks, 2 x Gray's, 200 plus Risso's, Sealions, 2 x Albatross and Sea Otters.


A Humpback whale, unfortunately not in a posing mood.


The pier from which we sailed.. as opposed to the wrong one we initially visited.


Straight off the boat and it was onwards for 3 hours towards the Madonna Inn at San Louis Obispo. We had to divert around the back of the Pacific highway from Monterey, due to the mudslide. We re-joined the highway 100 miles south and cut back up north to the San Simeon Elephant Seal Rookery with Hearst Castle on a hill behind it. The Rookery could fairly be described as disappointing. Had we been passing it in the normal way, then fine. Diverting to see it was a waste of time.

We then carried on to the Madonna Inn, a unique, kitsch and totally over the top Hotel with a long history and very long list of previous guests including John Wayne and Ronald Reagan. Think, designed by Barbara Cartland whilst on an Acid trip. Our room was themed as a China flower room and was a site to behold, very spacious and 'unique'. A black forest cake/birthday cake was waiting for us in the room (wife's birthday).. Food in the restaurant was good, decently priced and in a themed setting. The Male washroom was not to be missed. A really brilliant day.

The wonderfully restrained and subdued Madonna Inn.


The classy, Conservative decor of the restaurant.


Even the 'heads' (urinals) had a certain unrestrained class about them.
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2005 onwards.. lots of times!

Index of all my Trip and Pretrip reports..https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...6#post15662196

Edited at 10:22 PM.
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