Jan 09, 2014
Rainbow Warrior Tour
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.
Halfway through the wait to board the vessel we were given a talk about the purpose of Greenpeace here in Mexico. They are here specifically in Sinaloa because of corn. Sinaloa grows 70% of the maize for all of Mexico and the problem right now is GMO corn. A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Read here to understand why GMO is not good for you. The reason for the stop in Puerto Vallarta is due to all of the manufacturers of fabric who release all of the production toxins into the ocean. Greenpeace has a simple message, “Be a responsible consumer”. Sometimes they do have to be somewhat dramatic to get their message across.
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.
It truly was a great tour and what an honor to be able to meet the Greenpeace vessel here in Mazatlan. They did come to Vancouver but we were five hours away at that time. You just never know what adventure is going to be around the next corner. We were away from the Isla for less than 4 hours yet it felt that we had been on an undertaking that took much more time. It is always so wonderful to be able to seize the moment…..carpe diem.
And so we did by stopping for drinks on the way back to the Tres Amigos. Later in the day…..
..the sunset did not disappoint.
The sun is setting in a different position.
Life is good here on the Isla except for the internet. Yes it is supposed to be being redone but meanwhile it did take me over 4 hours to get this post done. That means that I missed out sitting in the sunshine and watching the beach. I sure hope that you did enjoy this post!
<< Older Posts Home Newer Posts >>
Excellent post! You really did happen to cover some of the info I had missed! Sunset shots were great too!
Lynne I appreciate your comment. We were both there but were able to put a different spin in the event.
Thank you for sharing! SO interesting! And I doubt I’ll get any closer – so it’s lovely to piggy back so to speak on your tour. And I’m so happy for you that you are/were able to go, and are doing so very well.
Glad you enjoyed the tour Barbara although I do have to say it is much better in person.
Thats right seize the moment.
Thanks for the great tour.
George, we always have to seize the moment or else what it the point.
Loved the greenpeace pics, have seen it but now husband and I arguing as to where we were! Narrowed it down to Turkey, Spain, Malta or even at home (UK)! It has got our brains working anyway!
Carole….hey at least you got to see the Rainbow Warrior. Glad you like the photos.
Interesting post, and great pictures, I had no idea the Rainbow Warrior was so big.
Jean it actually looked smaller closer up than when we saw it sail in.
Wow, you sure got your Rainbow Warrior info right! Nice post 🙂
Welcome to the blog Natalie. Glad you enjoyed the post on the ship.
Wow, those pictures are great! What a fun tour! As a sailor, I am glad you took the photo of the photo to capture the perspective of those giant sails. Good to know they take volunteers. Wonder if they will take an old lady when I finally get to retire? 😉
Thanks for the virtual tour!
Suzanne, I think they would be very lucky to be able to get you aboard. You have so much to offer the world.
Fascinating! Stan and I are adamantly against GMOs. It’s a war zone in the United States trying to find safe food. I’m sure they are responsible for my allergies as well as the huge upsurge in allergies in this country. One reason I love going to Mexico is that it’s a little easier to find fresh, safe foods. Let’s hope Monsanto doesn’t get their hooks into the Mexican government or it’s all over.
Marty, it was great to hear they whys of the visit and we sure hope that the message is passed around. The last day in port the boat was inundated by school kids so hopefully they will get the GMO story.