Welcome to our May newsletter edition.

In San Diego it is "May Grey", in Mulege it is a perfect sunny 75/80 degrees. In this issue we talk a little about our 'new' engines, a little more about Ildefonso, a great new deal with a B&B called Clementines that also has casitas for rent, as well as our monthly Sea Lion update! Oh, and our September "Adventure Specials" are booking fast, we will show you how to book your place ahead of time!

Rebuilt Engines, Ready for the 40 mile trip to Ildefonso!

For those of you that were with us on the two occasions when we were out, and the boat engines decided not to work at full power, we have good news. The Palomita along with her engines were taken out of the water and brought back to the Dive Centre, where we had a mechanic work on the engines, and we even had the port engine sent away to be worked on having a complete overall. Everything is now fine, and the running in of the engines is now complete. In other words, we are back to full operational strength, ready, up and running.

With our first planned trip to Santa Ildefonso on June 14th, this rebuild was necessary and was inline with our continued commitment of excellence, both below and above the water. With the first trip to Ildefonso will come more information about the following trips in the autumn. So keep your eyes peeled for a special newsletter report, detailing that sometime in late June.

We have spent two Sundays down in that area looking for camping beaches that offer shelter from prevailing winds, and prying eyes. We think we have found such a place very close to the stunning little bay at San Sebastian. It is also wonderfully close to Isla Ildefonso, being also directly opposite, making the trip out for the dives far easier, and indeed quicker.

Having spoken at some length to the local expat community in the area, some of which are scuba and free divers, it seems very likely that Hammerhead and Manta encounters are more than likely in the summer months. Apparently some of the people that live in this gorgeous bay cannot sleep in the summer months due to Mobula jumping, playing and cavorting around at nights, even in the small bay area.

While we were there, we were watching bait balls being attacked from the air from the pelicans, frigate birds and all manner of species. The bait ball was the result of predators below the surface, (dolphin, shark etc), herding the small anchovy type fish into a tight ball, and pushing them towards the surface where they, and the birds can feed on the small fish.

We am so looking forward to diving this area. It is virtually virgin, as the island is between Loreto and Mulege, and thankfully, fairly inaccessible. Consequently, given the depths involved, the isolation and an almost open ocean position with steep walls and deep off shore reefs, the locals could well be correct. Watch this space for future details. Its going to be a blast not to be missed, so if you want some adventurous fun, diving and a night or two on the desert beaches, book now!!

A 10% deposit will secure your place, contact us today.

Casitas or a B&B, your choice at Clementines Baja! Starting from as low as $55 per night.

Clementines Baja has, arguably, the strongest and most loyal reputation of all the Mulege places to stay. As it offers both the B&B 'room' style rental, as well as the standalone casitas, it can truly match any group or family size vacation.

The B&B has four rooms, each with it's own large ensuite bathroom. All the rooms have Queen beds with eurofoam toppers. The main difference in the prices is the size of the rooms. All the rooms, with the exception of one, have their own small refrigerators. They serve a limited breakfast of Yuban coffee, fresh orange juice and bolilos (rolls) from the french bakery in Santa Rosalia. Guests have full use of the large, very well equipped, kitchen. While, if you are a coffee fanatic, they have a small coffe grinder that you can grind your own beans with.

They have two houses, La Casita and Casa Rio, available. Each is fully furnished to match Cortez Explorers' own high standards. They include their own private dock and the use of their kayaks, small row boats and bicycles. Both have nicely equipped kitchens, covered patios with gas grills and chimineas and washing machines. Casa Rio is located right on the river and has two bedrooms, each with a queen bed and tiled private baths ensuite. La Casita has a queen bed and a queen size futon couch which folds out for sleeping and an ensuite bath and a lovely partially walled patio with a beautiful garden of hibiscus, bougainvillea and exotic flowering plants.

Finally, for those who just cannot escape their need for bits-n-bytes they have broadband internet in the house which guests are welcome to use as well as wireless broadband in La Casita. Oh, and pets are welcome! The price of the B&B starts at $55 per night, depending on the exact room that you want. While Casa Rio rents for $540 per week and La Casita is just $360 per week! These prices have been worked on with the help of Cliff, the owner, and it is a special rate for Cortez Explorers guests.

So contact us today to book your next visit.

Clementines also has it's own page, for further information on the accommodations, you can view that page here.

Update September Adventure Specials!

Partly because you just want to visit in September and partly because you are all looking for that "Special Deal" (okay, more of the second), we are filling up fast for these adventure dives. We have a group booked and ready to go from Austria and surrounding area, while another group from San Diego has just placed a deposit. Here are the updated dates...

• September 5th, 6th & 7th 4 spaces remaining
• September 12th, 13th & 14th
• September 19th, 20th & 21th 3 spaces remaining
• September 26th, 27th & 28th sold out

And now our Sea Lions & other stuff...

Water temperatures are continuing to rise, the upper snorkeling temps are now at 79/80 degrees and the first thermocline is now around 50 feet. Diving with a farmer john or shortie is recommended, but snorkeling can now be done in a Lycra suit!

We wish to send our congratulations to OWSI Debbie Husby for passing, with flying colors, her PADI Instructor Examination on Sunday 7th May! Debbie, welcome to the ranks of PADI Instructors, and long may you have as much fun, pleasure and enjoyment as I have done over the years.

Mick also had a great day out to Punta Concepcion on May 7th, they saw: 40 to 50 dolphins playing around the Palomita; baitballs of small fry; great visibility with 100+ jacks following them back to the boat. For the complete story, click here.

No newsletter from us would be complete it seems without a word or two on those magnificent animals out at Santa Ines Norte. We have been out there again on an average of three times per week over the last month, except when we took Palomita out of the water. The lions are getting extremely friendly, and I feel are becoming more and more into a position of acceptance of us. The photographic opportunities are endless for both top side and below the water line.

We have started to see other wildlife in more abundance now on the islands. Oyster Catchers, those magnificent birds with their red bills and signature voice are arriving in larger numbers, one assumes to over summer here. Shags, Cormorants, and a few other species of birds that I am not sure of, yet, are making an appearance. Mulege is becoming alive with wildlife, above and below the tide line.

Dahab, Egypt... Some thanks from Mick.

It was with great sadness that I learnt of the triple explosions in my old stamping ground town of Dahab that was phoned through to me by my great friend, Lotte who is coming out here in a couple of weeks time. It was also with great happiness I realize, that so many of you, knowing my connection with the town, and its peoples, sat down and wrote eMails to me. The eMails came from worldwide, and provided me with a deeper insight as to my web of friends across the globe. I sincerely wish to publish my appreciation of your thoughts and good wishes. I will not get into politics here, but suffice to say that all these bombings worldwide are truly senseless.

I am so happy to report that all my friends and their respective families are safe, alive and well. And I must thank Gabi, Dasha and Vernon for their rapid response to my desperate mails begging for information.

Yes, I can confirm, the second bomb was outside the Dive Centre that I used to work with, Red Sea Relax, and its satellite hotel, the Neptune. Equally, all my friends and colleagues there survived. For that I am grateful in no small measure.