Our transport van arrived right on time, and gradually filled to capacity as we picked up co-travelers at various hotels along the way. The route to the dock was familiar as we'd traveled it last year to the sunset cruise. It winds through steep, narrow residential streets and hairpin turns, and is a bit ... well ... thrilling at points. Might we have been feeling just a little smug knowing we didn't need to gasp?
Our transport to the island (which we think is actually a peninsula, but we won't quibble) was a mid-sized catamaran. Outbound they took the scenic route, and showed off some sea caves and little islands inhabited only by hundreds of seabirds. The sea was quite calm compared to last year's evening cruise, for which we were very grateful. There's always the chance for an unplanned encounter with sea life (last year we were pleased to meet a mother whale and her calf) ... this year we were accompanied by many groups of pelicans, each flying in tight formation. Never did see them catch a fish, though.
The big event was the discovery of a school of manta rays swimming just beside the boat. The photo doesn't do the sight justice: there were probably 30 or them swimming together. Look for the reddish shadows under the waves. Truly a beautiful sight.
Having enjoyed the landmarks, we set off for Stone Island. Disembarking, we squeezed into a trailer fitted out with many boards as seats, and off we went behind a big farm tractor. We had perhaps a 20-minute ride over dirt roads and through residential areas. It's always impressive how much vegetation thrives in this hot, dry climate.
A special treat was a stop half-way along the route, where we could purchase a bag of remarkably fresh peanuts. We opted for unflavored ones still in the shell, but others enjoyed a sugared variety or some laced with a good dose of chili. Both peanuts and shrimp are in high season at this time.
Arriving at the venue, we found a nice table right at the front of the veranda. We'd opted to include the meal in our ticket price, which limited our selection a bit but gave us free beer. Each of us ordered up the "combo" plate, but we had some free time before lunch would be served.
The activity we chose was to take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon. This, too, was quite a rustic transport, and it was educational to return briefly to a time when this would have been a fast way to get from place to place. At one point, we were handily passed by ... a full-sized farm tractor. Yikes! But then there's the obligatory real-estate office...
Our driver spoke very little English, so we took his cues on where to look and hoped we "got the message." In many cases, it was clear -- a stew pot bubbling over an open fire, bushes in bloom, a peek at the ocean view. 
At other times we found things interesting which surely were mundane to him -- a privacy fence of woven palm fronds, for instance. It was a relaxing ride, and an interesting look at life in a warm climate and in a small place. There surely are not many secrets here!
Back at the venue, lunch was about to be served. We enjoyed the "combo," which included a quesadilla, a roasted chicken drumstick of impressive dimensions, and a taco; of course with the requisite rice, beans, and lettuce on the side. We certainly got our money's worth for that plate!
Our guide was making the rounds to ensure that everyone was having a good time, and discovered that Claudette had friends in Tepic. As it happened, one of our fellow tour members was a taxi driver in Tepic, so our guide made some introductions and small talk. It's unlikely that they will meet up again, but it was a fun coincidence.
Lunch completed, we just kicked back and enjoyed watching and hearing the surf roll in. There were a variety of beach vendors, and a few ventured inside the fenced-off area protecting us, but none were persistent. It certainly seems like a challenging way to make a living, walking up and down the sand all day carrying all your wares.
At one point we were startled to see a 3-man band, including a gentleman with a string bass slung over his shoulder, making way up the beachfront. The bass seemed well-weathered, what with both sand and salt air, so we hoped it maintained a good tone.
Soon enough it was time to trek on home; first one group and then another repaired to the board-strewn trailer for the ride back to the catamaran. There was a large group with a gaggle of kids who had come fully-prepared, with coolers and bags of food and distractions; we were impressed with the management of all those logistics.
We again enjoyed the fine view of the world's highest operating lighthouse (the Rock of Gibralter is higher, but no longer operational)
The entry to the port reminded us of Easter Island, but the forms are used to make a strong breakwater.
Our tour guide was also our driver back to the hotel. He had been serenading Linda with a song in Spanish featuring her name, and was in a jolly mood. Some others riding closer to the front engaged him in conversation about his job, and indeed the three of us had remarked to each other that it had to be a challenge to deliver essentially the same "patter" every trip. He observed that when he had a good group (and ours was viewed to be one) that it really was quite fun, but with a surlier crowd it could be quite challenging. One can only imagine...
Back home it was a veritable Origami Orgy!
It was close to dinnertime, but after the monster combo plate, no one was really inspired to dine. Late in the evening, just because we could, we tucked in to a chunk of truly average cheese which somehow had crawled into our grocery cart much earlier. How far the mighty can fall!
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