Puerto Vallarta is a resort town where you can find all the big chain hotels lining beaches along the Bahia de Banderas (Bay of Flags). I must admit I was a little surprised to pass a huge Wal-mart on way to the ship from the airport. The large cruise ship and high rise hotels under construction also didn’t match my image of a quaint Mexican fishing village. I need to talk with my travel agent. Next time, send me where development doesn’t imply hijacked coastline – throw in ecologically sustainable and the commission is yours. Ahh! The amount of work that needs soon forces me out from my tropical vacation daydream.

It’s been busy time here in Puerto Vallarta – Crew changes, open boats, and even a rock concert thrown into the mix. Organised by Greenpeace to launch the upcoming whales campaign, the concert was held downtown in an open ampitheatre built into the beachside promenade. A mixture of local activists, live bands and a large screen displaying Greenpeace video footage made for a fun, inspiring night.

It appears the Esperanza and the tourists aren’t the only ones migrating south – between November and April Humpback whales having filled their bellies in Alaskan waters come here for courtship and consequentially bear calves. Migrating back up to Alaska around March. Unlike some of the tourists that display similar behaviour, I always find whales interesting and definitely worth conserving (oops did I really say that).

Judging by the large turnout at our open boats and rock concert held by Greenpeace Mexico last night, Mexicans also want to be ocean defenders – now that gives me ‘Esperanza’.