FROM THE NORTH SHORE

Whale Seminar Was Huge Success
By Daniel Russell • December 2008

Photo by: Jay Ailworth

Did you know that all whales have not just one, but two blowholes? or, that they have “fingerprints”?

If you had a question about the Humpback Whales that visit Puerto Vallarta, you could have gotten an answer last Monday at Vallarta Yacht Club (VYC), near Paradise Village. Oscar Aranda, a local marine biologist, had the answers and more during his filled-to-capacity presentation sponsored by BoatMexico, Mexico’s most comprehensive marine website.

Biologist Oscar Aranda, one of nine BoatMexico experts on topics of interest to boaters and Mexican tourists, was an encyclopedia of knowledge on the whales. For more than eight years, he has been responsible for protecting nesting turtles and their eggs on the beaches of Banderas Bay, but for the past six years he has also conducted research on the Humpbacks. He has written many articles and children’s stories, participated in documentaries, and worked on a variety of other projects promoting education about the whales, turtles, and other marine species.

During his one hour twenty-five minute seminar that was free and open to the public at VYC's waterfront clubhouse, participants took notes, asked questions, and chuckled at Aranda’s quips.
 
Vallarta Yacht Club (VYC) in association with BoatMexico began the series of Monday luncheons on November 10th. BoatMexico is providing speakers from their staff of online experts for first six luncheons.

The first seminar was “Medical Aspects of Living & Boating in Mexico”. Dr. Luis Suarez, an internal medicine doctor with certification in Traveler’s Medicine and BoatMexico’s medical expert, covered diverse and insightful aspects of tropical living. He spoke about how global warming, common antibiotic use, modern transportation habits, and other factors have and will continue to challenge us all to avoid ailments, some new, some formerly thought eradicated. A copy of Dr. Suarez’s presentation material is available for viewing in Medical Loft on BoatMexico’s website at www.boatmexico.com (Medical Loft requires BoatMexico membership.)

Dolores Brittingham of Essence of Cuisine, a Puerto Vallarta school for gourmet cooking, offered pointers during the second Yachtsman’s Luncheon on Nov. 17th on how to entertain.

Coming up next up is Captain Doug Danielson. He is not only a very experienced yacht delivery captain, but a certified marine surveyor. Captain Doug, as he is known within the boating community, will share his “Horror Stories from the Bilge” at the December 1st Yachtsman's Luncheon. Again, this seminar is free and open to the public.

Laura Joachin, a bilingual Mexican attorney, will provide a talk on the “Legal Aspects of Living & Boating in Mexico” at the December 8th luncheon. (free; public welcome)

The luncheon series will then take a Christmas break until January 5th, when they resume with “The Good, Bad, & Ugly of Writing & Boating”. Author of SHORE LOSER, Doug Danielson will offer insights on writing and publishing your own articles and books.

Lunch is available at the Vallarta Yacht Club’s facility overlooking the tranquil waters of Paradise Marina. The clubhouse is located with parking, just past the Paradise Village mall on the same side of the street. A very reasonably priced lunch menu is available for those desiring to eat when the dining room opens at 12:00. BoatMexico’s free seminars begin at 12:45 sharp.

• Offer ends 12/31/2008

Daniel Russell – BoatMexico
E-mail: admin@boatmexico.com
Website: www.BoatMexico.com

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