DESEA ADVENTURES ISLAND DIVING AND FISHING ABOARD BLACK MAGIC

Nov. 11, 2006, Bill Warr, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico:

In October I took my kids Chris and Natalie to La Paz for a few days of fishing and diving. Andrea and Ana at Desea Adventures set up a truly magnificent time for us from the moment we arrived.

A shuttle was waiting for us at the La Paz airport, our hotel room was set up, and all of our gear and baggage was handled without a hitch.

We met Andrea Tomba of Desea Adventures and he laid out his plan for us for the next three days. Since the offshore scene was in a lull Andrea thought it would be best to dive the reefs from Isla Espiritu Santo, then to Isla Animas, Isla San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, etc. Needless to say, without hesitation we concurred.

I just happened to mention that it was my daughter Natalie's twentieth birthday within earshot of Andrea's wife, Ana. The next thing we know we have been set up a guests of honor at the Buffalo Grill Restaurante for that evening in town and Ana escorted us to the best places in town to buy gifts. This is all within the first hour of meeting these wonderful people. The food and service at Buffalo Grill was beyond excellent. The owner, Carlos, a very busy man, took time to introduce himself and make sure we were having a great time throughout our meal, which was really turned into a celebration.

The next morning we were introduced to our captain and guide, soon to be good friend, Manny. This man is among the best of guides that I have had the privilege of meeting and hunting blue water with. I do not say this lightly, having been on many such trips over the years throughout the Caribbean, Mexico mainland, Brazil, and, of course, all over Baja.

I had chartered the vessel Black Magic, a 33 foot Blackfin Combi, which lived up to its well known reputation for hard core offshore hunting, as well as comfort and style.

While my passions lay with free diving, good old stand up rod 'n reel fishin' runs a close second and we got plenty of rail time between islands. Natalie single handed a grande dorado from strike to gaff by Capt. Manny. Chris took second place in the rod and reel division with his "Nightshade" Dorado, definitely the darkest Mahi I've ever seen. His prize for second place is eternal reminders from me that his sister caught a bigger fish than him. Of course, I won't tell him that I have never landed a Dorado of that size either.