Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
John: Today was the day when we went on our most expensive excursion: a 4 hour whale watching and sea safari. When we booked we had the choice of the "Discovery", a super fast Zodiac Rib, with us all kitted out in drysuits for skimming across the ocean, or "Dixie IV", and ex-lifeboat of an earlier vintage designed for a slower and more sedate trip. We voted when we booked - 2 against 2 - Joe and I for the harem-scarem Rib and Shell and Clara for the lifeboat. It was agreed then - the lifeboat it was !!. As it happens this was the right choice. I have to say my expectations of seeing a whale were very low and seeing anything would be a bonus. Straight away we were directed to a Bald Eagle, sitting proudly on top of a tree just across from the harbour. Still in the harbour we next saw a massive Californian Sea Lion, as big as a bear - who had hauled itself up onto a jetty for all to see. As we got out onto the open sea we stayed by the coast and saw a black dot in the distance on the beach - we got closer and closer and yes we were looking at our first bear. Under 1 hour in and we had ticked off Eagle, Sea Lion, Bear - Shell was wondering whether these were really stuffed animals all put there by the trip operator to guarantee sightings !!. The trip then took us across open sea towards the Broken Islands - within ten minutes we came across our first whale - a black hump-back that obliged us with spraying spouts of air/water every now and again and majestically arching it's back and tail into the air. What more could you ask for !! - a telephoto zoom on my camera would have been good as all boats have to stay at least 100m away from the whales - but I did get some good pictures as "proof". We then headed across to the Broken Islands - fantastic to sail amongst these small beautiful islands up close. Our next up close and personal experience came with more and more sea lions - loads of them just sunbathing on the rocks on the islands - Joe was in his element as surprisingly he can communicate with sea-lions, shouting loud OIK-OIK-OIK noises and getting replies. Time to head back to Ucluelet - across open sea again, which by the way was pretty calm. I spent time talking to our skipper, Bob, who had a lot to say about everything; "the weather in this part of BC has been awful - these last few days has been the first time they've seen sun for months"; "The tourists are just not here this year"; "no Americans - so not all bad"; "there is no work for anyone, logging is dead"; "businesses are folding daily".... and so on, he was great really. Amazingly on the way back we again saw whales - this time a hump-back and a grey whale who had apparently been seen together for a few weeks - an odd coupling as they looked to enjoy each others company. For me then came the most amazing time of the trip - you're sitting there patiently, almost in silence, waiting for the whale to surface again, everyone looking out in all directions to spot the whale and then I get the opportunity to shout "THERE SHE BLOWS!!"" as the grey whale surfaces just a few metres from the back of the boat - my amazing reflexes, athletic ability, and flexibility meant allowed me to get a great photo of this great moment. A superb day - topped off with the biggest pizzas you can imagine - (all boxed up as we couldn't manage to eat them) - at least mine was the healthy option - a ceasar salad pizza - topped off with bunches of salad in a ceasar dressing - yumm !!. Tomorrow will be a quieter day - relaxing on the beach again - wow it's hot here now - prickly heat and sunburn all standard fare. Till the next time...
- comments
jojo So exciting to read about it alll. makes me feel really jealous. Told you the whales were the most wonderful things to see and the sea lions to Hear! So glad youre have a great time -theres a lot ore to come lots of love to you all mum