Our scheduled for today was titled "Cruising for Critters" meaning we'd spend the day in passage from Glacier Bay down to Sitka and hopefully find something in between to keep us content as guests onboard. There were several items on the schedule. Yoga was in the morning followed by our scheduled massages. Then a poker tournament with Captain Dano in the Pesky Barnacle Lounge. And in the afternoon more yoga and then a few of the deckhands would teach us all how to tie the ship knots. In the moments between we expected to stare out the window and just cruise along - a book in one hand and cappuccino in the other.
Apparently the WHALES had another plan in mind! Our crew informed us that they hoped to see one or two but the majority had already migrated down the coast to warmer waters. Little did they know. . . .
Our first sighting happened just before lunch and the Captain came over the loud speaker, calling us outside from the poker tournament. We all hussled to the railings and watched in awe as far in the distance, we saw a humpback breaching the water's surface. As we sailed slowly forward the pod emerged from the water and gave us quite a show as they fed off the shore. I cannot describe the awe that you have at this moment watching these beautiful and elegant creatures skimming along the water. Then out of nowhere we see them begin to bubble net feed. They created a cyclone net of bubbles that scares the fish to the surface of the water. Then with all the fish condensed in a group you see four, five, six giant mouths piercing the surface gobbling them up. Each feeding is about ten minutes apart and you never know where they'll end up when they surface. We begin to watch the birds who swarm when then see opportunity rising below. They dive to catch fish a split second before the whales breach.
Hours passed and we weren't even aware. We watched them feed along the inlet and you could hear the soft puff of air as they exhaled reaching the waters surface and spouting mist into the air. We hear shouts from the aft of the ship as another humpback was spotted coming into the cove. He was on a mission for food and we could not get in his way! We speculated the reason for his coming to be the call of one humpback in the feeding group. He seems to be sending out the message of abundant food in this little cove - Dinner, get it while it’s hot!
Cocktail hour rolled around and we took a short break to refresh ourselves in the lounge. The whales humored us by waiting another ten minutes before surfacing. By that time we had grabbed a couple drinks and piled a plate with crab legs, fresh baked bread & artichoke dip and scurried back up to the top deck below the captain looking out from the bridge. Cheers to you Whales, you magnificent beasts! All in all not a bad day. Certainly not the uneventful cruising day we had originally expected.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.