IT´S OFTEN THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE TOURS SPECIAL
I´m lucky enough that by working as a guide at Gentle Giants, I have the opportunity to see whales every day. Yet even though I see whales on a daily basis, it often feels like I am seeing them for the very first time, when I have passengers who are so excited to see their first whale. The other day, we set out into a feisty ocean, with a small group of determined whale enthusiasts.
Among our passengers, we had an adventurous young woman called Ina who had flown all the way to Iceland specifically to come to Husavik to see her first whale. She told me that seeing the whales had been her dream since she was a very small girl and she was now desperate to see one.
We also had on board a sailor from Switzerland called Dominque, who has made the inspirational decision to spend his retirement sailing around the whole world instead of sitting still at home. As a navigator of big wild oceans, the waves in our bay were no bother for him and he was very helpful at spotting whales.
We were also joined by high school teachers from America, who were keen to see their first whales so they could tell their students back in California all about it and encourage young people to be excited about the ocean.
Therefore, even though the sea was a bit angry and our boat was dancing and rocking across the waves, everyone on board saw it as a big adventure. After travelling across the bay, we were rewarded by seeing both jumping dolphins and two beautiful humpback whales feeding at the surface.
I can´t express how wonderful it was to see people so excited to see whales and adventure out into the ocean. So thank you to all the countless other passengers who have come on our tours this summer and allowed us guides to remember what it is like to see your very first whale.
Happy couple!
Dominque in his right element.
Ina after seeing her first whale! Endless joy.
Beautiful sunset on the way back.
Text and photos: Katrina Davies (guide)