{"id":981,"date":"2024-02-07T21:39:09","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T08:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myblogary.com\/?p=981"},"modified":"2024-02-07T21:59:55","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T08:59:55","slug":"a-whale-of-a-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myblogary.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/07\/a-whale-of-a-day\/","title":{"rendered":"A Whale of a Day?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

February 7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Warning! HIGH chance of sea sickness<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Victoria stayed back on land while I ventured to sea in search of whales. My first clue that Victoria made the right decision was when the announcement came over the lobby reception PA saying the captain had made the determination to sail, but he warned against a high probability of sea sickness. They offered everyone the chance to back out for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Whale Watch Vessel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Armed with sea sickness pills Victoria gave me and a sea sickness watch-type device we used years ago on our first and only cruise (Victoria vows never again), me and 100 of my closest friends said heck yea, let\u2019s go! And so we did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our route for the adventure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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The winds were at 26 knots blowing from the Northeast with 4 to 6 foot seas that felt even higher at times. Thankfully we were on a special high powered jet engine watercraft that made the ride look easy even though the seas were mighty rough. \u201cLook at the horizon,\u201d the guide kept repeating. Find a stationary object to cast your spell on and hope for calmer waters I thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, our first stop arrived for fresh air. The team put a listening device in the water to listen for whale sounds that can be heard as far away as 2 miles. Whales make a clicking noise under water that comes from the back of their throat as they dive. Scientists believe those sounds are used to identify a whale\u2019s physical surroundings for navigation and that\u2019s what the team were trying to locate. After 10 minutes, no sounds of whales. Back to the cabin we go to continue the search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The guide explained Sperm whales inhabit Kaik\u014dura due to very deep waters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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By this point we were some five miles off shore and the captain stopped again for the team to drop the listening apparatus. We were let out for fresh air (and good behavior). The seas were very rough. I caught some amazing sights of several Northern White Albatrosses, but no whales. Strike two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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