13.06.2017 – School trip at sea

Our start in the day was very dynamic. A group of 11 young students and their teachers (School in Calheta) went on board and changed our “old lady” in a colourful swimming class room. The bord rules were quickly alternated and the smartphones switched on to hear openair-music. The patience of the guests was rewarded in the end of the trip with a special highlight. Higino, our spotter on land guided us to a big school of False Orcas, which were heading in a western direction. Many of the animals came very close to our boat. This species is a member of the dolphin familly and is not yet well investigated. Their small heads with rounded noses and a black body coloration are characteristic features.
Unfortunately the second tour in the early afternoon we couldn’t find any marine mammals. Special thanks to those passengers who had interesting remarks and questions concerning the hand-made articles (often sold as souvenirs, Made in Portugal) made of natural cork (from cork trees in Mainland Portugal). Cork can be used in many ways and serves as a good alternative to leather, for an animal friendly and vegane way of life.

by Astrid Haas

Todays Sightings:

Ribeira Brava
09.00: Striped dolphins and False Orcas
13.30: no sighting