19.11.2022 – 60 Challenges

Our marine mammals swam patrol off Calheta’s coast today, to our advantage. So on the way out we had Short finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) swimming to the south-east, outside we encountered a school of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) along with a few pilot whales and on the way back the pilot whales were migrating north-west. So we had these wonderful marine mammals almost all the time. Playing pilot whale calves clowned around while the adults swam very close along the Ribeira Brava several times.

As one guest put it so beautifully today: “It makes you very humble.” That’s exactly how it is, because such sightings are not a matter of course. It is a gift of multifaceted, beautiful, fabulous nature, which can always amaze or humble you.

Today on the boat there was another very inspiring idea from another guest. A nice lady told me that a few years ago for her 60th birthday she got 60 challenges from her friends and family. Some were real accomplishments, some were tricky affairs, and some were still on their wish list. Circumnavigate Wales on foot; memorize the Greek alphabet; a parachute jump was on the list, for example. Every month, a friend recommended a book to her that she would not have read otherwise. One item on her wish list was to do a whale watching tour. Of course, we are particularly pleased that she chose us for this. I found the story so beautiful that I want to share it here with her permission. Smart, loving friends who encourage you to keep moving physically, spiritually, mentally, personally and socially and to constantly step out of your comfort zone. I think that’s one of the most precious, richest gifts I’ve ever heard of. That’s something to emulate, isn’t it? Thank you dear lady for sharing this inspiration!

by Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Pilot whales, Bottlenose dolphins

Stenella

10:00 Pilot whales, Bottlenose dolphins