We are now “one” with the whales.

Last night, still anchored at Isla Isabela, we woke in the middle of the night to singing. Who could be singing out here in the Pacific Ocean? Listen carefully what could that be? Oh my goodness, it’s the whale song resonating with Charisma’s hull! Sometime in the early morning hours we just listened in awe as we were fortunate enough to share an ancient communication. Beautiful.

Woke up to a slightly overcast day and decided we would take a ride in the dinghy “around the corner” of our cove. Around the corner turns out to be the Pacific Ocean. The full Pacific swell was in place albeit light. Up and over 3 foot swells we went, which in our dinghy seemed more like climbing small buildings. We were very exposed, no longer tucked into our nice cove on the South side of the island. Manta Rays were jumping around us as we motored around the island. Did I mention we brought a fishing pole too. Silly us. I’m not sure what would happen if we had been lucky (?) enough to hook a 40 lb tuna or 50″ wahoo. I think it might look like “old man and the sea”. Anyway, as we’re traveling along, Ann shouted; “Whale!” Actually it was two of them and they were about 50 yards away or as Ann noted; “too close for my comfort”. Fortunately they just did a few mild aerobatics and then dove, no doubt intent on continuing their breakfast. We looked at each other and just said; “Wow”. What else can you do when you have a private whale show in so intimate an environment?

“What else” turned out to happen as I continued in my quest for fish later in the day. I decided I would dedicate the day to catching more delicious fish. So, off again in the dinghy with fishing pole in hand. This time, I drift fished out of our cove into the deep blue. The first indication that I wasn’t very near land anymore was an aerial show from several manta rays who were jumping in a line that got me thinking that if they didn’t stop I’d have a very large manta ray in the dinghy with me! It turned out they only (!) got about ten feet away before veering away. Really, a little too close. So, now that the manta ray show was over and none ended up in my lap, I settled down to more fishing having gotten a couple bites a little earlier. My next indication something was amiss was a loud; “BOOM”. Yipes! I turned around in time to see a full size humpback whale breach-that is jump clear out of the water while spinning around at the same time-less than fifty yards from my frail little inflatable boat. Basically, he was towering above me. Fifty yards!! That’s about how far you chip onto the green over a sand trap. While I was thinking that, he jumped again. Thirty yards! Then again. Twenty yards! OK, that’s about the length of a small backyard swimming pool. His splashes were rocking my small boat and his breath-he would breath each time he leaped- was, well…bad! OK, that was close enough, I was worried maybe he didn’t see my insignificant little craft. I leapt to the starter and pulled the cord-engine started and I moved “casually” out the way as my friend Mr. Whale jumped several more times, then did about half a dozen “barrel rolls” and slapped his flukes as if he was laughing with joy. Ha, ha, very funny. Ann was back on Charisma watching this whole event as she heard the BOOM every time the whale leapt out of the water and smashed back to the sea. Amazing. I am still somewhat speechless given how out of nowhere the fairly calm ocean was turned into frothing white water and I was able to have a close up view of this unbelievable spectacle. The other amazing thing; as this was unfolding, all I could think of was; “he’s looking right at me”. Every leap, the whale twisted in mid-air so his eye was right on me as he seemed to fly though the air before splashing back down into the blue Pacific Ocean. I think he was playing whale peek-a-boo. Just wow! The adventure just continues.

This about the fifth breach after I moved away. If you click on the photo you can still see me in the dinghy moving away.

This is about the fifth or sixth breach after I moved away

A pretty significant craft next to a breaching humpback whale. Wish I had brought a camera with me though.

P.S. Missy: So, we cooked the last of the fish last night using the book you gave us. Fantastic! Nice job. Kelly: I finished the book you got me on Steve Jobs. Loved it! Wonderful book. Ann’s going to read it next.