Whale Watching in the Azores: A Gentle Giant Encounter

 You have travel moments that you plan and then you have those moments that you know have transformed you.

 Whale watching in Azores is in the latter. This Portuguese archipelago is considered by some to be the best-kept secret of Europe and is located in the mid-Atlantic and to me, the sea told its own magic.

Departing on the Sea

 Salt air and soft gray clouds had been the morning fare. We moved slowly in our small boat in the harbor, and the guide, a native, with a weather-beaten face and a voice that told tales, told us what we were likely to see.



 He smiled and said: Patience, the ocean decides. So we shoved off and the land crept steadily behind us as the horizon broadened.

 Side Note: Always check Meet And Greet Stansted before travelling and book accordingly.

The First Look

 The next thing was the sound of waves and the engine of the boat, which lasted some time. Then it came. A spout of spray burst up in the distance. All were bending forward with beating hearts.

 In a few seconds a huge sperm whale came up, with its dark back shining in the sun as it drew a long slow breath. I swear the boat gave one collective sigh of amazement.

 

Dolphins and other Surprises

 The magic was not over. Soon a pod of dolphins danced around our boat, leaping and twisting as they seemed to be doing only to entertain us. They were so playful, and it was so lovely against the still, measured presence of the whales.

 As our guide pointed out over 20 species of whale pass through these waters on their way north and south during the year including blue whales, fin whales and even orcas.

 

A Persistent Memory

 By the time we again headed in toward the shore, the sun was shining between the clouds, and silvering the islands with its rays.

 I was not only bringing back photos with me, I was also bringing back a humbling reminder of how tenuous is our relationship with the ocean.

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