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Hunting the Whale.
Dec. 12th, 2013 06:24 pmCall me Ishmael. (I'd call Ishmael myself but I lost his number)
Unlike Ahab, I just wanted a photo rather than revenge. Turned up for the trip and found a bunch of people waiting in the cold snow and eventually the captain turned up. We boarded our vessel - M/S Leone. A chubby little ex-Trawler, and not the sparkly tourist boat I was expecting. Cosy though with hot drinks readily available. We set off on a tour around the island of Kvaløya and tried to spot Whales.
First hour: No whales, but a lot of that was involved in getting away from Tromsø. Second hour: still no whales. After we got 3/4 of the way round the island, Just as I was starting to feel a little despondent, on the horizon, someone spotted a splash! We steamed over and watched the whale. Didn't get too close but there were more splashes in the distance and as we got closer to them we saw a humpback whale leap out of the sea!
Magnificent creatures! Mostly we just see a one or two at a time with their back leaving the water briefly, but every now and again, they dive and we see the tail, or a group of them will leap out of the water.
So I have seen Whales. What do I want to do next?
Dog sledding! That's what. Will do that tomorrow.
Other things done today - Had a look at the Tromsøysund Cathedral, because I like the architecture. Just a steep sided prism, more or less.
Unlike Ahab, I just wanted a photo rather than revenge. Turned up for the trip and found a bunch of people waiting in the cold snow and eventually the captain turned up. We boarded our vessel - M/S Leone. A chubby little ex-Trawler, and not the sparkly tourist boat I was expecting. Cosy though with hot drinks readily available. We set off on a tour around the island of Kvaløya and tried to spot Whales.
First hour: No whales, but a lot of that was involved in getting away from Tromsø. Second hour: still no whales. After we got 3/4 of the way round the island, Just as I was starting to feel a little despondent, on the horizon, someone spotted a splash! We steamed over and watched the whale. Didn't get too close but there were more splashes in the distance and as we got closer to them we saw a humpback whale leap out of the sea!
Magnificent creatures! Mostly we just see a one or two at a time with their back leaving the water briefly, but every now and again, they dive and we see the tail, or a group of them will leap out of the water.
So I have seen Whales. What do I want to do next?
Dog sledding! That's what. Will do that tomorrow.
Other things done today - Had a look at the Tromsøysund Cathedral, because I like the architecture. Just a steep sided prism, more or less.
