A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH CREATURES OF THE SEA
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanWe are inching closer to spring and with the arrival of a new season comes the dream of going on a vacation that offers us a unique experience and a chance to leave reality behind if only for one week.
The answer can be found on the Silver Bank, a large submerged limestone plateau within the Dominican Republic and part of The Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. The Silver Bank is very close to the tantalizing Turks and Caicos as well. Wherever you turn, you will be surrounded by tropical beauty that cannot be beat.
What makes all of this scenery so unusual are the thousands of humpback whales that gather on the Banks at the beginning of every year. You can catch these great wonders of nature with your own eyes.
Conscious Breath Adventures can make the dream of a lifetime come true. They combine people, experience, skills and philosophy to give you a vacation that will not soon be forgotten. It is a world of magic as you swim with the huge humpback whales.
Not only is this an exciting adventure but it is an educational experience into these graceful giants of the sea that gives you endless knowledge into a world unlike any other. Board the custom whale boats to interact with these curious creatures in their own habitat.
As you spend a week on the live aboard cruise in this exceptional sanctuary, you will have a journey unlike any other. The whales will touch your heart and inspire your soul.
Just reading what is in store for you may have sparked your interest so here is a preview into how it works. The Soft-In-Water Encounter is a passive, non-agressive activity where the participants float very quietly on the surface of the ocean in the vicinity of a tolerant and cooperative whale or whales to allow the curiosity of the whale to draw them closer to you. The only equipment allowed in the water is mask, snorkel and fins. All visitors are asked to stay close together as a group. An experienced crew on board will educate each of the guests on the behavior of the mammals that they will witness for themselves. Hear the powerful and thundering song of the humpback whale which is always a thrill and can be felt throughout your entire body. Come eye to eye with the a creature whose message is mesmerizing.
Boarding a live aboard and participating in an unrivaled experience also creates a unique bond with fellow travelers and builds lasting friendships.
The humpback whale’s most distinctive feature is its long pectoral fins which are 1/3 of the whale’s total body length, sometimes reaching as long as 15′. The leading edge of the pectoral fins feature unique patterns of tubercles, knobby protuberances that assist with directing the flow of water over the fin. This gives more efficiency in swimming, feeding and social behaviors. These whales play like children in a sea of serendipity.
You will spend your week in a plush vessel that feels like a home away from home. There are gorgeous staterooms that keep you comfortable and in a relaxed state of mind while a professional crew attends to your every need. There are two vessels that accommodate all travel goers that are 25′ with expansive shade cover and all the comforts of home at your fingertips. The evening meal is a full-service four course dinner with an assortment of beverages. Captain Gene Flipse is the man striving daily to make your trip more pleasurable and enjoyable. He has been a water enthusiast for almost his entire lifetime and enjoys sharing all that the sea has to offer with others.
The peak season is upon us now (January through the beginning of April) and already the charters are just about sold out but it isn’t too late to plan your 2014 encounter. Be sure to visit www.consciousbreathadventures.com to get all the details. They also offer one-week live aboard cruises to swim with the spotted dolphins on Little Bahama Bank in the beautiful islands of the Bahamas.
Whichever vacation you end up indulging in, coming home from this trip you will be overcome with joy, awe, humility, gratitude and respect. It is a memory that is certainly unmatched.
PHOTO CREDITS: Conscious Breath Adventures Facebook page and Clare Omodei
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