SWIMMING
WITH WILD DOLPHINS IN THE AZORES
21
July - 30 August 2008 (10 day programmes)
How
to Book
Contact 'Wild and Free' by
Email and the course leader will contact you.
The Azores archipelago is situated in the Atlantic ocean 2000 miles west
of Portugal. It is the only land between America and Europe. A Portuguese
territory, the nine islands, dominated by a volcanic mountain range, offer
a rare and unspoilt natural beauty, having retained their cultural integrity
and escaped the ravages of commercial tourism. There is a wild and elemental
quality here, the ocean's presence is never far away and breathing the
air alone is invigorating. Some people say, it is the last vestiges of
the lost continent of Atlantis. Hot springs steam into the fresh and unpolluted
air. There are meadows filled with the scent of wild herbs and vivid,
colourful flowers line the roads. It is quite the perfect setting to relax
and slow down.
These
holidays are an adventure. People come alone or in couples or groups of
friends, occasionally with children. What we offer is an active experience
of the dolphins, which is very exhilarating and the opportunity to spend
time in the regenerating power of nature and the elements. The groups
are usually lively and friendly. There are lots of opportunities to socialise
as well as ample time for relaxation and reflection.
The
islands are a major meeting place for both humans and cetaceans &
attract scientists, naturalists, international photographers and divers.
They have a developing eco- tourism. They are also a port of call for
transatlantic yachtsmen. Conversations on the land are buzzing with tales
of recent adventures and sightings. In the ocean there is a similar rich
exchange of communication, as the many different resident and transient
species of dolphin & whale converge at what is sometimes referred
to as "The Cetacean cross-roads of the world".
Dolphins
& Whales
The
dolphins dance and play exuberantly around the boats with insatiable vitality
performing aerial displays, to the delight of those on board. From under
the water, visibility is superb as one views and feels their exquisite
movements and sounds interspersed with shimmering light rays in this underwater
dreamscape. Sometimes the dolphins come up very close to those watching!
The sound of whales, when they surround the boat, have a sacred meditative
quality, especially the outbreath and the silence. It can be a deeply
moving and transforming experience for many people.
It
is not uncommon to meet pods of dolphin of between 50 and 200, leaping
with exuberance and vitality around the boats. Some species display a
delightful curiosity and are very sociable with us above and below the
water! Everyone has their own unique experience with the dolphins. On
the boat we watch them riding close in the bow waves. In the water, they
swim beneath us as we lie on the surface or they may even swim with us
in perfect harmony. Maybe a very inquisitive dolphin will come up very
close and look us straight in the eye, or start to play around us.
Our
whale and dolphin watch company is the most established on the islands
and offers over 10 years of experience and expertise. They are conducting
many educational and research programmes and have a strong conservation
policy and code of ethics to protect the dolphins and whales. We go out
in rapid "hard hulled" inflatable boats with cushioned seats
and a ladder. They take 8 people. Sighting the dolphins and whales is
easier in the Azores than many other locations due to the assistance of
the "Vigia". These are the men who traditionally used to act
as land-based lookouts for hunting whales which was banned 14 years ago.
They now use their remarkable tracking skills to scan the sea, identifying
and locating different species, and, through radio contact, direct our
boats to them. This, together with the expertise of skilled skippers and
our team, guarantees more opportunities to encounter the animals and spend
time with them.
Over
the years we have worked together with resident skippers and guides who
share their skills, expertise and dedication to developing a mutual bond
of trust, respect and understanding with the dolphins. We allow the dolphins
to initiate contact when they are ready to play. We follow their invitation
and natural curiosity and never disturb them when hunting or feeding.
This gives rise to an empathy and quality of communication that everyone
can sense and feel. It is this special intimacy with these sensitive mammals
that generates the consistently high quality (and the magic!) of our encounters
in these waters. We are involved in research programmes to study dolphin
behaviour and human-dolphin interaction and have facilitated in and documented
many of the extraordinary, transforming experiences people have had here.
There
is a wonderful feeling of harmony with nature as these highly intelligent,
sentient, wild creatures choose to interact and communicate with us welcoming
us into different states of sensing and feeling.
CLIMATE
The Azores has an equable climate all year round. We have found the summer
to be the best time for our trips. Temperatures range from a mild 16°C
(60°F) in winter to a comfortable 26°C (79°F) in summer. The
sea is warmed by the Gulf Stream. Sea temperatures in summer are 20-22°C
Food
and Accommodation Our hotel has a unique and dramatic setting, perched
on cliffs high above the Atlantic ocean. It is surrounded by forests and
vineyards and has fabulous views of the spectacular volcano which is dormant.
Its landscaped gardens lend themselves to socialising in the garden-restaurant
under vines and orange trees. There are also many magical and tranquil
hidden away places to relax in hammocks or gaze out to sea. There is also
a swimming pool and barbecue looking out to the ocean. Dolphins and whales
can often be sighted from here. The owners and staff are friendly and
hospitable hosts and the hotel has a very good standard of comfort and
amenities. The hotel has a reasonably priced, excellent restaurant serving
superb international cuisine and can cater for vegetarians. There are
a variety of styles of accommodation to choose from (see booking information
insert for prices and dates).
RECONNECTING
WITH NATURE
Swimming
with dolphins is an unforgettable experience of playfulness, grace and
beauty. Our ethos is one of respect and sensitivity with the dolphins
and we introduce our guests to this experience with expert care and guidance.
It is very special to be on the open ocean when these wild animals choose
to interact with us. For many there is a profound relationship with nature
and life at a very subtle level. We are often more in touch with our instincts
and intuition. People frequently describe feelings of love, openness and
confidence. They often experience a freedom of spirit and imagination
they hadn't known before and return home more inspired and openhearted.
RESPECT
FOR THE PLANET Our purpose in introducing people to these magnificent
creatures, is to raise awareness of conservation issues and the delicate
balance of earth ecology. People often take back into their lives a sense
of how they want to contribute to the sustainability of the environment
and build more holistic lifestyles as a result of their personal experiences.
OTHER
DIMENSIONS From our observations out on the water with the dolphins
and whales, we see the "dolphin connection" as opening up other
realms of sensing, feeling and perceiving. In the same way that listening
to music, rhythm and sound can transport us to another plane of experience,
so can the presence of the dolphins and their sound vibrations lead to
a heightened experience of our feeling nature and other dimensions of
reality.
QUOTES
"Normally quite passive, I found myself going as wild with delight
as everyone else!" David Hirst, Sunday Times Lifestyle
"This
is something I will tell my grandchildren about" Clare, aged
12 after close encounter with a Sperm Whale
"I
never expected to encounter such an abundance of dolphins. Hundreds surrounded
our boat, leaping, clicking, making love all around us. They stayed with
us for hours sharing their world with ours. The experience of abundance,
freedom and pure joy had an inspirational effect on my life back home.
" Alex Fisher - Editorial Consultant - Kindred Spirit Magazine
How
to Book
Contact 'Wild and Free' by
Email and the course leader will contact you.
BOOK
FLIGHTS HERE |
