WOW!

Posted by Lisa at 12:43 AM, June 23, 2005

© Greenpeace

This is a message from Isha who is the assistant cook on board the ship. She had never seen a whale before this trip....... --L.

What can i say.. ...jaw freezing into a smile, heart racing down through you're toes out into the world.. heaven and earth combine, the ocean breathes.. life has a new meaning. I have seen a whale!!!

Most magnificient, most gentle, most graceful.. a hunderd dolphins in one! Words, no matter how many I put down, dont take you there.. but im going to try coz im not the same anymore...

On the 20th of June, the crew of the arctic sunrise is invited to go whale watching in Rekyavik. We excitedly accept. Thank you Pete and Martin for giving me the afternoon off!

One pm, out into the boat, eager beavers..dressed to combat rain and wind we happily set off into the bay..hoping to find some whales. Hafsulan, an icelandic whale watching company were our hosts. 1o minutes, it seemed, into the bay one engine of the boat gave way..we stopped and were told that we were going to head back..to fix the boat. Dissapointment, wetter than the rain soaked me... could I take the whole day off to see a whale? Sadly the afternoon oscilated between whether I should try again or was it some sort of a "sign"?

I was on the boat at five sharp, a little wiser and therefore warmer! The sea was kind..gentle and generous. I was excited, excited ....ummmm breathless. Complete concentration, all the time knowing deeply that I would see one..but then realising that it was not in my control at all...prayed silently, whispering to the sea to the whales..pleading! Then it appeared, elusive first..we chased it gently as best we could at the complete mercy of the being.....all together hoping the whale would stay around..we were at least 30 people on that boat all wanting the same thing together!

I have read and heard about whales being intelligent beings but a meeting with one, like we, fortunate beings had..is an understanding. I didnt know what it was thinking, but im sure it knew what we wanted..and the minke gave us all an expeience, we wont forget ever! I can see it no, every moment of those 15 minutes it swam under us, around, twirling giant beast. Graceful magnificent being..wow! wow! WOW!

It was cold, windy and sfiffly! I was wet to my bones but I felt none of it. I forgot all about the cold, the rain, the slippery deck as we ran from port to starboard following the minke.

I could reapet this story for the rest of my life, to family, chlidren, friends, I ll never forget the way it smelt.....again and again and again. Gosh! I think I'm gushing! Well its' told like it is, in my heart......forever! Thank you mother nature for your constant beauty. May we each see your magnificence and let that rule our lives eternally!

Om shanti --Isha

(photos of mike whale by Isha)