by Gayle Lawrence, Journeys of Discovery

Our eyes were locked, her gaze was hypnotic as I hung there motionless, as if in a trance. I was lost in the liquid beauty of this huge dark eye that held me captive as this enormous glistening gray body silently glided past me, only a few feet away. We never actually touched, but she held me in such a gentle caress with her eye, an eye that seemed to hold within it the wisdom of the ages and a love so freely shared. I felt as if my heart would burst with the emotion of this encounter.

Then, suddenly, the reality of what was happening dazzled me: I was swimming with a humpback whale…and this was entirely her idea. There are some things in life that speak to our soul and change us forever; my intimate encounters with humpback whales have effected me in such a way.

The week of Feb. 26 – March 4, 2000 found me on my second trip to the Dominican Republic to spend a week with humpback whales in the Silver Banks. This is an area 85 miles off the coast of Puerto Plata, which is the winter birthing and mating grounds for the Atlantic humpbacks.

The area encompasses a 65-mile radius composed of huge coral heads that extend from the ocean bottom, showing themselves above the surface of the water. The coral provides a safe and secure place free of sharks, perfect for giving birth to baby humpbacks. From December through early April, the Silver Banks is alive with humpbacks that have migrated south from their northern feeding grounds. Cows with newborn calves and groups of rowdy males competing for the favors of the females make for constant and dramatic action.

A special permit issued by the Dominican Republic government makes it possible for a small group of people to spend six days on a triple-deck, live-aboard, 90-ft. catamaran, right in the middle of the Silver Banks area, surrounded by humpback whales. The above- water action is incredible and awesome, but the real thrill is the opportunity to have soft in-water encounters with the whales. There are strict guidelines and there is never any action taken that would, in any way, interfere with their normal behavior. But to our amazement and delight, they do seem to enjoy and welcome the human interaction. They are as graceful as ballerina’s, and with their wing-like, 15-ft.-long pectoral fins, they are like giant birds of the sea.

The whales have captured my heart and I am compelled to return and be with them again.

Gayle Lawrence and Journeys of Discovery offer women personal transformational travel. An outer discovery adventure plus an inner journey for the spirit and soul.

JOURNEYS OF DISCOVERY--Transformational Travel for Women.
 An outer discovery adventure.....an inner journey for the soul.