Travel Tips

We left on the speedboat to Parque Nacional de Abrolhas for whale-watching.

Most of us sat on the front part of the boat. As the boat sped through the waters, the waves got choppier and choppier and the ride got rougher.

The boat flew sometimes and upon landing, huge splashes came at us. Soon, we were soaked to the skin, our eyes stinging with salt-water. I had to wrap my camera inside my waterproof jacket to protect it.

We slowed down. Someone spotted a whale or two. Yeah, right over there. They surfaced a little and then, the tail flipped up and went silently down. Wow... I tried to imagine the entire size of the mammal. It must be huge. And to be so gentle and elegant... I was awed.

Before we got to the islands three hours away, we came upon more pairs of whales, usually mommy and baby. Some squirted water from their blow-holes. Some did little waves with their fins. I was waiting for breaching - that's when they jump out of the water and slam down. It would be awesome to see that.

We were paddled to an island which had colonies of birds which, unfortunately, due to 'no entendo Portuguese' (I do not understand Portuguese), I never found out the name of the birds.

Many had fledgings which were molting their baby feathers. They were nearly the size of their parents.

They were sitting there in their nests, brazenly staring at us. Some even tried to chase us away.

It was fantastic to be so close to these birds.

Frigate birds and vultures were flying above us as well.