At Sea
Today we began in earnest our transit of the Atlantic from Africa to South America. The evening before we had spent a wonderful hour among a large pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins as we prepared to leave the islands of Cabo Verde.
We went round and round in our Zodiacs as the dolphins played in front of the boats and occasionally chased one of the many flying fish trying their best to avoid becoming dinner either for the dolphins or for one of the many Cory’s shearwaters flying around over the feeding pod. Day broke this morning with the trades winds blowing on our port quarter, moving us gently along over the long south swell coming from somewhere in the south Atlantic.
After lunch we encountered three pods of another species of marine mammals, short-finned pilot whales. These large dolphins, or small toothed whales, were lolling at the surface and occasionally diving to feed. The ocean floor was nearly 5000 meters deep below us and the whales stayed around the ship for a long time as Captain Sãterskog carefully maneuvered the ship to give us the best looks and photographic opportunities without disturbing the animals.
Eventually we swung the bow back on our 198º course showing us again that rather than sailing west across the Atlantic, we are actually sailing down the Atlantic toward SS. Peter and Paul Rocks which lie directly on our course line to Salvador still some days ahead.
Today we began in earnest our transit of the Atlantic from Africa to South America. The evening before we had spent a wonderful hour among a large pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins as we prepared to leave the islands of Cabo Verde.
We went round and round in our Zodiacs as the dolphins played in front of the boats and occasionally chased one of the many flying fish trying their best to avoid becoming dinner either for the dolphins or for one of the many Cory’s shearwaters flying around over the feeding pod. Day broke this morning with the trades winds blowing on our port quarter, moving us gently along over the long south swell coming from somewhere in the south Atlantic.
After lunch we encountered three pods of another species of marine mammals, short-finned pilot whales. These large dolphins, or small toothed whales, were lolling at the surface and occasionally diving to feed. The ocean floor was nearly 5000 meters deep below us and the whales stayed around the ship for a long time as Captain Sãterskog carefully maneuvered the ship to give us the best looks and photographic opportunities without disturbing the animals.
Eventually we swung the bow back on our 198º course showing us again that rather than sailing west across the Atlantic, we are actually sailing down the Atlantic toward SS. Peter and Paul Rocks which lie directly on our course line to Salvador still some days ahead.
