Dolphins and whales of the Azores

Enjoy the azure blue waters of the beautiful Azorean Islands of Portugal. Here we will swim with five different species of playful, curious dolphins traveling in large pods and riding the bow wave of our boats. Living in shore based resorts, we enjoy many of the 21 types of dolphins and whales who live here and migrate to these waters in the summer. Ask anyone who attended last year and you will hear about sun-filled days, full of laughter and dolphins, who spend joyful hours with us each day. The Sperm whales, the largest brains on planet Earth, also observe us, as we shut the engines down and watch them in the silent ripples of endless ocean. These waters of the beautiful Azores Islands are teeming with sealife!
 

Aldeia da Fonte, Dolphins of the Azores

During this relaxing seminar, immersed in old world charm, we spend days on the well-appointed boats of Aqua Acores of Lajes. The boat owners are seasoned Portuguese captains who have a long-term relationship with Sperm whales and all of the island cetacea. They are gentle sea-faring men and women.

During the mornings, we travel by private boat to meet hundreds of dolphins, and go in the azure blue waters to swim among Spotted, Common, Striped, Bottlenose and Rissos dolphins who play in large pods. Often we might see whales swimming by. To assist us, there are land-based whale spotters called Vigias posted along 450 km of the coastline. Observing the activity in the ocean, they locate the cetaceans and give us the coordinates. Which pod do we choose to meet first?

There is always so much to see! The waters are teeming with sea life. We may see schools of fish surrounded by dolphin pods and diving seabirds. The ocean bubbles and churns with their splashing and jumping. We are invited to participate and swim among them.

Meeting before and after the boat trips, we meditate, share and remember our spiritual Atlantean lives. The "veil" is very thin here, and our simultaneous existences come through in dreams, conversations and ocean swims. In touch with our Higher Self, we experience Truth in the Beauty around us and remember our enlightened reasons for Being on Earth.

We will enjoy sumptuous dinners together watching the sun as it sets into the translucent blue waters. It is beautiful here and our hearts are filled with the promises of the dolphins and whales.

accomodation: Aldeia da Fonte Perched on cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean, Hotel Aldeia da Fonte lays at the foot of the spectacular volcano, Mount Pico in the little village Lajes do Pico. This is a charming spacious 5-star shoreline hotel with every amenity for your comfort and enjoyment. It is a haven of lacey shade trees and delightful pathways leading to spectacular, private ocean nooks and little hide-away reading areas. Seating and stairways outdoors, are carved in natural rock formations.   Our villas are oceanside, surrounded by the nighttime songs of the seabirds. It is the perfect setting for a wonderful vacation and educational experience with many dolphins and a variety of resident whales in the silvery-blue, still waters of the Azores Islands of Portugal.   The cuisine is superb with organic, garden grown vegetables and local fish. An excellent wine menu is available with homemade breads and Portuguese cheese. Their delicious and exotic pastries melt in your mouth.

dates:

17th - 22nd July 2005

The group will meet on 17th July 2pm in the library lounge at the hotel to introduce each other and discuss the schedule for the seminar.

The dolphin seminar ends at noon on 22nd July.

included:

This very special seminar includes four boat trips to swim among dolphins and observe whales, snorkeling in lava pools, luxury suites with full kitchens (double occupancy), buffet breakfasts, gourmet local, vegetarian and international cuisine and fresh baked pastries.

not included:

- flights to and from Pico island (I can help you with these arrangements - just fill out the flight options in the booking form)

- all taxi fees (one way airport to hotel is about 25 - 30 US$/EUR)

- additional meals & private expenses

price:

1,950.00 EUR / 2,730.00 US$