Every year, around 16,000 humpback whales journey along the east coast of Australia during their migration. There are only around 21,000 humpbacks remaining, so during this season (August-November), thousands of people journey to see these magnificent sea beasts.
After snatching up a coupon online for a $40 whale watching trip aboard the Spirit of the Gold Coast, I was itching to see this massive mammal up close and personal.
On the almost two hour ride to the coast, the radio cautioned mariners about the high surf with the words "don't go out on the water".
"Ah, we'll be right" ("We'll survive"), my friend said.
On the almost two hour ride to the coast, the radio cautioned mariners about the high surf with the words "don't go out on the water".
"Ah, we'll be right" ("We'll survive"), my friend said.
Before boarding the ship, the crew warned that anyone who might get sea sick should take pills immediately. 'I was raised around water, I'll be fine,' I thought to myself. As we left the Gold Coast skyline behind us and trudged towards the open sea, our vessel began conquering the waves. By the time we left the marina, I was already reminded of the 'Perfect Storm'.
The ship teetered and tottered over the surf, causing everyone aboard to sway back and forth. Within the first 30 minutes, I was already scolding myself for being so cocky and not taking the pills. I think that the lower deck people were having the same thoughts as stories of a chain reaction of vomiting scenes surfaced to the top deck. The top deck was not spared, however, as the young red-headed girl next to me gripped the railing and lunged her head over the boat's edge.
I stood up, clung to a pole and rocked as one with the boat, hoping that the fresh sea air and the promise of humpback whales would be enough to keep my stomach settled. After an hour, the boat's scout, with all of the excitement of a 6 year old on Christmas morning, yelled down from the very top "we've got one, 12 o'clock!"
The people instantly ran to the right side of the boat, hoping for a glimpse.
The whale emerged.
The mama whale glided through the ocean with ease as her baby followed, jumping and flipping into the waves like a school kid playing on the jungle gym. This was their kind of day; windy, wavy, and a little chilly. My heart pounded as I clicked my camera over and over, trying not to miss anything. The energy on the boat was enough to revive any hurting soul. We were witnessing one of God's miracles and I couldn't help but stand in awe of this magnificent animal.
I felt as though I was having an outer body experience. That me, JessiLane from Carrsville, Va, was 200 feet from a humpback whale, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. I closed my eyes and scrolled through all the painful chapters of my life. 'If those events led to this...then I'm okay with that,' I thought.
Whale watching became something more than a cross-off on my tourist checklist. It was a self-enlightenment, a spiritual journey that reminded me to cherish the beauty and blessings in my life.
Cost of going to the Gold Coast, $60
Cost of whale watching, $40
Cost of finding peace, priceless.
Cost of whale watching, $40
Cost of finding peace, priceless.
